EU blocks US, Japan, Taiwan bid for WTO ruling on hi-tech imports

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

GENEVA (AFP) — The WTO said Friday that the European Union had blocked a joint request by the United States, Japan and Taiwan for the Geneva-based body to settle a dispute over duties on high-technology imports.

Earlier this month, US Trade Representative Susan Schwab said the three parties were bringing their case to the World Trade Organisation.

The United States and the two Asian countries claim that EU is violating trade rules by imposing duties on imports of certain products such as "cable boxes that can access the Internet, flat-panel computer monitors, and certain computer printers that can also scan, fax and/or copy."

Brussels blocked the request for the WTO's dispute settlements body (DSB) to hear the case, as is its right under WTO rules. Should...