Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel delivers a statement at the foreign ministry in Berlin, Wednesday, March 29, 2017. Germany‘s foreign minister predicts a rough ride ahead for the negotiations between Britain and the EU over the UK’s decision to leave the bloc. Sigmar Gabriel says “the negotiations certainly won’t be easy for either side.” (Michael Kappeler/dpa via AP)
March 31, 2017 - 6:36 AM
BERLIN - Germany's foreign minister says the European Union should consider filing a trade case against the United States over Washington's decision to impose anti-dumping duties on steel imported from Europe.
Among the companies that would be affected by the tariffs are two German steelmakers, Salzgitter AG and Dillinger Huette.
Sigmar Gabriel said in a statement Friday that the U.S. calculations contradicted World Trade Organization rules and were intended to protect U.S. steelmakers "by putting the better German steel industry at a disadvantage."
Gabriel noted that it was the first anti-dumping procedure launched by the new U.S. administration.
He called the U.S. move unacceptable, and urged the EU to examine whether to file a WTO case.
News from © The Associated Press, 2017