WTO panel finds U.S. broke rules

The World Trade Organization ruled largely against the United States in a dispute over American dumping charges on imports of 52 European products, including stainless steel, ball bearings and pasta.

Washington broke international trade rules in dozens of instances in determining what fees to apply on goods from the European Union, a three-member WTO panel said.

For some imports, the panel found the U.S. had not broken any agreements or declined to assess the EU’s claims.

WTO cases can result in punitive sanctions, but must go through years of process to reach that point. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said parts of the WTO decision were “poorly reasoned.” Washington has yet to decide whether it will appeal.