ITAC's attempt at unlawful power grab?

Dear Steel Industry employer

The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC), in its latest steel industry review, proposed a multitude of import control mechanisms, in terms of national security provisions contained in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).

According to Donald MacKay of XA Global Trade Advisors, ITAC’s move to invoke Article 21 of the GATT — traditionally reserved for situations of war or terrorism — is an overreach and attempt at unlawful exercise of power through a blanket restriction on imports, even where no real security concerns exist.

"By invoking the national security concern, government is hoping to bypass the obligations under GATT, which say you can't impose import control unless it is to safeguard human, animal, and plant health." – Donald MacKay, XA Global Trade Advisors.

To read the full article on this matter as published in the IOL Business Report, please click here.

For more information

NEASA Media Department

media@neasa.co.za

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