Pursuant to paragraph 11 of Article 4 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes, the United States Government hereby notifies the Dispute Settlement Body that, in light of the substantial trade interest of the United States, it desires to be joined in the consultations under Article XXII:1 of GATT 1994 requested by the European Communities in a communication circulated to WTO Members on 11 June 1997 (WT/DS87/1), entitled "Chile - Taxes on Alcoholic Beverages".

        The United States has a substantial trade interest in the alcoholic beverages that are the subject of the EC request.  The United States is a major producer and exporter of distilled spirits.  United States distilled spirits production in 1996 was estimated at $3.8 billion, approximately 17 per cent of world production.  Total U.S. distilled spirits exports in 1996 were $385 million.  Chile is the 19th largest market for U.S. distilled spirits exports.  U.S. exports of distilled spirits were valued at $1.1 million in 1996.