Argentina under fire at WTO over trade measures

(GENEVA) - Argentina came under fire at the World Trade Organization Friday over its move to require import licences for an increasing number of products.

A joint statement signed by the United States, the European Union, Australia, Israel, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand and Turkey, expressed "continuing and deepening concerns regarding the nature and application of trade-restrictive measures taken by Argentina."

The measures "are adversely affecting imports into Argentina from a growing number of WTO members," it added.

Since 2008, the Latin American state has "greatly expanded the list of products" with licencing requirements, including laptops, machinery, toys, footwear and textiles.

"We members who support this joint statement request that Argentina take immediate steps to address the concerns we have raised today," the statement said.

"If, despite the concerns described above, Argentina continues to maintain these import-restrictive measures and practices, Argentina should provide a detailed written explanation of why in its view these measures and practices are consistent with WTO rules.

"Members reserve their rights to pursue this matter further," it added.