The European Union has achieved a significant victory in a trade dispute with Colombia over frozen fries from Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. According to a report from the World Trade Organization (WTO), Colombia has improperly implemented the recommendations of a previous WTO panel.
The WTO panelists concluded that Colombia violated its international obligations by using incorrect calculations when imposing anti-dumping duties on frozen French fries from several EU member states. According to the EU, Colombia artificially inflated the dumping margins by using methods incompatible with WTO rules.
The ruling means that Colombia must quickly adjust its measures and withdraw the unlawful duties. If the country fails to do so, the EU can take steps to suspend trade concessions, for example, by imposing import duties on Colombian products.
Blockade of professional body
It is striking that this dispute was fully resolved within the WTO system, despite the years-long blockade of the appeals body. This is because both the EU and Colombia participate in the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arrangement Arrangement (MPIA). This is a temporary alternative that maintains the functioning of the dispute mechanism.
The deadline for appealing the report has now passed, without either party having done so. This paves the way for the report's formal adoption at the WTO meeting on November 24, 2025.
Anti-dumping duties
In November 2018, Colombia imposed anti-dumping duties for the first time on European exporters of frozen fries, including Dutch companies. The measures affected approximately 85% of European exports, worth over €19,3 million annually.
Despite previous WTO rulings in favor of the EU, Colombia extended the tariffs in 2023 until at least September 30, 2027. The country claimed to have adjusted its methodology, but according to Brussels, Colombia continued to artificially inflate dumping margins. The European Commission therefore appealed to the WTO again and requested compliance consultations in May 2024. With the new WTO ruling, the EU has once again been vindicated.
What does this mean for the sector?
For the European potato processing industry in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, the ruling is an important step toward fair market access. Colombia is a growing market for frozen fries, and the unlawful duties have significantly hampered exports in recent years.
If Colombia finally complies with WTO rules, this could restore trade relations and create new export opportunities for European producers. "Sometimes you have to be (very) patient, but in the end, the reward will come." responds the now retired general secretary of Belgapom Romain Cools on LinkedIn.