WTO rules against U.S. on Trump metal tariffs, favoring China

Biden administration strongly rejects 'flawed' conclusions of panel

An aluminum factory in Zouping, China. The U.S. could appeal the ruling, which would send it into a legal void because Washington has blocked appointments to the WTO's Appellate Body. © Reuters

December 10, 2022 03:15 JST

GENEVA (Reuters) -- The World Trade Organization ruled on Friday that U.S. tariffs imposed on steel and aluminum imports by then-President Donald Trump contravened global trading rules in a judgment immediately criticized by Washington.

In one of the most high-profile and potentially explosive cases to come to the WTO, the three-person adjudicating panel said the U.S. measures were inconsistent with WTO rules and recommended the United States bring them into conformity.