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Economic conditions

U.S. Companies File Complaints Against South Korea's Agricultural Import Rules

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

U.S. companies have submitted five complaints to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) regarding South Korea's agricultural import rules, citing high tariffs and tariff quotas on various products such as fresh and dried potatoes, grape jam and juice, cherries, office stationery, greeting cards, and certain chemical materials. The complaints are likely to be brought up at the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Doha Development Agenda (DDA) talks later in the year. South Korea and several other countries have been pushing for an anti-dumping pact to prevent the "indiscriminate" use of this policy tool to disrupt trade.

Key Takeaways:

  • Five separate complaints have been filed by U.S. companies against South Korea's agricultural import rules, citing high tariffs and tariff quotas.
  • The complaints cover a range of products, including fresh and dried potatoes, grape jam and juice, cherries, office stationery, greeting cards, and certain chemical materials.
  • U.S. companies have claimed that South Korea is using these tariffs to keep out these products.
  • The WTO is pushing for a timely conclusion to talks on setting up a modality for liberal trade in agriculture, services, and five other areas by the end of the year.
  • The Doha Agenda is expected to go into effect in early 2007.
  • South Korea and several other countries are pushing for an anti-dumping pact to prevent "indiscriminate" use of this policy tool to disrupt trade.
  • The United States Trade Representative (USTR) is expected to accept the complaints raised by the companies.
  • Washington is showing limited interest in establishing an anti-dumping pact and incorporating it within the DDA talks.

Statistics:

  • 5 complaints filed by U.S. companies against South Korea's agricultural import rules.
  • 48 cases forwarded by U.S. companies to the USTR.
  • The WTO talks on setting up a modality for liberal trade in agriculture, services, and five other areas are set to conclude by the end of the year.
  • The Doha Agenda is expected to go into effect in early 2007.
  • South Korea is one of several countries pushing for an anti-dumping pact.

Sources:

  • Korea International Trade Association (KITA) - no date
  • Yonhap - no date (mentioned as a reference in the original text)
  • World Trade Organization (WTO)
  • United States Trade Representative (USTR)
  • Asia Pulse - April 25, 2006

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