New Delhi, June 16 -- The World Trade Organization (WTO) has been of scant effectiveness against US President Donald Trump's sweeping unilateral tariffs. Wielding the shield of 'national security,' the first Trump presidency levied 25% tariffs on imports of steel and 10% on aluminium.

India challenged these and later withdrew its case at the WTO on account of a 'mutual settlement,' though the US never withdrew those additional tariffs. WTO panels initiated by other members, including Norway, Switzerland and China, ruled in 2023 that the tariffs did not pass the 'national security' test.

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The US, however, ignored these rulings. Trump's second presidency has seen the national...