EU breaks international trade laws

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has ruled that the European Union (EU) is still breaking international trade rules with its banana import regime.



Yesterday’s ruling confirmed an earlier judgment against the EU, upholding a complaint by Ecuador.



1n 2006, Ecuador challenged new rules that imposed custom duties of EU$176 or US$260 per tonne on bananas from countries outside the African Caribbean and Pacific group.



The WTO said the EU’s import tariffs unfairly discriminate against many Latin American countries.



The WTO called on Brussels to bring its duties in line with global trade agreements.