Trump's 'doubling' of tariffs on steel, aluminum on Turkey violates WTO rules: ministry
Turkey's Trade Ministry Friday said additional steel and aluminum tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump violate the rules of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) amid mounting tension between the two NATO allies."
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- Agencies and A News
- Published Date: 12:00 | 10 August 2018
- Modified Date: 09:12 | 10 August 2018
The new U.S. tariffs on Turkey are against the rules set by the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Trade Ministry said on Friday.
"Turkey, as it determines and implements its own trade policy in compliance with the World Trade Organization, expects other member countries to comply with international rules," the ministry said in a press release.
It added: "We will continue to support our iron, steel and aluminium exporters by defending their interests against illegal practices of other countries on every international platform, especially WTO."
President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. has doubled aluminium and steel import tariffs on Turkey, fixing them at 20 percent and 50 percent respectively.
The ministry added: "The U.S. will continue to be our important trading partner."
Turkey's iron, steel and aluminum exports to the U.S. were $1.1 billion in 2017 -- 0.7 percent of the total exports.
Turkey's imports from the U.S. were worth $1.3 billion in 2017, the ministry added.
"The real losers of decisions taken by the U.S. administration are producers, private sector, and exporters of both countries," the statement concluded.