Economics

Major WTO Showdown Looks Harder to Avoid as U.S., China, EU Spar

  • Future of global trade referee at stake over national security
  • Trump has threatened to pull out of World Trade Organization
Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg
Lock
This article is for subscribers only.

The U.S., China and the European Union moved a few steps closer to a major clash at the World Trade Organization that risks testing the global trade referee’s neutrality and President Donald Trump’s patience for an institution he already hates.

In a volley of filings, the EU, China and the U.S. this week escalated disputes over new U.S. metals tariffs, the European response to those levies, and Chinese intellectual property practices.