CHINA – MEASURES CONCERNING TRADE IN GOODS

SUSPENSION OF PANEL WORK

Communication from the Panel

The following communication, dated 25 January 2024, was received from the Chairperson of the Panel with the request that it be circulated to the Dispute Settlement Body.

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On 25 January 2024, the Panel received a communication from the European Union requesting the Panel to immediately suspend its proceedings, in accordance with Article 12.12 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes (DSU).

Article 12.12 of the DSU provides that the Panel may suspend its work at any time at the request of the complaining party for a period not exceeding 12 months. This provision also indicates that if the work of the Panel has been suspended for more than 12 months, the authority for establishment of the Panel shall lapse.

Pursuant to the European Union's request, as the complainant in the current proceedings, the Panel has decided to suspend its work for an indeterminate period of time, effective from 25 January 2024.

I would be grateful if you would circulate this communication to the DSB.