Indonesia said the increase in its safeguard notifications was the result of recent awareness in the domestic industry of the availability of trade remedies like safeguards to counter the negative effects of trade liberalization. It said that its notifications should be seen as a reflection of its wish to be as transparent as possible, and assured other members that its safeguard investigations would be conducted in line with WTO rules.

Indonesia notified safeguard actions on the following products: cotton yarn other than sewing thread; tarpaulins, awnings and sunblinds of synthetic fibres; stranded wire, ropes and cables, excluding locked coil, flattened strands and non-rotating wire ropes; certain stranded wire, ropes and cables; certain wire of iron/non-alloy steel, plated with zinc; certain wire of iron non-alloy steel; and bleached and unbleached woven fabric of cotton.

Japan expressed concern that it was denied the opportunity of prior consultations because of Indonesia’s late notification regarding certain wire of iron/non-alloy steel, plated with zinc. The United States and Canada shared Japan's concern.

India thanked Indonesia for replies to its questions, which it said were being reviewed in New Delhi.

Ukraine notified safeguard actions on the following products: cooling and refrigerating equipment; ferro-manganese and ferro-silico-manganese; mineral or chemical fertilizers; matches; and certain products of crude oil processing.

Turkey expressed concern over the delay in Ukraine’s notification regarding certain products of crude oil processing. The European Union questioned the large scope of products covered by this notification.

Concerning Ecuador’s notification on imposition of safeguard measure on windshields, Colombia requested, in accordance with Article 13.1(b) of the Agreement, that the Committee examine whether the procedural requirements of the Safeguards Agreement have been complied with. The chair said that he would ask the incoming chair to hold a separate meeting on this matter. This is the first time ever that a Member has made a request under Article 13.1(b).

Turkey notified three safeguard actions: on polyethylene terephthalate, on spectacle frames, and on travel goods, handbags and similar containers.

The European Union expressed concern over what it said was the extensive use of safeguard measures. Turkey stated that it needed to rely on the safeguard instrument due to, among other things, its obligation in the Customs Union.

Under “Other Business”, two Members each expressed concern over safeguard actions by another Member.
  

New Chair

The Committee elected Ms Lillian Bwalya (Zambia) and Ms Tomoko Ota (Japan) as the new chair and vice-chair for 2011, respectively. Ms Bwalya, on behalf of the Committee, thanked her predecessor Mr. Tobias Lorentzsen (Sweden) for his leadership during the past year.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for the week of 24 October 2011.