The World Trade Organization’s Dispute Settlement Body on Nov. 27 agreed to a request submitted by Indonesia to establish a dispute panel to review countervailing duties imposed by the European Union on imports of biodiesel from Indonesia. 

The EU in August 2023 opened an investigation into whether Indonesia has circumvented EU countervailing duties on imports of biodiesel originating in the country by routing the fuel through China and the U.K. The request was triggered by a request made by the European Biodiesel Board on July 4.

Indonesia has submitted two requests seeking the establishment of a panel to determine whether the countervailing duties are in line with WTO rules. According to information posted to the WTO website, the EU said it was not in a position to agree to Indonesia’s first quest at a DSB meeting on Oct. 26. Indonesia reiterated its right to protect its national interests and urged the EU to bring its measures into conformity with WTO provisions. 

According to the TWO, the EU said it believes the measures at stake are fully justified and is confident its measures will be declared in line with WTO law. 

The DSB has now agreed to establish the panel and the U.S., U.K., Norway, the Russian Federation, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, Canada, China, Argentina, and Turkey reserved their third-party rights to participate in the panel proceedings. 

Additional information is available on the WTO website.

Source: Biodiesel Magazine