BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union asked on Monday to join a dispute brought by China to the World Trade Organization over U.S. import tariffs on steel and aluminum, just over a week before U.S. President Trump decides whether they should apply to Europe.
The U.S. administration has set duties of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum on grounds of national security, but provided a temporary exemption until May 1 for the European Union.
China has taken the United States to the WTO over the measures. The first step in the WTO process involves consultations.
The WTO said on Monday that the European Union had made a formal request to join the consultations as a party with a significant trade interest in the matter.