The European Union has referred the decision of the United States to impose higher customs duty on imports to the American market of European steel and aluminium with effect from 1 June to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the European Commissioner for Competition, Cecilia Malmström, announced on Friday 1 June (see EUROPE 12031).
The reason given to justify these measures - a threat to national security - is “not relevant. This is pure protectionism”, Malmström told the press. “The...