WTO backs South Korea over Trump-era curbs on washing machine imports to US

The case involves tariffs that former US President Donald Trump imposed in 2018 on washing machine imports, as part of his ‘America First’ trade push

The measures were designed to shield US appliance manufacturers from a surge in imports, mainly from South Korean rivals Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics

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Donald Trump imposed tariffs on washing machine imports in 2018 as part of his “America First” trade push. Photo: Reuters

Published: 10:09am, 9 Feb 2022

A World Trade Organization panel has upheld many of South Korea’s claims against the United States in a Trump-era dispute involving US “safeguard measures” on washing machine imports and asked Washington to bring those measures into line with global rules.

The case involves tariffs that former US President Donald Trump imposed in 2018 on washing machine imports, as part of his “America First” trade push.

The measures were designed to shield Whirlpool Corp and other US appliance manufacturers from a surge in imports, mainly from South Korean rivals Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics.

LG Electronics Inc. washing machines and dryers are seen on display at a shop in Seoul. Photo: Bloomberg

The two Korean firms filed a complaint to the WTO the same year, claiming the so-called safeguard measures discriminated between products originating in South Korea and comparable products from other WTO members.

The panel on Tuesday upheld Seoul’s claim that the US International Trade Commission failed to show increased imports of washing machines, a normal condition for safeguards, as well as Seoul’s challenge to a US price analysis. It dismissed others such as allegations that Washington had failed to send timely notifications to the WTO.

“Korea welcomes that the panel upheld Korea’s claims in all five substantive issues,” a statement from South Korea’s trade ministry said, adding it would make efforts to resolve the matter with Washington as early as possible.