WTO Issues Involving the U.S. for February 2010

Requests for Consultations/Panels Involving the U.S.

U.S. "zeroing" in AD shrimp reviews - Vietnam requests consultations. On February 4, 2010, the WTO notified Members that Vietnam had requested consultations with the U.S. regarding its use of antidumping "zeroing" in certain administrative and new shipper reviews for Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp from Vietnam (DS404). The European Union (EU) later asked to join the consultations. (Posted 02/04/10 and 02/16/10)

Ongoing Disputes Involving the U.S.

EU-U.S. zeroing dispute - EU requests authority to retaliate. On February 2, 2010, the EU requested authorization from the WTO's Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) to impose increased duty rates on certain U.S. products, as the U.S. has not brought its antidumping duty "zeroing" methodology into conformity with WTO rules and findings (DS294). The EU proposed the increased duties take the form either of a prohibitive tariff (e.g., 100%) on a specified annual value of trade from the U.S; or of an equivalent ad valorem tariff on an equivalent annual value of trade. (See ITT's Online Archives or 02/04/10 news, 10020405, for BP summary.) (Posted 02/02/10)

Questions to/from WTO Members Involving the U.S.

Indonesia import licensing. Indonesia submitted responses to a WTO questionnaire on products subject to its import licensing regime in which it explains that all import products can automatically be imported and considered as automatic import licensing except: (i) alcoholic beverages; (ii) Nitrocellulose; (iii) precursors; (iv) optical discs; (v) rice; (vi) white crystal sugar; (vii) consumption salt; (viii) rough diamond; (viv) textile and Textile products; and (x) Color Multi- functional Machines, Color photocopy Machines and Color Printer. (Posted 02/23/10)

Miscellaneous WTO Issues Involving or of Interest to the U.S.

Non-preferential rules of origin draft consolidated text. The WTO circulated the Committee on Rules of Origin's draft document entitled, Draft Consolidated Text of Non-Preferential Rules of Origin. This document reflects the outcome of the work done under the Harmonization Work Program, compiling product-specific rules of origin adopted by the Committee to date. (Search WTO documents under 02/11/10 at http://www.wto.org/ or request copy by emailing documents@brokerpower.com.)

Working paper on int'l supply chains & trade elasticity. The WTO posted a working paper entitled, "International Supply Chains and Trade Elasticity in Times of Global Crisis." The paper investigates the role of global supply chains in explaining the trade collapse of 2008-2009 and the long-term variations observed in trade elasticity. (Working paper, posted 02/11/10, available at http://www.wto.org/english/res_e/reser_e/ersd201008_e.htm)

NAMA negotiating group reports progress. The chairman of the WTO Negotiating Group on industrial goods (NAMA) reports there has been "good discussion" on the priority non-trade-related barriers (autos, electronics, remanufacturing and labeling of textiles, clothing, footwear and travel goods), and the Horizontal Mechanism to prevent and solve disputes, after an intensive "NAMA week". (Notice, posted 02/05/10, available at http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/markacc_e/markacc_negoti_e.htm)

Japanese proposal on duty-free status for green products. The WTO has circulated a proposal by Japan that identifies 53 energy efficient products and certain draft efficiency standards to serve as a basis for future discussions on establishing harmonized energy efficiency standards among WTO Member countries as well as duty-free rates for products that meet them. (See ITT's Online Archives or 02/19/10 news, 10021920, for BP summary.) (Posted 02/16/10)

Interactive tariff analysis tool. The WTO has added a new interactive service "Tariff Analysis Online." The new service draws on two WTO databases, the Integrated Database (IDB) of tariff and import data, and the Consolidated Tariff Schedules, which contains WTO members' commitments on tariffs and agricultural subsidies. It provides users with flexible search criteria and produces a range of analytical reports which users can manipulate, download and print. (Notice, dated 02/03/10, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news10_e/tar_03feb10_e.htm)

Appellate Body annual report. The WTO Appellate Body circulated to Members its Annual Report for 2009 in which it summarized its 2009 activities, including the reports it issued, etc. (Posted 02/17/10)

Govt Procurement Agreement. WTO Director-General Lamy, in opening the WTO Symposium on the Agreement on Government Procurement on February 11, 2010 noted that the agreement appears to be taking on greater importance and welcomed the recent approval of India's request for observership as "an important development for the Committee and for the Agreement." (Speech, dated 02/11/10, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/sppl_e/sppl147_e.htm)

Pakistan accepts 2005 protocol amending TRIPS Agreement. On February 10, 2010, the WTO informed members that the Government of Pakistan had accepted the Protocol Amending the TRIPS Agreement Done at Geneva on December 6, 2005. The WTO states that the Protocol will enter into force for Pakistan "upon acceptance of the Protocol by two thirds of the Members." (Posted 02/11/10)

Discussion forum for World Trade Report 2010. The WTO has launched a discussion forum in the run-up to publishing its 2010 World Trade Report in July. The theme of this year's report is "Trade in Natural Resources: Challenges in Global Governance". To stimulate debate, the WTO has created a web page where individuals can express their views. (Notice, dated 01/28/10, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news10_e/wtr_28jan10_e.htm)

Oct 2009 workshop on SPS Committee's relation to CODEX, etc. The WTO has circulated a summary of its October 2009 workshop on the relationship between the WTO Sanitary and Phytosanitary Committee and the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the International Plant Protection Convention and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). (Posted 02/22/10)

World Bank's SPS and food safety activities. The World Bank submitted to WTO Members an overview of its activities related to food safety and agricultural health management (sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) issues), including analytical work, training/e-learning for stakeholders, direct technical assistance and investment. (Posted 02/18/10.)

Updated 2010 official program of meetings. The WTO has updated its official program of meetings for 2010. (Program, updated 03/05/10, available at http://www.wto.org/meets_public/meets_e.pdf)

Documents not specifically cited above are available on the WTO Web site at http://www.wto.org/index.htm by clicking on Documents, Official Documents, Simple Search, and by typing the desired date in the appropriate field.