United States - Origin Marking Requirement

Request to Join Consultations

Communication from Russia

The following communication, dated 13 November 2020, from the delegation of the Russian Federation to the delegation of the United States, and the delegation of Hong Kong, China, is circulated to the Dispute Settlement Body in accordance with Article 4.11 of the DSU.

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I wish to refer to the consultations requested by Hong Kong, China 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), Article 7 of the Agreement on Rules of Origin and Article 14.1 of the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement) in the communication circulated to WTO Members on 3 November 2020 (WT/DS579/1, G/L/1365, G/RO/D/8, G/TBT/D/53). My authorities have instructed me to notify the consulting Members and the Dispute Settlement Body of the desire of the Russian Federation to join in these consultations, pursuant to Article 4.11 of the DSU.

In the light of various arguments submitted by Hong Kong, China the Russian Federation considers that it has a substantial trade and systemic legal interest in these consultations. The subject matter relates to marking requirement for the goods originating in Hong Kong, China and application of respective United States’ legislation, including Section 304 of the Tariff Act of 1930, alleged to be inconsistent with United States’ obligations under the covered agreements.