No progress in WTO dispute between Antigua & Barbuda and the U.S

Antigua & Barbuda government says there has been no “substantial progress” with the United States with regards to the long standing internet gaming dispute despite recent rulings in its favour by the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The Baldwin Spencer administrator says it has sought to keep the trade dispute with Washington on “the front burner” of the WTO meetings even as it continues to seek an amicable solution to the matter.

(More: Antigua & Barbuda gets OK from WTO to become copyright haven)

“The delegation of Antigua & Barbuda has so far not seen substantial progress on compliance by the United States with the Dispute Settlement Body’s decision…Nor have they seen substantial progress by the United States in achieving a settlement with Antigua & Barbuda,” the government said in a statement.

In 2007, the WTO awarded Antigua & Barbuda the right to target US services, copyrights and trademarks in retaliation for its online betting ban. But the WTO capped the limit of annual trade sanctions at US$21 million.

The Spencer administration had sought the right to impose US$3.4 billion in retaliatory measures, while Washington offered a mere US$500,000. -(CMC)