The European Union has filed a dispute with the World Trade Organization (WTO) against unlawful anti-dumping measures imposed by Colombia on frozen French fries from Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. The anti-dumping duties imposed by Colombia a year ago are, according to the European Commission, incompatible with WTO law, both in terms of content and the institution procedure.
The duties applied to European imports over a 2-year period range from around 3% to 8%. These rights limit access to the Colombian market, affecting nearly 85% of the EU's exports of frozen French fries to this market, with a value of more than 19 million euros per year.
The first step in dispute resolution consists of 60 days of consultation. The WTO consultations will give the EU and Colombia the opportunity to reach a negotiated solution. If the consultations with Colombia requested today do not lead to a satisfactory solution, the EU can ask the WTO to set up a panel to rule on the issues raised.
Source: European Commission