Cambodia asks for Asean help in EU tariff dispute

24 Apr 2019  2053 | Business & Trade Fairs

Cambodia has asked fellow Asean member states to issue a joint declaration to the European Union decrying the EU’s decision earlier this year to impose import duties on Cambodian rice.

The request was made by Cambodian Commerce Minister Pan Sorasak during the Asean Business Advisory Council Consultation meeting, held in Thailand on Monday.

Last week the Ministry of Commerce announced that it is considering issuing a complaint on the issue to the European Court of Justice.

Minister Sorasak also asked that permanent missions to the World Trade Organization of each Asean country issue statements to support Cambodia’s declaration.

According to the Cambodian Ministry of Commerce, the Asean economic ministers agreed to the Kingdom’s requests.

The European Union imposed tariffs in January on Cambodian and Burmese rice to curb what it said was a surge in imports from these countries that was detrimental to EU producers, particularly those in Italy and Spain.

During the first year, 175 euros ($199.5) per tonne will be levied, 150 euros ($171) in the second year, and 125 euros ($142.5) in the last.

Hun Lak, vice president of the Cambodia Rice Federation, applauded the move by the Ministry of Commerce, saying that EU’s actions against Cambodia were unfair.

“I cannot tell you if the joint statement with Asean will be successful. I cannot say if the tariffs will be revoked. It will depend on how the negotiations go,” he said.

Chan Sophal, director of the Center for Policy Studies, also supported the move.

“It is a good idea that we unite to issue a statement as a single voice – as a bloc. This is a very positive step for us,” he said.

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