ZCZC
BCN-25
RUSSIA-IMPORT-DUTIES-US-WTO
Russia may initiate trial of dispute with US in WTO
MOSCOW, July 7, 2018 (BSS/TASS) – Russia sent a request to WTO for formal
consultations on its dispute in the US in respect of import duties on steel
and aluminum, the Ministry of Economic Development said on Friday.
“The request for formal consultations was sent to June 29, 2018. If no
mutually acceptable ways are found in the course of consultations, then
Russia will apply to WTO with a request to set up an arbitration panel and
pass the dispute for its consideration,” the ministry said.
Russia approached the World Trade Organization (WTO) with a request to hold
consultations with the United States concerning steel and aluminum duties
imposed by Washington, the WTO press service reported on Monday.
The Russian Federation has requested WTO dispute consultations with the
United States regarding US duties on certain imported steel and aluminum
products. The request was circulated to WTO members on July 2, the press
service said.
Russia claims the US duties of 25% and 10% on imports of steel and
aluminum products respectively are inconsistent with provisions of the WTO’s
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994 and the Agreement on
Safeguards, the WTO press service reports. This is the seventh complaint
initiated by WTO members against US duties on steel and aluminum. China,
India, the European Union, Canada, Mexico and Norway filed similar complaints
to WTO earlier.
Consultations provide an opportunity to discuss the matter and find a
solution without further proceedings. However, if they are unsuccessful, the
complaining party will have a right to request establishment of a panel of
arbitrators after 60 days, WTO says.
The United States introduced higher import duties on steel and aluminum
products on March 23 of this year.
BSS/TASS/HR/1335