Argentina has filed a complaint against Peru before the World Trade Organization (WTO) over the anti-dumping and anti-subsidy tariffs imposed by the Andean country on Argentine biodiesel exports, according to a WTO document released on Wednesday (4.12.2018).
Argentina's complaint to the WTO comes at a time when the European Union (EU) could reinstate taxes on purchases of Argentine biodiesel, due to an accusation of subsidies, which, if it happens, would leave the local industry without relevant markets to export to.
Argentina is one of the world's leading exporters of biodiesel, and while Peru traditionally represents a secondary market for sales from the southern country, the sector, which includes companies such as Cargill, would benefit from trade liberalization.
Important claim
"The claim before the WTO is very important. (Peru) is a market that, although it does not have the flow that Europe or the United States may have, He was one of our traditional buyers"said Luis Zubizarreta, president of the Argentine Chamber of Biodiesel (CARBIO).
The goal is to keep all "possible" markets open, Zubizarreta added.
Argentina-Peru
In 2014, Argentina exported 248.781 tons of biodiesel to Peru, the maximum volume of biofuel shipped to the Andean nation, which represented 15% of total sales made that year, according to data from the official Argentine statistics agency.
Between January and November 2018, biodiesel exports from Argentina to Peru amounted to only 5.000 tons, out of a total of 1,1 million tons shipped.
Argentina has already gone to the WTO over the application of taxes on purchases of its biodiesel, when it complained against EU tariffs on an accusation of 'dumping' and obtained a favourable ruling in October last year.
The United States has also imposed tariffs on Argentine biodiesel purchases, accusing its industry of dumping and receiving subsidies.
Source: Reuters
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