The United States government has filed a request with the World Trade Organization to include a dispute resolution panel in negotiations with the several other governments that have filed complaints with the organization over the Trump Administration’s blanket aluminium and steel tariffs.
According to U.S. trade officials, the request was made on Thursday in connection with negotiations with the People’s Republic of China, the European Union, Canada, and Mexico. Per other U.S. officials, all but the E.U. were likely to soon ask for a panel to review the Trump tariffs.
Thursday also saw Norwegian government file for a dispute resolution panel with the WTO, joining Canada, the E.U., India, China, Mexico, Russia, Switzerland, and Turkey.
In a notice posted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide, echoed the continuing refrain from the rest of the world’s governments, saying that the Section 232 tariffs run contrary to WTO regulations.
“Norway considers the additional tariffs on steel and aluminium imposed by the US to be in violation of WTO rules. The WTO dispute settlement mechanism is the normal way of resolving disagreement if consultations have not provided a solution. This is why Norway, together with the EU and several other WTO members, has asked the WTO to set up a dispute settlement panel to consider the additional tariffs imposed by the US.”
“Although Norwegian exports of steel and aluminium to the US are modest, this case is important as a matter of principle,” continued Søreide. “For an open economy like Norway’s, it is vital that the rules-based multilateral trading system functions properly. The Norwegian Government will stand by Norwegian industries that meet illegal trade restrictions and will continue to defend the rules-based trading system.”
According to the ministry, Norwegian aluminium and steel producers shipped NOK36 billion (US$4.38 billion) in goods that are now subject to the blanket tariffs last year.