MOSCOW, June 29. /TASS/. Russia filed a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization (WTO) against duties imposed by the United States on steel and aluminum. Russia also requested consultations with the United States in the framework of the WTO dispute settlement procedure, Russian Economic Development Minister Maxim Oreshkin said on Friday.

"Russia filed a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization against additional US duties on steel and aluminum, and sent a request for consultations with the United States as part of the WTO dispute settlement procedure in connection with additional duties on steel products and aluminum," according to the Ministry’s press service.

The United States imposed duties on March 23, 2018. Currently, 25% duties are in effect for steel products from all countries except Australia, Argentina, Brazil and South Korea, 10% duties are in effect for imports of aluminum to the United States from all countries except Australia and Argentina, Oreshkin said.

Oreshkin added that, in addition to Russia, China, India, the European Union, Canada, Mexico, and Norway had earlier filed complaints against the United States with the WTO.

Consultations with the United States will be the first stage of the dispute resolution procedure in the WTO for the parties to search for mutually acceptable ways to settle claims. "If during the consultations such ways are not found, Russia will be able to apply to the WTO with a request for the establishment of an arbitration group to review the dispute," Oreshkin said.