The World Trade Organization (WTO) said Thursday that Canada has requested WTO dispute consultations with the United States regarding the tariffs imposed by the U.S. on certain steel and aluminum products from Canada.
The request was circulated to WTO members on Thursday, WTO said in a statement.
Canada argued that the U.S. measures, which ceased its exemption and increased duties, contravene U.S. obligations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994.
Canadian Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, Mary Ng, expressed "deep disappointment" on Wednesday over the "unjustified tariffs" that she said harm workers and businesses in both countries.
Ng said that the unilateral tariffs violate the United States' obligations under both the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement and the WTO Agreement, and therefore Canada is seeking formal consultation with the United States on the matter.
The United States imposed a 25 percent tariff on all imported steel and aluminum, which took effect on Wednesday. In response, Canada announced 25 percent reciprocal tariffs targeting 29.8 billion Canadian dollars (20.7 billion U.S. dollars) worth of U.S. imports.
Trump said he's "not going to bend" on the decision of imposing tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office of the White House on Thursday, and repeated his calls to make Canada the "51st state".
He acknowledged the impact on U.S. economy but insisted that "it won't be very long".
Canada initiates WTO complaint regarding US steel, aluminum tariffs
Canada initiates WTO complaint regarding US steel, aluminum tariffs
Canada initiates WTO complaint regarding US steel, aluminum tariffs
The two-state solution is the only path to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, former Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab said in an interview with China Media Group (CMG) in Guangzhou, southern China’s Guangdong Province.
The two-state solution refers to a proposed framework for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, aiming to establish two independent states -- Israel and Palestine -- coexisting in peace and security.
"I believe the core of the conflict is the fact that we have people -- the Palestinians -- that have suffered for almost eight decades, and that are probably the only people in the world today that are under siege, being attacked, being killed. I don't see any other solution other than giving them their own state with 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as their capital, which was what was presented in the Arab Summit 22 years ago in 2002. And the 22 Arab countries were ready to sign a peace treaty based on that condition that the Palestinians will have their own state, their own dignity, their own homeland. And this has not happened since," Diab said in the interview aired on Friday.
Resolving the Palestinian question and achieving lasting peace in the Middle East requires the concerted efforts of the entire international community, including major powers like China, Diab noted.
"It's about global balance of power. So, China, being a major player at the global level, can contribute towards a peace resolution, and they have done that before. But everybody needs an end to this conflict, and the only way to end this conflict is to create a Palestinian state for Palestinians. The two-state solution -- I think, it's only fair -- to have Palestinians have their own state and determine their own future without dictation by anybody," he said.
The former Lebanese leader highlighted China's long-standing ties with Lebanon and the Middle East, emphasizing its proactive and fair role in regional affairs. He noted China's historical connections with the region and its potential contribution to achieving a political resolution, including the widely discussed two-state solution.
"China has always been a friend to Lebanon and a friend to the Middle East. There are Lebanese-Chinese ties from a long time ago at the trade level and so on. And yes, China is playing a proactive role even at the political level. China, as a fair player, would, in my mind, be conducive to reaching the political solution and the two-state solution that everybody talks about," Diab said.
Two-state solution only way to resolve Palestine-Israel conflict: former Lebanese PM
