The US has asked the global trade body World Trade Organization that the decision to impose fees on steel and aluminum was taken on the basis of national security and it should not be considered a step taken to rescue.
The US has clarified its stand before the World Trade Organization (WTO) after India requested consultation under the WTO rescue agreement on 11 April.
India had said that despite the US despite these measures being told safety measures, these are basically taken steps to rescue. With this, the US has failed to inform the WTO Safety Committee under a provision of the Rescue Agreement (AOS) regarding the decision to implement rescue measures.
The US said in a letter sent to the trade body on 17 April, “The US found that the basis of India’s request for consultation under Article 12.3 of the agreement on rescue measures is that the duty taken to rescue the duty is … (US) President (Donald Trump) imposed a fee on steel and aluminum under Section 232, under which the President determined that the President determined the duty and aluminum items to adjust to the imports and aluminum items. It is necessary that there is a possibility of a threat to the national security of America. ”
The US said Section 232 is a National Security Act and fee is being placed as part of a security exception under a provision of the General Agreement (GATT) 1994 on fees and trade. It states that these fees are not imposed under the provision of the 1974 Trade Act, under which the US implements rescue measures.
The US said, “The US is not continuing these actions as per the rescue measures/emergency action provision … These actions are not taken in the rescue and hence there is no basis for consultation under the rescue agreement regarding these measures.”
“It said,” accordingly, India’s request for consultation … does not have any basis under agreement on rescue measures … However, we are ready to discuss this or any other issue with India. ”
On March 8, 2018, the US announced a 25 percent and 10 percent value on some products of steel and aluminum, which came into effect from 23 March 2018. On 10 February this year, the US amended rescue measures on imports of steel and aluminum goods, which were effective from 12 March 2025 and their duration is unlimited.
