U.S.-Belgium Rice Dispute Settled

United States Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick says the favorable resolution of an agricultural dispute between the United States and Belgium has been finalized. The issue centered on excess duties collected on shipments of U.S. rice to Belgium in 1997 and 1998.

Last March, the United States had requested a World Trade Organization (WTO) panel to resolve this case, while continuing to work with interested parties to seek a resolution outside of the panel process. On Nov. 19, Belgium issued a refund to the U.S. company Uncle Ben's for excess duties that it collected on Uncle Ben's rice shipments. The Belgian decision to make payment to Uncle Ben's eliminates the need for a WTO panel review.

"We are extremely pleased that this issue has been favorably resolved. We are pleased that Belgium agreed refund the duties in a demonstration of how we can resolve trade disputes to the benefit of U.S. companies and farmers without the need for formal WTO panel findings," Zoellick said. "The United States will continue to be vigilant in working to ensure that Americans are treated fairly by our trading partners."