US steel tariffs draw criticism from WTO participants

Participants at a World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting have expressed their criticism of  Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.

During their meeting in Geneva on Friday, the European Union, Brazil, Japan, Australia and others joined a debate started by China and Russia about Trump’s plan.

Addressing the meeting, the EU representative said the tariffs could not be justified by a claim to preserve national security, adding the United States seeks to keep its industry alive and prosperous, a Geneva trade official said.

President Trump fueled concerns of a potential trade war on March 8 when he officially announced steep tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, but exempted Canada and Mexico.