BRAZIL - MEASURES AFFECTING PAYMENT TERMS FOR IMPORTS

                                                     Request to Join Consultations

                                              Communication from the United States

        The following communication, dated 30 January 1998, from the Permanent Mission of the United States to the Permanent Mission of Brazil, to the Permanent Delegation of the European Commission and to the Dispute Settlement Body, is circulated in accordance with Article 4.11 of the DSU.

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        Pursuant to DSU Article 4.11, the United States hereby notifies the consulting Members and the DSB 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 in WT/DS116/1, entitled “Brazil - Measures Affecting Payment Terms for Imports”.

        The United States exported nearly $US13 billion to Brazil between January and October 1997.  Any of these exports utilizing short-term financing are affected by these measures.