The U.S filed five separate trade cases at the World Trade Organization (WTO) challenging tariffs, many on agriculture products, imposed in response to tariffs announced by President Trump on aluminum and steel. The five countries are China, the European Union, Canada, Mexico, and Turkey. With respect to tariff imposed by China, we previously reported on this blog that the U.S agricultural industry is concerned about potential financial losses due to these tariffs.

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said in a press release that the U.S. imposed tariffs were legitimate and justified but that our trading partners responded with retaliatory tariffs rather than working with us to address a common problem. He added, “These tariffs appear to breach each WTO Member’s commitments under the WTO Agreement.  The United States will take all necessary actions to protect our interests, and we urge our trading partners to work constructively with us on the problems created by massive and persistent excess capacity in the steel and aluminum sectors.”