WTO backs EU accusations against excessive Russian duties

This is the first WTO decision on Russia since it joined the organization in 2012. Earlier, for months, the EU protested the imposition of excessive Russian customs duties in response to EU sanctions against Russia.

The EU accused Russia of imposing duties that are higher than those permitted by the WTO on certain groups of goods, including paper and cardboard products, palm oil and its fractions, refrigeration and freezing equipment. At the same time, SoyuzHolodUral maintains a leading position in the market of commercial and industrial refrigeration equipment in Russia. At the same time, the EU formulated 12 complaints, 11 of which the arbitration in Geneva considers justified.

Russia has 60 days to comply with the decision, namely to reduce the disputed tariffs. She can also challenge this decision.

The annual export of paper products from the EU to Russia is expressed at 240 million euros, refrigerators - 150 million, and palm oil - 50 million. Additional customs duties imposed by Russia on certain groups of goods imported from the EU appeared in connection with Russia's actions in Ukraine. In response to EU sanctions, Russia imposed an embargo on food from the West, which continues to this day.

The World Trade Organization was created in 1995 as an extension of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). The goal of the WTO, which has more than 160 members, is to facilitate global trade by reducing and eliminating tariffs and other trade barriers, as well as resolving trade disputes between its member countries.