WTO banana dispute
This article was originally published in The Rose Sheet
Executive Summary
Tariffs on bath products imposed by U.S. on EU in retaliation for long-standing trade dispute over bananas will be lifted July 1 following banana regime resolution April 11. Tariff imposed in 1999 affects approximately $14 mil. in bath preparations annually, including bubble bath, bath oil and pearls, foaming bath, powder and bath and shower gels (1"The Rose Sheet" April 12, 1999, p. 6). Resolution over banana dispute will lead to tariff-only system by 2006, USTR says. U.S. banana manufacturers said previous EU trade system favored former European colonies. Resolution marks decision by Bush Administration, EU to work together on trade issues, USTR says, which could impact disputes in other areas such as proposed EU marketing ban on cosmetics