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WTO NEWS: 2001 NEWS ITEMS

Dispute Settlement Body 20 June 2001

“Turkish steel” and “Chilean cigarettes” panels established

The WTO Dispute Settlement Body (DSB), on 20 June 2001, agreed to establish two panels: on anti-dumping measures by Egypt on steel coming from Turkey, and on taxes imposed by Peru on Chilean cigarettes.

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NOTE:
This summary has been prepared by the WTO Secretariat’s Information and Media Relations Division to help public understanding about developments in WTO disputes. It is not a legal interpretation of the issues, and it is not intended as a complete account of the issues. These can be found in the reports themselves and in the minutes of the Dispute Settlement Body’s meetings.


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Panels established

Case DS211: Egypt — Definitive anti-dumping measures on steel rebar from Turkey.

Turkey reiterated its request for a panel. (First request was made on 16 May 2001). Egypt repeated its faith in the WTO compliance of its measures. The DSB agreed to establish a panel. Chile, the European Communities, Japan and the United States reserved third-party rights to participate in the Panel's proceeding.

  
Case DS227: Peru — Taxes on cigarettes.

Chile regretted the fact that an agreement had not been found with Peru and requested, for the second time, the establishment of a panel. Peru said that it would have preferred to continue the consultations and still hoped to find an agreement. The DSB agreed to establish a panel. No one expressed interest as third-party.

 

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Panel requests deferred

The following requests for the establishment of panels were deferred: Case DS206: United States — Anti-dumping and countervailing measures on steel plate from India, a request from India; Case DS231: European Communities — Trade description of sardines, a request from Peru; Case DS219: European Communities — Anti-dumping duties on malleable cast iron tube or pipe fittings from Brazil, a request from Brazil.

 

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Status reports: Surveillance of implementation of recommendations adopted by the DSB

Case DS27: European Communities — Regime for the importation, sale and distribution of bananas

The EC stated that it had completed the implementation of the first phase of its transitional regime and was now preparing the second phase, to start from 1 January 2002. The EC also said that the implementation of the second phase depended on the EC obtaining a waiver in the Goods Council for its “Cotonou agreement” — the new EC-ACP preferential agreement.

Parties to the dispute said they would monitor the actions taken by the EC.

  
  
Case DS76: Japan — Measures affecting agricultural products

Japan said that it would shortly amend its relevant regulations. The US urged Japan to do so as quickly as possible. The EC expressed concern about Japan's delay in implementation.

  
  
Case DS34: Turkey — Restrictions on imports of textile and clothing products

Turkey and India said that they continued to hold discussions and hoped to soon find a mutually acceptable compensation, pending full compliance.

 

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Implementation of the recommendations of the DSB

Case DS177/178: United States — Safeguard measures on imports of fresh, chilled or frozen lamb meat from New Zealand and Australia

The United States said that it intends to implement and will need a reasonable period of time. Australia, New Zealand and the EC welcomed the US's readiness to comply but regretted that the US is not is a position to comply immediately. They said that removal of the safeguard measures was the only route to implement.

 

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Next meeting

The next meeting of the DSB will take place on 24 July 2001.

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