Trump Administration Challenges Retaliatory Tariffs in WTO

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer speaks during a meeting on trade held by U.S. President Donald Trump with governors and members of Congress at the White House on April 12, 2018 in Washington. Chris Kleponis—Pool/Getty Images

The Trump administration has brought cases to the World Trade Organization (WTO) challenging tariffs imposed by China, the European Union, Canada, Mexico, and Turkey. The tariffs were in retaliation for tariffs the United States levied on steel and aluminum.

In levying the tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum, the Trump administration used a national security exception to the WTO agreement.