WTO Appellate Body Decision Victory for Steptoe

The European Communities brought a WTO challenge to “zeroing” a fundamental aspect of the United States’ methodology for calculating antidumping margins.  Steptoe attorneys advised the appellant on behalf of Corus Group plc, who would be most effected by the zeroing methodology.  Steptoe worked closely with the European Commission in planning its litigation strategy and arguments before the WTO Appellate Body. 

For the first time, the Appellate Body ruled that zeroing in average-to-average price comparisons in investigations was WTO-inconsistent “as such” (i.e., in every instance) and also held that the zeroing prohibition applies to assessment proceedings conducted within administrative reviews.  Steptoe is closely involved in the implementation process of the WTO Appellate Body report. 

Corus is a prominent European steel producer with subsidiaries in more than 20 countries.