Trump says WTO needs to change its ways

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is warning the World Trade Organization that if the United States isn’t treated “properly, we will be doing something.”

Trump on Monday again denied plans to withdraw the U.S. from the WTO but told reporters in the Oval Office that the trade organization needs to change.

Trump has struck U.S. allies with tough tariffs and is planning to impose tough trade penalties on China later this week.

He said the WTO has treated the U.S. “very badly and I hope they change their ways.” He said he’s not “planning anything now” but if the WTO doesn’t treat the U.S. properly, “we will be doing something.”

Trump did not elaborate. He spoke during a White House meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

Also Monday, Russia joined five other countries and the European Union to become the latest country to take action through the WTO against the United States over the Trump administration’s steel and aluminum duties.

A trade official said Moscow has initiated a dispute complaint against the U.S. over the 25 percent tariffs on steel and 10 percent tariffs on aluminum, by circulating the request Monday among WTO members in Geneva.

With the move, Russia joins China, India, the EU, Canada, Mexico and Norway in launching such a dispute compliant.

The step sets off a period of consultation between the sides to discuss the matter, and if no accord is reached after 60 days, Russia can ask a WTO panel to intervene.