Indonesia’s trade ministry on Monday urged the European Union to immediately remove countervailing duties on biodiesel imports, after the World Trade Organization backed the Southeast Asian country on several key claims in a complaint to the trade body.
Indonesia brought its complaint to the WTO in 2023, alleging the EU’s imposition of duties on imports of its biodiesel broke the body’s rules.
“We urge the EU to immediately revoke these countervailing import duties that are not WTO-compliant,” said Indonesian Trade Minister Budi Santoso in a statement, after the WTO’s ruling last week.
“This victory proves that the Indonesian government consistently complies with international trade rules without implementing distorting trade policies,” he added.
The EU, Indonesia’s third-largest destination for palm oil products and one of Indonesia’s major markets for biodiesel, has imposed countervailing duties of 8% to 18% since 2019, alleging Indonesian biodiesel producers benefit from grants, tax benefits and access to raw materials below market prices.
