In the dispute over United States import tariffs on Spanish olives, the EU is referring to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Dispute Settlement Body. The tariffs are unjustified, „tomorrow we will bring the case to the WTO,“ said Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström today announced on Twitter.
The US began imposing high import tariffs on Spanish olives in January last year. The decision is part of the trade policy of US President Donald Trump. He accuses a number of countries of dumping to the detriment of the United States.
Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan called this an excuse to attack the EU’s common agricultural policy. Trump also accuses the EU of unfair trading practices in industrial products. He therefore imposed penalties on steel and aluminum last year and also threatened with surcharges on European cars. In July, EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Trump agreed on preliminary talks on a possible agreement on manufactured goods.
China also turned to the WTO
Also, China’s complaint against US tariffs on Chinese products ends up at the WTO. The Dispute Resolution Panel, made up of all WTO members, set up the panel at the request of China today. China is convinced that the US violates WTO rules with the tariffs. According to the application, the US imposed tariffs on Chinese imports worth $ 234 billion (€ 206 billion) last year. The US accuses Beijing of unfair state subsidies and technology theft.
