On 27 October Indonesia notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated, on 26 October a safeguard investigation on cigarette paper, classifiable under tariff subheadings 4813.20.00, 4813.90.10 and 4813.90.90.
What is a safeguard investigation?
A safeguard investigation seeks to determine whether increased imports of a product are causing, or threatening to cause, serious injury to a domestic industry. During a safeguard investigation, importers, exporters and other interested parties may present evidence and views and respond to the presentations of other parties. A WTO member may take a safeguard action (i.e. restrict imports of a product temporarily) only if the increased imports of the product are found to be causing, or threatening to cause, serious injury.
Story by: Riaan de Lange