Switzerland files WTO complaint over American steel tariffs
The US import measures targeted at protecting national security were unjustified, SECO wrote.
Keystone
The Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) has initiated a dispute settlement procedure with the World Trade Organization (WTO) against United States steel and aluminium import tariffs.
This content was published on
2 minutes
SDA-ATS/swissinfo.ch/ln
In a statementExternal link published on Tuesday, SECOExternal link announced that a complaint to this effect had been filed with the WTOExternal link because Switzerland was one of the countries affected by the additional import tariffs on certain steel and aluminium products into the US.
Switzerland exported steel products worth about CHF80 million ($80.5 million) last year, it said in the statement.
The US import measures targeted at protecting national security were unjustified, SECO wrote.
Switzerland had already intervened with US authorities in March 2018 and submitted a formal application aimed at obtaining a country-specific exemption from trade tariffs.
The US so far has not reacted to Switzerland’s request, SECO wrote.
In order to safeguard Switzerland’s interest, Economics Minister Johann Schneider-Ammann, therefore decided to launch a complaint with the Geneva-based WTO contesting the measures.
The decision had been taken in cooperation with the other members of the seven-member Swiss government.
Schneider-Ammann is confident that the US will not impose punitive tariffs in return.
“We must not take overestimate our own importance. Switzerland does not have the trade volume to impress the US,” he told several Swiss newspapers.
Switzerland is the eighth WTO member to initiate such a challenge. Under the organisation’s rules, Washington now has 60 days to settle the dispute.
Successful precedent
WTO dispute settlement proceedings are initiated with a so-called consultation request.
In the first stage of the proceedings, the parties try to reach an amicable settlement. If such a consultation does not produce a result, Switzerland could escalate the dispute by asking the WTO to set up an arbitration body to adjudicate.
In 2002, Switzerland, together with other WTO member states, had successfully brought a steel industry case against the US.
The trade measures were subsequently lifted from the products as a result, SECO wrote in its communication.
More
More
Trump is making a ‘short-term political gamble’ on tariffs
This content was published on
Tensions are running high after United States President Donald Trump’s decision to slap tariffs on the steel and aluminium imports of close allies.
Is your place of origin, your Heimatort, important to you?
Every Swiss citizen has a Heimatort, a place of origin, but many have never visited theirs. What’s your relationship with your Heimatort? What does it mean to you?
In Switzerland more people are being referred to electrical therapies or psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Are there similar approaches where you live?
Pope was a person full of respect: Swiss president
This content was published on
Swiss president Karin Keller-Sutter, who is attending the funeral of Pope Francis, says the pontiff was always full of respect.
Ex-sect member sentenced in Zurich for sexual abuse
This content was published on
Zurich District Court has sentenced a former member of the globally active sect "Children of God" to a partial prison sentence.
SNB chairman does not rule out slowdown in Swiss growth
This content was published on
Martin Schlegel, chairman of the Swiss National Bank (SNB), does not rule out a weakening of the Swiss economy in light of the tariff dispute.
Swiss NGOs abroad to receive 10% less federal funding
This content was published on
In 2025 and 2026, Swiss NGOs will have 10% less federal funding available for international cooperation than in the previous two-year period.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Switzerland challenges US steel tariffs
This content was published on
On Monday, the WTO accepted requests by Switzerland, Norway and China to appoint a panel of experts to determine whether the US’s action, which came into effect in March, contravened WTO trade agreements. “It’s the first time that Switzerland is requesting the establishment of a WTO panel to make a decision on the consistency of…
This content was published on
Lamy, Swiss Economics Minister Johann Schneider-Ammann and Geneva cantonal president Charles Beer cut the ribbon to celebrate the renovation and expansion of the historic Centre William Rappard headquarters, originally built in 1926 to house the International Labour Organization. The SFr130 million ($137 million) project adds 20,000 square metres to the lakeside complex and includes a…
Swiss economics minister doesn’t fear exodus of companies
This content was published on
Speaking in Davos ahead of a visit by US President Donald Trump, Schneider-Ammann said that if he were head of an American company he would think twice before such a relocation, since there is no guarantee the tax breaks will still be in place a few years from now. Echoing similar statements to the Swiss…
This content was published on
When the WEF assembled in Davos last year, the delegates were in shock following Trump's election. This year the mood is likely to be different.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.