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?
What factors should be taken into account when inheriting Swiss citizenship abroad?
Should there be a limit to the passing on of Swiss citizenship? Or is the current practice too strict and it should still be possible to register after the age of 25?
‘Pressure will increase on Switzerland to invest more in defence’
This content was published on
Markus Mäder, Switzerland's state secretary for security policy, believes that more cooperation is needed in order to strengthen defence in Europe.
Just one in five Swiss attend a religious service at Easter
This content was published on
Only one in five people in Switzerland attend a religious service during the Easter period or give up meat or alcohol for at least one day of fasting. Around 25% of those polled see Easter primarily as a family holiday, according to the survey.
Major road disruptions continue after heavy snowfall in parts of Switzerland
This content was published on
The snowfall has ended in the southern Swiss canton of Valais, the cantonal emergency services said on Friday. Several roads, however, remain closed.
Swiss businessman gets prison term for asbestos deaths
This content was published on
Stephan Schmidheiny has been sentenced to 9 years and 6 months in prison by the Turin Court of Appeal in a case against the former Eternit executive over deaths linked to asbestos exposure in Italy.
This content was published on
Swiss imports and exports reached new heights in the first quarter, driven by the chemicals and pharmaceuticals sectors. Shipments to the US rose sharply.
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.