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Trade

WT/DS146 - India - Measures affecting the automotive sector

WTO dispute settlement case - Launched by the EU

Country or region
India
Trade topics
Dispute settlement
Dispute settlement
WTO - Case launched by the EU

Summary of the case

  • Complaint by: EU
  • Complaint against: India
  • Third parties: Japan, Korea, Republic Of

Imports of complete automobiles and of certain parts are subject to a system of non-automatic import licenses. Import licenses may be granted only to local joint venture manufacturers that have signed an MoU with the Indian Government, whereby they undertake, inter alia, to comply with certain local content and export balancing requirements.

Relevant WTO provision: GATT (III and XI); TRIMs (2)

Status

Similar complaint by US (DS175). Single panel established to examine both complaints. Panel report circulated. India appealed. On 14 March 2002 India withdrew its appeal. The report of the Appellate Body was circulated on 19 March. The panel and AB report were adopted by the DSB on 5 Apr. 2002. The mutually agreed reasonable period of time to implement the DSB's recommendations and rulings was 5 months. On 3 Sept. 2002 India notified that in implementation of the relevant DSB recommendations it is withdrawing the export obligation incurred by the MoUs signatories in respect of imports made up to 31 March 2001. India issued Public Notice no. 31 on 19 Aug. 2002 terminating the trade balancing requirements. During the 11 Nov. DSB meeting WTO members admitted that India fully implemented the relevant DSB rulings and recommendations.

  • Consultations requested: 06 October 1998
  • Panel requested: 23 October 2000
  • Panel established: 17 November 2000
  • Panel report circulated: 21 December 2001
  • Appeal requested: 31 January 2002
  • Appeal report circulated: 19 March 2002
  • Panel/Appellate Body report adopted: 05 April 2002
  • Implementation deadline: 05 September 2002

Documents

EU submissions and other related documents

Full case details and WTO documents on the WTO website

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