The recent (2003-2013) reforms of the CAP – while bringing it more in line with the applicable WTO legislation – have proved to be insufficient to shield the EU food industry from third countries’ trade defence actions. In particular, two recent investigations carried out by Australia and the United States represent dangerous precedents in the European perspective, since they have targeted for the first time domestic support programs that the European Commission considers to be fully WTO compatible, and that are widely used throughout the Union. The article analyses some of the key features of these investigations and takes note of the elements which are likely to play an important role in future possible actions targeting EU food products.
Global Trade and Customs Journal