TARIFFS/TRADE DEALS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/WTO: “The U.S. fired back at lawsuits other countries have filed with the World Trade Organization over Trump steel and aluminum tariffs, escalating a trade dispute with some of America’s closest allies. The U.S. on Monday [7-16-18] filed separate claims against China, the European Union, Canada, Mexico and Turkey—the latest stage in tit-for-tat retaliations prompted by President Donald Trump’s decision to pursue tariffs earlier this year, citing national-security interests and unfair trade practices…Mr. Lighthizer’s office said that the other countries’ retaliatory tariffs appear to breach commitments made by WTO members, and added that the tariffs imposed by the U.S. ‘are justified under international agreements the United States and its trading partners have approved.’ Trading partners argue that the U.S., by citing national-security concerns, is using a phony rationale for imposing tariffs affecting politically favored U.S. industries. The Trump administration raised the prospect of a global trade conflict earlier this year by imposing tariffs of 10% on aluminum imports and 25% on steel imports from Canada, Mexico and the EU.”
–Vivian Salama, “U.S. Files Complaints With WTO Against Trading Partners,” The Wall Street Journal, July 16, 2018 2:58 pm