Recent World Trade Organization Notices
The World Trade Organization recently posted the following notices:
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- DSB to consider forming panel to review U.S.-EU case against alleged Chinese export restraints. The WTO Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) is set to consider on Nov. 8 a U.S. request for the body to establish a dispute settlement panel to review whether China unfairly constrained exports of antimony, chromium, cobalt, copper, graphite, indium, lead, magnesia, talc, tantalum and tin (see 1610130027), according to a WTO announcement (here).The U.S. and China held unsuccessful consultations at the WTO on the matter Sept. 8-9.
- Steel imports. Several developing countries raised concerns over an EU surveillance measure on steel imports during the WTO Committee on Import Licensing meeting on Nov. 3. Under the EU's May 31-instituted licensing system for steel and iron imports, non-exempted importers must apply for a "prior surveillance" license, including in their applications the following information: product name, commodity code, volume in kilograms, location of product manufacturing, and where the goods were imported from, as well as the product's value in euros, on the basis of cost plus insurance plus freight to the EU border, according to an EU document (here). Russia's WTO delegation said the procedures significantly slow delivery times, and said stakeholders are concerned the measure could foreshadow new EU safeguard duties on iron and steel imports, according to a WTO press release (here). Brazil and China expressed similar concerns, with China saying the measures unnecessarily burden trade. The EU said the measure doesn't prevent "normal" trade, and that it isn't geared toward products of any specific origin. The EU's delegation also said decisions to implement safeguard duties respond to specific market conditions.