Russia’s delay in submitting tariff schedules for accession to the...

Russia’s delay in submitting tariff schedules for accession to the World Trade Organization Information Technology Agreement were a “concern” for the U.S., EU and several other countries during an informal meeting of parties to the agreement, a trade official said. The schedules should have been completed by the time of Russia’s formal accession to the WTO, he said. Russia’s terms for joining the trade organization are expected to clear both houses of the Russian Parliament before a July 23 deadline, a WTO official said earlier this month. The EU said the process is running “rather late,” the first trade official said. The U.S. showed “strong concern,” he said. The U.S. said it’s urgent that Russia submit its list of schedules for verification and approval by members, he said. Japan, Australia, Taiwan, South Korea and Malaysia echoed the views expressed by the EU and the U.S., he said. The meeting’s chairman will convey the views to the Russian delegation, which did not attend the meeting, he said.