On Friday 15 November, the Commission confirmed the initiation of proceedings at the World Trade Organization (WTO) against anti-dumping duties imposed by Colombia on frozen fries (see EUROPE 12348/9, 12246/21, 12134/3).
Applied since a year ago, for a period of two years, these duties amount to between 3% and 8%, primarily affecting small and medium-sized enterprises in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. In addition to the potato suppliers indirectly affected, 85% of EU frozen fry exports are sanctioned, the Commission said in a statement.
Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström recalled the central role of the WTO in the settlement of trade disputes: “The EU will continue to use the multilateral trading system to enforce rules when others break them, especially when it puts EU jobs and the EU sector at risk”.
She expressed the wish that this dispute would be resolved promptly, “preferably as soon as the upcoming WTO consultations”.
This first phase of the dispute settlement procedure lasts 60 days and will allow for a negotiated solution to be identified. (Original version in French by Hermine Donceel)