GENEVA/OTTAWA - The World Trade Organization (WTO) said Thursday that Canada has requested WTO dispute consultations with the United States regarding the tariffs imposed by the US on certain steel and aluminum products from Canada.

Canada claims that the measures, which terminate Canada's exemption from additional tariffs on certain steel and aluminum products and increase tariffs on aluminum articles, are inconsistent with US obligations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994, the WTO said in a statement.

Mary Ng, Canada’s minister of export promotion, international trade and economic development, on Wednesday said Canada was seeking formal consultations with the US regarding tariffs on steel and aluminum.

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"Canada is deeply disappointed that the US has chosen to reimpose these unjustified tariffs that hurt workers and businesses on both sides of the border," Ng said in the statement. "These unilateral tariffs violate the United States' obligations under both the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) and the WTO Agreement."

François-Philippe Champagne, minister of innovation, science and industry, made a statement on Thursday that Canadian steel and aluminum form the basis of North America's critical infrastructure and manufacturing base, while supporting vital US industries, including defense, shipbuilding and automotive.

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The industry minister said he directed Industry Canada to prioritize funding of projects that use predominantly Canadian steel and aluminum.

Canada announced Wednesday reciprocal tariffs on US steel and aluminum imports worth 29.8 billion Canadian dollars ($20.7 billion). This trade move came in response to US President Donald Trump's 25 percent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports coming into effect on the same day.

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Trump earlier announced a plan to double tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum imports to 50 percent in response to tariffs on electricity exports from the Canadian province of Ontario. But the plan was reversed later that day after Ontario dropped the electricity export tariffs affecting three US states.