Geneva: The World Trade Organisation’s Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) agreed at its meeting today to establish a dispute panel to examine China’s imposition of anti-dumping and countervailing duties on imported wine from Australia.
Australia submitted its second request for the establishment of a panel to examine China’s imposition of anti-dumping and countervailing duties on imported Australian wine. Australia’s first request was blocked by China at the DSB meeting on September 27, 2021.
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Australia noted that while it remains ready to engage in bilateral discussion with China, it was disappointed that it was not seeing any concrete steps by China to respond to its concerns. As a result, Australia said it was again requesting the establishment of a panel to examine the matter. Australia further said it values its community and economic ties with China and remains open to further discussions with China, with a view to resolving the issues Australia has raised.
China said it regrets that Australia has decided to submit a second request for a panel. It added that it will vigorously defend its legitimate measures in the proceedings and is confident they are consistent with relevant WTO rules. China remains open to further engagement with Australia in good faith, with a view to positively resolving this dispute, its representative said.
The DSB agreed to the establishment of the panel. Canada, Japan, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Turkey, Chinese Taipei, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, India, Singapore, Russia, the European Union, and Viet Nam reserved their third party rights to take part in the proceedings.
– global bihari bureau
