South Korea notifies WTO of its request for talks with U.S. over safeguard measures

The South Korean government has notified the World Trade Organization of a Request for Consultations with the U.S. over the Trump administration's new safeguard measures.This follows President Trump's approval of measures that will undermine Korean washing machine manufacturers.Park Jong-hong reports. The World Trade Organization has been put on notice and the South Korean government now plans to call on the U.S. to ease and roll back its safeguard measures.Seoul's Trade Ministry said Thursday it has notified the WTO that it had asked the U.S. for consultations over its imposition of a protective trade measure on imported residential washers.In a document posted on the WTO's website, Seoul made the request as it considers the safeguard measure to be "inconsistent" with U.S. obligations under the relevant provisions of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 and the Agreement on Safeguards. This request for talks is not aimed at filing a complaint against the U.S. based on the dispute settlement process of the WTO.Rather it is based on article 12-point-3 of the WTO safeguard accord that allows for enough discussions prior to the importer implementing the measure.Earlier, Reuters reported that Seoul had filed a complaint with the WTO against the U.S.But the government was quick to explain that the Reuter's report was unfounded.On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a set of safeguard measures against imported large residential washing machines and solar cells, including those from South Korea under which import tariffs would be gradually increased.In response, Seoul's trade ministry said it had proposed a bilateral meeting with the U.S. Trade Representative as early as next week.Park Jong-hong, Arirang News.