WTO chief will answer members' questions about US tariffs, document shows

GENEVA (Reuters) - The head of the World Trade Organization told member states on Thursday that it had received "many" questions about the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on trade and would respond to their questions, according to a letter seen by Reuters.

"Many of you have been in touch about the U.S. announcement on tariffs, asking for the Secretariat to provide an economic analysis of the impact of these tariffs and any potential reaction on your trade," Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala wrote in a letter to ambassadors dated April 3.

"As we are a member-driven organization, the Secretariat will be responding to your questions," she said, suggesting that states also discuss the issues with each other.

A WTO spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter.

Observers say U.S. determination to double down on tariffs risks sidelining the Geneva-based organisation and its free-trade mandate.

The watchdog said it administers just over 75% of global trade, down from around 80% due to recent tariffs, in a calculation done before Trump's April 2 penalties took effect.

(Reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by Ludwig Burger and Friederike Heine)

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