The US this week dropped punitive tariffs on a number of EU farm products

Date: 18/07/1996

which were imposed in retaliation for the Union's ban on imports of US beef. US officials claimed the move followed the establishment of a World Trade Organisation dispute settlement panel on the EU ban, which was introduced because of opposition to the Americans' use of growth-promoting hormones. But the decision also pre-empted moves by the EU to file a retaliatory panel against the US tariffs. It could be several months before there is a ruling on the hormone case.