Poland May Stop Supporting Ukraine in Light of Kiev's Lawsuit With WTO

Poland may stop supporting Ukraine if public opinion goes against backing the Kiev regime over Ukraine's claims lodged with the World Trade Organization (WTO) against some of the EU's Visegrad group, Polish Minister for the European Union Szymon Szynkowski vel Sek said on Wednesday.

Ukraine may take legal action over Poland's refusal to unblock grain imports, says PM

Ukraine may take legal action after Poland unilaterally moved to extend a ban on importing its grain, Prime Minister Denys Shmygal said Tuesday.

US House of Representatives passes bill banning Russian oil, other energy imports

The US House of Representatives passed legislation late Wednesday banning imports of Russian oil, gas and other energy products in the latest move against Russia’s war on Ukraine.

China says will hit back after US proposes fresh tariffs on $200 billion on goods

China has accused the US of bullying and warned it would hit back after the Trump administration raised the stakes in their trade dispute, threatening 10% tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods.

Russia introduces additional taxes on US goods: ministry

Russia has introduced additional import tariffs of 25-40 percent for a range of US goods, including construction and road machinery, oil, gas and metals industry equipment and optic fiber, the Russian Economic Development Ministry said Friday.

EU will react "firmly and commensurately" to US trade restrictions: Juncker

The European Union will react firmly and commensurately to defend its interests with regard to imposition of additional import duties on EU exports of steel and aluminum to the United States, President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker said Thursday in a statement.

Pressure on UK to Find Interim EU Deal Amid Brexit Complexities

There is growing pressure on the UK government to push for an interim deal with the EU, amid fears the British economy may fall off a "cliff edge" if London fails to conclude a trade deal with Brussels within two years of Article 50 being triggered.

U.S. files World Trade Organization complaint against China

The Obama administration on Tuesday accused China of having "excessive" agricultural subsidies that hurt farmers in the United States.

Moscow not considering lifting food embargo for some EU countries

Russia is not considering plans to ease the food embargo for some EU countries, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexey Meshkov said on Thursday.

EU requests WTO consultations with Russia over excessive import duties (EC - 31.10.14)

From the Official Website of the European Commission, Press release, Brussels, 31 October 2014:

The EU requested today consultations with Russia in respect of import duties for paper products, refrigerators and palm oil. The EU takes this first step in the dispute settlement procedure in response to the violation by Russia of its obligations under the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Upon joining the WTO, Russia committed to keep its import duties below the limits expressed in the accession documents.

West breaches WTO rules in relation to Russia (Putin)

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday the sanctions imposed on Moscow by the West violated the World Trade Organization's (WTO) basic principles.

"The sanctions violated the principles of fair and free competition ... ignore the most-favored-nation treatment," he told a state council meeting.

Noting that a group of countries "unilaterally" attempted to contain Russia, Putin said the country's retaliatory measures will aim at protecting national interests "rather than punishing or putting pressure on someone."

Russian import ban: how should the EU support the affected companies? (EP)

European companies have started to feel the impact of the Russian import ban introduced on 7 August. The measure, which includes anything from Polish apples to Belgian pork, is Russia’s response to EU sanctions over the country’s involvement in the crisis in the Ukraine. We talked to Bernd Lange (Germany, S&D), chair of the international trade committee, and Czesław Siekierski (Poland, EPP), chair of the agriculture committee, about how the EU can make a difference in this trade conflict.

Russia Develops New Retaliatory Measures to Protect Against Possible New Western Sanctions

NAYPYIDAW, August 28 (RIA Novosti) – Russia has developed new retaliatory measures in the aircraft and engineering industries, but will only implement them if the West imposes new sanctions against Moscow, Russian Economic Development Minister Alexey Ulyukaev told journalists.

“A lot will depend on the future actions of our partners. If everything stays the way it is, we will not impose new restrictions. However, if they decide to choose a different path and escalate the sanctions, we will have to respond with new measures, for example in the aircraft and engineering industries. We have already made the proposals,” Ulyukaev said.

Argentina to ‘immediately appeal’ WTO ruling. (The EU, Japan and the US launched a WTO dispute settlement case in May 2012)

Argentina will appeal the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling that urged the country to “respect international trade laws” following the complaint issued by the US, the European Union and Japan questioning its “protectionist measures."
Economy vice-minister Emanuel Alvarez said today the South American country will “immediately appeal” the ruling as Argentina’s borders are “not closed to commerce but carefully cared to protect businesses.”

“Every measure we take is to protect importers and benefit the country,” Alvarez told reporters during a radio interview.
“The WTO usually just asks for some adjustments,” he clarified and insisted Argentina will appeal the ruling.

EU to examine Poland’s complaint over Russian embargo

The European Commission accepted Poland's motion to file a complaint with the World Trade Organization against Russia's trade embargo for EU food exports, Agriculture Minister Marek Sawicki said on Tuesday.
Poland has asked the European Commission to lodge a formal complaint  over Russia's refusal to buy Polish produce including fruit and vegetables to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The agricultural embargo has hit Poland particularly hard. According to the agriculture ministry, Poland exported over 804,000 tons of fruit and vegetables worth almost EUR 336 million to Russia last year.

EU has right to file lawsuit at WTO over Russian sanctions (Dmitry Peskov)

The Kremlin recognizes the European Union’s right to sue Russia at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over sanctions. However, Russia can present its counter arguments, Russian president’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.

“The WTO has a set of measures and instruments which every member state can certainly use. But other countries have the right to present arguments,” Peskov told journalists, adding the practice was in full compliance with international law.

EU Sanctions Reveal Lack of Political Will to Solve Ukraine Crisis (Moscow)

New European Union sanctions against Moscow show that Brussels lacks political will and desire to find a solution to the crisis in Ukraine, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.
"With regard to anti-Russian sanctions agreed by the European Union on July 29, we have to state the evident lack of political will and desire of this union to find a solution to the Ukrainian crisis," the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry reiterated that "sectorial sanctions contradict WTO rules."
"Restrictive measures in the financial sphere will have negative consequences for banks of European Union states, who are working in Russia," the ministry said.
The ministry said the EU continues turning a blind eye on the causes of the tragic development of events in southeastern Ukraine where Kiev’s punitive operation kills dozens of civilians every day and displaces thousands of others.