WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/DS218/2
22 January 2001
(01-0296)
Original:  English
UNITED STATES – COUNTERVAILING DUTIES ON
CERTAIN CARBON STEEL PRODUCTS FROM BRAZIL
Request to Join Consultations
Communication from the European Communities
The following communication, dated 18 January 2001, from the Permanent Delegation of the
European Commission to the Permanent Mission of the United States, the Permanent Mission of
Brazil and to the Chairman of the Dispute Settlement Body, is circulated in accordance withArticle 4.11 of the DSU.
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With reference to Brazil's request for consultations concerning "United States –
Countervailing Duties on Certain Carbon Steel Products from Brazil" (WT/DS218/1, circulated on
9 January 2001), and in light of the European Communities' substantial trade and systemic interest, I
hereby wish to convey the request of the European Communities, pursuant to Article 4.11 of the DSU,
to join in those consultations.
In particular, the European Communities have substantial trade interests in several US
countervailing orders which relate to the same US provisions addressed by the Brazilian request in
question.  These provisions relate to the application by the Department of Commerce of a
methodology which allows for the imposition of countervailing duties based on a finding that the
benefits from past subsidies provided to companies prior to their privatizations are passed through to
the companies following a change in ownership.  These provisions affect a number of European
Communities exporters, and therefore, the European Communities have also a systemic interest in the
correct application of the SCM Agreement by the US.
The European Communities look forward to bein g informed of the date and venue of the
consultations.
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