The European Union has initiated dispute settlement consultations at the World Trade Organization regarding Taiwan’s local content criteria for offshore wind projects.
The EU asserts that Taiwan’s eligibility and award criteria for local content in capacity allocation auctions are inconsistent with WTO rules, which mandate non-discrimination against imported goods and services.
In a statement issued on July 26, the EU emphasized that the local content requirements not only discriminate against non-Taiwanese goods and services but also lead to efficiency losses and price increases.
This, in turn, complicates and increases the cost of transitioning to a secure supply of renewable energy, thereby impeding global climate ambitions.
This request begins a process where both parties have up to 60 days to reach a satisfactory resolution. If no agreement is reached within this period, the EU may request the WTO to establish a panel to adjudicate the dispute.
