The World Trade Organisation’s Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) has agreed to establish a panel to rule on a US complaint on certain programmes in India which Washington claims are prohibited export subsidies.

India was not given an opportunity to object to the first request for a dispute panel by the US, as is the usual practice, because the dispute involves prohibited subsidies.

“The panel was established under special provisions of the WTO’s Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures allowing panels to be established on first request for disputes involving alleged prohibited export subsidies,” according to a note from the WTO.

Popular schemes

The programmes targeted by the US include most popular incentive schemes such as the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme, Export-Oriented Units Scheme and sector-specific schemes, including Electronics Hardware Technology Parks Scheme, Special Economic Zones, Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme and Duty-Free Imports for Exporters Programme.

The US, in its representation, argued that the programmes provided financial benefits to Indian exporters, which allowed them to sell their goods more cheaply to the detriment of American workers and manufacturers.

It alleged that while the exemption given to India from the ban on export subsidies had expired (as the country had surpassed the $1000 threshold for per capital gross national product), it was yet to withdraw its schemes.

New Delhi, however, is not convinced that the time it is entitled to for a phase-out of the schemes has lapsed and wants more discussion on the issue.

Related Topics