Economics
WTO Launches Investigation Into Trump’s China Tariffs, Official Says
- Tariffs cover $250 billion in Chinese exports to the U.S.
- China says the tariffs violate WTO most favored nation rules
Photographer: Mario Tama/Getty Images
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The World Trade Organization launched an investigation into President Donald Trump’s tariffs on $250 billion of Chinese goods, ratcheting up tensions as the two nations are set to begin a new round of trade talks, according to an official with knowledge of the probe.
The Geneva-based arbiter of trade disputes on Monday began an inquiry into whether the U.S. duties run afoul of a requirement that all WTO members give each other the same tariff treatment, as China asserts, said the official, who asked not to be identified because the decision hasn’t been made public. The WTO will now assign a panel to begin the investigation.