WTO Members Weigh Dispute Panel Requests From EU, Costa Rica
World Trade Organization members heard two requests for dispute panels at the Nov. 29 meeting of the Dispute Settlement Body, the WTO said. The European Union sought a panel over Russian state-owned entities' procurement practices, and Costa Rica requested a panel over the Dominican Republic's antidumping duties on corrugated steel bars from Costa Rica.
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At the DSB meeting, the EU and Russia provided statements about the procurement measures, with the EU laying out how European companies are disadvantaged by the practices. Russia said it is confident its practices comply with its WTO obligations. The EU is taking issue with three procurement practices: discriminatory assessments of procurement bids, requirements for prior authorizations when state-owned enterprises want to buy certain engineering products abroad, and national procurement quota requirements (see 2111170026).
Costa Rica is contesting the investigation that led to the antidumping duties on its corrugated steel bars, arguing that it did not meet the minimum requirements under the Antidumping Agreement. Costa Rica also said that the Dominican authorities imposed the AD duty order "despite no evidence of dumping or injury to domestic producers."
In both cases, the WTO said that the "DSB took note of the statements and agreed to revert to the matter if requested by a member."