News & Event > WTO Disputes
Panel Report on Argentina’s Import Measure
01 September 2014
On 22 August 2014, WTO Panel issued a report that certain import licensing and restrictive trade-related requirements implemented by Argentina are inconsistent with its WTO obligations. The Panel report concerns two measures. The first measure is five informal trade-related requirements (“TRRs”) and the second is a licensing requirement, Advance Sworn Import Declaration (DJAI), implemented in 2012.
The Panel found that all five TRRs and the DJAI implemented by Argentina are inconsistent with Article XI:1 of GATT, because they had a limiting effects on import. Panel declared that TRRs were not transparent or predictable, while the DJAI creates uncertainty, and both measures constituted a restriction on the importation of goods. One of the TRRs, which is the local content requirement also to be found inconsistent with Article III:4 of GATT.
Emmanuel Alvarez, Argentina’s Deputy Economy Minister, has stated that Argentina will immediately appeal Panel’s findings.