On top of the safeguard measures, the E.U. may choose to retaliate against United States steel protection by imposing tariffs worth as much as $350 million on citrus, clothing and other imports from the United States. The European trade commissioner, Pascal Lamy, is expected to make a decision on retaliation by the end of the month.þþThe European Union announced the safeguard measures ÿwithout clear evidence that increased imports are causing or threatening to cause serious injuryÿ to its domestic steel industry, Steve Fabry, senior legal adviser at the United States mission to the W.T.O. in Geneva, told a W.T.O. dispute meeting.þþEuropean steel tariffs would apply to 15 products, from sheets for car doors to wires used in construction. They would take effect once last year's global imports of 27 million metric tons are exceeded.þþThe E.U. ÿstrongly deplores the U.S. decisionÿ to bring a W.T.O. complaint against the safeguard tariffs, Carlo Trojan, European ambassador to the W.T.O., told the dispute meeting.þþAimed at preventing steel intended for the United States from being diverted to the European market, the safeguards ÿfundamentally differÿ from the United States tariffs, Mr. Trojan said.þþA W.T.O. dispute panel may take at least a year to deliver a final decision on the United States complaint.þþ
Source: NY Times
