President Donald Trump's talk of metal tariffs could put his administration at odds with the World Trade Organization. Some experts worry the move could even give the president a reason to take the U.S. out of the trade group.
A White House trade adviser called that idea "provocative," but didn't outright say Trump wouldn't do such a thing.
If Trump does impose steep tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum, it will put the WTO in an awkward position. It's likely countries impacted by the tariffs will go to the group to challenge them.
But Trump is pointing to national security as the reason for the tariffs; he's said, "If you don't have steel, you don't have a country."
The WTO has been reluctant to rule against that argument. Its rules allow countries to determine their own national security threats and protect vital national industries.
But Trump's assertion that steel is a necessary component of a strong national defense — something the Department of Defense contradicted — could open the door for other countries to make similar broad moves against free trade in the name of national security.
