Retaliatory Actions and Their Effect on the U.S. Economy

A trade agreement is only optimally effective if it is properly implemented and enforced by the parties to the agreement. U.S. and international trade law provide authority and mechanisms outlining the procedures used to enforce trade agreements and resolve trade disputes. In many trade disputes, countries are able to come to a mutually acceptable agreement on how to resolve the dispute. When agreement cannot be reached and an unfair trade practice continues to be applied, under the auspices of international law, countries may be allowed to retaliate or impose prohibitive duties on the imports from the country promulgating the unfair trade practice.

The list of products on which a country raises import duties is called a "retaliation list." Manufacturing and Services' Office of Trade Policy Analysis is responsible for developing all U.S. retaliation lists implemented by the United States Trade Representative. In addition, OTPA analyzes the economic impact of retaliation lists implemented by foreign countries against.

For a list of current and past retaliatory actions involving the United States:

U.S. Retaliations

Foreign Retaliations