Turkey initiates WTO dispute complaint against EU steel safeguard 23 March 2020

Turkey has requested WTO dispute consultations with the European Union regarding the EU’s safeguard measures on imported steel products. The request was circulated to WTO members on 19th March 2020.

Turkey claims that the EU safeguard measures, in the form of tariff-rate quotas and additional duties, and the investigation that led to their imposition, are inconsistent with a number of provisions of the Agreement on Safeguards and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994.

The EU initiated the safeguard investigation in March 2018, with provisional measures imposed in July 2019. In February 2019 the EU decided to apply a definitive safeguard on 26 categories of steel products through June 2021. Further information is available in document WT/DS595/1.

What is a request for consultations?
The request for consultations formally initiates a dispute in the WTO. Consultations give the parties an opportunity to discuss the matter and to find a satisfactory solution without proceeding further with litigation. After 60 days, if consultations have failed to resolve the dispute, the complainant may request adjudication by a panel.

Deputy Editor

Claire Aldridge Deputy Editor t: +44 (0) 1727 743 889

Biog

Having spent a decade in the fastener industry experiencing every facet – from steel mills, fastener manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, as well as machinery builders and plating + coating companies, Claire has developed an in-depth knowledge of all things fasteners.

Alongside visiting numerous companies, exhibitions and conferences around the world, Claire has also interviewed high profile figures – focusing on key topics impacting the sector and making sure readers stay up to date with the latest developments within the industry.