Source: European Parliament
On 14 November 2024[1], the EU requested to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Dispute Settlement Body to authorise the imposition of countermeasures due to the United States (US) lack of compliance with the Panel report[2].
As provided by Article 22.6[3] of the Dispute Settlement Understanding (DSU), the US are entitled to request an arbitration on the level of the countermeasures proposed by the EU.
The EU will do its best to enable a swift conclusion of the arbitration proceeding. Once this step is finalised, the EU could proceed, in accordance with the WTO and EU framework, to adopt countermeasures .
To support the table olive sector, possibilities exist under Rural Development Programmes[4] to help operators adapt their production processes to other market opportunities.
There is also support for the sector under the promotion aid scheme. Besides, under the rules concerning de minimis aid, a Member State may grant support to a single processor within a period of three fiscal years.
In addition, companies can receive aid without prior notification to the Commission as regards research and development, training and investment aid under the conditions of the General Block Exemption Regulation[5].
The EU will continue to engage with the new US administration in order to achieve a solution to this dispute which is in the interest of EU exporters .
- [1] WT/DS577/20; https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/cases_e/ds577_e.htm
- [2] WT/DS577/RW; https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/577rw_a_e.pdf
- [3] https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/enforcement/WTO/US.Open.Stmt.Arb.Mtg.%28as%20deliv%29.fin.%28public%29.pdf
- [4] https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/common-agricultural-policy/rural-development/country_en
- [5] Commission Regulation (EU) No 651/2014 of 17 June 2014 declaring certain categories of aid compatible with the internal market in application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty, OJ L 187, 26.6.2014, p. 1-78; https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2014/651/oj