The US accepts Brazil's consultation at the WTO, but says the tariff hike is a matter of national security.

The United States accepted the consultation request made by Brazil in early August at the World Trade Organization, but considered that some of the actions cited by Brazil are "national security issues, not subject to review or resolution through a dispute settlement at the WTO." "Without prejudice to these opinions, the United States accepts Brazil's request to initiate consultations. We are ready to talk with authorities of your mission about a mutually convenient date for the consultations," the U.S. government document presented on Monday, August 18, to the WTO, adds. The document further states that Brazil's request includes certain U.S. tariff actions that are "in compliance" with the National Emergencies Act and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, related to national security issues. "President (Donald Trump) determined that these actions were necessary to deal with the national emergency arising from conditions reflected in large and persistent annual deficits ...