Brazil to challenge Thailand sugar subsidies at WTO

The Foreign Trade Chamber (CAMEX) of the Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade (MDIC) has decided to challenge Thailand at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over subsidies to sugar producers. The decision was announced by the Brazilian government Tuesday (March 1st).

According to the ministry, the WTO has received other complaints regarding Thailand's subsidies before, but Thailand has not changed its practices. This has prompted CAMEX to back a claim from Brazil's Sugar Cane Industry Union (UNICA) and file a dispute with the WTO.

Representatives from the seven Brazilian ministries that make up CAMEX board have also approved the extension of anti-dumping measures to cover footwear and ferrite magnet imports from China. Anti-dumping measures can be enforced by a country that proves that an exporter has set prices well below market value in an importing country as an attempt to restrict competition.

Translated by Mayra Borges