Dispute settlement
Australia - Measures Affecting Importation of Salmon - Recourse 1
On 5 October 1995 Canada requested consultations with Australia in respect of Australia’s prohibition of imports of salmon from Canada based on a quarantine regulation. Canada alleged that the prohibition is inconsistent with Articles XI and XIII of the GATT 1994 and also inconsistent with the SPS Agreement.
Canada - Certain Measures Affecting the Automotive Industry
On 3 July 1998 Japan requested consultations with Canada in respect of measures being taken by Canada in the automotive industry. Japan contended that under Canadian legislation implementing an automotive products agreement (Auto Pact) between the US and Canada only a limited number of motor vehicle manufacturers are eligible to import vehicles into Canada duty free and to distribute the motor vehicles in Canada at the wholesale and retail distribution levels. Japan further contended that this duty-free treatment is contingent on two requirements: Canadian value-added (CVA) content requirement that applies to both goods and services; and manufacturing and sales requirement. Japan alleges that these measures are inconsistent with Articles I:1 III:4 and XXIV of GATT 1994 Article 2 of the TRIMs Agreement Article 3 of the SCM Agreement and Articles II VI and XVII of GATS.
Mexico - Anti-Dumping Investigation of High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) from the United States
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.
Australia - Subsidies Provided to Producers and Exporters of Automotive Leather - Recourse 1
On 4 May 1998 the United States requested consultations with Australia in respect of prohibited subsidies allegedly provided to Australian producers and exporters of automotive leather including subsidies provided to Howe and Company Proprietary Ltd. (or any of its affiliated and/or parent companies) which allegedly involve preferential government loans of about $A25 million and non‑commercial terms and grants of about $A30 million. The United States contended that these measures violate the obligations of Australia under Article 3 of the SCM Agreement.
United States - Imposition of Countervailing Duties on Certain Hot-Rolled Lead and Bismuth Carbon Steel Products Originating in the United Kingdom
On 30 June 1998 the EC requested consultations with the US in respect of the alleged imposition of countervailing duties on certain hot-rolled lead and bismuth carbon steel (leaded bars) from the UK. The EC asserted that the US imposed countervailing duties of 1.69 per cent on United Engineering Steels Ltd (UES) for the review period 1 January 1994 to 31 December 1994 and of 2.4 per cent for the review period 1 January 1995 to 20 March 1995 on the basis of subsidies which had been granted to British Steel Corporation (BSC). The EC also contended that the US imposed countervailing duties on British Steel plc (BSplc) / British Steel Engineering Steels LTD (BSES) for the review period 1 January 1996 to 31 December 1996 on the basis of subsidies granted to BSC before its privatization in 1988. The EC alleged that these impositions of countervailing duties constitute a violation of Articles 1.1(b) 10 14 and 19.4 of the Subsidies Agreement.
United States - Sections 301-310 of the Trade Act of 1974
On 25 November 1998 the EC requested consultations with the US in respect of Title III chapter 1 (sections 301-310) of the US Trade Act of 1974 (the Trade Act) as amended and in particular sections 306 and 305 of this Act.
Korea - Definitive Safeguard Measure on Imports of Certain Dairy Products
On 12 August 1997 the EC requested consultations with Korea in respect of a definitive safeguard measure imposed by Korea on imports of certain dairy products. The EC contended that under the provisions of different governmental measures Korea has imposed a safeguard measure in the form of an import quota on imports of certain dairy products. The EC considered that this measure is in violation of Articles 2 4 5 and 12 of the Agreement on Safeguard Measures as well as a violation of Article XIX of GATT 1994.
Argentina - Safeguard Measures on Imports of Footwear
On 10 November 2000 the EC requested consultations with the US concerning the continued application by the United States of countervailing duties on a number of products. In particular the EC claimed that the application of the “same person” methodology by the US and the continued imposition of duties based on it are in breach of Articles 10 19 and 21 of the SCM Agreement because there is no proper determination of a benefit to the producer of the goods under investigation as required by Article 1.1(b) of the SCM Agreement. The EC included in this request for consultations 14 US countervailing duty orders1 where this “same person” methodology was applied. All these cases involve alleged non-recurring subsidies granted to firms prior to a change of ownership.
Chile - Taxes on Alcoholic Beverages
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.
European Communities - Measures Affecting Butter Products
On 3 May 1995 the US requested consultations with Korea in respect of requirements imposed by Korea on imports from the US which had the effect of restricting imports. The US alleged violations of Articles III and XI of GATT Articles 2 and 5 of the SPS Agreement Article 2 of the TBT Agreement and Article 4 of the Agreement on Agriculture.
Turkey - Restrictions on Imports of Textile and Clothing Products
On 21 March 1996 India requested consultations with Turkey concerning Turkey’s imposition of quantitative restrictions on imports of a broad range of textile and clothing products. India claimed that those measures are inconsistent with Articles XI and XIII of GATT 1994 as well as ATC Article 2. Earlier India had requested to be joined in the consultations between Hong Kong and Turkey on the same subject matter (WT/DS29).
Canada - Measures Affecting the Importation of Milk and the Exportation of Dairy Products
On 8 October 1997 the United States requested consultations with Canada in respect of export subsidies allegedly granted by Canada on dairy products and the administration by Canada of the tariff-rate quota on milk. The United States contended that these export subsidies by Canada distort markets for dairy products and adversely affect US sales of dairy products. The United States alleged violations of Articles II X and X1 of the GATT 1994 Articles 3 4 8 9 and 10 of the Agreement on Agriculture Article 3 of the SCM Agreement and Articles 1 2 and 3 of the Import Licensing Agreement.
United States - Tax Treatment for "Foreign Sales Corporations"
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.
India - Quantitative Restrictions on Imports of Agricultural, Textile and Industrial Products
On 15 July 1997 the US requested consultations with India in respect of quantitative restrictions maintained by India on importation of a large number of agricultural textile and industrial products. The US contended that these quantitative restrictions including the more than 2700 agricultural and industrial product tariff lines notified to the WTO are inconsistent with India’s obligations under Articles XI:1 and XVIII:11 of GATT 1994 Article 4.2 of the Agreement on Agriculture and Article 3 of the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures.
Canada - Measures Affecting the Export of Civilian Aircraft
On 10 March 1997 Brazil requested consultations with Canada in respect of certain subsidies granted by the Government of Canada or its provinces intended to support the export of civilian aircraft. The request was made pursuant to Article 4 of the SCM Agreement. Brazil contended that these measures are inconsistent with Article 3 of the SCM Agreement.
Brazil - Export Financing Programme for Aircraft
On 19 June 1996 Canada requested consultations with Brazil under Article 4 of the SCM Agreement which provides for special procedures for export subsidies. Canada claimed that export subsidies granted under the Brazilian Programa de Financiamento às Exportações (PROEX) to foreign purchasers of Brazil’s Embraer aircraft are inconsistent with Articles 3 27.4 and 27.5 of the SCM Agreement.
European Communities - Measures Concerning Meat and Meat Products (Hormones) - Original Complaint by Canada
On 12 July 1999 the WTO issued the dispute panel reports in the case "European Communities - Measures concerning meat and meat products (hormones) - Original complaint by Canada".
European Communities - Measures Concerning Meat and Meat Products (Hormones) - Original Complaint by the United States
On 12 July 1999 the WTO issued the dispute panel reports in the case "European Communities - Measures concerning meat and meat products (hormones) - Original complaint by the United States".
Argentina - Safeguard Measures on Imports of Footwear
On 10 November 2000 the EC requested consultations with the US concerning the continued application by the United States of countervailing duties on a number of products. In particular the EC claimed that the application of the “same person” methodology by the US and the continued imposition of duties based on it are in breach of Articles 10 19 and 21 of the SCM Agreement because there is no proper determination of a benefit to the producer of the goods under investigation as required by Article 1.1(b) of the SCM Agreement. The EC included in this request for consultations 14 US countervailing duty orders1 where this “same person” methodology was applied. All these cases involve alleged non-recurring subsidies granted to firms prior to a change of ownership;
Korea - Definitive Safeguard Measure on Imports of Certain Dairy Products
On 12 August 1997 the EC requested consultations with Korea in respect of a definitive safeguard measure imposed by Korea on imports of certain dairy products. The EC contended that under the provisions of different governmental measures Korea has imposed a safeguard measure in the form of an import quota on imports of certain dairy products. The EC considered that this measure is in violation of Articles 2 4 5 and 12 of the Agreement on Safeguard Measures as well as a violation of Article XIX of GATT 1994.