[THE INVESTOR] Korea’s Trade Ministry said on Jan. 23 it will file a petition with the World Trade Organization against the US government for imposing heavy anti-dumping duties on Korean washing machine and solar panel makers.

The move comes after US President Donald Trump approved recommendations of the International Trade Commission to impose safeguard tariffs on imported large residential washing machines and imported solar cells and modules.

“The US decision to impose tariffs on Korean washers and solar panels is excessive and apparently constitutes a violation of WTO provisions,” Trade Minister Kim Hyun-chong said in a meeting with industry officials.

“The US government took actions in consideration of its domestic political situation, rather than abiding by international regulations.”

By Song Seung-hyun and newswires (ssh@heraldcorp.com)