WTO agrees to Indonesia’s request to establish dispute panel to review EU’s duties on biodiesel imports

In Switzerland, the World Trade Organization’s Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) agreed at its meeting on Monday to a request from Indonesia for the establishment of a dispute panel to review countervailing duties imposed by the European Union on imports of biodiesel from Indonesia.

Indonesia submitted its second request for the establishment of a panel to determine whether countervailing duties imposed by the European Union on imports of biodiesel from Indonesia are in line with WTO rules. The EU said it was not in a position to agree to Indonesia’s first request at a DSB meeting on 26 October.  Indonesia reiterated its right to protect its national interests and urged the European Union to bring its measures into conformity with WTO provisions.

The European Union said it believes the measures at stake are fully justified, adding that it is confident its measures will be declared in line with WTO law.

The DSB agreed to the establishment of the panel. The United States, the United Kingdom, Norway, the Russian Federation, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, Canada, China, Argentina and Türkiye reserved their third party rights to participate in the panel proceedings.