Canada files WTO complaint against US steel, aluminium tariffs

ISTANBUL: The World Trade Organisation (WTO) said on Thursday that Canada has submitted a complaint over United States (US) President Donald Trump's tariff measures, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported.

"Canada has requested WTO dispute consultations with the United States regarding the imposition by the United States of import duties on certain steel and aluminium products from Canada," said a WTO press release.

The organisation said Canada claimed that the measures, which terminate Canada's exemption from additional duties on certain steel and aluminium products and increase duties on aluminium articles, and which took effect on March 12, are inconsistent with US obligations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994.

On Feb 10, Trump announced a global-level imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, a vowed measure to foster the national industries and US producers.

On Wednesday, Trump's planned 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium imports took effect.

Canada had submitted another complaint to WTO on March 5 after President Trump's tariffs on Canadian goods became effective on March 4.

After negotiations between the two countries, Trump later postponed those tariffs for some products for a month.

-- BERNAMA