WTO vote could spark trade war

THE cost of many consumer goods imported from the US could soar over coming months as a result of a ruling by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in favour of the EU.

Tariffs on a wide range of items including fruit, vegetables, clothing, sunglasses and printers imported from the US could increase by up to 100% from next month.

In a move that could spark a fresh transatlantic trade war, the WTO ruled that tariffs of up to 30% imposed on steel imports by the US in March 2002 as a protectionist measure are illegal.