MOSCOW – Russia does not agree with several conclusions of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) arbitration panel in a dispute with the European Union over anti-dumping measures of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) regarding light commercial vehicles (LCV) from Germany and Italy and will consider the possibility to file an appeal, the Russian Economic Development Ministry said.
The European Commission said on Friday, that the WTO arbitration panel found the imposition of anti-dumping duties on LCV imports from Italy and Germany to the EAEU countries illegal.
The Russian Economic Development Ministry, in turn, has interpreted, the WTO’s decision the following way: “The arbitration panel has found the majority of claims submitted by the European Union unfounded. However, regarding several EU’s claims, the arbitration panel supported the complainant, having made a conclusion that certain aspects of an anti-dumping inquiry into (the situation with) LCVs do not comply with the WTO norms.”
“Russia agrees only with a part of conclusions of the arbitration panel and finds some of its decisions wrong. The Russian side will promptly consider the issue of a possible appeal to the WTO Appellate Body against the conclusions it does not agree with. The WTO rules provide that such an appeal can be filed within 60 days from the date the report of the arbitration panel was published on,” the Russian Economic Development Ministry said.
As reported, the Eurasian Economic Commission imposed anti-dumping duties in the amount from 23% to 29.6% percent on LCVs manufactured in Germany and Italy in the middle of 2013. The measures concern LCVs between 2.8 tonnes to 3.5 tonnes in weight, with van-type bodies and diesel engines with a cylinder capacity not exceeding 3.000 cm3, designed for the transport of cargo of up to two tonnes or for the combined transport of cargo and passengers. In November 2011, the Russian Industry and Trade Ministry initiated an inquiry into the situation with supplies of LCVs in the domestic market upon an application of the Sollers group.
