Trade Watch Weekly Bulletin – November 21, 2020

•   WTO circulated the compliance panel report in the case brought by Brazil in Indonesia – Chicken (DS484).
• US responded to the dispute initiated by Hong Kong, China i.e. US – Origin Marking Requirement (DS597) specifying that the measures challenged by Hong Kong concern issues of national security and are not susceptible to review or capable of resolution by the WTO.
• Panel suspended under Article 12.12 of the Dispute Settlement Understanding in Turkey — Additional duties on imports of air conditioning machines from Thailand (DS573).
• At the WTO Committee on Import Licensing, EU questioned India regarding the recent amendment in Import Policy of Tyres, whereby pneumatic tyres for motor cars, busses, lorries, motor scooters and motorcycles from the “free” category to the “restricted” category.
• WTO maps out trade issues related to COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
• Thailand becomes the 63rd Member to join the negotiations on services domestic regulation under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS).

• EU announced countermeasures against US products as a result of WTO large aircraft arbitration.
• EU will apply additional tariffs of 15% on aircraft as well as additional tariffs of 25% on a range of agricultural and industrial products imported from the U.S
• United States Trade Representative (USTR) responded to EU’s announcement on application of countermeasures.
• The European Commission (EC) introduces surveillance of imports of bioethanol and remains open to examining requests from other sectors.
• European Commission and the Member States participated in the third negotiation round on the modernisation of the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT).
• Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states along with Australia, China, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand concluded the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement.  

• Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) terminated anti-dumping investigation concerning imports of Isononanol (INA) originating in or exported from European Union and Singapore, 2-Propylheptyl Alcohol (2-PH) originating in or exported from European Union and 2-Ethyl Hexanol (2-EH) originating in or exported from Saudi Arabia and Singapore.
• DGTR issued preliminary findings in Anti-Dumping Investigation concerning imports of “Rubber Chemical PX-13” from China PR, Korea RP and USA.
• DGTR terminated Anti-Dumping Investigation concerning imports of “Mono Ethylene Glycol” originating in or exported from Kuwait, Oman, Singapore and UAE.
• Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) amended notification No. 50/2017-Customs dated 30 June 2017 so as to prescribe 5% basic customs duty (BCD) on specified parts for manufacture of Open Cell for LED/LCD TV Panels subject to end user condition.
• CBIC extended the levy of anti-dumping duties on imports of ” Carbon Black used in rubber applications ” originating in or exported from China PR and Russia, for a further period up to and inclusive of 31 December, 2020.
• CBIC imposed anti-dumping duties on flax fabrics (having flax content of more than 50%) imported from China and Hong Kong for a period of 5 years pursuant to DGTR Final Findings dated 17 August 2020.
• CBIC rescinded notification No. 27/2015-Customs (ADD) dated 1 June 2015 and removed anti-dumping duties applicable on imports of acrylic fiber from Thailand.
• CBIC imposed definitive anti-dumping duty on Clear Float Glass originating in or exported from Malaysia pursuant to the recommendation of the DGTR in Final Findings 20 August 2020.
• CBIC extended the levy of anti-dumping duty on Phthalic Anhydride originating in or exported from Japan and Russia, up to and inclusive of 31 January, 2021.
• Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) notified amendments to the eight (8) Indian Standards. The unamended standard will remain in force till 8 December 2020.
• Ministry of Steel has notified the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2020 that requires steel and steel products to conform to the corresponding Indian Standard.
• Government of India notified the Export of Milk and Milk Products (Quality Control, Inspection and Monitoring) Rules, 2020.

We trust you find this useful. In the meantime, should you require any information or clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us at insights@elp-in.com