. . . In Brief

• Author: International Law Group
• Pages: 58-60

Page 58

WTO Appellate Body upholds Panel Report in favor of U S. in Mexican sweetener case

The U. S. brought Mexico before the World Trade Organization (WTO), claiming that certain Mexican taxes and record-keeping requirements imposed on sweetened soft drinks and other beverages violated international trade law. See 2005 International Law Update 157. Mexico appealed certain issues of law and legal interpretations. The Appellate Body now holds that: (1) the Panel properly exercised jurisdiction over this matter; (2) Mexico's measures did not "secure compliance with laws or regulations within the meaning of Article XX(d) of GATT 1994; (3) The Panel properly found that Mexico failed to show that its measures contribute to securing compliance in the circumstances of this case; and finally that (4) consequently, the Panel properly held that Mexico failed toPage 59 establish that the challenged measures are justified under the exemptions in Article XX of GATT 1994

Citation: Mexico - Tax Measures on Soft Drinks and Other Beverages (AB-2005-10) (WT/DS308/AB/R) (6 March 2006).

Russian Federation and U S. renew S & T agreement

On January 13, 2006, the United States and the Russian Federation exchanged diplomatic notes in Washington, D. C. that will extend for another ten years their bilateral Science and Technology (S & T) Cooperation Agreement. This collaboration has generated valuable basic and applied scientific information, databases, internet-based information-sharing networks and exceptional cooperative relationships for continuing and new activities. Sectors for ongoing and potential future cooperation include, inter alia, vaccine and drug discovery; the ecology of infectious diseases (such as avian flu, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS); clean energy technologies, e.g., hydrogen; basic research in high energy and nuclear physics; science education; and biodefense and counter-terrorism science and technology in such areas as food safety, border security and support for first responders.

Citation: Media Note #2006/42, U. S. Department of State, Office of Spokesman, Washington, D. C., Friday, January 13, 2006 at 5:06...