BUSINESS BRIEFING / TRADE

The World Trade Organization ruled against the United States in a trade case, saying it continued to apply illegal import duties on Japanese steel products and ball bearings.

The verdict said Washington had failed to change how it sets fees for goods it suspects are being sold in the U.S. at below-market value, despite previous rulings finding that the U.S. was violating international trade rules.

If there is no appeal, Japan can ask the global trade body to authorize sanctions against American goods.