The World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) has agreed to establish a dispute panel to examine China’s imposition of anti-dumping and countervailing duties on imported wine from Australia.
The move comes after Australia submitted a second request for a panel to be established to look into the dispute, with the first request blocked by China in September.
The WTO said: “Australia noted that while it remains ready to engage in bilateral discussion with China, Australia is disappointed that it is not seeing any concrete steps by China to respond to its concerns.
“As a result, Australia is again requesting the establishment of a panel to examine the matter. Australia values its community and economic ties with China and remains open to further discussions with China, with a view to resolving the issues Australia has raised.”
The WTO noted that China said it regrets Australia’s decision to submit a second request for a panel, adding: “China said it will vigorously defend its legitimate measures in the proceedings and is confident they are consistent with relevant WTO rules. China remains open to further engagement with Australia in good faith, with a view to positively resolving this dispute.”
The DSB agreed to the establishment of the panel. Canada, Japan, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Turkey, Chinese Taipei, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, India, Singapore, Russia, the European Union, and Viet Nam reserved their third party rights to take part in the proceedings.