The China Iron and Steel Association said in a statement on Friday that the US move to impose additional tariffs on steel imports violates multilateral trade rules.

The association explained that steel is a basic industrial material, and trade protectionism in this sector will undermine the interests of the United States.

It added that the US trade protectionist measures on steel have resulted in domestic steel prices continuing to rise compared to other markets, increased costs for manufacturers in the final supply chain, and hampered the country’s efforts to adjust domestic inflation levels.

It said that the United States has violated multilateral trade rules and World Trade Organization decisions by imposing tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, adding that the practice has seriously damaged the rules-based multilateral trading system and negatively affected the global supply chain.

The association said it opposes such unilateral and protectionist measures. It expressed hope that the steel trade would return to the right path of the multilateral trading system, calling for addressing each party’s concerns through equal consultation. The association also expressed hope to strengthen communication and dialogue with the American Iron and Steel Institute to increase mutual understanding and trust, according to the statement.