US metal tariffs unjustifiable on national security: EU

Brussels March 24 (IANS) European Union (EU) leaders said here on Friday they regretted the decision by the US to impose import tariffs on steel and aluminium adding these measures could not be justified on the grounds of national security.

The spring European Council held on Thursday and Friday focused on economic affairs in particular on trade where EU leaders noted that shipments of steel and aluminium from the bloc had been temporarily exempted from tariffs and called for that exemption to be made permanent Xinhua reported.

The EU leaders supported the steps taken by the European Commission to respond to the US measures as appropriate and in a proportionate manner.

They also reaffirmed the EU s commitment to an open and rules-based multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core.

--IANS
qd/