EU launches WTO trade dispute against Colombia's unfair duties on frozen fries

brought a dispute

Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström said: “Despite numerous interventions with Colombia to lift the unjustified measures, we have not received a satisfactory response. This is why we are now taking the next step by launching a case at the WTO. The EU will continue to use the multilateral trading system to enforce the rules when others violate them, especially when this puts EU jobs and industry at risk. We hope to resolve the issue as soon as possible, preferably already in the upcoming WTO consultations, the first phase of the dispute proceedings.” The anti-dumping duties imposed by Colombia a year ago are incompatible with WTO law, both on substance and in terms of the procedure applied to put them in place. The duties applied to European imports over a period of two years range from around 3% to 8%. These unwarranted duties restrict access to the Colombian market, affecting almost 85% of EU exports of frozen fries to this market, worth over €19 million a year. The first step of the dispute settlement consists of a 60-day long consultation. WTO consultations could give the EU and Colombia the opportunity to find a negotiated solution. A press release is available online.