The World Trade Organization (WTO) Committee on Safeguards reviewed 38 safeguard actions during its April 27 meeting, with steel-related measures accounting for a major share of discussions.
Of the total cases:
- 12 measures involved steel and metal products
EU and UK Steel Policies Draw Attention
WTO members raised concerns over:
- EU investigations into grain-oriented electrical steel
- EU safeguard measures on ferro-alloying elements
- UK adjustments to steel tariff-rate quotas (TRQs)
Several countries also questioned steel safeguard investigations launched by Egypt.
US Tariffs Remain Contested
The United States maintained that its tariffs are based on national security grounds, not safeguards.
However:
- India challenged the US interpretation
- Brazil and China raised concerns about impacts on global trade and supply chains
The discussions highlight steel’s continued role at the center of global trade disputes.
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