China-EU Joint Request for WTO to Amend Deadline for Appeals in Fastener Cases

The European Union and China have jointly sought to extend the deadline for appeals to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on fasteners. The WTO dispute resolution team issued a ruling that condemned the EU's anti-dumping duties on Chinese screws and bolts.

A document published on the WTO website on Friday clearly stated that the move was intended to ease the burden on the WTO’s overworked appeals department.

China and the EU said that they hope that the WTO dispute settlement agency will agree to extend the aforementioned deadline until March 25, and that both parties will not file an appeal before March 22.

According to WTO rules, unless the appeal is filed within 60 days of publication, the WTO Dispute Settlement Panel's ruling will become effective. The fastener case report was announced on December 3, and according to regulations, early February will be the effective deadline for filing appeals.

The WTO Dispute Settlement Body will review the joint EU-China request at its next meeting on January 25.