World Trade Organization Notices for August 21-22
The World Trade Organization (WTO) posted the following notices from Aug. 21-22, 2012 (may have to click twice on source documents for proper viewing):
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- Newest WTO Members. Russia becomes the 156th WTO member today. Vanuatu will join the WTO on August 24, 2012 as its 157th member. From the date of accession, Russia has committed to fully apply all WTO provisions, with recourse to very few transitional periods. Vanuatu has committed to fully apply all WTO provisions and did not require recourse to any transitional period except on intellectual property and on the publication of trade information. (here)
- Disputes against Argentina's import licensing. Japan and the U.S. filed separate requests for consultations with Argentina on alleged import restrictions and non-automatic import licensing measures. Both countries say “these measures restrict imports of goods and discriminate between imported and domestic goods” and are not in line with WTO regulations. This is a first step in the WTO dispute settlement system and if no solution is found within 60 days, the U.S. or Japan can request a WTO Panel to be established to rule on the legality. (here)
- EU biodiesel imports dispute. Argentina filed for consultations with the EU on Spanish restrictions to the imports of biodiesel from Argentina. Argentina claims Spain is unfairly discriminating against Argentinian imports of biodiesel as compared to EU biodiesel imports. This is a first step in the WTO dispute settlement system and if no solution is found within 60 days, Argentina can request a WTO Panel to be established to rule on the legality. (here)