G/SG/186  
 
22 June 2018 
(18-3934) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Safeguards  Original: English  
 
IMPOSITION  OF A SAFEGUARD MEASURE BY THE UNITED STATES  
ON IMPORTS OF LARGE RESIDENTIAL WA SHERS  
REQUEST FOR CONSULTA TIONS UNDER ARTICLE 12.3 
OF THE AGREEMENT ON SAFEGUARDS  
THAILAND  
The following communication, dated 21 June 2018, is being circulated at the request of the 
Delegation of  Thailand . 
 
_______________  
 
 
On 26 January 2018, the Government of the United States of America ("United States") 
notified the WTO Committee on Safeguards pursuant to Article 12.1(c) of the WTO Agreement on 
Safeguards ("Safeguards Agreement") of its decision to apply a safeguard measure on imports of 
large residential washers.1 On 11 December 2017, the United States indicated that it was prepared 
to consult with those WTO Members that have a substantial interest as exporters of products 
concerned.2 
 
Having substantial interest as an exporter in this case, the Kingdom of Thailand ("Thailand") 
hereby formally requests consultations with the United St ates pursuant to Article 12.3 of the 
Safeguards Agreement and article XIX:2 of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 
(GATT 1994) with respect to the United States' safeguard measures on large residential washers.  
 
These measures include:  
(1) The affirmative injury determination issued by the U.S. International Trade 
 Commission ("USITC") on 5 October 2017,3 which was reported to U.S. President 
 Donald Trump in December 2017;  
(2) The Presidential Proclamation to Facilitate Positive Adjustment to Co mpetition from 
 Imports of Large Residential Washers, signed on 23 January 20184; and  
(3) Any amendments thereto or extension thereof, and any other related measures.  
We believe the measures taken by the United States are not consistent with its obligations 
under the relevant provisions of the GATT 1994 and Safeguards Agreement which include, but are 
not limited to: Articles I, II, X, XI, XIII, and XIX of GATT 1994 and Articles 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 12 of 
the Safeguards Agreement.  
 
                                                
1 G/SG/N/8/USA/10/Suppl.3 -G/SG/N/10/USA/8 -G/SG/N/11/USA/7 (dated 26 January 2018) . 
2 G/SG/N/8/USA/10/Suppl.2 (dated 11 December 2017) . 
3 Public Report, Large Residential Washers, Inv. No. TA -201-076, USITC Pub. 4745 (Dec. 2017) . 
4 Proclamation 9694 of 23 January 2018 – To Facilitate Positive Adjustment to Competition From 
Imports of Large Residential Washers, United States Federal Register, 25 January 2018 (Volume 83, 
Number  17). G/SG/186  
 
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  Article 12.3 of the Safeguards A greement entitles Thailand, as an exporter with a substantial 
interest in the product concerned, to have an adequate opportunity for prior consultations before 
application of a measure. This request does not prejudge Thailand’s position on whether the peri od 
between the announcement and application of the proposed measure provides sufficient amount of 
time for a meaningful exchange of views, as required under Article 12.3.  
 
In accordance with Article 8.1 of the Safeguards Agreement, Thailand also is exercis ing its 
right to trade compensation consultations. However, in the process of these consultations, 
Thailand reserves the right to raise additional issues, make further factual and legal arguments, 
and pursue any other remedies provided for under the Safegu ards Agreement and the 
Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes.  
 
Thailand looks forward to a prompt reply of the United States in order to set a mutually 
convenient date and venue for these consultations.  
 
 
__________