WORLD TRADE WT/DS109/1
16December 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-5524)
Original: English
CHILE -TAXES ONALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
Request forConsultations bytheUnited States
Thefollowing communication, dated 11December 1997, fromthePermanent Mission ofthe
United States tothePermanent Mission ofChile andtotheDispute Settlement Body, iscirculated in
accordance withArticle 4.4oftheDSU.
_______________
Myauthorities haveinstructed metorequest consultations withChile pursuant toArticle 4
oftheUnderstanding onRules andProcedures Governing theSettlement ofDisputes andArticle XXII
oftheGeneral Agreement onTariffs andTrade 1994(GATT 1994), concerning Chile'sinternal taxes
oncertain alcoholic beverages.
Chile'staxregime fordistilled spirits, including thechanges made applicable andeffective
on1December, appears tobeinconsistent withChile'snational treatment obligations under Article III:3
oftheGATT 1994. Inparticular, weunderstand thattaxratesonpisco arelower thanthose ondistilled
spirits imported from theUnited States.
Ilookforward toreceiving yourreply tothisrequest andtofixing amutually convenient date
forconsultations.