DS: Argentina — Transitional Safeguard Measures on Certain Imports of Woven Fabric Products of Cotton and Cotton Mixtures Originating in Brazil

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Current status

 

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Key facts

 

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Latest document

  

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Summary of the dispute to date

The summary below was up-to-date at

Consultations

Complaint by Brazil.

This request for a panel, dated 11 February 2000, concerns transitional safeguard measures applied by Argentina, as of 31 July 1999, against certain imports of woven fabrics of cotton and cotton mixtures originating in Brazil. The measures at issue were applied through Resolution MEyOSP 861/99 of the Ministry of the Economy and Public Works and Services of Argentina. In accordance with Article 6.11 of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, Brazil had referred the matter to the Textiles Monitoring Body (TMB) for review and recommendations, after consultations requested earlier by Argentina had failed to produce a mutually satisfactory solution. At its meeting of 18-22 October 1999, the TMB conducted a review of the measures implemented by Argentina, having recommended that Argentina rescind the safeguard measures applied against imports from Brazil. On 29 November 1999, in accordance with Article 8.10 of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, Argentina notified the TMB that it considered itself unable to conform with the recommendations issued by the TMB. At its meeting of 13-14 December 1999, the TMB conducted a review of the reasons given by Argentina and recommended that Argentina reconsider its position. The TMB’s recommendations notwithstanding, the matter remained unresolved. Brazil is of the view that the transitional safeguards applied by Argentina are inconsistent with Argentina’s obligations under Articles 2.4, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.7, 6.8, 6.11, 8.9 and 8.10 of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing and should, therefore, be rescinded forthwith.

 

Panel and Appellate Body proceedings

At its meeting on 20 March 2000, the DSB established a panel. The EC, Pakistan, Paraguay and the US reserved their third-party rights.

 

Mutually agreed solution

In a communication dated June 2000, the parties notified a mutually agreed solution to this dispute. Pursuant to the agreement reached, Brazil retains the right to resume the procedures for the composition of the panel from the point where they stood at the time the agreement was reached.