In a case that concerned basic ‘rules of the road’ for government support that distorts trade in global sugar markets, Brazil has secured an unequivocal victory in its challenge of India’s sugar subsidies at the World Trade Organization (WTO).
In a decision published on December 14, 2021, the WTO panel in India – Measures Affecting Sugar and Sugarcane sided with Brazil on its complaint that India’s domestic support for sugarcane, and export subsidies for sugar, violated India’s WTO commitments. In its decision, the panel agreed with Brazil’s position in virtually all respects.
Sidley was engaged by the Brazilian Sugar Industry Association UNICA to develop the WTO complaint, and assisted the government of Brazil throughout the proceedings. Brazil’s complaint was heard in parallel to similar complaints from Australia and Guatemala.
The Sidley team included Iain Sandford (Geneva), Christian Lau (Geneva), and Weiwei Zhang (Geneva).