Brussels, 23/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - The EU its sights on the restrictions imposed by Ukraine, Russia, Brazil, Japan and Indonesia relating to the trade in goods.
At the meeting on the trade in goods on 11 July this year, the EU raised several concerns regarding trade measures taken by several G20 economies.
The EU said it shared the “serious concern” expressed by Japan over Ukraine's imposition of safeguard duties on motor vehicles last April. Ukraine said it is temporarily imposing those duties in line with the WTO safeguards agreement, in response to a 78% decline in national automotive production and a 50% decline in employment in that sector. Although the EU and the United States have expressed concern about Ukraine's import quota on coking coal, Ukraine is being urged to heed the views of the EU and of many WTO delegations, including OECD countries, ASEAN countries and China, to abandon its renegotiation of its bound tariffs at the WTO (see EUROPE 10757).
Russia is also called to order for its many trade restrictions, one year after its accession to the WTO. The EU has named and blamed the recycling tax on imported cars, as well as the increased number of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures against it, such as the ban on importing live animals extended to other products.
The EU reiterated concerns regarding Brazil's use of indirect taxation to protect domestic industries, including through the use of domestic content requirements. In its defence, Brazil said that the government is seeking to rationalise its taxation system in order to promote and develop innovation and protection of the environment. It added that many European companies have been accredited to the programme.
Grievances expressed by Europe also concern Japan and its wood point stimulus programme to boost the supply and use of domestic forest products. The EU and other delegations, however, express concern that the programme could have an adverse impact on imported wood products. Japan has said that the programme is not discriminatory and that foreign suppliers can join the programme.
Finally, the EU has reaffirmed its concern regarding the restriction of import licences by Indonesia and with regard to a new food legislation. (EH/transl.jl)