Geneva, March 14, 2025 – The Europe Today: The World Trade Organization (WTO) announced on Thursday that Canada has formally submitted a complaint regarding U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff measures on steel and aluminum imports.
According to a WTO press release, Canada has requested dispute consultations with the United States concerning the imposition of import duties on certain steel and aluminum products originating from Canada. The request follows the U.S. decision to terminate Canada’s exemption from additional duties and increase tariffs on aluminum products, measures that took effect on March 12.
Canada contends that these tariff measures violate the United States’ obligations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994, challenging their consistency with established international trade rules.
The dispute arises from the broader U.S. trade policy announced by President Trump on February 10, which imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports on a global scale. Trump justified the tariffs as a means to support domestic industries and U.S. producers.
On Wednesday, the U.S. administration officially enforced a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports, prompting Canada to submit its second WTO complaint on March 5, following the initial imposition of tariffs on Canadian goods on March 4.
While negotiations between the two countries have taken place, President Trump later decided to postpone the tariffs on certain Canadian products for one month. The WTO will now facilitate dispute resolution consultations between Canada and the United States to address the matter under its dispute settlement procedures.
