World Trade Organization leans toward Central America in Dominican Republic in dispute on import tariffs

Dominican Republic proceeded contrary to its trade obligations when it levied a tariff as high as 38 percent on Central American imports of tubular weave and polypropylene sacks, used to pack foods and agro-industrial and industrial products.

The affirmations comes in the provisional report by the Special Group designated by the World Trade Organization, sent to the parts in litigation.

The report stems from a complaint by Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador against Dominican Republic’s decision to apply that tariff based on the organization’s “safeguard” agreement, which allows a temporary halt on the import of a product to protect national production.

Original source: Dominican Today