China initiates WTO dispute complaint regarding US tariff measures
China has requested WTO dispute consultations with the United States in regard to new tariff measures applied by the United States on goods originating in China. The request was circulated to WTO members on 5 February.
EU initiates dispute complaint regarding Chinese patent licensing measures
The European Union has requested WTO dispute consultations with China in regard to Chinese measures concerning patent licensing terms. The request was circulated to WTO members on 22 January.
India launches safeguard investigation on non-alloy and alloy steel flat products
On 6 January 2025, India notified the WTO's Committee on Safeguards that it initiated on 19 December 2024 a safeguard investigation on non-alloy and alloy steel flat products.
Panama appeals WTO dispute panel report regarding measures on imports from Costa Rica
Panama notified its decision to appeal the panel report in the case brought by Costa Rica in “Panama — Measures Concerning the Importation of Certain Products from Costa Rica” (DS599). The panel report was circulated to WTO members on 5 December 2024. The appeal was notified to the WTO’s Dispute Settlement Body on 24 January.
South Africa launches safeguard investigation on corrosion-resistant steel coil
On 3 February 2025, South Africa notified the WTO's Committee on Safeguards that it initiated on 17 January 2025 a safeguard investigation on (i) certain flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel and (ii) certain flat-rolled products of other alloy steel (see notification G/SG/N/6/ZAF/11 for full details).
WTO panel issues report regarding EU measures affecting palm oil, biofuels from Indonesia
On 10 January, the WTO circulated the panel report in the case brought by Indonesia in “European Union — Certain measures concerning palm oil and oil palm crop-based biofuels” (DS593).
WCO Launches the Global Forum on Origin Interconnectivity to Enhance Trade Digitalization
Proving the strong interest in the use of preferential origin measures, around 300 in-person, and numerous online, participants from Customs administrations, intergovernmental organizations, the private sector, and academia gathered for the opening day of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Global Forum on Origin Interconnectivity at its headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. This two-day event, held from 3 – 4 February 2025 and organized under the theme "Facilitating Trade with Origin Interconnectivity: From Framework to Implementation," is allowing participants to discuss advancements in Origin digitalization and interconnectivity. The forum includes interactive discussions on key aspects of Origin interconnectivity, focusing on collaboration between Customs administrations, issuing authorities, the private sector, and regional economic communities. The ability to ask questions was well utilized by participants, even opening up further areas for future discussion. The value of having a forum open to both the public and private sectors was readily apparent both in the interactions in the event and the networking on the sidelines.
WTO issues panel report regarding US duties on fish fillets from Viet Nam
On 5 February, the WTO circulated the panel report in the case brought by Viet Nam in “United States — Anti-Dumping Measures on Fish Fillets from Viet Nam” (DS536).
WTO confirms validity of EU climate-based actions in renewable energy dispute brought by Indonesia
A WTO panel confirmed the overall WTO compatibility of the RED II legal framework, albeit noting that certain aspects of the implementation and design of an EU Delegated Act under the Directive were inconsistent with WTO rules. The EU intends to take the necessary steps to adjust the Delegated Act, as this was already required under EU law. The measures disputed by Indonesia (DS593) concern measures taken by the EU under RED II on palm oil and oil palm crop-based biofuels, as well as certain related French measures. The measures establish renewable energy consumption targets for the EU transport fuel market and limit the use of food and feed crop-based biofuels in achieving these targets.
The Delegated Act which was found to be inconsistent with WTO law by the panel establishes the criteria to determine which food and feed-crop based biofuels have a high risk of increasing greenhouse gas emissions due to the changes in the use of land – such as deforestation – and allows for such crops to be certified as low risk in certain circumstances. The shortcomings identified by the panel will be adjusted under EU law.
WTO-WCO agreement on cooperation on trade and customs issues
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the World Customs Organisation (WCO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 21 January 2025 to strengthen cooperation and collaboration on customs issues. Link
WTO: Members consider China’s request for panel to examine electric vehicle measures in Türkiye
At a meeting of the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) on 27 January, WTO members considered a request from China for the establishment of a dispute panel to review measures adopted by Türkiye concerning electric vehicles and certain other types of vehicles originating in China. Australia also noted to members that it has fully implemented a panel report regarding anti-dumping and countervailing duty measures on certain products from China.