China calls for immediate removal of US tariffs imposed on aluminium and steel products

On August 16, China's trade ministry asked that the United States immediately ease tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminium imports. The ministry made the remarks in response to a World Trade Organisation (WTO) dispute resolution tribunal that found China placing higher taxes on select US products. According to the ministry, China has taken notice of the WTO panel's findings and is reviewing the report, with the main reason being "the unilateralist and protectionist behaviours" of the US side.

In 2018, the Trump administration imposed 25 per cent tariffs on some steel imports and 10 per cent penalties on certain aluminium imports under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. Since then, the US has not enacted absolute quotas, but US negotiators have examined alternate managed trade measures, such as tariff-rate quotas (TRQs), to reduce import quantities. 

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As per reports, the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA) and the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association (CNMIA) asked the United States last year to mend its mistakes and build a constructive international trade environment. They had conveyed their gratitude and unwavering support for the WTO's ruling that US tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminium imports were illegal.