The United States is awaiting the ruling due tomorrow by the World Trade Organization (WTO) arbitration panel concerning the online gambling dispute with Antigua and Barbuda. Tomorrow is also the deadline day for the negotiations concerning the same subject with the European Union.
The WTO earlier this summer ruled that the United States online gambling ban violates world trade agreements. This ruling opened the door for other WTO member nations to ask for compensation from the United States. According to WTO rules, each nation is allowed time to individually negotiate a settlement between them.
The issue is in front of the arbitration panel because the U.S. and the two-island Caribbean nation could not settle the dispute through normal negotiations. Antigua and Barbuda is asking for $3.4 billion in damages while the U.S. countered with only $500,000.
The attorney for Antigua and Barbuda, Mark Mendel told the Guardian Unlimited in an interview that,
“I think we provided plenty of proof to justify our figure. We feel pretty confident it should be a high number. I think there’s no doubt that we’re going to get the ability to cross-retaliate.”
The European Union has been in negotiations with the U.S. and the deadline set for Dec. 14 is the second date set to try and complete these negotiations.
The countries in the European Union have been trying to seek $100 billion dollars in trade compensation. If there is no decision by Friday, the EU could be next to ask for a decision by the WTO arbitration panel.
Most expect the EU – U.S. negotiations to go past the Friday deadline which would mean that the Antigua and Barbuda dispute decision could be a major factor for one side or the other depending on what the final decision is.
Japan, Australia, Canada and several other nations have shown interest in filing claims against the U.S. and are the upcoming decisions will have a major impact on their decisions as well.
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