About the WTO
Comunidades Europeas - Medidas que afectan al amianto y a los productos que contienen amianto
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”.
Estados Unidos - Subvenciones al algodón americano (upland)
La OMC ha emitido hoy (31 de agosto de 2009) dos informes relativos a los procedimientos de arbitraje con respecto a la diferencia entre los Estados Unidos y el Brasil sobre el algodón (DS267).
United States - Section 110(5) of the US Copyright Act
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).
United States - Certain Country of Origin Labelling (Cool) Requirements
On 1 December 2008, Canada requested consultations with the United States concerning certain mandatory country of origin labelling (COOL) provisions in the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 as amended by the 2008 Farm Bill and as implemented through an Interim Final Rule of 28 July 2008. These include the obligation to inform consumers at the retail level of the country of origin in respect of covered commodities, including beef and pork. The eligibility for a designation of a covered commodity as exclusively having a US origin can only be derived from an animal that was exclusively born, raised and slaughtered in the United States. This would exclude such a designation in respect of beef or pork derived from livestock that is exported to the United States for feed or immediate slaughter.
États-Unis - Mesures à l’importation de certains produits en provenance des Communautés européennes
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”.
India - Protección mediante patente de los productos farmacéuticos y los productos químicos para la agricultura
El 24 de agosto de 1998, la OMC hizo público el informe del Grupo especial sobre el caso “India - Protección mediante patente de los productos farmacéuticos y los productos químicos para la agricultura”.
Union européenne - Mesures compensatoires visant certains types de polyéthylène téréphtalate en provenance du Pakistan
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)
European Communities - Export Subsidies on Sugar - Complaint by Brazil
On 27 September 2002, Australia and Brazil requested consultations with the European Communities concerning the export subsidies provided by the EC in the framework of its Common Organisation of the Market for the sugar sector. The requests concerned Council Regulation (EC) No. 1260/2001 of 19 June 2001 on the EC’s common organization of the markets in the sugar sector, and all other legislation, regulations, administrative policies and other instruments relating to the EC regime for sugar and sugar containing products including the rules adopted pursuant to the procedure referred to in Article 42(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1260/2001, and any other provision related thereto. On 14 March 2003, Thailand requested consultations with the European Communities on the same matter.
European Communities - Measures Concerning Meat and Meat Products (Hormones)
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.
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.
Mexico - Anti-Dumping Investigation of High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) from the United States - Recourse 1
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.
Egypt - Definitive Anti-Dumping Measures on Steel Rebar from Turkey
On 6 November 2000, Turkey requested consultations with Egypt concerning an anti-dumping investigation by the Egyptian Ministry of Trade and Supply with respect to imports of rebar from Turkey. The investigation was completed and the final report released on 21 October 1999. As a result of the investigation, anti-dumping duties were imposed, ranging from 22.63-61.00 per cent ad valorem. Turkey considered that: Egypt made determinations of injury and dumping in that investigation without a proper establishment of the facts and based on an evaluation of the facts that was neither unbiased nor objective; during the investigation of material injury or threat thereof and the causal link, Egypt acted inconsistently with Articles 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 3.5, 6.1 and 6.2 of the Anti-Dumping Agreement; and during the investigation of sales at less than normal value, Egypt violated Article X:3 of the GATT 1994, as well as Articles 2.2, 2.4, 6.1, 6.2, 6.6, 6.7 and 6.8, and Annex II, Paragraphs 1, 3, 5, 6 and 7 and Annex I, Paragraph 7 of the Anti-Dumping Agreement.
Union Européenne - Mesures antidumping visant les importations de certains alcools gras en provenance d’Indonésie
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).
Australia - Measures Affecting Importation of Salmon
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.
États-Unis - Mesures à l’importation de certains produits en provenance des Communautés européennes
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”.
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 - Definitive Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties on Certain Products from China
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).
États-Unis - Mesures tarifaires visant certains produits en provenance de Chine
Le 15 septembre 2020, l’OMC a distribué le rapport du Groupe spécial sur l’affaire introduite par la Chine “États-Unis — Mesures tarifaires visant certains produits en provenance de Chine” (DS543).
États-Unis - Loi de 2000 sur la compensation pour continuation du dumping et maintien de la subvention
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”.
Colombia - Measures Relating to the Importation of Textiles, Apparel and Footwear
On 18 June 2013, Panama requested consultations with Colombia with respect to the imposition by Colombia of a compound tariff affecting the importation of textiles, apparel and footwear from Panama. The measure at issue is a compound tariff that Colombia has allegedly imposed by Presidential Decree No. 074 of 23 January 2013 (Decree 074/2013). Panama claims that this measure at issue is contained in: - Decree 074/2013; - Decree 1497/2011 as regards the definition of the products covered by the nomenclature of Chapters 61, 62, 63 and 64 of the Tariff Schedule; and - Memorandum No. 000165 of 30 April 2013 from the Customs Management Department of the Directorate of National Taxes and Customs on “measures to control compliance with Decree 074 of 2013”.

