WTO Claims U.S Breached Global Trading Rules by Imposing Tariffs on China

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is accusing the United States of breaking global trading rules by imposing tariffs on China during escalated trade war between the world’s two largest economies.

The trade war which continued for an extended period resulted to both sides imposing tariffs on each other. Trump’s administration slapped China with tariffs running into billions of dollars, a move which caused uproar across the country and the world at large.

U.S authorities imposed tariffs on more than $200 billion worth of Chinese goods, Trump’s administration claims the move was justified because China has been stealing intellectual properties leaving U.S companies without an option other than to transfer technology so as to access Chinese market.

This panel report confirms what the Trump administration has been saying for four years the WTO is completely inadequate to stop China’s harmful technology practices,” said Robert Lighthizer, U.S. Trade Representative.

A three member panel from WTO has found U.S breached global trading rules due to the reasons that the tariffs were only imposed on China alone and they were above maximum rates agreed to by United States.

Citing a report done by the panel, it acknowledges being aware of the results which might emanate from the report further saying the report only captures U.S measures but not those China took in retaliation.

The panel is very much aware of the wider context in which the WTO system currently operates, which is one reflecting a range of unprecedented global trade tensions……Time is available for the parties to take stock as proceedings evolve and further consider opportunities for mutually agreed and satisfactory solutions,” read the report.

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