Turkey invites U.S. to panel in WTO

Turkey invited the U.S. to a panel in the World Trade Organization (WTO) about doubling tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, Turkish Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan said.

Speaking at a working dinner on the sidelines of the 10th Ambassadors’ Conference in capital Ankara, the minister said that Turkey's invitation was at 17.40 the local time in Turkey and it was received by the U.S.

"We have announced our sanctions worth $533 million tariffs on 22 products as the reciprocity principle," Anadolu Agency cited her as saying.

"It was important to do it because the WTO goes to meetings twice per month, if we couldn't complete it, we will wait more 15 days," Pekcan added.

The move came after U.S. President Donald Trump last week ramped up his attack on Turkey by doubling U.S. tariffs on Turkish aluminum and steel imports to 20% and 50%, respectively.