The World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement panel ruled, on Friday 19 November, on the dispute between the EU and the US. It stated that the US anti-dumping duties imposed on Spanish olives in 2018 are unfounded. The EU had initiated a dispute settlement procedure against the US in 2019.
The US had decided to impose punitive tariffs of 30-44% on Spanish olives. They claim that the agricultural subsidies received by the sector have benefited mainly olive exporters to the United States. Since the tariffs were introduced, Spanish olive exports to the US have fallen by almost 60%.
The WTO arbitration panel ruled that the US had not properly investigated this case of EU subsidies and had not collected the right evidence. Their decision to impose anti-dumping duties is therefore based on incorrect information. It calls on the US to comply with WTO rules.
“We now expect the US to take the appropriate steps to implement the WTO ruling, so that exports of ripe olives from Spain to the US can resume under normal conditions”, said the EU Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis.
See the decision: https://bit.ly/3kUkR89 (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)