Chinese AD Duties Against Australian Barley and Airbus/Boeing Discussed in Geneva

Even as the U.S. and the European Union work privately to resolve their differences over subsidies to Airbus and Boeing, a U.S. representative at the World Trade Organization complained that the EU provided no status update on coming into compliance over Airbus subsidies. The EU said that the measures it took in August 2020 (see 2008280051) were more than enough to comply with a WTO ruling, according to a Geneva trade official.

At the April 28 Dispute Settlement Body meeting, the EU also complained that the U.S. continues to send antidumping and countervailing duties to domestic victims of dumping and illegal subsidization, and says every time that's done, it violates international trade law. The U.S. said it already implemented the WTO ruling.

Whether Venezuela can initiate a panel against the U.S. over sanctions and import bans on gold was put aside, and Venezuela's representatives in Geneva and the U.S. mission to the WTO are consulting over the issues.

Australia asked for a WTO panel over China's imposition of antidumping and countervailing duties on its barely exports. The antidumping tariffs are 73.6%, which has effectively closed the Chinese market to Australian exporters. China blocked the panel, but at the next DSB meeting, it can go forward. China also said it would continue consultations over the issue. The antidumping case against Australian barley and later actions against Australian wine are widely seen as punishment for Australia asking for an investigation into the origin of COVID-19 (see 2005200029).

Malaysia asked for a panel over European Union policy to limit the amount of palm oil that can be used to satisfy biofuel requirements. The EU blocked that panel, and said it is open to more consultations. That panel can also go forward at the next meeting.