WTO Interim Panel Rules for EU in Brazil Retread Dispute
A WTO panel has reportedly made a preliminary ruling in favour of the EU’s complaint against Brazil’s retread import restrictions. According to local news sources, a confidential interim report circulated to the two parties on 12 March ruled that Brasilia’s policy of allowing imports from its Mercosur trade bloc while banning them from the rest of the world was not consistent with WTO rules. It is extremely rare that WTO dispute panels reverse the findings of their interim rulings.
Despite the apparent setback, Brazilian officials have expressed some satisfaction with the decision, suggesting that the findings would, if maintained, allow them to retain the measures with only modest adjustments.