The United States has widened its dispute with the European Union at the World Trade Organisation over Brussels’ alleged failure to protect the geographical indications of imported traditional foods.
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The US has been claiming that by failing to protect terms such as Idaho Potatoes and Florida Oranges, the EU is breaking the WTO Trade related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) agreement.
Now Washington is claiming that by refusing to grant such protection to imports unless exporting countries agree to protect European traditional products to standards required by Brussels, (exceeding those demanded by TRIPs), the EU is treating its trading partners unfairly, breaking the WTO General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).
