The United Kingdom will continue to apply a European Union antidumping duty order against imports of certain types of Chinese wire rods after the U.K. leaves the EU Jan. 1, 2021, the U.K.’s Department for International Trade said Nov. 4. Then, a “transition review will be conducted to assess whether the trade remedies measure is appropriate” to the U.K.
The European Union will begin tracking bioethanol imports to allow the industry to better assess the economic impacts caused by a recent spike in imports, the European Commission said Nov. 4. The commission said bioethanol imports “significantly increased in the last months, at low prices,” and that the industry is concerned that evidence suggests that more imports would “cause economic damage” to the sector. The tracking system will provide “quick monitoring” to give the bioethanol industry “fact-based information to help them explore the need for further actions,” the EU said, but stressed the move does not impose import restrictions.
The European Commission referred Poland to the European Union's Court of Justice due to its failure to comply with EU duty exemptions for alcohol imports used in the production of medicine, the EC said in an Oct. 30 news release. Poland’s national practices stipulate that it will not apply the exemption “when the alcohol importers do not choose to use a duty suspension arrangement,” the EC said. The Polish practice “runs against provisions of EU law on the harmonisation of the structures of excise duties on alcohol and alcoholic beverages and the principle of proportionality,” the EC said.
Germany revised and added to its list of items subject to dual-use and military-related export controls, the EU Sanctions blog said Nov. 2. The additions, which took effect Oct. 29, include small firearms and components related to hunting and sports, software specially designed for “military offensive cyber operations,” certain land vehicles with military equipment, equipment relating to radiation weapons systems, and items used at “environmental testing facilities” to evaluate weapons and ammunition.
The European Council and the European Parliament agreed to a regulation amendment that would allow the European Union to “enforce its trade rights” if a trading partner blocks the World Trade Organization’s dispute settlement system. The revision, which must be approved by a “qualified majority” of member states, would allow the EU to impose “countermeasures” if a trade partner “imposes illegal trade measures and subsequently blocks the dispute settlement process,” the EU said Oct. 28.
The European Union issued a proposal for its new EU-wide single customs portal, which it said will make it easier for member states to exchange customs information and speed up clearance times. Under the proposal, traders would be required to submit some customs documents in only one location as opposed to submitting “documents to several authorities through different portals,” the EU said Oct. 28.
The United Kingdom on Oct. 27 updated its guidance on the transition of its trade remedies policy after the U.K. leaves the European Union Jan. 1, 2021. The U.K. said it will not maintain EU antidumping measures on imports of certain “steel road wheels” from China because the measure “no longer meets the criteria of the Call for Evidence.”
Turkey recently amended its customs regulations to address situations wherein certificates of origins are not attached to a declaration, KPMG said in an Oct. 20 post. In those situations, the country’s government will allow traders to submit the certificate to the customs authority within six months, KPMG said. The change took effect Oct. 20.
The European Union applauded the ceasefire agreement in Libya but threatened sanctions if the fighting continues or if the United Nations arms embargo against Libya is violated, the EU said Oct. 25. “The European Union and its Member States call on all international and regional actors to support the Libyan efforts unequivocally, refrain from foreign interference in the Libyan conflict and stop the violations of the UN arms embargo,” the EU said. “In this regard, the EU recalls its instrument of sanctions against possible spoilers.” The EU recently designated a Russian businessman for violating the embargo (see 2010150010).
The European Council called on the European Commission to “swiftly” draft a “major crisis contingency plan” for Europe’s freight transportation sector to better respond to crises. The plan should ensure the European Union can maintain cross-border freight transport operations and ensure the free movement as well as the health and safety of transport workers, the council said Oct. 23. It should also include a set of “best-practice” guidelines and a “coherent regulatory framework” to create exemptions for freight transporters when “other major crisis situations arise.”