EU Trade Quarterly Summary

• Published date: 02 July 2020
• Subject Matter: International Law, Compliance, International Trade & Investment
• Law Firm: Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
• Author: Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP

This Trade Summary provides an overview of WTO dispute settlement decisions and panel activities, and EU decisions and measures on commercial policy, customs policy and external relations, for the first quarter of 2020.

I. WTO

1. Dispute Settlement

United States notifies decision to appeal compliance panel ruling in steel dispute with India
On December 18, 2020, the United States, under Article 16 of the Dispute Settlement Understanding, notified the Dispute Settlement Body of its decision to appeal issues of law and legal interpretations developed by the WTO compliance panel in its report in the case brought by India in "United States - Countervailing Measures on Certain Hot-Rolled Carbon Steel Flat Products from India" (DS436).

(WTO Press Release, January 16, 2020)

Japan initiates second WTO dispute complaint regarding Korean support for shipbuilders
Japan has requested WTO dispute consultations with Korea regarding alleged subsidies provided by the Korean government to its shipbuilding industry.

(WTO Press Release, February 10, 2020)

Turkey initiates WTO dispute complaint against EU steel safeguard
Turkey has requested WTO dispute consultations with the European Union regarding the EU's safeguard measures on imported steel products.

(WTO Press Release, March 19, 2020)

The Philippines launches safeguard investigation on motor vehicles
On February 18, 2020, the Philippines notified the WTO's Committee on Safeguards that it initiated on February 6, 2020, a "preliminary safeguard investigation" on motor vehicles.

(WTO Press Release, February 18, 2020)

Ukraine launches safeguard investigation on caustic soda
On February 18, 2020, Ukraine notified the WTO's Committee on Safeguards that it initiated on February 11, 2020, a safeguard investigation on caustic soda.

(WTO Press Release, February 18, 2020)

Ukraine launches safeguard investigation on polymeric materials
On February 28, 2020, Ukraine notified the WTO's Committee on Safeguards that it initiated on February 25, 2020, a safeguard investigation on polymeric materials.

(WTO Press Release, February 28, 2020)

PANELS ESTABLISHED

WTO members consider EU request for panels on Indian tech tariffs, Colombian duties on fries
At a meeting of the WTO's Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) on March 5, 2020, WTO members considered two requests from the European Union for dispute panels to examine India's tariffs on certain high-tech goods and Colombia's anti-dumping duties on frozen fries from Belgium, Germany and the...