Duty Free Imports of Norwegian Water & Other Non Alcoholic Drinks
Commission Regulation 1255/2009 has withdrawn the quantitative restriction on duty-free imports of water and some non alcoholic drinks originating in Norway.
The EU-Norway bilateral free trade agreement provided that goods under CN codes 2202.10.00 (waters, including mineral waters and aerated waters, containing added sugar or other sweetening matter or flavoured) and ex 2202.90.10 (other non-alcoholic beverages containing sugar (sucrose or invert sugar)) that originated in Norway could enter the EU duty-free only within the limits of a duty-free quota. If that quota was exceeded by 31 October of the previous year then import duties would have to be paid on those products.
EU Votes to extend Anti Dumping Duties on Chinese and Vietnamese Footwear
As International Trade Solutions recently reported, a vote was due to be held on 22 December to decide whether or not to extend anti-dumping duties (ADD) on Chinese and Vietnamese footwear. Ministers from EU Member States have subsequently voted to extend ADD on Chinese and Vietnamese footwear for a further fifteen months from January 2010. This was possible due to Germany, Austria and Malta withdrawing their opposition to the plans.
The Tariffs will therefore remain at 16.5% in the case of Chinese shoes and 10% in the case of Vietnamese shoes.
The European Commission has adopted a proposal to temporarily suspend the GSP+ trade concession to Sri Lanka. EU Member States will now have two months to decide whether to remove GSP+ benefits permanently or not.
Extending Anti Dumping Duties on Shoes from China and Vietnam
A festive pantomime is being played out at the European Commission row with regard to European Commission plans to extend anti-dumping duties against Chinese and Vietnamese shoes. The EU is deeply split over the issue with the number of states opposing the measure fluctuating by the day. Worryingly, East-West tensions have been increasing on both sides of the Atlantic and there is a concern that this may undermine the Doha Round of WTO negotiations.
It is being reported from Brussels that the world's longest-running trade dispute may soon come to an end. The EU has finally agreed a deal with banana producers in Latin America to cut tariffs on banana imports allowing Latin American producers to be more competitive with African and Caribbean producers (who pay no tariff).
Duty on imported bananas will be cut from EUR 176 per tonne to an initial EUR 148 and further cuts will be made on an annual basis over the next several years to EUR 114 per tonne.
The deal is expected to be initialled shortly.
However, the move is likely to disadvantage African and Caribbean producers although there is reportedly a EUR 200 million compensation package in place for these producers.
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