REPERTORY OF APPELLATE BODY REPORTS

Interpretation

I.3.1 General rules of treaty interpretation — Articles 31 and 32 of the Vienna Convention   back to top

I.3.1.1 US — Gasoline, p. 17, DSR 1996:I, p. 3 at 16
(WT/DS2/AB/R)
 

The general rule of interpretation [as set out in Article 31(1) of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties] has attained the status of a rule of customary or general international law. As such, it forms part of the “customary rules of interpretation of public international law” which the Appellate Body has been directed, by Article 3(2) of the DSU, to apply in seeking to clarify the provisions of the General Agreement and the other “covered agreements” of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (the “WTO Agreement”). That direction reflects a measure of recognition that the General Agreement is not to be read in clinical isolation from public international law.
 

I.3.1.2 Japan — Alcoholic Beverages II, p. 34, DSR 1996:I, p. 97 at 122–123
(WT/DS8/AB/R, WT/DS10/AB/R, WT/DS11/AB/R)
 

… WTO rules are reliable, comprehensible and enforceable. WTO rules are not so rigid or so inflexible as not to leave room for reasoned judgements in confronting the endless and ever-changing ebb and flow of real facts in real cases in the real world. They will serve the multilateral trading system best if they are interpreted with that in mind. In that way, we will achieve the “security and predictability” sought for the multilateral trading system by the Members of the WTO through the establishment of the dispute settlement system.
 

I.3.1.3 India — Patents (US), para. 46
(WT/DS50/AB/R)
 

… These rules must be respected and applied in interpreting the TRIPS Agreement or any other covered agreement. … Both panels and the Appellate Body must be guided by the rules of treaty interpretation set out in the Vienna Convention, and must not add to or diminish rights and obligations provided in the WTO Agreement.
 

I.3.1.4 Argentina — Textiles and Apparel, para. 42
(WT/DS56/AB/R, WT/DS56/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

… The Panel relies heavily on what it characterizes as “past GATT practice”, without undertaking any analysis of the ordinary meaning of the terms of Article II in their context and in the light of the object and purpose of the GATT 1994, in accordance with the general rules of treaty interpretation set out in Article 31 of the Vienna Convention. …
 

I.3.1.5 US — Carbon Steel, paras. 61–62
(WT/DS213/AB/R, WT/DS213/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

… we recall that Article 3.2 of the DSU recognizes that interpretative issues arising in WTO dispute settlement are to be resolved through the application of customary rules of interpretation of public international law. It is well settled in WTO case law that the principles codified in Articles 31 and 32 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (the “Vienna Convention”) are such customary rules. …
 

… the task of interpreting a treaty provision must begin with its specific terms. …
 

I.3.1.6 US — Continued Zeroing, para. 268
(WT/DS350/AB/R)
 

The principles of interpretation that are set out in Articles 31 and 32 are to be followed in a holistic fashion. The interpretative exercise is engaged so as to yield an interpretation that is harmonious and coherent and fits comfortably in the treaty as a whole so as to render the treaty provision legally effective. A word or term may have more than one meaning or shade of meaning, but the identification of such meanings in isolation only commences the process of interpretation, it does not conclude it. … a treaty interpreter is required to have recourse to context and object and purpose to elucidate the relevant meaning of the word or term. This logical progression provides a framework for proper interpretative analysis. At the same time, it should be kept in mind that treaty interpretation is an integrated operation, where interpretative rules or principles must be understood and applied as connected and mutually reinforcing components of a holistic exercise.
 

I.3.2 Text. See also Interpretation, Legitimate expectations (I.3.5); Municipal Law (M.5)   back to top

I.3.2.1 Japan — Alcoholic Beverages II, p. 12, DSR 1996:I, p. 97 at 105
(WT/DS8/AB/R, WT/DS10/AB/R, WT/DS11/AB/R)
 

Article 31 of the Vienna Convention provides that the words of the treaty form the foundation for the interpretive process: “interpretation must be based above all upon the text of the treaty”. …
 

I.3.2.2 EC — Hormones, para. 181
(WT/DS26/AB/R, WT/DS48/AB/R)
 

… The fundamental rule of treaty interpretation requires a treaty interpreter to read and interpret the words actually used by the agreement under examination, not words the interpreter may feel should have been used.
 

I.3.2.3 India — Patents (US), para. 45
(WT/DS50/AB/R)
 

… The duty of a treaty interpreter is to examine the words of the treaty to determine the intentions of the parties. This should be done in accordance with the principles of treaty interpretation set out in Article 31 of the Vienna Convention. But these principles of interpretation neither require nor condone the imputation into a treaty of words that are not there or the importation into a treaty of concepts that were not intended.
 

I.3.2.4 US — Shrimp, para. 114
(WT/DS58/AB/R)
 

… A treaty interpreter must begin with, and focus upon, the text of the particular provision to be interpreted. It is in the words constituting that provision, read in their context, that the object and purpose of the states parties to the treaty must first be sought. Where the meaning imparted by the text itself is equivocal or inconclusive, or where confirmation of the correctness of the reading of the text itself is desired, light from the object and purpose of the treaty as a whole may usefully be sought.
 

I.3.2.5 Argentina — Footwear (EC), para. 91
(WT/DS121/AB/R)
 

To determine the meaning of the clause — “as a result of unforeseen developments and of the effect of the obligations incurred by a Member under this Agreement, including tariff concessions … ” — in sub-paragraph (a) of Article XIX:1, we must examine these words in their ordinary meaning, in their context and in light of the object and purpose of Article XIX. …
 

I.3.2.6 US — Line Pipe, para. 251
(WT/DS202/AB/R)
 

We do not see the text of Article 5.1, first sentence, alone, as indicating one certain meaning. Therefore, in keeping with our customary approach, we must seek the meaning of the terms of this provision in their context and in the light of the object and purpose of the Agreement.
 

I.3.2.7 US — Offset Act (Byrd Amendment), para. 248
(WT/DS217/AB/R, WT/DS234/AB/R)
 

… It should be remembered that dictionaries are important guides to, not dispositive statements of, definitions of words appearing in agreements and legal documents.
 

I.3.2.8 US — Softwood Lumber IV, paras. 58–59
(WT/DS257/AB/R)
 

The meaning of a treaty provision, properly construed, is rooted in the ordinary meaning of the terms used. …
 

… We note … that dictionary definitions have their limitations in revealing the ordinary meaning of a term. This is especially true where the meanings of terms used in the different authentic texts of the WTO Agreement are susceptible to differences in scope. …
 

I.3.2.9 US — Gambling, para. 164 and Footnote 191
(WT/DS285/AB/R, WT/DS285/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

… In order to identify the ordinary meaning, a panel may start with the dictionary definitions of the terms to be interpreted.191 But dictionaries, alone, are not necessarily capable of resolving complex questions of interpretation, as they typically aim to catalogue all meanings of words — be those meanings common or rare, universal or specialized.
 

I.3.2.10 US — Gambling, para. 166
(WT/DS285/AB/R, WT/DS285/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

We have three reservations about the way in which the Panel determined the ordinary meaning of the word “sporting” in the United States’ Schedule. First, to the extent that the Panel’s reasoning simply equates the “ordinary meaning” with the meaning of words as defined in dictionaries, this is, in our view, too mechanical an approach. Secondly, the Panel failed to have due regard to the fact that its recourse to dictionaries revealed that gambling and betting can, at least in some contexts, be one of the meanings of the word “sporting”. Thirdly, the Panel failed to explain the basis for its recourse to the meanings of the French and Spanish words “déportivos” and “sportifs” in the light of the fact that the United States’ Schedule explicitly states, in a cover note, that it “is authentic in English only”.
 

I.3.2.11 US — Gambling, para. 167
(WT/DS285/AB/R, WT/DS285/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

Overall, the Panel’s finding concerning the word “sporting” was premature. In our view, the Panel should have taken note that, in the abstract, the range of possible meanings of the word “sporting” includes both the meaning claimed by Antigua and the meaning claimed by the United States, and then continued its inquiry into which of those meanings was to be attributed to the word as used in the United States’ GATS Schedule.
 

I.3.2.12 EC — Chicken Cuts, paras. 175–176
(WT/DS269/AB/R, WT/DS286/AB/R, WT/DS269/AB/R/Corr.1, WT/DS286/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

… The Appellate Body has observed that dictionaries are a “useful starting point” for the analysis of “ordinary meaning” of a treaty term, but they are not necessarily dispositive. The ordinary meaning of a treaty term must be ascertained according to the particular circumstances of each case. Importantly, the ordinary meaning of a treaty term must be seen in the light of the intention of the parties “as expressed in the words used by them against the light of the surrounding circumstances”.
 

Having said this, we would agree with the European Communities that there is no reference in the Vienna Convention to “factual context” as a separate analytical step under Article 31. Nevertheless, we do not believe that the Panel was incorrect to consider elements such as the “products covered by the concession contained in heading 02.10”, “flavour, texture, [and] other physical properties” of the products falling under heading 02.10, and “preservation” when interpreting the term “salted” as it appears in heading 02.10. The Panel’s consideration of these elements under “ordinary meaning” of the term “salted” complemented its analysis of the dictionary definitions of that term. In any event, even if we were to agree with the European Communities that these elements are not to be considered under “ordinary meaning”, they certainly could be considered under “context”. Interpretation pursuant to the customary rules codified in Article 31 of the Vienna Convention is ultimately a holistic exercise that should not be mechanically subdivided into rigid components. Considering particular surrounding circumstances under the rubric of “ordinary meaning” or “in the light of its context” would not, in our view, change the outcome of treaty interpretation. Therefore, we find no error in the Panel’s interpretive approach.
 

I.3.2.13 China — Publications and Audiovisual Products, paras. 354, 356–357
(WT/DS363/AB/R)
 

We observe that the dictionary definitions submitted by China to the Panel included a range of meanings for the terms “recording” and “distribution”. China itself referred to “recorded material”, which was the definition that the Panel considered “most relevant”. Although China contends that the Panel disregarded alternative definitions from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, in particular the definition of “recording” as “[s]omething on which sound or visual images have been recorded”, we note that this same dictionary also provides a definition of “recording” as “[a] recorded sound or picture”. Whilst the Panel did not quote the latter two definitions from the dictionary in question, it did assess whether the term “sound recording” encompasses only the “particular medium on which the content is embedded or transferred”, or also “material that is recorded” and “content”. The Panel was not required in doing so to quote each dictionary definition submitted by the parties expressing these meanings in similar form. We, therefore, do not believe that the Panel failed to consider whether “sound recording” could be read as “something on which sound or visual images have been recorded”. Rather, the Panel explored whether the entry at issue covered only distribution of sound recordings in physical form, or extended to their distribution in electronic form. Ultimately, the Panel was not persuaded that the meaning of the term “sound recording” excluded recorded content stored or distributed in electronic form.
 

...
 

In its analysis of dictionary definitions for purposes of discerning the ordinary meaning of the term “Sound recording distribution services”, the Panel identified some meanings as more relevant to its analysis, but did not clearly explain why certain definitions were more relevant than others. However, we do not believe that the absence of a clear explanation amounts to an error in the Panel’s analysis of dictionary definitions, because its analysis makes clear that it took into consideration the meaning advocated by China, regardless of the dictionary sources of the various definitions before it.
 

We recognize, as China argues, that certain language used by the Panel suggests that it may have reached conclusions on the ordinary meaning based on only certain dictionary definitions. The Panel also did not quote in its reasoning the alternative dictionary definitions submitted by China and contained in The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language. However, the Panel did consider whether the meaning of the entry “Sound recording distribution services” was limited to the distribution of physical goods or whether it extended to electronic distribution, and it continued to do so in its subsequent analysis of relevant context, and object and purpose, as explained below. We, therefore, do not consider that, in its analysis of the ordinary meaning of “Sound recording distribution services”, the Panel disregarded the definitions put forward by China. Neither are we persuaded that the Panel prematurely reached conclusions on the ordinary meaning of “Sound recording distribution services” based only on dictionary meanings before analyzing the relevant context and the object and purpose of the GATS. In sum, based on our review of the Panel’s reasoning, we believe that the Panel did not err in its consideration of dictionary definitions of the terms “sound recording” and “distribution”.
 

I.3.2.14 US — Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties (China), paras. 326–327
(WT/DS379/AB/R)
 

… according to Article 31 of the Vienna Convention, a treaty is to be interpreted in good faith. That means, inter alia, that terms of a treaty are not to be interpreted based on the assumption that one party is seeking to evade its obligations and will exercise its rights so as to cause injury to the other party. Yet, the United States’ argument … pleads for an interpretation founded on this very assumption, and the above statement by the Panel reveals an interpretation on this basis. A proper interpretation in accordance with Article 31 of the Vienna Convention, however, cannot proceed based on such an assumption. …
 

We consider the Panel’s approach to be all the more inappropriate under Article 1.1 of the SCM Agreement, because the treaty itself contains a specific provision seeking to ensure that governments do not evade their obligations under the SCM Agreement by using private bodies to take actions that would otherwise fall within the scope of Article 1.1(a)(1), were they to be taken by the government itself. This provision is, as the Appellate Body has expressly recognized, Article 1.1(a)(1)(iv). This, too, precludes reliance on considerations of circumvention in the interpretation of the very provision whose circumvention Article 1.1(a)(1)(iv) seeks to prevent.
 

I.3.3 Context   back to top

I.3.3.1 US — Carbon Steel, para. 65
(WT/DS213/AB/R, WT/DS213/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

We have previously observed that the fact that a particular treaty provision is “silent” on a specific issue “must have some meaning”. In this case, the lack of any indication, in the text of Article 21.3, that a de minimis standard must be applied in sunset reviews serves, at least at first blush, as an indication that no such requirement exists. However, as the Panel itself observed, the task of ascertaining the meaning of a treaty provision with respect to a specific requirement does not end once it has been determined that the text is silent on that requirement. Such silence does not exclude the possibility that the requirement was intended to be included by implication.
 

I.3.3.2 US — Carbon Steel, para. 69
(WT/DS213/AB/R, WT/DS213/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

… the technique of cross-referencing is frequently used in the SCM Agreement. … These cross-references suggest to us that, when the negotiators of the SCM Agreement intended that the disciplines set forth in one provision be applied in another context, they did so expressly. In the light of the many express cross-references made in the SCM Agreement, we attach significance to the absence of any textual link between Article 21.3 reviews and the de minimis standard set forth in Article 11.9. …
 

I.3.3.3 US — Carbon Steel, para. 104
(WT/DS213/AB/R, WT/DS213/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

In principle, when a provision refers, without qualification, to an action that a Member may take, this serves as an indication that no limitation is intended to be imposed on the manner or circumstances in which such action may be taken. However, because the task of interpreting a treaty provision does not end with a bare examination of its text, the absence of an express limitation on Members’ ability to take a certain action is not dispositive of whether any such limitation exists.
 

I.3.3.4 US — Gambling, para. 175
(WT/DS285/AB/R, WT/DS285/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

We note that Article 31(2) refers to the agreement or acceptance of the parties. In this case, both W/120 and the 1993 Scheduling Guidelines were drafted by the GATT Secretariat rather than the parties to the negotiations. It may be true that, on its own, authorship by a delegated body would not preclude specific documents from falling within the scope of Article 31(2). However, we are not persuaded that in this case the Panel could find W/120 and the 1993 Scheduling Guidelines to be context. Such documents can be characterized as context only where there is sufficient evidence of their constituting an “agreement relating to the treaty” between the parties or of their “accept[ance by the parties] as an instrument related to the treaty”.
 

I.3.3.5 US — Gambling, paras. 176, 178
(WT/DS285/AB/R, WT/DS285/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

We do not accept, as the Panel appears to have done, that, simply by requesting the preparation and circulation of these documents and using them in preparing their offers, the parties in the negotiations have accepted them as agreements or instruments related to the treaty. Indeed, there are indications to the contrary. As the United States pointed out before the Panel, the United States and several other parties to the negotiations clearly stated, at the time W/120 was proposed, that, although Members were encouraged to follow the broad structure of W/120, it was never meant to bind Members to the CPC definitions, nor to any other “specific nomenclature”, and that “the composition of the list was not a matter for negotiations”. Similarly, the Explanatory Note that prefaces the Scheduling Guidelines itself appears to contradict the Panel in this regard, as it expressly provides that, although it is intended to assist “persons responsible for scheduling commitments”, that assistance “should not be considered as an authoritative legal interpretation of the GATS.”
 

… therefore, the Panel erred in categorizing W/120 and the 1993 Scheduling Guidelines as “context” for the interpretation of the United States’ GATS Schedule. …
 

I.3.3.6 EC — Chicken Cuts, paras. 193–194
(WT/DS269/AB/R, WT/DS286/AB/R, WT/DS269/AB/R/Corr.1, WT/DS286/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

It is clear from these provisions that the context of the term “salted” in heading 02.10 consists of the immediate, as well as the broader, context of that term. The immediate context is the other terms of the product description contained in heading 02.10 of the EC Schedule. The broader context includes the other headings in Chapter 2 of the EC Schedule, as well as other WTO Member Schedules.
 

The Panel addressed the question whether the Harmonized System constituted “context” for interpreting the term “salted” in heading 02.10 of the EC Schedule. …
 

I.3.3.7 EC — Chicken Cuts, para. 195
(WT/DS269/AB/R, WT/DS286/AB/R, WT/DS269/AB/R/Corr.1, WT/DS286/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

The Harmonized System is not, formally, part of the WTO Agreement, as it has not been incorporated, in whole or in part, into that Agreement. Nevertheless, the concept of “context”, under Article 31, is not limited to the treaty text — namely, the WTO Agreement — but may also extend to “any agreement relating to the treaty which was made between all the parties in connection with the conclusion of the treaty”, within the meaning of Article 31(2)(a) of the Vienna Convention, and to “any instrument which was made by one or more parties in connection with the conclusion of the treaty and accepted by the other parties as an instrument related to the treaty”, within the meaning of Article 31(2)(b) of the Vienna Convention. …
 

I.3.3.8 China — Auto Parts, para. 151
(WT/DS339/AB/R, WT/DS340/AB/R, WT/DS342/AB/R)
 

… The realm of context as defined in Article 31(2) is broad. “Context” includes all of the text of the treaty — in this case, the WTO Agreement — and may also extend to “any agreement relating to the treaty which was made between all the parties in connection with the conclusion of the treaty” and “any instrument which was made by one or more parties in connection with the conclusion of the treaty and accepted by the other parties as an instrument related to the treaty”. Yet context is relevant for a treaty interpreter to the extent that it may shed light on the interpretative issue to be resolved, such as the meaning of the term or phrase at issue. Thus, for a particular provision, agreement or instrument to serve as relevant context in any given situation, it must not only fall within the scope of the formal boundaries identified in Article 31(2), it must also have some pertinence to the language being interpreted that renders it capable of helping the interpreter to determine the meaning of such language. Because WTO Members’ Schedules of Concessions were constructed using the nomenclature of the Harmonized System, the Harmonized System is apt to shed light on the meaning of terms used in these Schedules. It does not, however, automatically follow that the Harmonized System was context relevant to the interpretative question faced by the Panel in its analysis of the threshold issue in this dispute.
 

I.3.3.9 China — Publications and Audiovisual Products, paras. 387–388
(WT/DS363/AB/R)
 

As we have considered above, while certain elements of context clearly support the Panel’s interpretation of “Sound recording distribution services” as extending to the electronic distribution of sound recordings, other elements considered by the Panel are consistent with or do not contradict such an interpretation of the scope of this commitment. On balance, we are persuaded that the analysis of a number of contextual elements supports the interpretation of China’s commitment on “Sound recording distribution services” as including the electronic distribution of sound recordings.
 

We further note that the Panel did not regard any of the specific elements it reviewed under Article 31 of the Vienna Convention as in and of itself “conclusive” as to the question of whether “Sound recording distribution services” should be interpreted as encompassing electronic distribution. Rather, the Panel was careful to distinguish among: elements that support such an interpretation; elements that are consistent with the interpretation; and elements that offer no guidance. In this regard, we consider that China’s claim, that each of the interpretative elements reviewed by the Panel is “inconclusive” with respect to the interpretation of “Sound recording distribution services”, overlooks the nature of the interpretative exercise to be undertaken under Article 31 of the Vienna Convention.
 

I.3.3.10 US — Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties (China), para. 325
(WT/DS379/AB/R)
 

… China contends that the Panel considered, as part of its contextual analysis of Article 1.1(a)(1) of the SCM Agreement a concern explained by the panel in Korea — Commercial Vessels regarding what the Panel considered to be a similar issue to the one of the present case. We note that the definition of “context” in Article 31(2) of the Vienna Convention makes no mention of jurisprudence. Panel reports in previous disputes do not form part of the context of a term or provision in the sense of Article 31(2) of the Vienna Convention. Rather, the legal interpretation embodied in adopted panel and Appellate Body reports become part and parcel of the WTO acquis and have to be taken into account as such.
 

I.3.3.11 US — Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties (China), para. 579
(WT/DS379/AB/R)
 

In our view, Article 15 of the Tokyo Round Subsidies Code cannot be considered as context within the meaning of Article 31 of the Vienna Convention. Article 31 does not refer to a predecessor agreement — that is, an agreement on the same matter that has ceased to exist and has been replaced by the agreement being interpreted — as context or as one of the elements to be taken into account together with the context. Rather, a provision in a predecessor agreement may, at most, form part of the circumstances of the conclusion of a treaty under Article 32 of the Vienna Convention and thus be considered as supplementary means of interpretation.
 

I.3.3.12 China — Raw Materials, para. 320
(WT/DS394/AB/R, WT/DS395/AB/R, WT/DS398/AB/R)
 

… Article XI of the GATT 1994 is entitled “General Elimination of Quantitative Restrictions”. The Panel found that this title suggests that Article XI governs the elimination of “quantitative restrictions” generally. We have previously referred to the title of a provision when interpreting the requirements within the provision. In the present case, we consider that the use of the word “quantitative” in the title of the provision informs the interpretation of the words “restriction” and “prohibition” in Article XI:1 and XI:2. …
 

I.3.4 Domestic law and legislative history   back to top

I.3.4.1 US — FSC (Article 21.5 — EC), para. 150
(WT/DS108/AB/RW)
 

… The legislative history also states that the measure was adopted “to comply with decisions of a World Trade Organization dispute panel and Appellate Body”. We take particular note of these statements, though we do not believe that it would be appropriate for us to end our inquiry here.
 

I.3.4.2 US — Offset Act (Byrd Amendment), para. 259
(WT/DS217/AB/R, WT/DS234/AB/R)
 

… We note that the Panel referred to the “Findings of Congress”, not as a basis for its conclusion that the CDSOA constitutes a specific action against dumping or subsidies, but rather as a consideration confirming that conclusion. We agree with the Panel that the intent, stated or otherwise, of the legislators is not conclusive as to whether a measure is “against” dumping or subsidies under Article 18.1 of the Anti-Dumping Agreement or Article 32.1 of the SCM Agreement. Thus, it was not necessary for the Panel to inquire into the intent pursued by United States legislators in enacting the CDSOA and to take this into account in the analysis. The text of the CDSOA provides sufficient information on the structure and design of the CDSOA, that is to say, on the manner in which it operates, to permit an analysis whether the measure is “against” dumping or a subsidy. …
 

I.3.4.3 US — Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties (China), para. 335
(WT/DS379/AB/R)
 

… we have some reservations relating to the way in which the Panel had recourse to usages of the term “public body” or similar terms in the municipal law of a number of jurisdictions in this dispute. First, the Panel did not clearly explain why it considered that an examination of the understanding of the concept of a public body in municipal law would assist in answering the particular interpretative question with which it was confronted. Second, while the Panel refers to the definition of “public body” or similar terms in four different jurisdictions, it is not clear whether the Panel assessed the usage of the relevant terms only in these four jurisdictions or whether the Panel surveyed other jurisdictions as well. If the former, it is not evident why the Panel picked those particular jurisdictions; if the latter, the Panel did not disclose or discuss the results of its survey in their entirety. Nor did the Panel, as it might usefully have done, seek input from the parties and third parties as to which municipal law usages of the term “public body” were of assistance, if any, and why.
 

I.3.5 Legitimate expectations. See also Non-Violation Claims (N.2)   back to top

I.3.5.1 India — Patents (US), para. 42
(WT/DS50/AB/R)
 

… the Panel’s invocation of the “legitimate expectations” of Members relating to conditions of competition melds the legally-distinct bases for “violation” and “non-violation” complaints under Article XXIII of the GATT 1994 into one uniform cause of action. This is not consistent with either Article XXIII of the GATT 1994 or Article 64 of the TRIPS Agreement. …
 

I.3.5.2 India — Patents (US), para. 45
(WT/DS50/AB/R)
 

… The legitimate expectations of the parties to a treaty are reflected in the language of the treaty itself. The duty of a treaty interpreter is to examine the words of the treaty to determine the intentions of the parties. This should be done in accordance with the principles of treaty interpretation set out in Article 31 of the Vienna Convention. But these principles of interpretation neither require nor condone the imputation into a treaty of words that are not there or the importation into a treaty of concepts that were not intended.
 

I.3.5.3 India — Patents (US), para. 48
(WT/DS50/AB/R)
 

… we do not agree with the Panel that the legitimate expectations of Members and private rights holders concerning conditions of competition must always be taken into account in interpreting the TRIPS Agreement.
 

I.3.5.4 EC — Computer Equipment, para. 84
(WT/DS62/AB/R, WT/DS67/AB/R, WT/DS68/AB/R)
 

The purpose of treaty interpretation under Article 31 of the Vienna Convention is to ascertain the common intentions of the parties. These common intentions cannot be ascertained on the basis of the subjective and unilaterally determined “expectations” of one of the parties to a treaty. Tariff concessions provided for in a Member’s Schedule — the interpretation of which is at issue here — are reciprocal and result from a mutually advantageous negotiation between importing and exporting Members. A Schedule is made an integral part of the GATT 1994 by Article II:7 of the GATT 1994. Therefore, the concessions provided for in that Schedule are part of the terms of the treaty. As such, the only rules which may be applied in interpreting the meaning of a concession are the general rules of treaty interpretation set out in the Vienna Convention.
 

I.3.5.5 EC — Computer Equipment, para. 97
(WT/DS62/AB/R, WT/DS67/AB/R, WT/DS68/AB/R)
 

… we conclude that the Panel erred in finding that the “legitimate expectations” of an exporting Member are relevant for the purposes of interpreting the terms of Schedule LXXX and of determining whether the European Communities violated Article II:1 of the GATT 1994. …
 

I.3.6 Object and purpose   back to top

I.3.6.1 US — Shrimp, para. 153
(WT/DS58/AB/R)
 

We note once more that the preamble of the WTO Agreement demonstrates a recognition by WTO negotiators that optimal use of the world’s resources should be made in accordance with the objective of sustainable development. As this preambular language reflects the intentions of negotiators of the WTO Agreement, we believe it must add colour, texture and shading to our interpretation of the agreements annexed to the WTO Agreement, in this case, the GATT 1994. We have already observed that Article XX(g) of the GATT 1994 is appropriately read with the perspective embodied in the above preamble.
 

I.3.6.2 EC — Chicken Cuts, paras. 238–240
(WT/DS269/AB/R, WT/DS286/AB/R, WT/DS269/AB/R/Corr.1, WT/DS286/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

We begin our analysis with the question whether the Panel incorrectly distinguished between the object and purpose of the treaty and that of its individual provisions. It is well accepted that the use of the singular word “its” preceding the term “object and purpose” in Article 31(1) of the Vienna Convention indicates that the term refers to the treaty as a whole; had the term “object and purpose” been preceded by the word “their”, the use of the plural would have indicated a reference to particular “treaty terms”. Thus, the term “its object and purpose” makes it clear that the starting point for ascertaining “object and purpose” is the treaty itself, in its entirety. At the same time, we do not believe that Article 31(1) excludes taking into account the object and purpose of particular treaty terms, if doing so assists the interpreter in determining the treaty’s object and purpose on the whole. We do not see why it would be necessary to divorce a treaty’s object and purpose from the object and purpose of specific treaty provisions, or vice versa. To the extent that one can speak of the “object and purpose of a treaty provision”, it will be informed by, and will be in consonance with, the object and purpose of the entire treaty of which it is but a component.
 

Having said this, we caution against interpreting WTO law in the light of the purported “object and purpose” of specific provisions, paragraphs or subparagraphs of the WTO agreements, or tariff headings in Schedules, in isolation from the object and purpose of the treaty on the whole. Even if, arguendo, one could rely on the specific “object and purpose” of heading 02.10 of the EC Schedule in isolation, we would share the Panel’s view that “one Member’s unilateral object and purpose for the conclusion of a tariff commitment cannot form the basis” for an interpretation of that commitment, because interpretation in the light of Articles 31 and 32 of the Vienna Convention must focus on ascertaining the common intentions of the parties.
 

For these reasons, we have no difficulty with the Panel’s approach in interpreting the tariff commitment at issue in this case in the light of the object and purpose of the WTO Agreement and the GATT 1994.
 

I.3.6.3 US — Tyres (China), para. 184
(WT/DS399/AB/R)
 

… we consider that the object and purpose of [China’s Accession] Protocol, as reflected in Section 16 thereof, is to afford temporary relief to domestic industries that are exposed to market disruption as a result of a rapid increase in Chinese imports of like or directly competitive products, subject to the conditions and requirements provided therein. …
 

I.3.7 Principle of effectiveness   back to top

I.3.7.1 US — Gasoline, p. 23, DSR 1996:I, p. 3 at 21
(WT/DS2/AB/R)
 

… One of the corollaries of the “general rule of interpretation” in the Vienna Convention is that interpretation must give meaning and effect to all the terms of the treaty. An interpreter is not free to adopt a reading that would result in reducing whole clauses or paragraphs of a treaty to redundancy or inutility.
 

I.3.7.2 Japan — Alcoholic Beverages II, p. 12, DSR 1997:I, p. 97 at 106
(WT/DS8/AB/R, WT/DS10/AB/R, WT/DS11/AB/R)
 

… A fundamental tenet of treaty interpretation flowing from the general rule of interpretation set out in Article 31 is the principle of effectiveness (ut res magis valeat quam pereat). …
 

I.3.7.3 US — Underwear, p. 16, DSR 1997:I, p. 11 at 24
(WT/DS24/AB/R)
 

… The common, day-to-day, implication which arises from this language is clear to us: the restraint is to be applied in the future, after the consultations, should these prove fruitless and the proposed measure not [be] withdrawn. The principle of effectiveness in treaty interpretation sustains this implication.
 

I.3.7.4 Canada — Dairy, para. 133
(WT/DS103/AB/R, WT/DS113/AB/R, WT/DS103/AB/R/Corr.1, WT/DS113/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

… the task of the treaty interpreter is to ascertain and give effect to a legally operative meaning for the terms of the treaty. The applicable fundamental principle of effet utile is that a treaty interpreter is not free to adopt a meaning that would reduce parts of a treaty to redundancy or inutility.
 

I.3.7.5 Argentina — Footwear (EC), para. 81
(WT/DS121/AB/R)
 

… a treaty interpreter must read all applicable provisions of a treaty in a way that gives meaning to all of them, harmoniously. And, an appropriate reading of this “inseparable package of rights and disciplines” must, accordingly, be one that gives meaning to all the relevant provisions of these two equally binding agreements.
 

I.3.7.6 Argentina — Footwear (EC), para. 95
(WT/DS121/AB/R)
 

Our reading of these prerequisites does precisely this, by making certain that all the relevant provisions of the Agreement on Safeguards and Article XIX of the GATT 1994 relating to safeguard measures are given their full meaning and their full legal effect. …
 

I.3.7.7 Korea — Dairy, para. 81
(WT/DS98/AB/R)
 

In light of the interpretive principle of effectiveness, it is the duty of any treaty interpreter to “read all applicable provisions of a treaty in a way that gives meaning to all of them, harmoniously”. An important corollary of this principle is that a treaty should be interpreted as a whole, and, in particular, its sections and parts should be read as a whole. Article II:2 of the WTO Agreement expressly manifests the intention of the Uruguay Round negotiators that the provisions of the WTO Agreement and the Multilateral Trade Agreements included in its Annexes 1, 2 and 3 must be read as a whole.
 

I.3.7.8 US — Section 211 Appropriations Act, para. 338
(WT/DS176/AB/R)
 

Article 8 of the Paris Convention (1967) covers only the protection of trade names; Article 8 has no other subject. If the intention of the negotiators had been to exclude trade names from protection, there would have been no purpose whatsoever in including Article 8 in the list of Paris Convention (1967) provisions that were specifically incorporated into the TRIPS Agreement. To adopt the Panel’s approach would be to deprive Article 8 of the Paris Convention (1967), as incorporated into the TRIPS Agreement by virtue of Article 2.1 of that Agreement, of any and all meaning and effect. …
 

I.3.7.9 US — Offset Act (Byrd Amendment), para. 271
(WT/DS217/AB/R, WT/DS234/AB/R)
 

… The United States’ reasoning would deprive Article 32.1 of the SCM Agreement of effectiveness. As we have stated on many occasions, the internationally recognized interpretive principle of effectiveness should guide the interpretation of the WTO Agreement, and, under this principle, provisions of the WTO Agreement should not be interpreted in such a manner that whole clauses or paragraphs of a treaty would be reduced to redundancy or inutility. …
 

I.3.7.10 US — Upland Cotton, para. 549
(WT/DS267/AB/R)
 

… Furthermore, as the Appellate Body has explained, “a treaty interpreter must read all applicable provisions of a treaty in a way that gives meaning to all of them, harmoniously”. We agree with the Panel that “Article 3.1(b) of the SCM Agreement can be read together with the Agreement on Agriculture provisions relating to domestic support in a coherent and consistent manner which gives full and effective meaning to all of their terms”.
 

I.3.7.11 US — Softwood Lumber V (Article 21.5 — Canada), para. 99
(WT/DS264/AB/RW)
 

… One part of a provision setting forth a methodology is not rendered inutile simply because, in a specific set of circumstances, its application would produce results that are equivalent to those obtained from the application of a comparison methodology set out in another part of that provision. In other words, the fact that, under the specific assumptions of the hypothetical scenario provided by the United States, the weighted-average-to-transaction comparison methodology could produce results that are equivalent to those obtained from the application of the weighted-average-to-weighted-average methodology is insufficient to conclude that the second sentence of Article 2.4.2 is thereby rendered ineffective. It has not been proven that in all cases, or at least in most of them, the two methodologies would produce the same results. …
 

I.3.7.12 EC and certain member States — Large Civil Aircraft, paras. 1160–1161 and Footnote 2548
(WT/DS316/AB/R)
 

… this is the first time that the Appellate Body examines claims of displacement under subparagraphs (a) or (b) of Article 6.3 of the SCM Agreement. …
 

We are not called upon in this appeal to interpret the term “impede” in Article 6.3. Nevertheless, consideration of the term can provide context for a better understanding of displacement. …2548
 

I.3.7.13 Canada — Renewable Energy / Canada — Feed-in Tariff Program, para. 5.26
(WT/DS412/AB/R, WT/DS426/AB/R)
 

… The operative part of Article 2.2 is the reference to the Illustrative List, which provides examples of measures that are inconsistent with the national treatment obligation. While Article 2.2 and the Illustrative List focus on the specific provisions where such obligation is reflected — that is, Article III:4 of the GATT 1994 — we do not believe it responds to the question of whether such measures are inconsistent with Article III of the GATT 1994 in its entirety. Where a measure falls within the scope of Article III:8(a), the measure is not inconsistent with Article III overall. Thus, we agree with the Panel that Article 2.2 and the Illustrative List must be understood as clarifying to which TRIMs the general obligation in Article 2.1 applies. Furthermore, we understand the absence of a reference to Article III:8(a) of the GATT 1994 in Article 2.2 of the TRIMs Agreement and in the Illustrative List as indicating that these provisions are neutral as to the applicability of the former provision. This results in a harmonious interpretation of Articles 2.1 and 2.2 of the TRIMs Agreement and Articles III:4 and III:8(a) of the GATT 1994. By contrast, the interpretation advocated by the European Union would result in different obligations for those TRIMs that fall within the Illustrative List and those that do not.
 

I.3.7.14 Canada — Renewable Energy / Canada — Feed-in Tariff Program, para. 5.28
(WT/DS412/AB/R, WT/DS426/AB/R)
 

The European Union argues that the Panel’s interpretation … “largely nullifies the effects of Article 2.2 and of the Illustrative List in relation to the general obligation in Article 2.1”. Under the Panel’s interpretation, Article 2.2 and the Illustrative List continue to provide examples of TRIMs that involve discrimination and that are inconsistent with the national treatment obligation in Article III:4, and consequently would violate the obligation in Article 2.1 of the TRIMs Agreement. … We agree that the Panel’s interpretation means that a limited set of measures that fall both within one of the examples of the Illustrative List of the TRIMs Agreement and Article III:8(a) of the GATT 1994 ultimately would not be found to be inconsistent with Article III:4 of the GATT 1994 and Article 2.1 of the TRIMs Agreement. Yet, we do not see this as nullifying the effects of Article 2.2 and the Illustrative List. Rather, it is a result of interpreting Article 2.2 and the Illustrative List harmoniously with the other provisions of the TRIMs Agreement and with Article III of the GATT 1994. In any event, the broader subset of TRIMs that fall within the Illustrative List and do not qualify for derogation under Article III:8(a) of the GATT 1994 remains inconsistent with the national treatment obligation in Article III:4 of the GATT 1994 and Article 2.1 of the TRIMs Agreement.
 

I.3.7.15 Canada — Renewable Energy / Canada — Feed-in Tariff Program, para. 5.57
(WT/DS412/AB/R, WT/DS426/AB/R)
 

Article III:8(a) contains several elements describing the types and the content of measures falling within the ambit of the provision. … We consider that Article III:8(a) should be interpreted holistically. This requires consideration of the linkages between the different terms used in the provision and the contextual connections to other parts of Article III, as well as to other provisions of the GATT 1994. At the same time, the principle of effective treaty interpretation requires us to give meaning to every term of the provision.
 

I.3.7.16 Canada — Renewable Energy / Canada — Feed-in Tariff Program, paras. 5.118–5.119
(WT/DS412/AB/R, WT/DS426/AB/R)
 

… the Panel found the measures at issue to be government “purchases [of] goods” under subparagraph (iii) of Article 1.1(a)(1). Then, the Panel rejected the complainants’ argument that the challenged measures could also be legally characterized as “direct transfer[s] of funds” under subparagraph (i). … the Panel went on to make the interpretative finding that it could not conclude that “government ‘purchases [of] goods’ could also be legally characterized as ‘direct transfer[s] of funds’ without infringing [the] principle [of effective treaty interpretation]”.
 

To the extent that this finding by the Panel means that the coverage of subparagraphs (i) and (iii) of Article 1.1(a)(1) is mutually exclusive, we disagree. …
 

I.3.8 Principle of in dubio mitius   back to top

I.3.8.1 EC — Hormones, para. 165 and Footnote 154
(WT/DS26/AB/R, WT/DS48/AB/R)
 

… We cannot lightly assume that sovereign states intended to impose upon themselves the more onerous, rather than the less burdensome, obligation by mandating conformity or compliance with such standards, guidelines and recommendations.154 To sustain such an assumption and to warrant such a far-reaching interpretation, treaty language far more specific and compelling than that found in Article 3 of the SPS Agreement would be necessary.
 

I.3.8.2 China — Publications and Audiovisual Products, para. 410
(WT/DS363/AB/R)
 

Finally, China claims that the Panel should have found that the application of both Articles 31 and 32 of the Vienna Convention left the issue of whether China’s GATS commitment on “Sound recording distribution services” included the distribution of sound recordings by electronic means largely “inconclusive”. In China’s view, when confronted with such a high level of ambiguity, the Panel should have applied the in dubio mitius principle and refrained from adopting the interpretation that was the least favourable to China. The United States responds that there was no basis for applying the in dubio mitius principle in this dispute because the Panel correctly interpreted China’s GATS specific commitment based on Articles 31 and 32 of the Vienna Convention.
 

I.3.8.3 China — Publications and Audiovisual Products, para. 411
(WT/DS363/AB/R)
 

We have found above that the Panel did not err in its interpretation of “Sound recording distribution services” in accordance with Article 31 of the Vienna Convention. We have expressed the view that the Panel’s recourse to Article 32 of the Vienna Convention was not in error, but that it was also not necessary, given that the application of Article 31 yielded a conclusion on the proper interpretation of this entry in China’s GATS Schedule. We have also observed that we see no error in the Panel’s analysis under Article 32. We therefore do not accept China’s contention that the Panel should have found that the meaning of the entry “Sound recording distribution services” remains inconclusive or ambiguous after its analysis under Articles 31 and 32 of the Vienna Convention. Consequently, even if the principle of in dubio mitius were relevant in WTO dispute settlement, there is no scope for its application in this dispute.
 

I.3.9 Subsequent practice   back to top

I.3.9.1 Japan — Alcoholic Beverages II, p. 13, DSR 1996:I, p. 97 at 106
(WT/DS8/AB/R, WT/DS10/AB/R, WT/DS11/AB/R)
 

… a “concordant, common and consistent” sequence of acts or pronouncements which is sufficient to establish a discernible pattern implying the agreement of the parties [to a treaty] regarding its interpretation. …
 

I.3.9.2 Japan — Alcoholic Beverages II, p. 15, DSR 1996:I, p. 97 at 108
(WT/DS8/AB/R, WT/DS10/AB/R, WT/DS11/AB/R)
 

… we do not agree with the Panel’s conclusion in paragraph 6.10 of the Panel Report that “panel reports adopted by the GATT CONTRACTING PARTIES and the WTO Dispute Settlement Body constitute subsequent practice in a specific case” as the phrase “subsequent practice” is used in Article 31 of the Vienna Convention. …
 

I.3.9.3 Chile — Price Band System, paras. 213–214
(WT/DS207/AB/R, WT/DS207/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

Chile’s argument that it is “highly relevant” that no country that had a price band system in place before the conclusion of the Uruguay Round actually converted it into ordinary customs duties gives rise to another question, namely: is this practice relevant in interpreting Article 4.2 because it constitutes “subsequent practice in the application of the treaty which establishes the agreement of the parties regarding its interpretation”, within the meaning of the customary rule of interpretation codified in Article 31(3)(b) of the Vienna Convention? …
 

Neither the Panel record nor the participants’ submissions on appeal suggests that there is a discernible pattern of acts or pronouncements implying an agreement among WTO Members on the interpretation of Article 4.2. Thus, in our view, this alleged practice of some Members does not amount to “subsequent practice” within the meaning of Article 31(3)(b) of the Vienna Convention.
 

I.3.9.4 Chile — Price Band System, para. 272
(WT/DS207/AB/R, WT/DS207/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

… The Schedule of one Member, and even the scheduling practice of a number of Members, is not relevant in interpreting the meaning of a treaty provision, unless that practice amounts to “subsequent practice in the application of the treaty” within the meaning of Article 31(3)(b) of the Vienna Convention. …
 

I.3.9.5 US — Upland Cotton, para. 625
(WT/DS267/AB/R)
 

… We also observe that whether WTO Members with export credit guarantee programs have reported them in their export subsidy notifications is not determinative for purposes of our inquiry into the meaning of Article 10.2. In any event, the United States and Brazil disagree about whether such programs are subject to notification requirements.
 

I.3.9.6 US — Gambling, paras. 192–193
(WT/DS285/AB/R, WT/DS207/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

… in order for “practice” within the meaning of Article 31(3)(b) to be established: (i) there must be a common, consistent, discernible pattern of acts or pronouncements; and (ii) those acts or pronouncements must imply agreement on the interpretation of the relevant provision.
 

… Although the 2001 Guidelines were explicitly adopted by the Council for Trade in Services, this was in the context of the negotiation of future commitments and in order to assist in the preparation of offers and requests in respect of such commitments. As such, they do not constitute evidence of Members’ understanding regarding the interpretation of existing commitments. Furthermore, as the United States emphasized before the Panel, in its Decision adopting the 2001 Guidelines, the Council for Trade in Services explicitly stated that they were to be “non-binding” and “shall not modify any rights or obligations of the Members under the GATS”. Accordingly, we do not consider that the 2001 Guidelines, in and of themselves, constitute “subsequent practice” within the meaning of Article 31(3)(b) of the Vienna Convention.
 

I.3.9.7 EC — Chicken Cuts, paras. 255, 259
(WT/DS269/AB/R, WT/DS286/AB/R, WT/DS269/AB/R/Corr.1, WT/DS286/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

… we observe that “subsequent practice” in the application of a treaty may be an important element in treaty interpretation because “it constitutes objective evidence of the understanding of the parties as to the meaning of the treaty”.
 

...
 

We share the Panel’s view that not each and every party must have engaged in a particular practice for it to qualify as a “common” and “concordant” practice. Nevertheless, practice by some, but not all parties is obviously not of the same order as practice by only one, or very few parties. To our mind, it would be difficult to establish a “concordant, common and discernible pattern” on the basis of acts or pronouncements of one, or very few parties to a multilateral treaty, such as the WTO Agreement. We acknowledge, however, that, if only some WTO Members have actually traded or classified products under a given heading, this circumstance may reduce the availability of such “acts and pronouncements” for purposes of determining the existence of “subsequent practice” within the meaning of Article 31(3)(b).
 

I.3.9.8 EC — Chicken Cuts, paras. 265–266
(WT/DS269/AB/R, WT/DS286/AB/R, WT/DS269/AB/R/Corr.1, WT/DS286/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

We acknowledge that we are concerned here with the interpretation of a tariff commitment contained in the WTO Schedule of the European Communities that, according to Article II:7 of the GATT 1994, forms an “integral part” of the WTO Agreement, as do all Members’ WTO Schedules. In EC — Computer Equipment [at paragraph 109], the Appellate Body found that:
 

… the fact that Members’ Schedules are an integral part of the GATT 1994 indicates that, while each Schedule represents the tariff commitments made by one Member, they represent a common agreement among all Members (original emphasis).
 

The Appellate Body also stated [at paragraph 93] in that appeal that:
 

The purpose of treaty interpretation is to establish the common intention of the parties to the treaty. To establish this intention, the prior practice of only one of the parties may be relevant, but it is clearly of more limited value than the practice of all parties. In the specific case of interpretation of a tariff concession in a Schedule, the classification practice of the importing Member, in fact, may be of great importance. However, the Panel was mistaken in finding that the classification practice of the United States was not relevant. (original emphasis)
 

The Appellate Body made these statements in the context of an interpretation pursuant to Article 32 of the Vienna Convention, but, as the Panel put it, these statements “confirm[] the importance of the classification practice of the importing Member whose schedule is being interpreted [but] also indicate[] that the classification practice of other WTO Members, including the exporting Member’s practice, may be relevant”. In our view, these statements cannot be read to justify exclusive reliance on the importing Member’s classification practice. Therefore, we fail to see how the Panel’s finding that it was “reasonable to rely upon EC classification practice alone in determining whether or not there is ‘subsequent practice’ that ‘establishes the agreement’ of WTO Members within the meaning of Article 31(3)(b)” can be reconciled with these statements of the Appellate Body in EC — Computer Equipment.
 

I.3.9.9 EC — Chicken Cuts, para. 270
(WT/DS269/AB/R, WT/DS286/AB/R, WT/DS269/AB/R/Corr.1, WT/DS286/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

In our view, as the Panel examined only a subset of salted meat products classifiable under heading 02.10, and it did not examine classification practice with respect to alternative headings such as heading 02.07, it could not draw valid conclusions as to the existence of “subsequent practice” establishing the agreement of the parties within the meaning of Article 31(3)(b) with respect to all salted meat products potentially covered by the tariff commitment under heading 02.10 of the EC Schedule.
 

I.3.9.10 EC — Chicken Cuts, paras. 271–272
(WT/DS269/AB/R, WT/DS286/AB/R, WT/DS269/AB/R/Corr.1, WT/DS286/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

We recall that, under Article 31(3)(b), agreement of the parties regarding interpretation of a treaty term must be established. This raises the question how to establish agreement of those parties that have not engaged in a practice. …
 

We agree with the Panel that, in general, agreement may be deduced from the affirmative reaction of a treaty party. However, we have misgivings about deducing, without further inquiry, agreement with a practice from a party’s “lack of reaction”. We do not exclude that, in specific situations, the “lack of reaction” or silence by a particular treaty party may, in the light of attendant circumstances, be understood as acceptance of the practice of other treaty parties. Such situations may occur when a party that has not engaged in a practice has become or has been made aware of the practice of other parties (for example, by means of notification or by virtue of participation in a forum where it is discussed), but does not react to it. However, we disagree with the Panel that “lack of protest” against one Member’s classification practice by other WTO Members may be understood, on its own, as establishing agreement with that practice by those other Members. Therefore, the fact that Brazil and Thailand, having actually exported the products at issue, may have accepted the European Communities’ import classification practice under heading 02.10, is not dispositive of whether other Members with actual or potential trade interests have also accepted that practice. We, therefore, disagree with the Panel that “subsequent practice” under Article 31(3)(b) has been established by virtue of the fact that the Panel “[had] not been provided any evidence to indicate that WTO Members protested against the EC classification practice in question from 1996–2002”.
 

I.3.9.11 EC — Chicken Cuts, para. 273
(WT/DS269/AB/R, WT/DS286/AB/R, WT/DS269/AB/R/Corr.1, WT/DS286/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

… according to the European Communities, Article IX:2 of the WTO Agreement suggests that “any practice relating to the interpretation of the multilateral trade agreements and acceptance thereof must take the form of overt acts that are explicitly submitted for consideration of all WTO Members and adopted by a large majority of the WTO Membership”. To our mind, the existence of Article IX:2 of the WTO Agreement is not dispositive for resolving the issue of how to establish the agreement by Members that have not engaged in a practice. We fail to see how the express authorization in the WTO Agreement for Members to adopt interpretations of WTO provisions — which requires a three-quarter majority vote and not a unanimous decision — would impinge upon recourse to subsequent practice as a tool of treaty interpretation under Article 31(3)(b) of the Vienna Convention. In any case, we are mindful that the Appellate Body, in Japan — Alcoholic Beverages II, cautioned that relying on “subsequent practice” for purposes of interpretation must not lead to interference with the “exclusive authority” of the Ministerial Conference and the General Council to adopt interpretations of WTO agreements that are binding on all Members. In our view, this confirms that “lack of reaction” should not lightly, without further inquiry into attendant circumstances of a case, be read to imply agreement with an interpretation by treaty parties that have not themselves engaged in a particular practice followed by other parties in the application of the treaty. This is all the more so because the interpretation of a treaty provision on the basis of subsequent practice is binding on all parties to the treaty, including those that have not actually engaged in such practice.
 

I.3.9A Subsequent agreement. See also WTO Agreement, Article IX — Decision-making (W.4.1A)   back to top

I.3.9A.1 EC — Bananas III (Article 21.5 — Ecuador II) / EC — Bananas III (Article 21.5 — US), para. 383
(WT/DS27/AB/RW2/ECU, WT/DS27/AB/RW/USA, WT/DS27/AB/RW2/ECU/Corr.1, WT/DS27/AB/RW/USA/Corr.1)
 

Multilateral interpretations of provisions of WTO law are the next method identified above. Article IX:2 of the WTO Agreement sets out specific requirements for decisions that may be taken by the Ministerial Conference or the General Council to adopt interpretations of provisions of the Multilateral Trade Agreements. Such multilateral interpretations are meant to clarify the meaning of existing obligations, not to modify their content. Article IX:2 emphasizes that such interpretations “shall not be used in a manner that would undermine the amendment provisions in Article X”. A multilateral interpretation should also be distinguished from a waiver, which allows a Member to depart from an existing WTO obligation for a limited period of time. We consider that a multilateral interpretation pursuant to Article IX:2 of the WTO Agreement can be likened to a subsequent agreement regarding the interpretation of the treaty or the application of its provisions pursuant to Article 31(3)(a) of the Vienna Convention, as far as the interpretation of the WTO agreements is concerned.
 

I.3.9A.2 EC — Bananas III (Article 21.5 — Ecuador II) / EC — Bananas III (Article 21.5 — US), paras. 390–391
(WT/DS27/AB/RW2/ECU, WT/DS27/AB/RW/USA, WT/DS27/AB/RW2/ECU/Corr.1, WT/DS27/AB/RW/USA/Corr.1)
 

We further observe that, in its commentary on the Draft Articles on the Law of Treaties, the International Law Commission (the “ILC”) describes a subsequent agreement within the meaning of Article 31(3)(a) of the Vienna Convention “as a further authentic element of interpretation to be taken into account together with the context”. In our view, by referring to “authentic interpretation”, the ILC reads Article 31(3)(a) as referring to agreements bearing specifically upon the interpretation of a treaty. In the WTO context, multilateral interpretations adopted pursuant to Article IX:2 of the WTO Agreement are most akin to subsequent agreements within the meaning of Article 31(3)(a) of the Vienna Convention, but not waivers adopted pursuant to Articles IX:3 and 4 of the WTO Agreement.
 

… In our view, the term “application” in Article 31(3)(a) relates to the situation where an agreement specifies how existing rules or obligations in force are to be “applied”; the term does not connote the creation of new or the extension of existing obligations that are subject to a temporal limitation and are to expire. We find the Panel’s conclusion that the Doha Article I Waiver extended the duration of the tariff quota concession beyond 31 December 2002, and thereby modified or changed the content of the European Communities’ Schedule, difficult to reconcile with its conclusion that the Waiver should be considered an agreement on the application of existing commitments contained in that Schedule. As such, we do not consider that the Doha Article I Waiver could be regarded as an agreement on the application of the tariff quota concession in the European Communities’ Schedule within the meaning of Article 31(3)(a) of the Vienna Convention.
 

I.3.9A.3 US — Clove Cigarettes, paras. 257–258, 260
(WT/DS406/AB/R)
 

… the United States argued that a decision by the Ministerial Conference that does not conform with the specific decision-making procedures established by Article IX:2 of the WTO Agreement cannot constitute a “subsequent agreement between the parties” within the meaning of Article 31(3)(a) of the Vienna Convention. We observe that multilateral interpretations adopted pursuant to Article IX:2 of the WTO Agreement, on the one hand, and subsequent agreements on interpretation within the meaning of Article 31(3)(a) of the Vienna Convention, on the other hand, serve different functions and have different legal effects under WTO law. …
 

… Article 31(3)(a) of the Vienna Convention is a rule of treaty interpretation, pursuant to which a treaty interpreter uses a subsequent agreement between the parties on the interpretation of a treaty provision as an interpretative tool to determine the meaning of that treaty provision. … Interpretations developed by panels and the Appellate Body in the course of dispute settlement proceedings are binding only on the parties to a particular dispute. Article IX:2 of the WTO Agreement does not preclude panels and the Appellate Body from having recourse to a customary rule of interpretation of public international law that, pursuant to Article 3.2 of the DSU, they are required to apply.
 

...
 

We consider, therefore, that a decision adopted by Members, other than a decision adopted pursuant to Article IX:2 of the WTO Agreement, may constitute a “subsequent agreement” on the interpretation of a provision of a covered agreement under Article 31(3)(a) of the Vienna Convention. …
 

I.3.9A.4 US — Clove Cigarettes, para. 267
(WT/DS406/AB/R)
 

… the text of Article 31(3)(a) of the Vienna Convention does not establish a requirement as to the form which a “subsequent agreement between the parties” should take. We consider, therefore, that the term “agreement” in Article 31(3)(a) of the Vienna Convention refers, fundamentally, to substance rather than to form. Thus, in our view, paragraph 5.2 of the Doha Ministerial Decision can be characterized as a “subsequent agreement” within the meaning of Article 31(3)(a) of the Vienna Convention provided that it clearly expresses a common understanding, and an acceptance of that understanding among Members with regard to the meaning of the term “reasonable interval” in Article 2.12 of the TBT Agreement. …
 

I.3.9A.5 US — Clove Cigarettes, para. 269
(WT/DS406/AB/R)
 

In the light of our characterization of paragraph 5.2 of the Doha Ministerial Decision as a subsequent agreement between the parties within the meaning of Article 31(3)(a) of the Vienna Convention, we turn now to consider the meaning of Article 2.12 of the TBT Agreement in the light of the clarification of the term “reasonable interval” provided by paragraph 5.2. We observe that, in its commentaries on the Draft articles on the Law of Treaties, the ILC states that a subsequent agreement between the parties within the meaning of Article 31(3)(a) “must be read into the treaty for purposes of its interpretation”. As we see it, while the terms of paragraph 5.2 must be “read into” Article 2.12 for the purpose of interpreting that provision, this does not mean that the terms of paragraph 5.2 replace or override the terms contained in Article 2.12. Rather, the terms of paragraph 5.2 of the Doha Ministerial Decision constitute an interpretative clarification to be taken into account in the interpretation of Article 2.12 of the TBT Agreement.
 

I.3.9A.6 US — Tuna II (Mexico), paras. 371–372
(WT/DS381/AB/R)
 

… the issue is whether [the TBT Committee Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations with Relation to Articles 2, 5, and Annex 3 to the Agreement (the “TBT Committee Decision”)] can qualify as a “subsequent agreement between the parties regarding the interpretation of the treaty or the application of its provisions” within the meaning of Article 31(3)(a) of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (the “Vienna Convention”). In this respect, we note that the Decision was adopted by the TBT Committee … subsequent to the conclusion of the TBT Agreement. We further note that the membership of the TBT Committee comprises all WTO Members and that the Decision was adopted by consensus.
 

With respect to the question of whether the terms and content of the Decision express an agreement between Members on the interpretation or application of a provision of WTO law, we note that the title of the Decision expressly refers to “Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations with Relation to Articles 2, 5 and Annex 3 of the Agreement”. We further note that the TBT Committee undertook the activities leading up to the adoption of the Decision “[w]ith a view to developing a better understanding of international standards within the Agreement” and decided to develop the principles contained in the Decision, inter alia, “to ensure the effective application of the Agreement” and to “clarify and strengthen the concept of international standards under the Agreement”. We therefore consider that the TBT Committee Decision can be considered as a “subsequent agreement” within the meaning of Article 31(3)(a) of the Vienna Convention. The extent to which this Decision will inform the interpretation and application of a term or provision of the TBT Agreement in a specific case, however, will depend on the degree to which it “bears specifically” on the interpretation and application of the respective term or provision. …
 

I.3.9A.7 US — COOL, para. 451 and Footnote 914
(WT/DS384/AB/R, WT/DS386/AB/R)
 

… we are uncertain as to the basis on which the Panel had recourse to the Accountancy Disciplines developed under the GATS, and to the objective of “the protection of consumers” set out in those Disciplines.914
 

I.3.9B Relevant rules of international law   back to top

I.3.9B.1 US — Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties (China), paras. 307–308, 311, and Footnote 222
(WT/DS379/AB/R)
 

We note that Article 31(3)(c) of the Vienna Convention … contains three elements. First, it refers to “rules of international law”; second, the rules must be “relevant”; and third, such rules must be “applicable in the relations between the parties”. We will address these three elements in turn.
 

First, the reference to “rules of international law” corresponds to the sources of international law in Article 38(1) of the Statute of the International Court of Justice and thus includes customary rules of international law as well as general principles of law. Second, in order to be relevant, such rules must concern the same subject matter as the treaty terms being interpreted. To the extent that Articles 4, 5, and 8 of the ILC Articles concern the same subject matter as Article 1.1(a)(1) of the SCM Agreement, they would be “relevant” in the sense of Article 31(3)(c) of the Vienna Convention. With respect to the third requirement, the question is whether the ILC Articles are “applicable in the relations between the parties”. We observe that Articles 4, 5, and 8 of the ILC Articles are not binding by virtue of being part of an international treaty. However, insofar as they reflect customary international law or general principles of law, these Articles are applicable in the relations between the parties.
 

...
 

In this context, we observe that the United States acknowledges that the ILC Articles might reflect customary international law to some extent. Yet, the United States contends that given the “fine line distinctions” constructed in Articles 5 to 8 of the ILC Articles, it remains an open and contested question whether all of these details and distinctions have risen to the status of customary international law. Our analysis, however, does not draw on any details or “fine line distinctions” that might exist under Article 5 of the ILC Articles. Rather, we see similarities in the core principles and functions of the respective provisions. Our consideration of Article 5 of the ILC Articles does not contradict our analysis of Article 1.1(a)(1) above. Rather, it lends further support to that analysis. Yet, because the outcome of our analysis does not turn on Article 5, it is not necessary for us to resolve definitively the question of to what extent Article 5 of the ILC Articles reflects customary international law.222
 

I.3.9B.2 US — Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties (China), paras. 312–313
(WT/DS379/AB/R)
 

… In our view, the Panel misconstrued the role of the ILC Articles when it set out to analyze “whether [the ILC Articles] would override [the Panel’s] analysis and conclusions based on the text of the SCM Agreement itself”. The question is not whether intermediate results of one element of the interpretative exercise “override” the results of another. Rules of international law within the meaning of Article 31(3)(c) are one of several means to ascertain the common intention of the parties to a particular agreement reflected in Article 31 of the Vienna Convention.
 

… The Panel elaborated that, while in some WTO disputes the ILC Articles “have been cited as containing similar provisions to those in certain areas of the WTO Agreement, in others they have been cited by way of contrast with the provisions of the WTO Agreement, as a way to better understand the possible meaning of the provisions of the WTO Agreement”. The Panel considered this to indicate that panels and the Appellate Body have not considered the ILC Articles to constitute rules of international law in the sense of Article 31(3)(c). To us, this demonstrates the opposite. If, as the Panel states, certain ILC Articles have been “cited as containing similar provisions to those in certain areas of the WTO Agreement” or “cited by way of contrast with the provisions of the WTO Agreement”, this evinces that these ILC Articles have been “taken into account” in the sense of Article 31(3)(c) by panels and the Appellate Body in these cases.
 

I.3.9B.3 EC and certain member States — Large Civil Aircraft, para. 841
(WT/DS316/AB/R)
 

… To qualify under Article 31(3)(c), the 1992 Agreement would therefore have to be a “rule[] of international law”, which is “relevant” and “applicable in the relations between the parties”. Moreover, even assuming the 1992 Agreement were to fulfil these conditions, the chapeau to Article 31(3)(c) specifies the normative weight to be ascribed to the 1992 Agreement, namely that it is to be “taken into account” in interpreting the SCM Agreement.
 

I.3.9B.4 EC and certain member States — Large Civil Aircraft, paras. 844–845
(WT/DS316/AB/R)
 

… the meaning of the term “the parties” in Article 31(3)(c) of the Vienna Convention has in recent years been the subject of much academic debate and has been addressed by the ILC. While the participants refer to WTO panels that have addressed its meaning, the Appellate Body has made no statement as to whether the term “the parties” in Article 31(3)(c) refers to all WTO Members, or rather to a subset of Members, such as the parties to the dispute. the meaning of the term “the parties” in Article 31(3)(c) of the Vienna Convention has in recent years been the subject of much academic debate and has been addressed by the ILC. While the participants refer to WTO panels that have addressed its meaning, the Appellate Body has made no statement as to whether the term “the parties” in Article 31(3)(c) refers to all WTO Members, or rather to a subset of Members, such as the parties to the dispute.
 

An interpretation of “the parties” in Article 31(3)(c) should be guided by the Appellate Body’s statement that “the purpose of treaty interpretation is to establish the common intention of the parties to the treaty”. This suggests that one must exercise caution in drawing from an international agreement to which not all WTO Members are party. At the same time, we recognize that a proper interpretation of the term “the parties” must also take account of the fact that Article 31(3)(c) of the Vienna Convention is considered an expression of the “principle of systemic integration” which, in the words of the ILC, seeks to ensure that “international obligations are interpreted by reference to their normative environment” in a manner that gives “coherence and meaningfulness” to the process of legal interpretation. In a multilateral context such as the WTO, when recourse is had to a non-WTO rule for the purposes of interpreting provisions of the WTO agreements, a delicate balance must be struck between, on the one hand, taking due account of an individual WTO Member’s international obligations and, on the other hand, ensuring a consistent and harmonious approach to the interpretation of WTO law among all WTO Members.
 

I.3.9B.5 EC and certain member States — Large Civil Aircraft, paras. 846–847, 849, 851
(WT/DS316/AB/R)
 

In this dispute, the resolution of the European Union’s arguments regarding the 1992 Agreement need not turn on the proper meaning to be ascribed to the term “the parties”. Even accepting the European Union’s argument that the 1992 Agreement is “applicable in the relations between the parties”, we recall that for the 1992 Agreement to qualify under Article 31(3)(c) of the Vienna Convention, it must be shown to be “relevant”. A rule is “relevant” if it concerns the subject matter of the provision at issue. …
 

We observe that the subject matter of the 1992 Agreement relates closely to issues germane to this dispute and, in particular, the measures taken by the European Communities in the area of civil aircraft that the United States challenges under the SCM Agreement. … The 1992 Agreement … was negotiated against a background of differences between these two parties over support measures to their respective large civil aircraft industries. One area which the parties sought to regulate was the provision of government support to the large civil aircraft sector, as reflected in two of the recitals in the Agreement’s preamble, as well as in Article 3 (Production support), Article 4 (Development support), and Article 5 (Indirect government support).
 

...
 

… the specific question raised by the European Union’s appeal is whether Article 4 is “relevant” to the determination of “benefit” under Article 1.1(b) of the SCM Agreement. … The notion of “benefit” … encompasses a comparison with the marketplace, measured from the perspective of a recipient.
 

...
 

The limitation imposed by Article 4 of the 1992 Agreement on the amount of government support that may be provided by the parties for the development of new LCA programmes is concerned with the financial contribution component of the definition of subsidy in Article 1.1 of the SCM Agreement. … the maximum ceiling on the development support that may be provided, the minimum interest rate, and the maximum term for repayment set out in Article 4 of the 1992 Agreement cannot be said to speak to the market-based concept of “benefit” as reflected in Article 1.1(b) of the SCM Agreement and the market-based benchmark reflected in Article 14(b). For this reason, we do not consider Article 4 of the 1992 Agreement to be relevant to the specific question that must be examined under Article 1.1(b) of the SCM Agreement, that is, whether the amount to be paid by the recipient of the government loan is lower than the amount that would be paid for a comparable commercial loan.
 

I.3.9B.6 EC and certain member States — Large Civil Aircraft, para. 855
(WT/DS316/AB/R)
 

… we find that Article 4 of the 1992 Agreement is not a “relevant” rule of international law applicable in the relations between the parties, within the meaning of Article 31(3)(c) of the Vienna Convention, that informs the meaning of “benefit” under Article 1.1(b) of the SCM Agreement, and that Article does not form “part of the facts to establish the relevant market benchmark”.
 

I.3.10 Supplementary means of interpretation — Article 32 of the Vienna Convention   back to top

I.3.10.1 Japan — Alcoholic Beverages II, p. 10, DSR 1996:I, p. 97 at 104
(WT/DS8/AB/R, WT/DS10/AB/R, WT/DS11/AB/R)
 

… There can be no doubt that Article 32 of the Vienna Convention, dealing with the role of supplementary means of interpretation, has also attained the same status [of a rule of customary international law].
 

I.3.10.2 EC — Computer Equipment, para. 86
(WT/DS62/AB/R, WT/DS67/AB/R, WT/DS68/AB/R)
 

The application of these rules in Article 31 of the Vienna Convention will usually allow a treaty interpreter to establish the meaning of a term. However, if after applying Article 31 the meaning of the term remains ambiguous or obscure, or leads to a result which is manifestly absurd or unreasonable, Article 32 allows a treaty interpreter to have recourse to:
 

… supplementary means of interpretation, including the preparatory work of the treaty and the circumstances of its conclusion.
 

With regard to “the circumstances of [the] conclusion” of a treaty, this permits, in appropriate cases, the examination of the historical background against which the treaty was negotiated.
 

I.3.10.3 EC — Computer Equipment, para. 92
(WT/DS62/AB/R, WT/DS67/AB/R, WT/DS68/AB/R)
 

… In the light of our observations on “the circumstances of [the] conclusion” of a treaty as a supplementary means of interpretation under Article 32 of the Vienna Convention, we consider that the classification practice in the European Communities during the Uruguay Round is part of “the circumstances of [the] conclusion” of the WTO Agreement and may be used as a supplementary means of interpretation within the meaning of Article 32 of the Vienna Convention. …
 

I.3.10.4 EC — Computer Equipment, para. 93
(WT/DS62/AB/R, WT/DS67/AB/R, WT/DS68/AB/R)
 

… The purpose of treaty interpretation is to establish the common intention of the parties to the treaty. To establish this intention, the prior practice of only one of the parties may be relevant, but it is clearly of more limited value than the practice of all parties. In the specific case of the interpretation of a tariff concession in a Schedule, the classification practice of the importing Member, in fact, may be of great importance. However, the Panel was mistaken in finding that the classification practice of the United States was not relevant.
 

I.3.10.5 China — Publications and Audiovisual Products, para. 405
(WT/DS363/AB/R)
 

We further note that the purpose of treaty interpretation under Articles 31 and 32 of the Vienna Convention is to ascertain the “common intention” of the parties, not China’s intention alone. We recall that, in this respect, in US — Gambling, the Appellate Body found that “the task of ascertaining the meaning of a concession in a Schedule, like the task of interpreting any other treaty text, involves identifying the common intention of Members”. The circumstances of the conclusion of the treaty may thus be relevant to this “common intention”.
 

I.3.10.6 EC — Computer Equipment, para. 95
(WT/DS62/AB/R, WT/DS67/AB/R, WT/DS68/AB/R)
 

… Consistent prior classification practice may often be significant. Inconsistent classification practice, however, cannot be relevant in interpreting the meaning of a tariff concession. …
 

I.3.10.7 EC — Poultry, para. 83
(WT/DS69/AB/R)
 

… the Oilseeds Agreement may serve as a supplementary means of interpretation of Schedule LXXX pursuant to Article 32 of the Vienna Convention, as it is part of the historical background of the concessions of the European Communities for frozen poultry meat.
 

I.3.10.8 India — Quantitative Restrictions, para. 94
(WT/DS90/AB/R)
 

We note India’s arguments relating to the negotiating history of the BOP Understanding. However, in the absence of a record of the negotiations on Footnote 1 to the BOP Understanding, we find it difficult to give weight to these arguments. We do not exclude that Footnote 1 to the BOP Understanding was “heavily negotiated”, and that it tries to accommodate opposing views held by different parties to the negotiations on the BOP Understanding. We are convinced, however, that the second sentence of Footnote 1 does not accord with the position held by India. To interpret the sentence as proposed by India would require us to read into the text words which are simply not there. Neither a panel nor the Appellate Body is allowed to do so.
 

I.3.10.9 Canada — Dairy, para. 138
(WT/DS103/AB/R, WT/DS113/AB/R, WT/DS103/AB/R/Corr.1, WT/DS113/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

In our view, the language in the notation in Canada’s Schedule is not clear on its face. Indeed, the language is general and ambiguous, and, therefore, requires special care on the part of the treaty interpreter. For this reason, it is appropriate, indeed necessary, in this case, to turn to “supplementary means of interpretation” pursuant to Article 32 of the Vienna Convention. …
 

I.3.10.10 US — Carbon Steel, paras. 77–78 and Footnote 76
(WT/DS213/AB/R, WT/DS213/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

… The Panel formed [its] opinion after examining a 1987 Note prepared by the Secretariat for the Uruguay Round Negotiating Group on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures …
 

… in taking this approach, the Panel did not explain why it thought that it was appropriate to rely on the 1987 Note, but simply stated that “it is useful to consider the rationale for the application of a de minimis standard to investigations, as reflected in a Note by the Secretariat prepared in April 1987”.76 … Even if it were appropriate to rely on the 1987 Note in interpreting the SCM Agreement in accordance with the rules of interpretation set forth in the Vienna Convention, selective reliance on such a document does not provide a proper basis for the conclusion reached by the Panel in this regard.
 

I.3.10.11 US — Carbon Steel, paras. 89–90
(WT/DS213/AB/R, WT/DS213/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

… we do not consider it strictly necessary to have recourse to the supplementary means of interpretation identified in Article 32 of the Vienna Convention.
 

In any event, we consider that recourse to the negotiating history of the SCM Agreement tends to confirm our view as to the meaning of Article 21.3. We note that the two issues, namely the application of a specific de minimis standard in investigations, and the introduction of a time-bound limitation on the maintenance of countervailing duties, were considered to be highly important and were the subject of protracted negotiations. Specific provisions dealing with each of these two issues were viewed as necessary to improve the existing disciplines of the GATT and of the Tokyo Round Subsidies Code. The final texts of Article 11.9 and of Article 21.3 were the result of a carefully negotiated compromise that drew from a number of different proposals, reflecting divergent interests and views. We further note in this respect that none of the participants in this appeal pointed to any document indicating that the inclusion of a de minimis threshold was ever considered in the negotiations on sunset review provisions leading to the text of Article 21.3.
 

I.3.10.12 US — Upland Cotton, para. 623
(WT/DS267/AB/R)
 

We agree with the Panel that the meaning of Article 10.2 is clear from the provision’s text, in its context and in the light of the object and purpose of the Agreement on Agriculture, consistent with Article 31 of the Vienna Convention. The Panel did not think it necessary to resort to negotiating history for purposes of its interpretation of Article 10.2. Even if the negotiating history were relevant for our inquiry, we do not find that it supports the United States’ position. This is because it does not indicate that the negotiators did not intend to discipline export credit guarantees, export credits and insurance programs at all. …
 

I.3.10.13 US — Gambling, para. 160
(WT/DS285/AB/R, WT/DS285/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

In the context of the GATS, Article XX:3 explicitly provides that Members’ Schedules are an “integral part” of that agreement. Here, too, the task of identifying the meaning of a concession in a GATS Schedule, like the task of interpreting any other treaty text, involves identifying the common intention of Members. … we consider that the meaning of the United States’ GATS Schedule must be determined according to the rules codified in Article 31 and, to the extent appropriate, Article 32 of the Vienna Convention.
 

I.3.10.14 US — Gambling, paras. 196–197
(WT/DS285/AB/R, WT/DS285/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

… this appeal does not raise the question whether W/120 and the 1993 Scheduling Guidelines constitute “supplementary means of interpretation, including the preparatory work of the treaty and the circumstances of its conclusion”. Both participants agree that they do, and we see no reason to disagree.
 

… a proper interpretation pursuant to the principles codified in Article 31 of the Vienna Convention does not yield a clear meaning as to the scope of the commitment made by the United States in the entry “Other recreational services (except sporting)”. Accordingly, it is appropriate to have recourse to the supplemental means of interpretation identified in Article 32 of the Vienna Convention. These means include W/120, the 1993 Scheduling Guidelines, and a cover note attached to drafts of the United States’ Schedule.
 

I.3.10.15 US — Gambling, paras. 203–204
(WT/DS285/AB/R, WT/DS285/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

The Scheduling Guidelines thus underline the importance of using a common format and terminology in scheduling, and express a clear preference for parties to use W/120 and the CPC classifications in their Schedules. At the same time, the Guidelines make clear that parties wanting to use their own subsectoral classification or definitions — that is, to disaggregate in a way that diverges from W/120 and/or the CPC — were to do so in a “sufficiently detailed” way “to avoid any ambiguity as to the scope of the commitment”. The example given in the Scheduling Guidelines illustrates how to make a positive commitment with respect to a discrete service that is more disaggregated than a service subsector identified in W/120. It is reasonable to assume that the parties to the negotiations expected the same technique to be applied to exclude a discrete service from the scope of a commitment, when the commitment is made in a subsector identified in W/120 and the excluded service is more disaggregated than that subsector.
 

In our view, the requisite clarity as to the scope of a commitment could not have been achieved through mere omission of CPC codes, particularly where a specific sector of a Member’s Schedule, such as sector 10 of the United States’ Schedule, follows the structure of W/120 in all other respects, and adopts precisely the same terminology as used in W/120. … W/120 and the 1993 Scheduling Guidelines were prepared and circulated … for the express purpose of assisting those parties in the preparation of their offers. These documents undoubtedly served, too, to assist parties in reviewing and evaluating the offers made by others. They provided a common language and structure which, although not obligatory, was widely used and relied upon. In such circumstances, and in the light of the specific guidance provided in the 1993 Scheduling Guidelines, it is reasonable to assume that parties to the negotiations examining a sector of a Schedule that tracked so closely the language of the same sector in W/120 would — absent a clear indication to the contrary — have expected the sector to have the same coverage as the corresponding W/120 sector. This is another way of stating that, as the Panel observed, “unless otherwise indicated in the Schedule, Members were assumed to have relied on W/120 and the corresponding CPC references”.
 

I.3.10.16 US — Gambling, paras. 205–206
(WT/DS285/AB/R, WT/DS285/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

Accordingly, the above excerpt from the 1993 Scheduling Guidelines, together with the linguistic similarities between the two subsectors, provide strong support for interpreting subsector 10.D of the United States’ Schedule as corresponding to subsector 10.D of W/120, notwithstanding the absence of CPC codes in the United States’ Schedule. …
 

… another element of the preparatory work of the GATS suggests that the United States itself understood the Scheduling Guidelines in this way and sought to comply with them in the drafting of its GATS Schedule. Several drafts of the United States’ Schedule included [a] cover note [which confirms] …
 

I.3.10.17 US — Gambling, para. 211
(WT/DS285/AB/R, WT/DS285/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

The Panel did not explain clearly how it used this document in interpreting the United States’ Schedule. The Panel considered that, although the USITC Document did not constitute a “binding interpretation”, it nevertheless “has probative value as to how the US government views the structure and the scope of the US Schedule, and, hence, its GATS obligations”. The document was dealt with under the heading “Other supplementary means of interpretation”. In this context, the Panel observed that “Article 32 of the Vienna Convention is not necessarily limited to preparatory material, but may allow treaty interpreters to take into consideration other relevant material”. Yet the Panel also referred to the principle of “acquiescence” and to a commentator’s statement that “Article 31:3(b) [of the Vienna Convention] might also apply”. Notwithstanding these ambiguities, it is clear from the Panel’s reasoning that it used the USITC publication to “confirm” its interpretation of subsector 10.D in the United States’ Schedule. In other words, the Panel’s interpretation did not depend on its treatment of the USITC document.
 

I.3.10.18 EC — Chicken Cuts, para. 283
(WT/DS269/AB/R, WT/DS286/AB/R, WT/DS269/AB/R/Corr.1, WT/DS286/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

We stress … that Article 32 does not define exhaustively the supplementary means of interpretation to which an interpreter may have recourse. It states only that they include the preparatory work of the treaty and the circumstances of its conclusion. Thus, an interpreter has a certain flexibility in considering relevant supplementary means in a given case so as to assist in ascertaining the common intentions of the parties.
 

I.3.10.19 EC — Chicken Cuts, para. 289
(WT/DS269/AB/R, WT/DS286/AB/R, WT/DS269/AB/R/Corr.1, WT/DS286/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

… we do not agree with the European Communities that a “direct link” to the treaty text and “direct influence” on the common intentions must be shown for an event, act, or instrument to qualify as a “circumstance of the conclusion” of a treaty under Article 32 of the Vienna Convention. An “event, act or instrument” may be relevant as supplementary means of interpretation not only if it has actually influenced a specific aspect of the treaty text in the sense of a relationship of cause and effect; it may also qualify as a “circumstance of the conclusion” when it helps to discern what the common intentions of the parties were at the time of the conclusion with respect to the treaty or specific provision. Moreover, the European Communities has taken the Appellate Body statement out of context; the Appellate Body was speaking of the sum or end-result of treaty interpretation; it should not be misconstrued as introducing a concept that an act, event, or instrument qualifies as a circumstance only when it has influenced the intent of all the parties. Thus, not only “multilateral” sources, but also “unilateral” acts, instruments, or statements of individual negotiating parties may be useful in ascertaining “the reality of the situation which the parties wished to regulate by means of the treaty” and, ultimately, for discerning the common intentions of the parties.
 

I.3.10.20 EC — Chicken Cuts, paras. 290–291
(WT/DS269/AB/R, WT/DS286/AB/R, WT/DS269/AB/R/Corr.1, WT/DS286/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

We agree with the Panel that “relevance”, as opposed to “direct influence” or “[genuine] “link”, is the “more appropriate criterion” to judge the extent to which a particular event, act, or other instrument should be relied upon or taken into account when interpreting a treaty provision in the light of the “circumstances of its conclusion”. As to how such relevance should be demonstrated, the Panel said that “it must be shown that the event, act or other instrument has or could have influenced the specific aspects of the ultimate text of a treaty that are in issue”. The European Communities submits that the relevance of a circumstance should not be ascertained on the basis of whether it could have influenced the ultimate treaty text but, rather, on the basis of “objective facts”.
 

In our view, the relevance of a circumstance for interpretation should be determined on the basis of objective factors, and not subjective intent. We can conceive of a number of objective factors that may be useful in determining the degree of relevance of particular circumstances for interpreting a specific treaty provision. These include the type of event, document, or instrument and its legal nature; temporal relation of the circumstance to the conclusion of the treaty; actual knowledge or mere access to a published act or instrument; subject matter of the document, instrument, or event in relation to the treaty provision to be interpreted; and whether or how it was used or influenced the negotiations of the treaty.
 

I.3.10.21 EC — Chicken Cuts, paras. 292–293
(WT/DS269/AB/R, WT/DS286/AB/R, WT/DS269/AB/R/Corr.1, WT/DS286/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

As regards the temporal correlation between an event, act, or instrument and the conclusion of the treaty …
 

… the precise date of conclusion of a treaty should not be confused with the circumstances that were prevailing at that point in time. Events, acts, and instruments may form part of the “historical background against which the treaty was negotiated”, even when these circumstances predate the point in time when the treaty is concluded, but continue to influence or reflect the common intentions of the parties at the time of conclusion. We also agree with the Panel that there is “some correlation between the timing of an event, act or other instrument … and their relevance to the treaty in question”, in the sense that “the further back in time that an event, act or other instrument took place, was enacted or was adopted relative to the conclusion of a treaty”, the less relevant it will be for interpreting the treaty in question. What should be considered “temporally proximate will vary from treaty provision to treaty provision” and may depend on the structure of the negotiating process. Accordingly, we see no error in the Panel’s finding that the circumstances of the conclusion should be ascertained over a period of time ending on the date of the conclusion of the WTO Agreement.
 

I.3.10.22 EC — Chicken Cuts, para. 297
(WT/DS269/AB/R, WT/DS286/AB/R, WT/DS269/AB/R/Corr.1, WT/DS286/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

We understand the Panel’s notion of “constructive knowledge” to mean that “parties have deemed notice of a particular event, act or instrument through publication”. We note the European Communities’ view that “deemed knowledge” on the basis of general “access” to a publication cannot substitute the need for demonstrating a direct link between a circumstance and the common intentions of the parties. However, we consider that the European Communities conflates the preliminary question of what may qualify as a “circumstance” of a treaty’s conclusion with the separate question of ascertaining the degree of relevance that may be ascribed to a given circumstance, for purposes of interpretation under Article 32. As far as an act or instrument originating from an individual party may be considered to be a circumstance under Article 32 for ascertaining the parties’ intentions, we consider that the fact that this act or instrument was officially published, and has been publicly available so that any interested party could have acquired knowledge of it, appears to be enough. Of course, proof of actual knowledge will increase the degree of relevance of a circumstance for interpretation.
 

I.3.10.23 EC — Chicken Cuts, para. 300
(WT/DS269/AB/R, WT/DS286/AB/R, WT/DS269/AB/R/Corr.1, WT/DS286/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

We agree with the Panel that, for purposes of interpreting the term “salted” under heading 02.10 of the EC Schedule in the light of the “circumstances of its conclusion”, the customs classification practice in the European Communities is of great importance; however, we share the European Communities’ view that its situation is not of exclusive relevance, and that the “prevailing situation internationally” is relevant. …
 

I.3.10.24 EC — Chicken Cuts, para. 304
(WT/DS269/AB/R, WT/DS286/AB/R, WT/DS269/AB/R/Corr.1, WT/DS286/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

In [EC — Computer Equipment, paragraph 92], the Appellate Body referred to customs classification practice prior to the conclusion of a treaty. The Panel noted that practice that “does not qualify as ‘subsequent practice’ under Article 31(3)(b) … may, nevertheless, be taken into consideration under Article 32”. The European Communities criticizes the Panel for considering classification practice subsequent to the conclusion of the treaty as relevant for purposes of interpretation under Article 32.
 

I.3.10.25 EC — Chicken Cuts, para. 305
(WT/DS269/AB/R, WT/DS286/AB/R, WT/DS269/AB/R/Corr.1, WT/DS286/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

In our view, it is possible that documents published, events occurring, or practice followed subsequent to the conclusion of the treaty may give an indication of what were, and what were not, the “common intentions of the parties” at the time of the conclusion. The relevance of such documents, events or practice would have to be determined on a case-by-case basis.
 

I.3.10.26 EC — Chicken Cuts, para. 309
(WT/DS269/AB/R, WT/DS286/AB/R, WT/DS269/AB/R/Corr.1, WT/DS286/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

… the Panel asked whether a Member’s court judgments may, in principle, be taken into account as supplementary means of interpretation under Article 32. The Panel concluded that:
 

This would suggest that a valid distinction cannot be drawn between, on the one hand, EC legislation and, on the other hand, ECJ judgements for the purposes of Article 32 of the Vienna Convention.
 

We share the Panel’s consideration that judgments of domestic courts are not, in principle, excluded from consideration as “circumstances of the conclusion” of a treaty if they would be of assistance in ascertaining the common intentions of the parties for purposes of interpretation under Article 32. It is necessary to point out, however, that judgments deal basically with a specific dispute and have, by their very nature, less relevance than legislative acts of general application (although judgments may have some precedential effect in certain legal systems).
 

I.3.10.27 EC — Chicken Cuts, paras. 319–321
(WT/DS269/AB/R, WT/DS286/AB/R, WT/DS269/AB/R/Corr.1, WT/DS286/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

… we believe that the temporal proximity of these dates to the conclusion of the WTO Agreement on 15 April 1994 makes EC Regulation 535/94 relevant as a “circumstance of conclusion” for the interpretation of the tariff commitment under heading 02.10 of the EC Schedule.
 

The European Communities submits that the final results of tariff negotiations that took place between 1986 and 15 December 1993 cannot be altered by a unilateral measure. We agree. However, the European Communities acknowledges that a legislative act taken during the verification period, prior to the formal adoption of the WTO Agreement, could be relevant for interpreting the tariff commitment under heading 02.10 of the EC Schedule, provided that compelling evidence proves that negotiators “actually took note” of such act.
 

We do not believe that the mere fact that EC Regulation 535/94 was enacted after the conclusion of the Uruguay Round tariff negotiations makes it irrelevant for ascertaining what the European Communities intended when offering its tariff concession, or for ascertaining whether it reflects the common intentions of the parties in respect of the tariff commitment under heading 02.10 of the EC Schedule.
 

I.3.10.28 US — Stainless Steel (Mexico), para. 128
(WT/DS344/AB/R)
 

We do not consider it strictly necessary in this case to have recourse to the supplementary means of interpretation identified in Article 32 of the Vienna Convention because our analysis under Article 31 has not left the meaning of the relevant provisions of the Anti-Dumping Agreement “ambiguous or obscure”, nor has it led to a “manifestly absurd or unreasonable” result. Nevertheless, we turn to examine the United States’ arguments relating to the historical background of the Anti-Dumping Agreement.
 

I.3.10.29 EC — Bananas III (Article 21.5 — Ecuador II) / EC — Bananas III (Article 21.5 — US), para. 445
(WT/DS27/AB/RW2/ECU, WT/DS27/AB/RW/USA, WT/DS27/AB/RW2/ECU/Corr.1, WT/DS27/AB/RW/USA/Corr.1)
 

Regarding the Doha Article I Waiver, we concluded above that the Panel erred in finding that the Waiver constitutes a “subsequent agreement” within the meaning of Article 31(3)(a) of the Vienna Convention, and that it extended the tariff quota concession beyond 31 December 2002. It could be argued, however, that the Doha Article I Waiver could qualify as supplementary means of interpretation to confirm the meaning of the European Communities’ Schedule of Concessions.
 

I.3.10.30 China — Publications and Audiovisual Products, para. 399
(WT/DS363/AB/R)
 

We are also persuaded that the application of the interpretative rule set out in Article 31 of the Vienna Convention to the entry “Sound recording distribution services” does not result in “inconclusiveness” or ambiguity as to the ordinary meaning of China’s commitment. In this respect, we note that the purpose of the interpretative exercise is to narrow the range of possible meanings of the treaty term to be interpreted, not to generate multiple meanings or to confirm the ambiguity and inconclusiveness of treaty obligations. Rather, a treaty interpreter is required to have recourse to context and object and purpose to elucidate the relevant meaning of the word or term. This logical progression provides a framework for proper interpretative analysis, bearing in mind that treaty interpretation is an integrated operation, where interpretative rules and principles must be understood and applied as connected and mutually reinforcing components of a holistic exercise.
 

I.3.10.31 China — Publications and Audiovisual Products, para. 400
(WT/DS363/AB/R)
 

Having reached a conclusion on the interpretation of China’s commitment on “Sound recording distribution services” under Article 31 of the Vienna Convention, we observe that we would not need to proceed to an examination of supplementary means of interpretation pursuant to Article 32 of the Vienna Convention to decide this appeal. The Panel, however, considered that recourse to supplementary means of interpretation was useful to confirm its preliminary conclusion based on the application of Article 31 and proceeded to examine the preparatory work of the treaty and the circumstances of the conclusion of the GATS pursuant to Article 32 of the Vienna Convention. China has appealed the Panel’s application of Article 32. We therefore address the issues raised by China in respect of the Panel’s analysis of supplementary means of interpretation pursuant to Article 32 of the Vienna Convention.
 

I.3.10.32 China — Publications and Audiovisual Products, paras. 403–405
(WT/DS363/AB/R)
 

Although the Panel’s application of Article 31 of the Vienna Convention to “Sound recording distribution services” led it to a “preliminary conclusion” as to the meaning of that entry, the Panel nonetheless decided to have recourse to supplementary means of interpretation to confirm that meaning. We note, in this regard, that China’s argument on appeal appears to assume that the Panel’s analysis under Article 32 of the Vienna Convention would necessarily have been different if the Panel had found that the application of Article 31 left the meaning of “Sound recording distribution services” ambiguous or obscure, and if the Panel had, therefore, resorted to Article 32 to determine, rather than to confirm, the meaning of that term. We do not share this view. The elements to be examined under Article 32 are distinct from those to be analyzed under Article 31, but it is the same elements that are examined under Article 32 irrespective of the outcome of the Article 31 analysis. Instead, what may differ, depending on the results of the application of Article 31, is the weight that will be attributed to the elements analyzed under Article 32.
 

In the present case, we do not consider that, under Article 32 of the Vienna Convention, the Panel was required, as China seems to argue, to establish whether the preparatory work and the circumstances of the treaty’s conclusion were conclusive as to whether or not China’s commitment on “Sound recording distribution services” was limited to the distribution of sound recordings in physical form. The Panel had come to the “preliminary conclusion” under Article 31 of the Vienna Convention that the ordinary meaning of “Sound recording distribution services” extended to the distribution of both physical and non-physical sound recordings. We do not think that the Panel committed any error by seeking confirmation of this finding under Article 32 of the Vienna Convention.
 

We further note that the purpose of treaty interpretation under Articles 31 and 32 of the Vienna Convention is to ascertain the “common intention” of the parties, not China’s intention alone. We recall that, in this respect, in US — Gambling, the Appellate Body found that “the task of ascertaining the meaning of a concession in a Schedule, like the task of interpreting any other treaty text, involves identifying the common intention of Members”. The circumstances of the conclusion of the treaty may thus be relevant to this “common intention”.
 

I.3.10.33 US — Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties (China), paras. 579–581
(WT/DS379/AB/R)
 

In our view, Article 15 of the Tokyo Round Subsidies Code cannot be considered as context within the meaning of Article 31 of the Vienna Convention. Article 31 does not refer to a predecessor agreement — that is, an agreement on the same matter that has ceased to exist and has been replaced by the agreement being interpreted — as context or as one of the elements to be taken into account together with the context. Rather, a provision in a predecessor agreement may, at most, form part of the circumstances of the conclusion of a treaty under Article 32 of the Vienna Convention and thus be considered as supplementary means of interpretation.
 

In the present dispute, … we do not consider it necessary to confirm the interpretation of Article 19.3 of the SCM Agreement by relying on supplementary means of interpretation, such as the circumstances of conclusion of the treaty. In any event, we are not persuaded that a provision that explicitly addressed the issue of the concurrent imposition of anti-dumping and countervailing duties in respect of imports from NMEs, clearly supports an interpretation of Articles 19.3 and 19.4 of the SCM Agreement “as not addressing or encompassing the question of the permissibility of double remedies”.
 

In particular, we are not persuaded that the existence in a predecessor agreement of a provision prohibiting the concurrent imposition of anti-dumping and countervailing duties to imports from NMEs allows an interpreter to conclude, a contrario, that, in the SCM Agreement, Members intended to allow double remedies. … Article 15 of the Tokyo Round Subsidies Code does more than merely prohibit double remedies, in that it prohibits the concurrent application of anti-dumping and countervailing duties, regardless of whether they offset the same situation of subsidization. In the light of this, the absence of a provision like Article 15 of the Tokyo Round Subsidies Code in the SCM Agreement cannot be interpreted as indicating that Members intended to exclude from the scope of the SCM Agreement a different and narrower obligation, such as a prohibition on double remedies.
 

I.3.10.34 EC — Fasteners (China), paras. 352–353
(WT/DS397/AB/R)
 

The European Union further submits that its interpretation of the exception to the individual treatment of suppliers in the third sentence of Article 9.2 … is also confirmed by the analysis of supplementary means of interpretation. In particular, the European Union refers to the negotiating history and the circumstances of the conclusion of the Kennedy Round Anti-Dumping Code.
 

We have concluded above, based on the text of the provision read in its context, that Article 9.2 of the Anti-Dumping Agreement requires the imposition of anti-dumping duties on an individual basis and that the exception in the third sentence of Article 9.2 does not justify the imposition of country-wide duties on non-IT suppliers from NMEs. We, therefore, consider that we do not need to have recourse to supplementary means of interpretation under Article 32 of the Vienna Convention, such as the preparatory work of the treaty and the circumstances of its conclusion, in order to confirm or determine the meaning resulting from the application of Article 31.
 

I.3.10.35 US — Large Civil Aircraft (2nd complaint), para. 526
(WT/DS353/AB/R)
 

… under Article 32 of the Vienna Convention, preparatory work and the circumstances of a treaty’s conclusion are relevant to confirm the interpretation reached under Article 31. In our view, while the negotiating history of the SCM Agreement supplies little concrete insight as to how Members intended the Annex V procedure to be initiated, it does confirm our understanding of the reasons why Members considered such a procedure to be a key part of serious prejudice disputes.
 

I.3.11 Multiple authentic languages — Article 33 of the Vienna Convention   back to top

I.3.11.1 Chile — Price Band System, para. 271
(WT/DS207/AB/R, WT/DS207/AB/R/Corr.1)
 

… Indeed, the Panel came to this conclusion by interpreting the French and Spanish versions of the term “ordinary customs duty” to mean something different from the ordinary meaning of the English version of that term. It is difficult to see how, in doing so, the Panel took into account the rule of interpretation codified in Article 33(4) of the Vienna Convention whereby “when a comparison of the authentic texts discloses a difference of meaning …, the meaning which best reconciles the texts … shall be adopted.” (emphasis added)
 

I.3.11.2 EC — Bed Linen (Article 21.5 — India), Footnote 153 to para. 123
(WT/DS141/AB/RW)
 

According to Article 33.3 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, where treaties have been authenticated in two or more languages, “[t]he terms of the treaty are presumed to have the same meaning in each authentic text.” The Spanish terms (“se han cumplido” and “hayan limitado”), in paragraphs 1 and 4 of Article 9, have the same temporal meaning as the English terms (“have been fulfilled” and “have limited”). The French terms (“sont remplies” and “auront limité”) can also accommodate this temporal meaning.
 

I.3.11.3 US — Softwood Lumber IV, para. 59 and Footnote 50
(WT/DS257/AB/R)
 

… in accordance with the customary rule of treaty interpretation reflected in Article 33(3) of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (the “Vienna Convention”), the terms of a treaty authenticated in more than one language — like the WTO Agreement — are presumed to have the same meaning in each authentic text. It follows that the treaty interpreter should seek the meaning that gives effect, simultaneously, to all the terms of the treaty, as they are used in each authentic language.50
 

I.3.11.4 EC — Tariff Preferences, para. 147
(WT/DS246/AB/R)
 

… In our view, the stronger, more obligatory language in both the French and Spanish texts — that is, using “as defined in” rather than “as described in” — lends support to our view that only preferential tariff treatment that is “generalized, non-reciprocal and non-discriminatory” is covered under paragraph 2(a) of the Enabling Clause.
 

I.3.11.5 US — Upland Cotton, para. 424 and Footnote 510
(WT/DS267/AB/R)
 

… We agree, however, that the Panel’s description of “price suppression” in paragraph 7.1277 of the Panel Report reflects the ordinary meaning of that term, particularly when read in conjunction with the French and Spanish versions of Article 6.3(c),510 as required by Article 33(3) of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (the “Vienna Convention”).
 

I.3.11.6 US — Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties (China), paras. 328, 330
(WT/DS379/AB/R)
 

… China argues that “public body” in Article 1.1(a)(1) of the SCM Agreement should be interpreted harmoniously with “government agencies” in Article 9.1 of the Agreement on Agriculture, because the Spanish text of the covered agreements uses the term “organismo público” both in Article 1.1(a)(1) of the SCM Agreement and, in the plural, in Article 9.1 of the Agreement on Agriculture. …
 

...
 

As a preliminary matter, we do not consider it determinative that the term used in Article 9.1 of the Agreement on Agriculture and Article 1.1(a)(1) of the SCM Agreement, “organismo público”, is the same only in the Spanish version. The covered agreements are authentic in all three languages. Therefore, pursuant to Article 33(3) of the Vienna Convention, the terms of the treaty are presumed to have the same meaning in each authentic text. Nonetheless, specific terms may not have identical meanings in every covered agreement. Where the ordinary meaning of the term is broad enough to allow for different interpretations, and the context as well as the object and purpose of the relevant agreements point in different directions, the meaning of a term used in different places of the covered agreements may differ.
 

I.3.11.7 Canada — Renewable Energy / Canada — Feed-in Tariff Program, para. 5.67 and Footnote 512
(WT/DS412/AB/R, WT/DS426/AB/R)
 

We further note that the French version of Article III:8(a) refers to “les besoins des pouvoirs publics” and the Spanish version of the provision refers to “las necesidades de los poderes públicos”. The term “purposes” thus corresponds to the terms “besoins” and “necesidades”, respectively, in the French and the Spanish texts. Both the French and the Spanish terms correspond closely to the English term “needs”. As such, the French and the Spanish text can be read harmoniously512 with an interpretation of the word “purposes” in English as referring to purchases of products directed at the government or purchased for the needs of the government in the discharge of its functions. By contrast, the words “besoins” or “necesidades” cannot be read harmoniously with the definition of the term “purpose” as “objectives” or “aims” of the government, because neither the word “besoins” in French, nor the word “necesidades” in Spanish, encompasses the notion of an aim or objective.
 

I.3.12 Historical materials   back to top

I.3.12.1 US — Softwood Lumber V (Article 21.5 — Canada), paras. 120–121
(WT/DS264/AB/RW)
 

… The United States points to various historical materials including, in addition to the 1960 Group of Experts Report, two pre-WTO panel reports that dealt with the issue of zeroing and several proposals submitted during the Uruguay Round, which allegedly demonstrate that zeroing is not prohibited by the Anti-Dumping Agreement. The United States adds that, throughout the history of the GATT, it was recognized that zeroing was allowed under Article VI of the GATT 1947. This provision, the United States emphasizes, was not modified during the Uruguay Round.
 

The same historical materials submitted in these Article 21.5 proceedings were also raised by the United States before the Appellate Body in the original dispute. The Appellate Body stated in response that “[t]he material to which the United States refer[red] does not … resolve the issue of whether the negotiators of the Anti-Dumping Agreement intended to prohibit zeroing”. The Appellate Body noted that, “[i]n any event”, it had “concluded, based on the ordinary meaning of Article 2.4.2 read in its context, that zeroing is prohibited when establishing the existence of margins of dumping under the weighted-average-to-weighted-average methodology”. In our view, the historical materials referred to by the Panel and the United States are of limited relevance. The Group of Experts Report dates back to 1960. Both pre-WTO panel reports examined the issue under the provisions of the Tokyo Round Anti-Dumping Code, which did not contain a provision equivalent to Article 2.4.2 of the Anti-Dumping Agreement. The latter Agreement entered into force in 1995, as part of the Uruguay Round results, long after the 1960 Group of Experts Report and after the panels referred to by the United States and the Panel had been established. Furthermore, one of the two panel reports was not adopted. Finally, the negotiating proposals referred to by the United States are inconclusive and, in any event, reflected the positions of some, but not all, of the negotiating parties. In sum, the historical materials do not provide any additional guidance for the question whether zeroing under the transaction-to-transaction comparison methodology is consistent with Article 2.4.2 of the Anti-Dumping Agreement.
 

I.3.12.2 US — Stainless Steel (Mexico), paras. 129–132
(WT/DS344/AB/R)
 

The United States argues that recourse to the circumstances of the conclusion of the Anti-Dumping Agreement is appropriate in this case as a supplementary means of interpretation under Article 32 of the Vienna Convention. The United States refers to various historical materials, including the 1960 Group of Experts Report, two pre-WTO panel reports that dealt with the issue of zeroing in the context of the Tokyo Round Anti-Dumping Code, and several proposals submitted during the Uruguay Round. According to the United States, the historical materials demonstrate that the negotiators were not able to agree on a general prohibition of zeroing or on a requirement to aggregate individual transactions under Article 9.3 of the Anti-Dumping Agreement. The United States submits that, throughout the history of the GATT, it was recognized that zeroing was allowed under Article VI of the GATT 1947, and adds that this Article was not modified during the Uruguay Round. …
 

We are not persuaded that the aforementioned historical materials provide guidance as to whether simple zeroing is permissible under Article 9.3 of the Anti-Dumping Agreement. First, as we see it, the negotiating proposals referred to by the United States reflect the positions of only some of the negotiating parties. …
 

Secondly, we note that the same historical materials referenced by the United States were examined by the Appellate Body in US — Softwood Lumber V, where the Appellate Body concluded that these materials did not resolve the issue of whether the negotiators of the Anti-Dumping Agreement intended to prohibit zeroing. Although the 1960 Group of Experts Report concluded that making an injurious dumping determination based on individual transactions was the “ideal method”, it also regarded such method as “clearly impracticable”. This report is of little relevance to our analysis and does not shed light on the determination of a margin of dumping under Article 9.3 of the Anti-Dumping Agreement. In addition, even if we were to assume that zeroing was permitted under Article VI of the GATT 1947, Article VI of the GATT 1994 has to be interpreted now in conjunction with the relevant provisions of the Anti-Dumping Agreement, such as Articles 2.1, 2.4, 2.4.2, and 9.3.
 

Thirdly, the Anti-Dumping Agreement entered into force in 1995, as part of the results of the Uruguay Round negotiations, long after the 1960 Group of Experts Report. The Panel Reports in EC — Audio Cassettes (unadopted) and EEC — Cotton Yarn (adopted), referred to by the United States, examined the issue of zeroing under the provisions of the Tokyo Round Anti-Dumping Code. The relevance of these panel reports is diminished by the fact that the plurilateral Tokyo Round Anti-Dumping Code was legally separate from the GATT 1947 and has, in any event, been terminated. This Code was not incorporated into the WTO covered agreements and, furthermore, it contained provisions that were less detailed than those in the Anti-Dumping Agreement. In its arguments on the permissibility of zeroing, the United States relies specifically on Article 2.6 of the Tokyo Round Anti-Dumping Code. We note that the corresponding provision in the Anti-Dumping Agreement, namely, Article 2.4, has a different wording in that it contains a new first sentence. Moreover, the Tokyo Round Anti-Dumping Code contained no provision similar to Article 2.4.2 of the Anti-Dumping Agreement. Therefore, whatever the legal status of zeroing under the Tokyo Round Anti-Dumping Code, it is of little relevance for the interpretation of differently phrased or new provisions of the Anti-Dumping Agreement.
 

I.3.12.3 EC and certain member States — Large Civil Aircraft, para. 854
(WT/DS316/AB/R)
 

… the 1992 Agreement was negotiated against a background of differences on how to discipline subsidies to the aircraft sector. Accounts of the state of play of the Uruguay Round negotiations around 1992 suggest that the issue of disciplining such subsidies was one of the more difficult subjects dividing the European Communities and the United States, and that the relationship between the new SCM Agreement and the 1992 Agreement was contentious and ultimately remained unresolved. It was agreed in Article 12 of the 1992 Agreement to negotiate a multilateral agreement on trade in civil aircraft. The SCM Agreement itself reflects that, at the time of its conclusion, negotiations on multilateral rules on trade in the civil aircraft sector were anticipated. However, we note that no such multilateral rules were ever agreed, except for the incorporation of the 1979 Agreement as a plurilateral agreement in Annex 4 to the WTO Agreement. The fifth recital of the preamble of the 1992 Agreement expresses the intention of the European Economic Community and the United States that this Agreement be “without prejudice” to their rights and obligations under the GATT and other multilateral agreements negotiated under its auspices. This indicates that they did not intend that their rights and obligations under Article 1.1(b) of the SCM Agreement would be affected or modified by the 1992 Agreement.
 

I.3.12.4 EC and certain member States — Large Civil Aircraft, paras. 1302–1305
(WT/DS316/AB/R)
 

… the … measures [at issue] fall within the category of government support to which Article 4 of the 1992 Agreement is addressed. The 1992 Agreement, however, does not address the remedies that each party could pursue at the multilateral level. While the 1992 Agreement provides that the parties “shall seek to avoid any trade conflict on matters covered” by it, the Agreement does not say that either party could not challenge support provided by the other party to its LCA industry if such support caused adverse effects. Indeed, the fifth recital of the 1992 Agreement states that it was the parties’ “intention to act without prejudice to their rights and obligations under the GATT and under other multilateral agreements negotiated under the auspices of the GATT”.
 

At the other oral hearing, the European Union suggested that the 1992 Agreement delineated the “interests” of the United States in the area of government measures relating to the LCA industry and thereby limited the ability of the United States to assert claims of adverse effects to its interests under the SCM Agreement. The European Union did not provide a basis for concluding that any “interests” reflected in the 1992 Agreement exhaust the “interests” of the United States under Article 5 of the SCM Agreement. Nor do we see a basis for the argument that a bilateral agreement serves to limit the interests of the parties under a subsequent multilateral agreement.
 

The European Union also asserts that “the circumstance that these [challenged] measures were in conformity with an agreement between the parties is a fact that the Panel was required to take into consideration in assessing whether adverse effects exist”. … The European Union does not explain how the Panel was meant to have considered the alleged conformity of the challenged measures with the 1992 Agreement as a “fact”. Even assuming for the sake of argument that such a “fact” was indeed relevant, the European Union does not explain why such fact would preclude the United States from making a claim of adverse effects under the SCM Agreement.
 

In these circumstances, we do not consider that there is a basis for the European Union’s allegation that the Panel’s failure to consider the 1992 Agreement in the context of the assessment of adverse effects constitutes an error in the interpretation and application of Article 5(c) of the SCM Agreement or a violation of the Panel’s duties under Articles 12.7 and 11 of the DSU.
 

I.3.12.5 China — Raw Materials, paras. 298–299 and Footnote 576
(WT/DS394/AB/R, WT/DS395/AB/R, WT/DS398/AB/R)
 

… China’s Accession Working Party Report sets out many of the concerns raised and obligations undertaken by China during its accession process. …
 

… Paragraphs 155 and 156 of China’s Accession Working Party Report576 … deal with China’s commitments with respect to the elimination of export duties. The language of Paragraph 155 is very similar to that found in Paragraph 11.3 of China’s Accession Protocol, and provides that taxes and charges applied exclusively to exports “should be eliminated unless applied in conformity with GATT Article VIII or listed in Annex 6 to the Draft Protocol”. Paragraph 156, in turn, provides: “China noted that the majority of products were free of export duty, although 84 items … were subject to export duties”. As in the case of Paragraph 11.3, Paragraphs 155 and 156 make no reference to the availability of an Article XX defence for the commitments contained therein. This further supports our interpretation that China does not have recourse to Article XX of the GATT 1994 to justify export duties found to be inconsistent with China’s obligations under Paragraph 11.3 of China’s Accession Protocol.
 

I.3.13 Principle of ejusdem generis   back to top

I.3.13.1 US — Large Civil Aircraft (2nd complaint), para. 615 and Footnote 1290
(WT/DS353/AB/R)
 

Article 1.1(a)(1)(i) lists in brackets examples of direct transfers of funds (“e.g. grants, loans, and equity infusion”). … These examples, which are illustrative, do not exhaust the class of conduct captured by subparagraph (i). The inclusion of specific examples nevertheless provides an indication of the types of transactions intended to be covered by the more general reference to “direct transfer of funds”.1290
 

I.3.13.2 US — COOL, paras. 443–444
(WT/DS384/AB/R, WT/DS386/AB/R)
 

… Canada considers that the Panel erred in not adopting the test proposed by Canada in this regard, which relies upon the ejusdem generis principle to limit the class of “legitimate” objectives [covered by Article 2.2 of the TBT Agreement] to those objectives that are of the same type or kind as the ones explicitly listed in that provision.
 

… in determining whether an unlisted objective qualifies as legitimate, a panel may usefully have regard to those objectives that are expressly listed in Article 2.2, because these may provide an illustration and reference point for other objectives that may be considered “legitimate”. … Yet, … we do not see, and Canada does not elaborate, the alleged “significant elements of commonality of the explicitly listed objectives” that would illuminate the relevant type of objective and thus serve to delineate the class of legitimate objectives that fall within Article 2.2. Indeed, it is difficult to discern such commonality amongst the disparate listed objectives that are, moreover, “expressed at a high level of generality”. In addition, it seems to us that any relevant “commonality” among explicitly listed objectives would have to relate to the nature and content of those objectives themselves, rather than, as Canada seems to suggest, to the fact that each objective in Article 2.2 is also listed in exceptions provisions in other covered agreements. For these reasons, we do not consider the Panel to have erred in failing to rely upon the ejusdem generis principle to identify the class of “legitimate objectives” under Article 2.2 of the TBT Agreement.
 

 

191. We note, in this regard, the words of the panel in US — Section 301 Trade Act [at paragraph 7.22]:

For pragmatic reasons the normal usage … is to start the interpretation from the ordinary meaning of the “raw” text of the relevant treaty provisions and then seek to construe it in its context and in the light of the treaty’s object and purpose.

   back to text

2548. There also could be situations where displacement and impedance overlap. However, in the light of the principle of effective treaty interpretation, a distinction needs to be made as to the concepts covered by each term. …   back to text

154. The interpretative principle of in dubio mitius, widely recognized in international law as a “supplementary means of interpretation”, has been expressed in the following terms:

“The principle of in dubio mitius applies in interpreting treaties, in deference to the sovereignty of states. If the meaning of a term is ambiguous, that meaning is to be preferred which is less onerous to the party assuming an obligation, or which interferes less with the territorial and personal supremacy of a party, or involves less general restrictions upon the parties.” …

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914. None of the participants cited these Disciplines in support of their positions on the legitimacy of the United States’ objective. The Panel might, for example, have considered these Disciplines to be a subsequent agreement between the parties, within the meaning of Article 31(3)(a) of the Vienna Convention. Even if this had been the case, however, it would have been helpful for the Panel to have explained why it considered that such an agreement, made in connection with the GATS, was also relevant to the interpretation or application of term “legitimate” in Article 2.2 of the TBT Agreement.   back to text

222. We recall that, with respect to Article 4 of the ILC Articles, the panel in US — Gambling stated that the principle set out in Article 4 of the ILC Articles reflects customary international law concerning attribution. (Panel Report, US — Gambling, para. 6.128)   back to text

76. Panel Report, para. 8.60. It is, for example, unclear to us whether the Panel considered the Note to form part of the preparatory work of the treaty and intended to use it as a supplementary means of treaty interpretation within the meaning of Article 32 of the Vienna Convention.   back to text

50. See Appellate Body Report, EC — Bed Linen (Article 21.5 — India), Footnote 153 to para. 123. We also note that, in discussing the draft article that was later adopted as Article 33(3) of the Vienna Convention, the International Law Commission observed that the “presumption [that the terms of a treaty are intended to have the same meaning in each authentic text] requires that every effort should be made to find a common meaning for the texts before preferring one to another”. (Yearbook of the International Law Commission (1966), Vol. II, p. 225) With regard to the application of customary rules of interpretation in respect of treaties authenticated in more than one language, see also International Court of Justice, Merits, Case Concerning Elettronica Sicula S.p.A. (ELSI) (United States v. Italy) 1989, ICJ Reports, para. 132, where, in interpreting a provision of the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation between the United States of America and the Italian Republic of 1948, the International Court of Justice noted that it was possible to interpret the English and Italian versions “as meaning much the same thing”, despite a potential divergence in scope.   back to text

510. The French version states, in part, “la subvention … a pour effet d’ empêcher des hausses de prix ou de déprimer les prix … dans une mesure notable”; the Spanish version states, in part, “la subvención … tenga un efecto significativo de contención de la subida de los precios, reducción de los precios” (emphasis added).   back to text

512. Article 33 of the Vienna Convention reflects the principle that the treaty text is equally authoritative in each language, unless the treaty provides or the parties agree that, in case of divergence, a particular text shall prevail. For the covered agreements, Article XVI of the WTO Agreement provides that the English, French, and Spanish language each are authentic. Consequently, the terms of Article III:8(a) of the GATT 1994 are presumed to have the same meaning in each authentic text.   back to text

576. Paragraphs 155 and 156 are not referenced in Paragraph 342 of China’s Accession Working Party Report. Nonetheless, we agree with the Panel that they are of interpretative relevance in that they articulate the concerns of WTO Members at the time with respect to China’s use of export duties.   back to text

1290. At the oral hearing, the United States referred to the Latin canon of construction, “ejusdem generis”, which provides that, when a general word or phrase follows a list of specific persons or things, the general word or phrase will be interpreted to include only persons or things of the same type as those listed. … In our view, the doctrine would equally apply to situations where the general word or phrase precedes the specified list.   back to text


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