WTO ruled against Türkiye in steel tariff dispute with the USA

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has ruled against Türkiye in a dispute over additional duties imposed by Turkey in retaliation for US steel and aluminium tariffs. According to a report published by the WTO's dispute settlement body, the organisation ruled that Türkiye should abolish the duties and said the measure was "inconsistent" with WTO policies.

"The Panel recommends that Türkiye harmonise its WTO-inconsistent measure with its obligations," the report said. The decision comes as Türkiye retaliated against the 25 percent steel and 10 percent aluminium tariffs imposed by the US on steel and aluminium imports, which began in March 2018.

This taxation policy, which was initiated by the US on the basis of a national security review of steel and aluminium imports called "Article 232", had caused Türkiye, as well as the European Union, Canada, Russia and many other countries to react in a similar way. The US had initiated a process within the framework of the WTO to resolve disputes with these countries.