Latest News:  

English>>Business

EU files first WTO case against Russia over car levy

(Xinhua)

09:28, July 10, 2013

BRUSSELS, July 9 (Xinhua) -- The European Union Tuesday launched its first trade dispute with Russia to the World Trade Organization (WTO),challenging Russia's so-called "recycling fee" on imported vehicles.

According to a statement released by the EU, the fee has to be paid for all vehicles imported from the EU. As an example, for cars, the fee ranges from approximately 420 euros (540 U.S. dollars) to 2700 euros per "new" vehicle and from about 2600 euros to 17200 euros for a vehicle older than three years. For some vehicles, such as certain mining trucks, it can go as high as 147700 euros.

The EU believes that the aim of Russia's "recycling fee" is not to help the environment but discriminate arbitrarily and unjustifiably against imported vehicles.

The EU's own measures to deal with end-of life vehicles show that environmental objectives can be achieved very effectively without applying the sort of high and discriminatory fees imposed by Russia.

The EU has repeatedly voiced its concerns regarding the "recycling fee" in bilateral discussions with Russia, both before and after its introduction on 1 September 2012.

In 2012, the value of EU vehicle exports to Russia topped 10 billion euros. The fee estimates represents 1.3 billion euros annually in extra Russian government revenues.

The EU complained that the fee imposes an additional burden on imported vehicles and nullifies the reductions in import tariff Russia agreed to in the WTO.

The EU's request for WTO consultations formally initiates a dispute under the WTO dispute settlement understanding. Consultations give the EU and Russia the opportunity to discuss the matter and to find a satisfactory solution without resorting to litigation.

If these consultations do not reach a satisfactory solution within 60 days, the EU may ask the WTO to set up Panel to rule on the legality of Russia's measures. (1 euro=1.286 U.S. dollars)

We Recommend:

How did Chinese solar industry go bankrupt?

Born to lead: 2nd gen of Chinese tycoons

Chinese graduates’ unconventional jobs

China's largest railway terminal officially opens

Dazzling gems shine at Beijing jewelry show

Boeing 787 Dreamliner to serve Beijing-Haikou route

New high-speed rail linking Nanjing, Ningbo opens

Jiaxing-Shaoxing Sea Bridge in E China

Chinese investors' happiness and sadness
&

Email|Print|Comments(Editor:ChenLidan、Ye Xin)

Leave your comment0 comments

  1. Name

  

Selections for you


  1. China, Russia start naval drills

  2. Stage of actual-troop exercise

  3. Most tragic pics around world

  4. People mourn students in SF air crash

  5. Tour bus catches fire in Shanghai

  6. Keep the childlike innocence

  7. Top 20 most popular supermodels

  8. Rolex Ilhabela Sailing Week kicks off in Brazil

  9. Born to lead: 2nd gen of Chinese tycoons

  10. China's inflation grows 2.7% in June

Most Popular

Opinions

  1. Defense paper shows Tokyo's hysteria
  2. Shanghai investor sentiment drops
  3. Graduates need more help to start business
  4. CPC is thriving
  5. S&ED serves as 1st major step to build Sino-US ties
  6. Law for elderly creates a legal conundrum
  7. Hospitals should be city's priority
  8. Job seekers should be cautious abroad
  9. Comment: Lessons from Egyptian irony
  10. Thinking small begins to yield results

What’s happening in China

Severe rainstorms batter SW China quake-hit regions | Pedestrians fall into river after bridge collapses

  1. Severe floods affect 16,900 in SW China
  2. Infrastructure construction goes well in Sansha
  3. Paperback microblogger
  4. 1 held for polluting river with chemical wastes
  5. Women spot the mischief behind glass skywalk