Canada filed a complaint at the World Trade Organization in response to « illegal » US tariffs on imports of Canadian steel and aluminum, Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said Friday.
Canada filed a complaint at the World Trade Organization in response to « illegal » US tariffs on imports of Canadian steel and aluminum, Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said Friday.
« These unilateral tariffs, imposed under a false pretext of safeguarding US national security, are inconsistent with the United States’ international trade obligations and WTO rules, » Freeland said in a statement.
Canada will coordinate its WTO case with the EU, which also filed a challenge. It also requested a review of the US measures under the North American Free Trade Agreement Chapter 20 trade dispute mechanism.
« As a key NORAD and NATO ally of the United States, and as the number-one customer of American steel, Canada views the US trade restrictions imposed on Canadian steel and aluminum as absolutely unacceptable, » Freeland said.
On Thursday, Washington announced tariffs of 25 percent on Canadian steel imports and 10 percent on aluminum.
Ottawa immediately hit back with proportional Can$16.6 billion ($12.8 billion US) in tariffs on US steel and aluminum as well as consumer goods.
