Won’t pull out of WTO, clarifies Trump

Calls trade body a ‘ disaster’ for failure to check China

Washington, June 30: President Donald Trump has denied that he is planning to withdraw from the World Trade Organisation, but wants the US to be treated more fairly by the global body..

“I’m not talking about pulling out at this point,” he told reporters on Air Force One on Friday when asked about reports he was planning an exit from the global trading body.

Mr Trump has branded the WTO a “disaster” for allowing countries like China to levy high tariffs on US goods such as cars, and he has flouted international trade norms by hitting key allies with stinging tariffs, and imposing crippling fees on goods from other countries in the name of US national security.

“They have to treat us fairly,” Mr Trump said Friday about the WTO.

US news website Axios cited sources saying Mr Trump has repeatedly told his top officials he wants to exit the world body, which Washington helped design and most often rules in favour of the US when Washington brings cases before it.

But treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin said earlier it would be an “exaggeration” to say Mr Trump is planning to quit the WTO.

“The President has been clear with us and with others that he has concerns about the WTO. He thinks there’s aspects of it that aren’t fair.”

Although Mr Trump complains that China and others have used the World Trade Organisation system to their own advantage, “we are focused on free trade” and “breaking down barriers,” Mr Mnuchin added.

I’m not talking about pulling out at this point ( but) they have to treat us fairly — Donald Trump, US President