Japan Requests WTO Dispute Settlement on Matter of Indian Tech Tariffs

Japan asked the World Trade Organization to establish a dispute settlement panel on the matter of India’s increased tariffs on information and communication technology goods, according to an unofficial translation of a March 19 notice. The announcement came after Japan said it was unable to reach a resolution with India after requesting WTO consultations last year (see 1905100020). Japan said India’s tariffs violate the WTO’s General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and place unfair tariffs on a range of mobile phones, “digital microwave communications” devices and more. The WTO dispute settlement body, which has been inactive after President Donald Trump blocked appointees last year (see 1912090031), is expected to remain inactive beyond 2020 (see 2003060035). A group of WTO members announced in January plans for an interim appeals process (see 2001240027).