Guatemala to sue US for dumping
Prensa Latina | 5 Aug 2006
Guatemala to Sue US for Dumping
Guatemala, Aug 5 (Prensa Latina) — After a month and five days of implementing the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with United States, Guatemala is suffering from this pact’s asymmetries and is suing the northern country for unfair competition.
"United States is dumping on us, selling us things and demanding we purchase what they want, but it does not accept our goods," said Guatemalan President Oscar Berger.
The statesman gave an example of the chicken trade, in which US producers sell chicken’s legs, wings and parts at prices below their cost of production.
So far, no Guatemalan company has passed the strict US health inspections, whose aim is to protect farmers, who also receive state subsidies not only to produce, but also to export.
Berger said that his government will denounce US at the World Trade Organization for illegal practices.
The head of State discarded increasing chicken import taxes, like some Guatemalan businessmen had requested, a measure that had increased the cost of that popular food in the country.
