Closing of WTO litigation between Brazil and Thailand over subsidies to the sugarcane and sugar sector

Brazil and Thailand formally ended, on 24/2, in Abu Dhabi, on the sidelines of the 13th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the bilateral dispute over Thai subsidies to the sugarcane and sugar sector (DS507), initiated by Brazil in 2016. Thailand is the world's third largest exporter of sugar. The dispute involved Thai measures to support sugar production that did not comply with WTO rules, which generated distortions in the global market and losses estimated at US$1 billion annually to the Brazilian production sector. The litigation was restricted to the consultation phase, without the establishment of a panel at the WTO. Brazil opted for continued dialogue with Thailand, which culminated in the definitive change in Thai policy to support the sugar sector, with the elimination of subsidies. The resolution of the dispute between Brazil and Thailand ...