Published
Imports of steel and aluminumThe WTO rules in favor of Switzerland in a customs dispute with the USA
The United States has imposed additional customs duties on certain steel and aluminum imports since 2018. According to the WTO, these measures are illegal.
Additional customs duties amount to 25% on imports of some steel products. (illustrative image)
AFP extension
Since March 23, 2018, the United States has applied additional customs duties 25% on the import of some steel products and 20% on that of some aluminum products. The reason is: national security. just like eight other members of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Switzerland initiated a dispute settlement procedure at the WTO in 2018.
The latter, delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, lasted more than four years. The WTO panel has just released its report and “concluded that the US measures are contrary to several provisions of the General Agreement on Trade in Goods (GATT) and are not justified by the security exception provided for in that agreement ”, reports the Federal Council in a press release.
According to our colleagues from20 minutes” (article in German), countries that win WTO dispute settlement cases are entitled to compensation as they have been harmed by a contested measure. Note that the US can formally appeal. But Washington has been blocking the renewal of positions within the appellate body for several years. In other words, negotiations may not take place for a while. The case therefore remains pending.
(to come)
