WTO Win for U.S. and Beef Trade to China
The U.S. scores a big win at the World Trade Organization in a dispute with Indonesia.
A WTO trade enforcement panel ruled in favor of a challenge to wide-ranging restrictions on agricultural products. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative says the barriers are restricting the import of millions of dollars' worth of American fruits and vegetables, beef and poultry and other ag and hort products.
The USTR panel agreed on 18 of 18 U.S. claims Indonesia is applying restrictions and prohibitions inconsistent with WTO rules.
It's been three months since China announced it would lift its 13-year ban on U.S. beef, but trade still hasn't resumed and the delay is testing the patience of U.S. ranchers.
The U.S. Cattlemen's Association sent a letter to Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman, asking for an update on negotiations, but officials say it will probably be up to the Trump administration to finalize.
