Steel Imports: A Clash Between Rabat and Ankara
Since June 2025, Turkey has raised a "specific trade concern" with the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding the standards imposed by Morocco on imported steel and has requested the suspension of this mechanism. Rabat maintains that national security is at stake and shows no intention of yielding to Ankara's demands. The Turkish government is expected to address this issue in Geneva in mid-November. The situation is complex, as it revolves around the requirements that have been in place since August 2024, which mandate that rebar, wire rod, and imported sheets in Morocco must bear the NM marking. This requirement has stirred significant tensions between the two countries, with Morocco asserting its right to enforce safety standards for imported materials.
Between November 11 and 13, the WTO's Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade is set to meet in Geneva, where member countries will have the opportunity to challenge the regulations of their trading partners. This meeting marks the fifth time that this topic will be examined, highlighting the ongoing friction in international trade dynamics involving Morocco and Turkey.
As reported by telquel.ma.
