Brazil requests WTO for dispute consultations with US on tariffs

The request was circulated to WTO members recently.

Brazil claims the measures are inconsistent with the US obligations under various provisions of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994 and the Dispute Settlement Understanding (DSU) by seeking redress through tariff measures, rather than with recourse to the rules and procedures of the DSU, the WTO communication note said.

The request for consultations formally initiates a dispute in the WTO. Consultations give the parties an opportunity to discuss the matter and to find a satisfactory solution without proceeding further with litigation. After 60 days, if consultations have failed to resolve the dispute, the complainant may request adjudication by a panel.

“Brazil looks forward to receiving a reply from the United States to this request and to fixing a mutually convenient date for the holding of consultations,” the note added.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (DS)