EU wins case against Colombia regarding fries duties

The European Union has achieved an important victory in a trade dispute with Colombia over frozen fries from Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. According to a report from the World Trade Organization (WTO), Colombia has improperly implemented the recommendations of a previous WTO panel. The WTO panel members conclude that Colombia acted in violation of its international obligations by using incorrect calculations when imposing anti-dumping duties on frozen fries from various EU member states. According to the EU, Colombia artificially inflated the dumping margins by applying methods that are not consistent with WTO rules. The ruling means that Colombia must quickly adjust its measures and withdraw the unlawful duties. If the country fails to do so, the EU may take steps to suspend trade concessions. For example, by imposing import duties on Colombian products. Blockade of appellate body It is noteworthy that this dispute could still be fully resolved within the WTO system, despite the years-long blockade of the appellate body. This is because both the EU and Colombia participate in the so-called Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA). This is a temporary alternative that maintains the functioning of the dispute resolution mechanism. The deadline for appealing the report has now passed, with neither party having done so. This clears the way for the formal acceptance of the report during the WTO meeting on November 24, 2025. Anti-dumping duties Colombia first imposed anti-dumping duties on European exporters of frozen fries, including Dutch companies, in November 2018. The measures affected about 85% of European exports, valued at over €19.3 million per year. Despite earlier WTO rulings in favor of the EU, Colombia extended the duties in 2023 until at least September 30, 2027. The country claimed it had adjusted its methodology, but according to Brussels, Colombia continued to artificially increase the dumping margins. Therefore, the European Commission went back to the WTO and requested compliance consultations in May 2024. With the new ruling from the WTO, the EU is now right again. What does this mean for the sector? For the European potato processing industry in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, the ruling is an important step towards fair market access. Colombia is a growing market for frozen fries, and the unlawful duties have significantly complicated exports in recent years. If Colombia complies with WTO rules, this could restore trade relations and provide new export opportunities for European producers. Sometimes a person must have (a lot of) patience, but in the end, the reward follows, replied the now-retired general secretary of Belgapom, Romain Cools, on LinkedIn.