A World Trade Organization (WTO) panel has found largely in the European Union`s favor in a dispute over tariffs imposed by Russia on some agricultural and manufactured goods, according to a statement released by the European Commission on August 12.
”Despite being a WTO member since August 2012, Russia has not yet fulfilled some of its commitments made before its accession. This includes one of the WTO`s most fundamental rules, according to which its members must not apply customs duties in excess of the `bound rates` they commit themselves to in their respective Schedules. Following the dispute settlement procedure activated by the EU in October 2014, the WTO panel fully agreed that Russia`s customs duties on paper, refrigerators and palm oil are inconsistent with its WTO commitments,” the statement reads.
It is noted that this has been the first case ever decided in the WTO against Russia.
The panel found 11 of the 12 measures challenged by the EU were inconsistent with Russia`s obligations not to apply tariffs higher than those set out in its commitments as a WTO member. Five of those 11 measures have been changed since proceedings started, according to the report.
