Russia ¾ TARIFF TREATMENT OF CERTAIN AGRICULTURAL
AND MANUFACTURING PRODUCTS
Request to Join Consultations
Communication
from Japan
The following communication, dated 14 November
2014, from the delegation of Japan to the delegation of the Russian Federation,
the delegation of the European Union and to the Chairperson of the Dispute
Settlement Body, is circulated in accordance with Article 4.11 of the DSU.
_______________
I wish to refer to the consultations
requested by the European Union pursuant to Articles 1 and 4 of the Understanding on Rules
and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes ("DSU"), Article
XXII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 ("GATT
1994"), and Article 19 of the Agreement on Implementation of Article VII
of the GATT 1994 in
the communication circulated to WTO Members on 4 November (WT/DS485/1, G/L/1080, G/VAL/D/13) titled "Russia - Tariff Treatment of Certain Agricultural and Manufacturing Products".
My authorities have instructed me to notify the consulting Members and the
Dispute Settlement Body of the desire of Japan to be joined in these
consultations, pursuant to paragraph 11 of Article 4 of the DSU.
As these consultations concern the certain
measures regarding import duties on several goods, including refrigerators and
combined refrigerator – freezers, Japan has a substantial trade interest in these
consultations as a
major supplier of those goods to the Russian Federation ("Russia")[1].
__________
[1] In 2013,
the total value of exports from Japan to Russia was approximately 11 billion US
dollars. For example, the total value of import of combined
refrigerator-freezers fitted with separate external doors (e.g. HS 8418102001)
from Japan to Russia was 4,070,000 US dollars (2012) and 5,399,000 US dollars
(2013). (Source: Global Trade Atlas).