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Russia requests participation in China-US steel and aluminum consultations — source

On April 19, Russia sent a request to the WTO for consultations with the US on steel and aluminum duties set by Washington

GENEVA, April 23. /TASS/. Russia sent a request to the World Trade Organization (WTO) for participation in consultations between China and the United States on steel and aluminum as a third party, a source close to the WTO told TASS on Tuesday. India, Thailand, the European Union and Hong Kong made a similar step, the source said.

"Hong Kong (China), the European Union, Russia, Thailand and India requests joining consultations between the United States and China in line with the China’s complaint against US tariffs on steel and aluminum, sent to the dispute resolution authority," the source said. Requests are motivated by "substantial trade interests on this matter," he added.

The third party status confers a right to a delegation "to attend talks, listen and present its point of view" but it "is not the party to the dispute as such," the source noted. If a third party desires to set up a panel for its claims against US tariffs on steel and aluminum, it should approach the dispute resolution authority, he added.

On April 19, Russia sent a request to the WTO for consultations with the US on steel and aluminum duties set by Washington. In accordance with the procedure in effect in the WTO, if no compensation for Russia by the US is agreed during consultations, Russia can approve responding trade measures. China, the European Union and India also requested consultations in the WTO earlier in view of new US duties on steel and aluminum products.