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The Commission launched a consultation request at the World Trade Organization (WTO), challenging China’s initiation of an anti-subsidy investigation against imports of certain dairy products from the EU.
This is the first time the EU has decided to challenge an investigation at its initiation stage. The EU’s action was prompted by an emerging pattern of China initiating trade defence measures, based on questionable allegations and insufficient evidence, within a short period of time.
In so doing, the Commission is following through on its commitment to firmly defend the interests of the EU dairy industry and the Common Agricultural Policy against abusive proceedings.
The Commission has followed the investigations very closely from the beginning, in full cooperation with exporting EU producers and Member State authorities. The Commission is determined to make full use of all available legal means to defend EU industry against the abuse of trade defence instruments.
The consultations requested by the EU today represent the first step in WTO dispute settlement proceedings. If they do not lead to a satisfactory solution, the EU could request a panel to be set by the WTO to decide on this investigation.
Background
China initiated its dairy investigation on 21 August 2024. The investigation targets liquid milk and cream with a fat content higher than 10% and various types of cheese from the EU. The investigation targets subsidies under the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy as well as certain national and regional programmes. The Commission is confident that these subsidy schemes are fully in line with international rules and are not causing injury to the Chinese dairy industry.
Some of the current trade disputes:
WT/DS607 – Measures Concerning the Importation of Certain Poultry Meat Preparations from Brazil
WTO dispute settlement case – Complaint against the EU
WT/DS184 – Anti-dumping measures on certain hot-rolled steel products from Japan
WTO dispute settlement case – EU as third party
WT/DS238 – Definitive safeguard measures on imports of preserved peaches
WTO dispute settlement case – EU as third party
WT/DS244 – Sunset review of AD duties on corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products
WTO dispute settlement case – EU as third party
WT/DS264 – Anti-dumping – Final dumping determination on softwood lumber
WTO dispute settlement case – EU as third party
WT/DS270 – Certain measures affecting the importation of fresh fruit and vegetables
WTO dispute settlement case – EU as third party
WT/DS295 – Definitive AD measures on beef and rice
WTO dispute settlement case – EU as third party
WTO dispute settlement case – EU as third party
WT/DS383 – US – Anti-Dumping Measures on Polyethylene Retail Carrier Bags from Thailand
WTO dispute settlement case – EU as third party
WT/DS108 – United States – Tax treatment for ‘Foreign Sales Corporations’
WTO dispute settlement case – Launched by the EU
WT/DS114 – Canada – Patent protection of pharmaceutical products
WTO dispute settlement case – Launched by the EU
WT/DS121 – Argentina – Safeguard measures on footwear
WTO dispute settlement case – Launched by the EU
WTO dispute settlement case – Complaint against the EU
WT/DS136 – United States – Anti-dumping Act of 1916
WTO dispute settlement case – Launched by the EU
WTO dispute settlement case – Launched by the EU
WT/DS141 – European Communities – Anti-dumping duties on imports of cotton-type bed-linen from India
WTO dispute settlement case – Complaint against the EU
WT/DS142 – Canada – Certain measures affecting the automotive industry
WTO dispute settlement case – Launched by the EU
WT/DS146 – India – Measures affecting the automotive sector
WTO dispute settlement case – Launched by the EU
WT/DS149 – India – Import restrictions
WTO dispute settlement case – Launched by the EU
WT/DS150 – India – Measures affecting customs duties
WTO dispute settlement case – Launched by the EU
WT/DS152 – United States – Sections 301-310 of the Trade Act of 1974
WTO dispute settlement case – Launched by the EU
WT/DS155 – Argentina – Measures on the export of bovine hides and the import of finished leather
WTO dispute settlement case – Launched by the EU
WT/DS160 – United States – Section 110(5) of US Copyright Act
WTO dispute settlement case – Launched by the EU
WT/DS162 – Anti-dumping Act of 1916
WTO dispute settlement case – EU as third party
WT/DS165 – United States – Import measures on certain products from the EC
WTO dispute settlement case – Launched by the EU
WT/DS166 – United States – Definitive safeguard measures on imports of wheat gluten from EC
WTO dispute settlement case – Launched by the EU
WTO dispute settlement case – Complaint against the EU
WT/DS175 – Measures affecting trade and investment in the motor vehicle sector
WTO dispute settlement case – EU as third party
WT/DS176 – United States – Section 211 Omnibus Appropriations Act
WTO dispute settlement case – Launched by the EU
WT/DS186 – United States – Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 and amendments thereto
WTO dispute settlement case – Launched by the EU
WT/DS188 – Measures affecting imports from Honduras and Colombia
WTO dispute settlement case – EU as third party
WT/DS189 – Argentina – Definitive anti-dumping measures on imports of ceramic floor tiles from Italy
WTO dispute settlement case – Launched by the EU
WT/DS193 – Chile – Measures affecting the transit and importation of swordfish
WTO dispute settlement case – Launched by the EU
WT/DS200 – United States – Section 306 of the Trade Act of 1974 and amendments thereto (“carousel”)
WTO dispute settlement case – Launched by the EU
WT/DS201 – Measures affecting imports from Honduras and Colombia (II)
WTO dispute settlement case – EU as third party
WT/DS204 – Measures affecting telecommunication services
WTO dispute settlement case – EU as third party
WT/DS206 – Anti-dumping and countervailing measures on steel plate from India
WTO dispute settlement case – EU as third party
WT/DS207 – Price band system and safeguard measures relating to certain agricultural products
WTO dispute settlement case – EU as third party
WT/DS211 – Definitive anti-dumping measures on steel rebar from Turkey
WTO dispute settlement case – EU as third party
WT/DS212 – United States – Countervailing measures concerning certain products from the EC
WTO dispute settlement case – Launched by the EU
WTO dispute settlement case – Launched by the EU
WT/DS217 – United States – Continued dumping and subsidy offset Act of 2000
WTO dispute settlement case – Launched by the EU
WTO dispute settlement case – Complaint against the EU
WT/DS223 – European Communities – Tariff-rate quota on corn gluten feed from the United States
WTO dispute settlement case – Complaint against the EU
WT/DS231 – European Communities – Trade description of sardines
WTO dispute settlement case – Complaint against the EU
WT/DS232 – Measures affecting the import of matches
WTO dispute settlement case – EU as third party
WT/DS236 – Determination of countervailing duties on certain softwood lumber
WTO dispute settlement case – EU as third party
WT/DS239 – Anti-dumping duties on silicon metal from Brazil
WTO dispute settlement case – EU as third party
WT/DS241 – Anti-dumping duties on poultry from Brazil
WTO dispute settlement case – EU as third party
WTO dispute settlement case – Complaint against the EU
WT/DS243 – Rules of origin for textiles and apparel products
WTO dispute settlement case – EU as third party
WT/DS245 – Measures affecting the importation of apples
WTO dispute settlement case – EU as third party
WTO dispute settlement case – Complaint against the EU
WT/DS248 – United States – Definitive safeguard measures on imports of certain steel products
WTO dispute settlement case – Launched by the EU
WT/DS250 – Equalizing excise tax imposed by Florida on processed orange and grapefruit products
WTO dispute settlement case – EU as third party
WT/DS257 – Final countervailing duty determination with respect to certain softwood lumber
WTO dispute settlement case – EU as third party
WT/DS26 – European Communities – Measures affecting meat and meat products (Hormones)
WTO dispute settlement case – Complaint against the EU
WTO dispute settlement case – Complaint against the EU
WT/DS261 – Tax treatment on certain products
WTO dispute settlement case – EU as third party
WT/DS262 – United States – Anti-dumping and countervailing measures on certain steel products
WTO dispute settlement case – Launched by the EU
