The U.S. has announced new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, mirroring similar measures imposed in 2018 under the first Trump administration. These tariffs previously triggered global trade disputes and retaliatory duties from major economies, including China and the EU. While the WTO ruled against the U.S. tariffs in 2022, it also blocked China’s retaliatory measures. However, with the WTO’s Appellate Body currently paralyzed, appeals remain unresolved, leaving enforcement uncertain.
Volume XLVIII staff member Hsin-Hui Hsu argues that the reintroduction of these tariffs could lead to new WTO challenges, reigniting debates over the role of national security in trade policy. This blog post examines the legal implications of the new tariffs and their potential impact on the WTO system.
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