U.S. Blocks India’s Request for WTO to Rule on Steel Duty

26/07/2012 12:00 - 395 Views

The U.S. blocked a request by India for World Trade Organization judges to investigate the legality of American countervailing duties on some Indian steel products. A second request would be automatically accepted.

India complained at the Geneva-based WTO on April 24, saying U.S. anti-subsidy duties on certain hot-rolled carbon- steel flat products violate global trade rules. India is challenging a U.S. finding that Indian steel producers got an illegal subsidy by paying too little for iron ore from a state- owned producer.

The U.S. first imposed the tariff in December 2001 and extended it six years later. The duty is fixed at 102.7 percent, according to a notification submitted by the U.S. to the WTO. The two governments held consultations in an unsuccessful bid to resolve the dispute without resorting to a panel.

Jul 23, 2012 6:30 PM GMT+0700

By Jennifer M. Freedman

Source: Bloomberg.com