WTO Establishes Dispute Panels on EU Restrictions on South African Citrus

The World Trade Organization's Dispute Settlement Body agreed on July 26 to establish two dispute panels, at the request of South Africa, to review EU restrictions on South African citrus fruit. South Africa submitted its second request for two panels in spats on the EU restrictions, which were imposed to control the spread of the insect known as the "False Codling Moth" and fungus known as "citrus black spot."

South Africa said it held "many serious concerns" on the WTO consistency of the restrictions. The EU said it "regretted South Africa's decision to pursue panel proceedings in the two cases," but that it believes its pest control measures are justified.

Also during the DSB meeting, China requested a dispute settlement panel on the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act after consultations failed to settle the dispute. China bemoaned many of the subsidy provisions of the IRA, including the domestic content requirements for electric vehicles. The U.S. objected to the panel request, arguing that it's a "regrettable attempt to prevent progress" on climate change and building clean energy supply chains.