Colombia — Safeguard Measure of Imports of Plain Polyester Filaments from Thailand

Summary up-to-date at 30 May 2008  

Complaint by Thailand.

On 28 and 29 September 1998, at the request of Colombia pursuant to Article 6.7 of the ATC, consultations took place between Thailand and Colombia regarding imports into the latter of plain polyester filaments (tariff heading 5402.43) from Thailand. Failing the consultations, Thailand requested the establishment of a panel on 7 September 1999 to settle this dispute. Colombia’s safeguard measure is alleged to be inconsistent with Article 2 of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing (ATC) regarding the application of a transitional safeguard mechanism and with Article 2 of the ATC regarding the introduction and application of restrictions by Members. The safeguard measures imposed by Colombia on 26 October 1998 have been subject to the two-stage examination and review procedures by the Textiles Monitoring Body (TMB). The TMB recommended at its fiftieth meeting held on 16-19 November 1998 that Colombia rescind the measure. On 22 December 1998, Colombia notified the TMB of its inability to conform with this TMB recommendation and provided the TMB with reasons therefor. At its fifty-second meeting on 18-20 January 1999, the TMB reviewed the matter and repeated its recommendation to Colombia to rescind the safeguard measure forthwith.

At the DSB meeting on 27 October 1999, Thailand announced that it was withdrawing its request for a panel because the Colombian safeguard measure had been terminated.