BRUSSELS, May 21 (RIA Novosti) – The European Union has requested consultations at the World Trade Organization concerning Russia’s practice of imposing anti-dumping duties on light commercial vehicles (LCVs) from Germany and Italy.
Exports of EU-produced vehicles weighing between 2.8 and 3.5 tons to Russia amounted to over 100 million euros ($137 million) in 2012, but they have been decreasing since Moscow imposed a so-called "recycling fee" in September 2012 on cars, trucks, buses and other motor vehicles just days after joining the WTO.
“The EU believes the anti-dumping duties are incompatible with WTO law, both on procedural and on substantive grounds. WTO consultations will give the EU and Russia the opportunity to find a negotiated solution. If the consultations are not successful, after 60 days the EU can ask the WTO to establish a panel to rule on the case,” the European Commission said in a statement Wednesday.
The duties of 23 percent to 29.6 percent imposed on European LCVs are “significantly hampering access to the Russian market,” the EU’s executive body said.
“The anti-dumping measures subject of today's panel request are further choking off EU exports of LCVs,” the European Commission said.
The European Commission earlier filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization against Russia’s disposal fee and did not withdraw the claim even after Moscow changed the payment scheme.
