(欧中) WTOにおける中国ASI(禁訴令)続報 Debate ASI at WTO(continued)

12月14日付の当ブログで中国ASIを巡るWTOでの動向を報じたが、その後動きがあったので補足する。12月14日ブログ　https://ipr-study.wixsite.com/sep-research-japan/post/欧-euは中国asi問題でパネル設置をwtoに要求-eu-requests-panel-against-chinese-asi

EUが禁訴令についてパネル設置をWTOに要求したのに対して、中国はWTOの規制を尊重しており、EUや他のWTO加盟国とはWTOのルールに沿った取引の実績がある事を主張しEUと解決に向けた誠実な交渉をしてきたと弁明し、Dispute Settlement Board（DSB）設置は尚早と反対した。このためDSBの設置はまだペンディングとなっている。

ニュース

China has blocked the establishment of the Dispute Settlement Board (DSB) of the WTO, on the grounds that it is premature to do so. China asserts that it "attaches great importance to WTO rules and its relevant commitments and carries out foreign trade with the EU and other WTO members in a manner that is transparent and compatible with WTO rules. China held consultations with the EU in good faith and continued to engage with the EU after the consultations with a view to exploring the possibility of resolving the dispute in an amicable way. China said it believes it is premature to establish a panel in this dispute".

Please see: https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news22_e/dsb_20dec22_e.htm

しかし、WTOのルールよれば、およそ一か月後に行われる会合でEUが更なるDSB結成の要求をすればDSBが実質的に設置される仕組みになっている（以下のWTOリンク参照）。

In the first DSB meeting in which such a request is made, the responding Member can still block the panel’s establishment, as was the case in the dispute settlement system under GATT 1947. At the second DSB meeting where the request is made, however, the panel will be established, unless the DSB decides by consensus not to establish the panel (i.e. the “negative” consensus rule applies (Article 6.1 of the DSU)). This second meeting usually takes place around one month later, but the complainant can also request a special meeting of the DSB within 15 days of the request, provided that at least ten days’ advance notice of the meeting is given (footnote 5 to Article 6.1 of the DSU).

The rule of negative (or reverse) consensus means that the complainant ultimately has a guarantee that the requested panel will be established if it so wishes. The only possibility to prevent the establishment is a consensus in the DSB against establishment, but this will not happen as long as the complainant is unwilling to join in that consensus. In other words, as long as the complainant, even alone and against the opposition of all other WTO Members, insists on the establishment of the panel, it is impossible for the DSB to reach a consensus against establishment. Therefore7, one speaks of a virtually automatic DSB decision to establish a panel.

Please see: https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/disp_settlement_cbt_e/c6s3p1_e.htm

この情報は日高誓子英国弁護士(Gowling WLG)からの提供による.