November 20, 2006

US call to drop shrimp case rejected

Thailand said it is pressing ahead with its complaint to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) against the US for employing unfair trade practices, despite a US request to cancel the petition.

Thailand is complaining against the US practice of zeroing, under which sales that could reduce or remove margins are not counted. Duties on Thai shrimp entering the US would probably be heavily reduced or removed if the zeroing practice is stopped.

Chutima Bunyapraphasara, director-general of the Trade Negotiations Department, said Friday that Thailand is confident of winning and is thus pressing ahead despite US offers to review its zeroing calculation methods.

Thailand is also launching complaints against the US's continuous bond and anti-dumping duty.

A panel from different countries would be formed to review the case in January next year.