WORLD TRADE WT/DS101/1
G/ADP/D7/1
ORGANIZATION 15September 1997
(97-3626)
Original: English
MEXICO -ANTI-DUMPING INVESTIGATION OFHIGH-FRUCTOSE
CORN SYRUP (HFCS) FROM THE UNITED STATES
Request forConsultations bytheUnited States
Thefollowing communication, dated 4September 1997, fromthePermanent Mission ofthe
United States tothePermanent Mission ofMexico andtotheDispute Settlement Body, iscirculated
inaccordance withArticle 4.4oftheDSU.
_______________
Myauthorities haveinstructed metorequest consultations withtheGovernment ofMexico
pursuanttoArticle4oftheUnderstandingonRulesandProceduresGoverningtheSettlementofDisputes
andArticle17.3oftheAgreementonImplementationofArticleVIoftheGATT1994(theAnti-Dumping
Agreement) regarding theanti-dumping investigation ofhigh-fructose cornsyrup (HFCS) from the
United States conducted bytheSecretariat ofCommerce andIndustrial Development (SECOFI) of
theGovernment ofMexico, the25June1997preliminary determination ofdumping andinjury inthat
investigation andtheconsequent imposition ofprovisional measures onimports ofHFCS from the
United States.
On17February 1997, theSecretary ofCommerce signed anotice initiating thisanti-dumping
investigation onthebasisofanapplication dated 14January 1997fromtheMexican National Chamber
ofSugar andAlcohol Producers, anassociation ofproducers ofsugar. TheUnited States considers
thatthisapplication didnotcontain theinformation required under Article 5oftheAnti-Dumping
Agreement, andthatthedetermination bySECOFI toinitiate aninvestigation wasinconsistent with
theobligations ofMexico under Articles 2,4and5oftheAnti-Dumping Agreement.
TheUnited States Government wasnotified ofthedecision toinitiate thisinvestigation bytelefax
on27February, andwasnotprovided withacopyoftheapplication until10March. TheUnited States
considers thattheactions ofMexico inthisrespect areinconsistent withtheobligation under Article 5.5
oftheAnti-Dumping Agreement tonotify thegovernment oftheexporting Member concerned "before
proceeding toinitiate aninvestigation" andtheobligation under Article 6.1.3 ofthatAgreement to
provide thefulltextoftheapplication "assoonasaninvestigation hasbeeninitiated".
Duringthisinvestigation,SECOFIauthorizedarepresentativeofthepetitionerdomesticindustry
toinspect theconfidential information provided byrespondent USexporters. Therespondent US
exporters were notinformed inadvance ofthisdisclosure oftheirconfidential information anddid
notapprove ofit.TheUnited States considers thattheactions ofMexico inthisrespect areinconsistent
withtheobligations under Article 6.5oftheAnti-Dumping Agreement that"confidential information
shallnotbedisclosed without specific permission oftheparty submitting it".
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During thisanti-dumping investigation, theMexican authorities havebeenextremely slowin
placing relevant information, including thefilings ofthepetitioner, initspublic file.TheUnited States
considersthattheactionsofMexicointhisrespectareinconsistentwiththerequirementunderArticle6.2
oftheAnti-Dumping Agreement that"[t]hroughout theanti-dumping investigation allinterested parties
shallhaveafullopportunity forthedefence oftheirinterests" andtheprovisions ofArticle 6.4of
thatAgreement which require that"[t]he authorities shall whenever practicable provide timely
opportunities forallinterested parties toseeallinformation thatisrelevant tothepresentation oftheir
cases, thatisnotconfidential ...,andthatisusedbytheauthorities inananti-dumping investigation,
andtoprepare presentations onthebasis ofthisinformation".
TheUnited States reserves itsrighttoraisefurther factual claims andlegalmatters during the
course ofconsultations.
Welookforward toreceiving your reply tothepresent request andtofixing amutually
convenient dateforconsultations.