WTO Sets Up Dispute Panel for US Duties on Pipes and Tubes From Argentina

A World Trade Organization panel will review U.S. antidumping duties on oil country tubular goods from Argentina after Argentina's request for a dispute panel was granted by the Dispute Settlement Body, the WTO announced. Argentina's request was the second in its case arguing that the duties violate WTO rules and that the U.S. illegally cumulated imports in assessing injury caused by the subject imports.

Efforts to reach a mutual solution with the U.S. fell through, prompting the second panel request, the WTO said. During the Oct. 26 DSB meeting, the U.S. "said it was disappointed that Argentina has chosen to move forward with a request for the panel and that its measures were fully consistent with its WTO obligations," according to the WTO, adding that the U.S. said it's willing to further discuss the issue with Argentina.

Turkey, Japan, the EU, South Korea, Brazil, Canada, China, Russia and Ukraine reserved their right to participate in the panel proceedings.

Also during the DSB meeting, Indonesia submitted its first request for a dispute panel in its spat on the EU's countervailing duties on biodiesel from Indonesia. However, the EU said it "was not ready to accept the establishment of a panel," adding that it believes its measures are fully in line with WTO law. The DSB "agreed to revert to this matter should a requesting member wish to do so," the WTO said.

Costa Rica also expressed its surprise at the Dominican Republic's decision to appeal an adverse dispute panel finding regarding its antidumping measures on corrugated steel bars "into the void" to the defunct Appellate Body. The Central American nation said it presented the Dominican Republic with a "proposed bilateral agreements" several times to secure the use of arbitration, though Santo Domingo did not respond to these efforts. Canada urged the Dominican Republic to join the multi-party interim appeal arrangement -- a mechanism touted as an alternative to the WTO.

WTO members also discussed ongoing reform talks during the DSB meeting, overwhelmingly showing their support for the informal process on reform being conducted by technical experts in order to secure a meaningful result at the 13th Ministerial Conference in February.