On Tuesday 29 January, the European Commission submitted a request to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) for consultations with the United States concerning the taxes imposed by the United States on black olives imported from Spain (see EUROPE 12181).
This is "the first step in the WTO dispute settlement procedure", confirmed a spokesman for the European institution on the same day. This stage lasts 60 days, at the end of which, in the absence of an agreement, the complainant may decide to request the establishment of a panel within the WTO to rule on the matter.
On June 12, 2017, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced the imposition of anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on Spanish olives, claiming that they are subsidised and sold at prices below their real value. In that year, olive imports from Spain to the United States amounted to $67.6 million. The U.S. taxes have been in effect since August 1, 2018.
"The EU considers them unjustified and inconsistent with WTO rules", the Commission stated. "In cooperation with the Spanish authorities, the Commission has vigorously defended the interests of EU producers throughout the investigation", the spokesman concluded. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)