Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
US Tariffs on China Ruled To Be Illegal by World Trade Body
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 5 years ago on
September 15, 2020

Share

GENEVA — The World Trade Organization said Tuesday that Trump administration tariffs on Chinese goods totaling more than $200 billion are illegal under the rules of the global trade body.

The decision marks the first time the Geneva-based trade body has ruled against a series of tariffs that President Donald Trump’s government has imposed on a number of countries, allies and rivals alike.

Trump has repeatedly criticized the WTO, which oversees international disputes on trade, for allegedly treating the U.S. unfairly.

In its decision, the WTO ruled against the Trump administration’s argument that China has engaged in practices harmful to U.S. interests, on issues including intellectual property theft, technology transfer and innovation.

The ruling, in theory, would allow China to impose retaliatory tariffs on billions worth of U.S. goods – if the process is completed. But the U.S. government can appeal the decision announced by the WTO’s dispute settlement body, and the WTO’s appeals court is currently no longer functioning – largely because of Washington’s single-handed refusal to accept new members for it.

The Administration Has Justified the Sanctions Under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974

The U.S. tariffs target two batches of Chinese products. Duties of 10% were imposed on some $200 billion worth of goods in September 2018, and were jacked up to 25% eight months later. An additional 25% duties were imposed in June 2018 against Chinese goods worth about $34 billion in annual trade.

The administration has justified the sanctions under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, a common tool used by the government to impose sanctions. The U.S. argued that China’s actions had amounted to “state-sanctioned theft” and “misappropriation” of U.S. technology, intellectual property and commercial secrets.

The WTO panel ruled that the U.S. measures violated longstanding international trade rules because they only applied to products from China, and that Washington had not adequately substantiated its claim that the Chinese products hit with the extra duties had benefited from the allegedly unfair Chinese practices.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

Elon Musk Sells X to His Own xAI for $33 Billion in All-Stock Deal

DON'T MISS

US Naval Academy Ends Affirmative Action in Admissions

DON'T MISS

Elon Musk Backtracks on a Legally Questionable Plan to Pay Voters

DON'T MISS

Appeals Court Clears Way for DOGE to Keep Operating at USAID

DON'T MISS

Trump Pledges US Aid for Asia Quake Despite Former Official Saying System in ‘Shambles’

DON'T MISS

Is Fresno Political Consultant Alex Tavlian Behind Election Attack Mailer?

DON'T MISS

Gronk-a-Mania Set to Run Wild Over WrestleMania Weekend

DON'T MISS

Federal Judge Blocks Trump From Dismantling Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

DON'T MISS

St. Agnes’ Newest Robot Promises Less Invasive Surgeries, Faster Recoveries

DON'T MISS

California Food Banks Brace for Funding Cuts, and Not Only From the Trump Administration

UP NEXT

Israel Strikes Beirut for the First Time Since a Ceasefire Ended the Latest Israel-Hezbollah War

UP NEXT

Utah Becomes the First State to Ban Fluoride in Public Drinking Water

UP NEXT

At Least 20 Dead in Myanmar After Strong Earthquake

UP NEXT

Wilmer Flores’ 3-Run Homer in the 9th Inning Propels Giants to Victory Over Reds

UP NEXT

Germany and France Say Europe Must Respond to Trump’s Auto Tariffs

UP NEXT

Gaza Residents Demand End to 18 Years of Hamas Rule

UP NEXT

Democrats’ Popularity Plummets, yet Midterm Prospects Remain Strong

UP NEXT

USDA Explores Why US Egg Shortage Contrasts with Canada’s Abundant Supply

UP NEXT

Cuts Leave Social Security System in Disarray With Millions Affected

UP NEXT

Hyundai to Build $5.8B Steel Mill in Louisiana, Creating 5,400 Jobs

Appeals Court Clears Way for DOGE to Keep Operating at USAID

12 hours ago

Trump Pledges US Aid for Asia Quake Despite Former Official Saying System in ‘Shambles’

12 hours ago

Is Fresno Political Consultant Alex Tavlian Behind Election Attack Mailer?

12 hours ago

Gronk-a-Mania Set to Run Wild Over WrestleMania Weekend

13 hours ago

Federal Judge Blocks Trump From Dismantling Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

13 hours ago

St. Agnes’ Newest Robot Promises Less Invasive Surgeries, Faster Recoveries

13 hours ago

California Food Banks Brace for Funding Cuts, and Not Only From the Trump Administration

14 hours ago

Why the Nation Would Be Wise to Support a Third Term Amendment for Donald Trump

14 hours ago

RIP, Bill Lyles: One of Fresno’s Most Iconic Builders and Philanthropists

15 hours ago

Madera Authorities Seize 80 Pounds of Meth, Arrest Two Suspects

16 hours ago

Elon Musk Sells X to His Own xAI for $33 Billion in All-Stock Deal

JACKSONVILLE, Mi — Elon Musk has sold social media site X to his own xAI artificial intelligence company in a $33 billion all-stock deal, th...

11 hours ago

11 hours ago

Elon Musk Sells X to His Own xAI for $33 Billion in All-Stock Deal

12 hours ago

US Naval Academy Ends Affirmative Action in Admissions

12 hours ago

Elon Musk Backtracks on a Legally Questionable Plan to Pay Voters

12 hours ago

Appeals Court Clears Way for DOGE to Keep Operating at USAID

12 hours ago

Trump Pledges US Aid for Asia Quake Despite Former Official Saying System in ‘Shambles’

12 hours ago

Is Fresno Political Consultant Alex Tavlian Behind Election Attack Mailer?

13 hours ago

Gronk-a-Mania Set to Run Wild Over WrestleMania Weekend

13 hours ago

Federal Judge Blocks Trump From Dismantling Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend