WTO Delays Tariff Ruling in Banana Dispute

The World Trade Organization postponed a decision on whether the U.S. can impose punitive duties on $520 million worth of European Union exports, saying it needs more information from the U.S. and EU. The decision throws into doubt U.S. plans to impose 100% tariffs on mostly luxury goods such as chandeliers and cashmere sweaters. The dispute mainly involves one U.S. company, Chiquita Brands International Inc., barely affects any jobs in the two regions and concerns less than 1% of the trade between them. The list of possible tariff targets also includes sweet biscuits, candles, bath salts, lithographs, bed clothes and lighting fixtures. The U.S. says the EU rules discriminate against bananas grown in Latin America by Chiquita, Dole Food Co. and other U.S. fruit sellers.