USA starts banana-war sanctions

04 March 1999

USA starts banana-war sanctions

THE USA has partially implemented its threat to impose punitive sanctions over bananas on more than $500 million-worth (£313m) of European Union (EU) exports.

But Washington said would not collect the higher duties from a list of EU products liable to 100% tariffs until World Trade Organisation arbitrators gave the go-ahead.

The US move, which was condemned by the EU, was prompted by a last-minute delay in the arbitrators report, which had been expected yesterday.

Among the exports which could be affected by the US sanctions is pork.

• Bananas – WTO steps in, FWi, yesterday (03 March, 1999)
• WTO to examine banana battle, FWi, 01 March, 1999
• USA and EU go bananas again, FWi, 22 February, 1999
• EU seeks ruling on US sanctions law, FWi, 08 February, 1999
  

• The Times 04/03/02/99 page 23 (Editorial)
  
• Financial Times 04/03/99 page 4
  
• The Guardian 04/03/99 page 21 (News in Brief)
  
• The Herald 04/03/99 page 2