Brussels (EFE).- The European Commission decided this Friday to bring the United States back to the World Trade Organization for not having eliminated the 35% tariff on Spanish black olives against which the WTO itself ruled, reported the Executive community.
The institution led by Ursula von der Leyen said that it “remains open to a friendly solution” with the US, but threatened to carry out countermeasures if Washington fails to comply with the WTO decisions.
Brussels requested the establishment of a new arbitration panel in the WTO because it considers that the US “continues to apply illegitimate tariffs that could expel Spanish olive exporters from the US market.”
35% tariff on Spanish black olives
Since 2018, the United States has imposed a 35% tariff on Spanish black olives, a measure against which the WTO ruled in 2021.
The United States later committed to the EU to adapt its legislation before January 14, 2023.
However, last September, a new ruling in the United States in favor of imposing a tariff on Spanish black olives once again questioned the European Union’s aid to agriculture.
Once the new arbitration panel is composed, the WTO will have 90 days to make a final decision.
“If the US does not comply with this new decision or decides to appeal the panel’s report to appeal, the EU may consider retaliatory measures,” the European Commission said in a statement.