U.S. seeks WTO panel on car policy

TOKYO: The United States is expected to join Japan and the European Union in requesting a panel from the World Trade Organization's Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) to rule on Indonesia's national car policy.

According to Kyodo news service, the U.S. will request the panel at the next DSB meeting to be held next Wednesday.

A panel to study the issue has already been approved by the WTO following requests from Japan and the EU but so far, the U.S. has tried to pursue its own settlement.

The U.S. has had lengthy bilateral talks with Jakarta in an effort to gain better terms of market access to Indonesia for its large cars.

However, the expected WTO request would indicate that these talks have failed.

If the U.S. panel is approved -- after a second request -- it would be integrated into the one already established at the request of Japan and EU.