Consultations with US at WTO over tariffs sought

Geneva, April 17: The European Union (EU) has requested consultations with the US at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over Washington's move to impose tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, sources said on Tuesday.

"Notwithstanding the US' characterisation of these measures as security measures, they are in essence safeguard measures," the EU said in its request on Monday.

Claiming that Washington had failed to notify the WTO Committee on Safeguards about its decision, the EU requested consultations with the US under the Agreement on Safeguards, reports Xinhua news agency. US President Donald Trump on March 8 signed proclamations to impose a 25 percent tariff on imported steel and a 10 percent tariff on aluminium.  The EU is temporarily exempt from the tariffs. (IANS)