Russia to appeal U.S. decision on non-market status in WTO if it is used in anti-dumping investigation - Russian Econ Ministry

BANGKOK. Nov 18 (Interfax) - It is not likely that Russia can appeal the decision of the United States on the non-market status of the Russian economy in U.S. courts, but it can appeal it in the World Trade Organization (WTO), especially if the U.S. uses this decision in an anti-dumping investigation, Russian Deputy Economic Development Minister Vladimir Ilyichev told reporters on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

"We have been discussing the issue of our market status with the Americans for a long time, and they have made a decision. It is unlikely that it can be appealed in a U.S. court under the current conditions. Accordingly, it can be appealed directly in the WTO, an appeal procedure can be started," he said, responding to a question about plans to appeal the U.S. decision.

"The issue here is that a dispute on market status and withdrawals can only be initiated if the method is used in practice. They have made a general decision, so it will be much easier to appeal in the WTO when they use this method when making a decision in an anti-dumping investigation. It is extremely difficult to reverse the theoretical decision itself," Ilyichev said, commenting on when the decision can be appealed in the WTO.

According to earlier reports, the U.S. Department of Commerce said on November 11 it had made a decision based on an investigation that Russia could no longer be regarded as a country with a market economy (The U.S. recognized the Russian economy as a market economy in April 2002) for the purposes of the law on anti-dumping duties, and the status of the Russian economy would be reclassified as a non-market economy.