Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Finance

EU to take Colombia to WTO over duties on frozen fries

EU trade chief Cecilia Malmström has agreed to start a World Trade Organization consultation on the ..

EU trade chief Cecilia Malmström has agreed to start a World Trade Organization consultation on the issue of Colombian anti-dumping duties on fries from Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders told POLITICO today.

The consultation will be the first stage of formal dispute settlement at the WTO. It gives all sides a chance to discuss the issue behind closed doors and try to find a solution. Should no agreement be reached in this stage, a panel can be established.

Earlier efforts to come to terms with Colombia on the issue have not had “any real effects,” Reynders said upon arrival at the meeting of EU trade ministers today, adding that it is “very important” for Belgium to get the Commission to start consultations at the WTO.

Dutch Trade Minister Sigrid Kaag told POLITICO: “Its very important [to act] … because this deals with a sort of contagious element, a precedent case: If they get away with it in this sector … then it can also happen in other sectors. And thats obviously very concerning.”

Starting November 1, the Colombian government introduced anti-dumping duties on imports of frozen fries from Beligum, Germany and the Netherlands.

The European Commission insisted it had not sat idle. It tweeted: 19 “times weve stepped up in the last year — ranging from ministerial meetings with national authorities to formal submissions in the WTO — to support the access of European frites to the Colombian market.”

Read this next: Michelle Obama: Id never forgive Trump for promoting birther conspiracy

Finance

In an interview with ET Now, Dabur India Director Mohit Burm..

Science

The 147th Open championship will be at Carnoustie Golf Club in Scotland. Jan Kruger/R&A Golfers ..

Tech

Enlarge Oliver Morris/Getty Images) In response to an Ars re..

Tech

Enlarge/ You wouldn't really want to use Nvidia's ..