EU requests WTO dispute settlement panel over Argentina's import restrictions

The EU has today requested the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Geneva to rule over a dispute on Argentina's import restrictions which are damaging to European business. The EU is taking this action, along with Japan and the United States, to force Argentina to lift these measures which have been harmful to European trade and investment for more than 18 months. These measures potentially affect all EU exports to Argentina, worth €8.3 billion in 2011. Today's decision follows efforts by the EU to find a solution with Argentina through WTO dispute settlement consultations during the summer which ended without success.