US intends to hold Russia accountable for import substitution program
Russia violates WTO rules by introducing import substitution of foreign goods, thereby putting American producers at a disadvantage. Washington will consider retaliation for Russia's actions.
Russia introduced import substitution, giving preference to goods and services of domestic production, rather than other countries, thereby violating the rules of the WTO (World Trade Organization). Moscow is accused of departing from the fundamental principles of the WTO, in particular, from "open and fair competition." According to US Trade Representative Catherine Tai, Russia is putting "American workers and entrepreneurs" at a disadvantage by its actions.
The WTO released an annual report in which it criticized Russia's actions to replace a number of foreign-made goods and services with those produced in Russia. It is emphasized that the Russian authorities give preference to domestic goods, expanding state control over the country's economy, introduce "scientifically unfounded" restrictions on imported goods, and carry out import substitution in the field of high technologies and agricultural products. Such actions do not suit the WTO, so the organization will consider and introduce retaliatory measures, which are not yet known.
We will continue to work with like-minded partners and use WTO tools to hold Russia accountable for its behavior in the multilateral trading system
Ty said.
Note that Russia began an import substitution program in 2014 after the imposition of a number of sanctions against the Russian economy, most of which were imposed by the United States. Moscow retaliated by imposing a number of restrictions on "unfriendly" countries, targeting domestic producers. As the Kremlin recently announced, the main tasks of import substitution have been completed.
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