Solución de controversias

Le 31 juillet 2000, l’OMC a publié le rapport du Groupe spécial dans l’affaire “États-Unis - Mesures de sauvegarde définitives à l’importation de gluten de froment en provenance des Communautés européennes”.

On 22 January 2001, Brazil requested consultations with Canada concerning subsidies which are allegedly being granted to Canada’s regional aircraft industry. Brazil’s claims are as follows: Export credits, within the meaning of Item (k) of Annex I to the SCM Agreement, are being provided to Canada’s regional aircraft industry by the Export Development Corporation (EDC) and the Canada Account. Loan guarantees, within the meaning of Item (j) of Annex I to the SCM Agreement, are being provided by EDC, Industry Canada, and the Province of Quebec, to support exports of Canada’s regional aircraft industry. Brazil takes the view that all of the above-mentioned measures are subsidies, within the meaning of Article 1 of the SCM Agreement, since they are financial contributions that confer a benefit. According to Brazil, they are also contingent, in law or in fact, upon export, and constitute, therefore, a violation of Article 3 of the SCM Agreement.

On 11 August 2011, the European Union requested consultations with Canada regarding Canada's measures relating to domestic content requirements in the feed-in tariff program (the “FIT Program”).

On 18 November 1997, the European Communities requested consultations with the United States in respect of Sections 921-927 of the US Internal Revenue Code and related measures, establishing special tax treatment for “Foreign Sales Corporations” (FSC). The European Communities contended that these provisions were inconsistent with the United States' obligations under Articles III:4 and XVI of the GATT 1994, Articles 3.1(a) and (b) of the SCM Agreement, and Articles 3 and 8 of the Agreement on Agriculture.

El 11 de julio 2019, la OMC distribuyó los dos informes de los asuntos planteados por los Estados Unidos: “Canadá — Derechos adicionales sobre determinados productos procedentes de los Estados Unidos” (DS557) y “México — Derechos adicionales sobre determinados productos procedentes de los Estados Unidos” (DS560).

The complaint concerned a French Government Order laying down the official name and trade description of scallops. Complainants claimed that this Order will reduce competitiveness on the French market as their product will no longer be able to be sold as “Coquille Saint-Jacques” although there is no difference between their scallops and French scallops in terms of colour, size, texture, appearance and use, i.e. it is claimed they are “like products”. Violations of GATT Articles I and III and TBT Article 2 were alleged.

On 24 April 2006, Thailand requested consultations with the United States concerning anti-dumping measures on imports of frozen warmwater shrimp. Thailand requests consultations on the United States’ application in the Preliminary, Final and Amended Final Determinations of the practice known as “zeroing” negative dumping margins, the effect of which was to artificially create margins of dumping, and the consequent imposition of definitive anti-dumping measures on imports of certain frozen warmwater shrimp from Thailand.

Le 31 janvier 2012, l’OMC a publié le rapport du Groupe spécial qui avait examiné les plaintes déposées par le Costa Rica, El Salvador, le Guatemala et le Honduras concernant l’affaire République dominicaine — Mesures de sauvegarde visant les importations de sacs en polypropylène et de tissu tubulaire (DS415, DS416, DS417 et DS418).

El 18 de enero de 1999, el Órgano de Apelación hizo público el informe sobre el caso “Corea - Impuestos a las bebidas alcohólicas”.

Le 23 décembre 1999, l’OMC a publié le rapport du Groupe spécial dans l’affaire “États-Unis - Imposition de droits compensateurs sur certains produits en acier au carbone, plomb et bismuth laminés à chaud originaires du Royaume-Uni”.

On 19 December 2014, the European Union requested consultations with the United States with respect to conditional tax incentives established by the State of Washington in relation to the development, manufacture, and sale of large civil aircraft. The European Union alleges that the measures constitute specific subsidies within the meaning of Articles 1 and 2 of the SCM Agreement. The European Union also considers that the measures are prohibited subsidies that are inconsistent with Articles 3.1(b) and 3.2 of the SCM Agreement

On 5 October 2000, Argentina requested consultations with Chile concerning: the price band system established by Law 18.525 (as subsequently amended by Law 18.591 and Law 19.546), as well as implementing regulations and complementary and/or amending provisions; and the provisional safeguard measures adopted on 19 November 1999 by Decree No. 339 of the Ministry of Economy and the definitive safeguard measures imposed on 20 January 2000 by Decree No. 9 of the Ministry of Economy on the importation of various products, including wheat, wheat flour and edible vegetal oils. Argentina considered that these measures raised questions concerning the obligations of Chile under various agreements. According to Argentina, the provisions with which the measures relating to the said price band system are inconsistent, include, but are not limited to, the following: Article II of the GATT 1994, and Article 4 of the Agreement on Agriculture. According to Argentina, the provisions with which the safeguard measures are inconsistent, include, but are not limited to, the following: Articles 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 12 of the Safeguards Agreement, and Article XIX:1(a) of the GATT 1994

El 28 de marzo de 2017, la OMC hizo público el informe del Grupo especial sobre el caso “Unión Europea - Medidas que afectan a concesiones arancelarias relativas a determinados productos de carne de aves de corral”.

Le 22 octobre 1999, l’Organe d’appel a publié son rapport sur l’affaire “Turquie - Restrictions à l’importation de produits textiles et de vêtements”.

El 18 de octubre de 2012, el Órgano de Apelación hizo público el informe sobre el caso “China - Derechos compensatorios y antidumping sobre el acero magnético laminado plano de grano orientado procedente de los Estados Unidos”.

On 1 June 1999, the US requested consultations with the EC in respect of the alleged lack of protection of trademarks and geographical indications (GIs) for agricultural products and foodstuffs in the EC. The US contended that EC Regulation 2081/92, as amended, does not provide national treatment with respect to geographical indications and does not provide sufficient protection to pre-existing trademarks that are similar or identical to a geographical indication. The US considered this situation to be inconsistent with the EC’s obligations under the TRIPS Agreement, including but not necessarily limited to Articles 3, 16, 24, 63 and 65 of the TRIPS Agreement...

Le 21 décembre 2000, l’OMC a publié le rapport du Groupe spécial dans l’affaire “États-Unis - Mesure de sauvegarde à l’importation de viande d’agneau fraîche, réfrigérée ou congelée en provenance de Nouvelle-Zélande”.

El 18 de septiembre de 2000, la OMC hizo público el informe del Grupo especial sobre el caso “Comunidades Europeas - Medidas que afectan al amianto y a los productos que contienen amianto”.

On 26 January 1999, the European Communities requested consultations with the United States in respect of Section 110(5) of the US Copyright Act, as amended by the Fairness in Music Licensing Act, which was enacted on 27 October 1998. The European Communities contended that Section 110(5) of the US Copyright Act permits, under certain conditions, the playing of radio and television music in public places (bars, shops, restaurants, etc.) without the payment of a royalty fee. The European Communities considered that this statute is inconsistent with US obligations under Article 9(1) of the TRIPS Agreement, which requires Members to comply with Articles 1-21 of the Berne Convention. The dispute centred on the compatibility of two exemptions provided for in Section 110(5) of the US Copyright Act with Article 13 of the TRIPS Agreement, which allows certain limitations or exceptions to exclusive rights of copyright holders, subject to the condition that such limitations are confined to certain special cases, do not conflict with a normal exploitation of the work in question and do not unreasonably prejudice the legitimate interests of the right holder: The so-called “business” exemption, provided for in sub-paragraph (B) of Section 110(5), essentially allows the amplification of music broadcasts, without an authorization and a payment of a fee, by food service and drinking establishments and by retail establishments, provided that their size does not exceed a certain square footage limit. It also allows such amplification of music broadcasts by establishments above this square footage limit, provided that certain equipment limitations are met. The so-called “homestyle” exemption, provided for in sub-paragraph (A) of Section 110(5), allows small restaurants and retail outlets to amplify music broadcasts without an authorization of the right holders and without the payment of a fee, provided that they use only homestyle equipment (i.e. equipment of a kind commonly used in private homes).

Le 11 décembre 2000, l’Organe d’appel a publié son rapport sur l’affaire “États-Unis - Mesures à l’importation de certains produits en provenance des Communautés européennes”.

Le 16 mai, l’Organe d’appel de l’OMC a publié son rapport dans l’affaire “Union européenne — Mesures compensatoires visant certains types de polyéthyène téréphthalate en provenance du Pakistan” (DS486)

On 28 June 1996, Canada requested consultations with the European Communities regarding the importation of livestock and meat from livestock that have been treated with certain substances having a hormonal action under Article XXII of the GATT 1994 and the corresponding provisions in the SPS Agreement, TBT Agreement and the Agreement on Agriculture. Canada alleges violation of Articles 2, 3 and 5 of the SPS Agreement; Article III or XI of the GATT 1994; Article 2 of the TBT Agreement; and Article 4 of the Agreement on Agriculture.

On 8 May 1998, the US requested consultations with Mexico in respect of an anti-dumping investigation of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) grades 42 and 55 from the US, conducted by Mexico. The US alleged that on 27 February 1997, the Government of Mexico published a notice initiating this anti-dumping investigation on the basis of an application dated 14 January 1997 from the Mexican National Chamber of Sugar and Alcohol Producers. The US further alleged that on 23 January 1998, Mexico issued a notice of final determination of dumping and injury in that investigation, and consequently imposed definitive anti-dumping measures on these imports from the United States. The US contended that the manner in which the application for an anti-dumping investigation was made, as well as the manner in which a determination of threat of injury was made, is inconsistent with Articles 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 12 of the Anti-Dumping Agreement.

Le 5 septembre 2017, l’Organe d’appel de l’OMC a publié son rapport sur l’affaire “Union européenne — Mesures antidumping visant les importations de certains alcools gras en provenance d’Indonésie” (DS442).

Le 17 juillet 2000, l’OMC a publié le rapport du Groupe spécial dans l’affaire “États-Unis - Mesures à l’importation de certains produits en provenance des Communautés européennes”.

On 19 September 2008, China requested consultations concerning the definitive anti-dumping and countervailing duties imposed by the United States pursuant to the final anti-dumping and countervailing duty determinations and orders issued by the US Department of Commerce in several investigations. China considers that these measures, which include the conduct of the underlying anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations, are inconsistent with the obligations of the United States under, inter alia, Articles I and VI of the GATT 1994, Articles 1, 2, 10, 12, 13, 14, 19 and 32 of the SCM Agreement, Articles 1, 2, 6, 9 and 18 of the Anti-Dumping Agreement, and Article 15 of the Protocol on the Accession of the People's Republic of China (the Protocol of Accession).

Le 16 janvier 2003, l’Organe d’appel a publié son rapport sur l’affaire “États-Unis - Loi de 2000 sur la compensation pour continuation du dumping et maintien de la subvention”.

El 06 de marzo de 2006, el Órgano de Apelación hizo público el informe sobre el caso “México - Medidas fiscales sobre los refrescos y otras bebidas”.

On 25 May 2021 the WTO circulated the panel report in the case brought by Australia in “Canada — Measures Governing the Sale of Wine” (DS537).

Le 6 juillet 2017, un groupe spécial de l’OMC a publié un rapport dans l’affaire “Union européenne — Mesures compensatoires visant certains types de polyéthylène téraphtalate en provenance du Pakistan” (DS486).

On 20 December 2002, Canada requested consultations with the United States regarding the investigation of the USITC in Softwood Lumber from Canada (Invs. Nos. 701-TA-414 and 731-TA-928 (Final)) and the final definitive anti-dumping and countervailing duties applied as a result of the USITC’s final determination made on 2 May 2002, notice of which was published in the United States Federal Register on 22 May 2002 (Volume 67, Number 99 at pp. 36022-36023) that an industry in the United States is threatened with material injury by reason of imports of softwood lumber from Canada that the Department of Commerce has determined are subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value. Canada claimed that, through these measures, the United States has violated its obligations under Article VI:6(a) of the GATT 1994, Articles 1, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.7, 3.8, 12 and 18.1 of the Anti-Dumping Agreement and Articles 10, 15.1, 15.2, 15.3, 15.4, 15.5, 15.7, 15.8, 22 and 32.1 of the SCM Agreement.

On 17 March 1999, the EC requested consultations with the US in respect of definitive safeguard measures imposed by the US on imports of wheat gluten from the European Communities. The EC contended that by a Proclamation of 30 May 1998, and a Memorandum of the same date, by the US President, under which the US imposed definitive safeguard measures in the form of a quantitative limitation on imports of wheat gluten from the EC, effective as of 1 June 1998. The EC considered these measures to be in violation of Articles 2, 4, 5 and 12 of the Agreement on Safeguards; Article 4.2 of the Agreement on Agriculture; and Articles I and XIX of GATT 1994.

On 4 June 1997 and 15 December 1997, the EC requested consultations with Chile in respect of Chile’s Special Sales Tax on spirits, which allegedly imposes a higher tax on imported spirits than on Pisco, a locally brewed spirit. The EC’s second request (WT/DS110), takes issue with the modification to the law on taxation on alcoholic beverages passed by Chile to address the concerns of the EC in WT/DS87. The EC contended that this differential treatment of imported spirits violates Article III:2 of GATT 1994.

L’Organe d’appel a remis, le 4 avril 2012, son rapport dans l’affaire “Etats-Unis — Mesures affectant la production et la vente de cigarettes aux clous de girofle” (WT/DS406/AB/R).

El 22 de octubre de 2001, el Órgano de Apelación hizo público el informe sobre el caso “Estados Unidos - Prohibición de importar ciertos camarones y sus productos - Recurso”.

On 8 November 2004, the European Communities filed a request for consultations with the United States asserting that the United States should have removed its retaliatory measures since the EC has removed the measures found to be WTO-inconsistent in the EC — Hormones case.

El 5 de julio de 2011 la OMC distribuyó los informes del Grupo Especial que examinó las reclamaciones de los Estados Unidos, la Unión Europea y México en la diferencia “China — Medidas relativas a la exportación de diversas materias primas” (DS394, DS395 y DS398, respectivamente).

Le 17 novembre 2014, l’OMC a publié le rapport du Groupe spécial sur l’affaire introduite par le Viet Nam au sujet des mesures antidumping appliquées par les États-Unis à certaines crevettes vietnamiennes (DS429).

El 10 de noviembre de 2003, el Órgano de Apelación hizo público el informe sobre el caso “Estados Unidos - Medidas de salvaguardia definitivas sobre las importaciones determinados productos de acero”.

On 28 May 1998, Canada requested consultations with the EC in respect of measures imposed by France, in particular Decree of 24 December 1996, with respect to the prohibition of asbestos and products containing asbestos, including a ban on imports of such goods. Canada alleged that these measures violate Articles 2, 3 and 5 of the SPS Agreement, Article 2 of the TBT Agreement, and Articles III, XI and XIII of GATT 1994. Canada also alleged nullification and impairment of benefits accruing to it under the various agreements cited.

Le 28 février 2001, l’OMC a publié le rapport du Groupe spécial dans l’affaire “États-Unis - Mesures antidumping appliquées à certains produits en acier laminés à chaud en provenance du Japon”.

El 24 de julio de 2020, la OMC distribuyó el informe del Grupo Especial que entendió en la diferencia planteada por la Federación de Rusia, a saber, “Unión Europea - Métodos de ajuste de costos y determinadas medidas antidumping sobre importaciones procedentes de Rusia - (Segunda reclamación)” (DS494).

Le 30 novembre 2020, l’OMC a distribué le rapport du Groupe spécial chargé d’examiner l’affaire introduite par le Japon “Corée — Réexamen à l’extinction des droits antidumping appliqués aux barres en aciers inoxydables” (DS553).

On 27 2019 June the WTO circulated the panel report in the case brought by India in “United States - Certain Measures Relating to the Renewable Energy Sector” (DS510).

Le 31 mai 2000, l’Organe d’appel a publié son rapport sur l’affaire “Canada - Certaines mesures affectant l’industrie automobile”.

On 30 March 2006, the European Communities and the United States, and on 13 April 2006, Canada, requested consultations with China regarding China's imposition of measures that adversely affect exports of automobile parts from the European Communities, the United States and Canada to China. The measures include the following: (a) Policy on Development of Automotive Industry (Order No. 8 of the National Development and Reform Commission, 21 May 2004); (b) Measures for the Administration of Importation of Automotive Parts and Components for Complete Vehicles (Decree No. 125), which entered into force on 1 April 2005); and, (c) Rules for Determining Whether Imported Automotive Parts and Components Constitute Complete Vehicles (General Administration of Customs Public Announcement No. 4, which entered into force on 1 April 2005; as well as any amendments, replacements, extensions, implementing measures or other measures related.

Le 21 janvier 2021, l’OMC a distribué le rapport du Groupe spécial chargé d’examiner l’affaire introduite par la Corée “Etats-Unis — Droits antidumping et compensateurs visant certains produits et utilisation des données de fait disponibles” (DS359).

El 18 de febrero de 2000, la OMC hizo público el informe del Grupo especial sobre el caso “Australia - Medidas que afectan a la importación de salmón - Recurso”.

El 4 de febrero de 2020, el Órgano de Apelación emitió su informe sobre el asunto “Rusia - Medidas que afectan a la importación de equipo ferroviario y sus partes” (DS499), planteado por Ucrania.

El 04 de abril de 2012, el Órgano de Apelación hizo público el informe sobre el caso “Estados Unidos - Medidas que afectan a la producción y venta de cigarrillos de clavo de olor”.