U.S. not challenging WTO ruling

The World Trade Organization formally adopted its ruling against the U.S. in its dispute over online gambling with Antigua and Barbuda Tuesday. Though the U.S. has been fighting this battle for four years, it chose not to challenge the proceedings.

Instead, the Associated Press reports the U.S. is following through with its decision to change its international agreements it entered into when joining the WTO rather than comply with the ruling.

The U.S. will rewrite its service negotiations, a process that could take years, in order to exempt online gambling from its agreements as a WTO member.

In the meantime, the island nation of Antigua and Barbuda plans to seek compensation for the U.S. infringement on the trade agreement.

Antigua has indicated it could possibly target American trademarks, copyrights and telecommunications companies as a way to punish the United States for not complying. It is also encouraging other nations follow up as well.

"Not only do we think that members should press claims for compensatory adjustments as a matter of economic self-interest," said Ambassador John Ashe of Antigua to the WTO dispute settlement body, "but we also believe it is important that the process is made as difficult as possible for the United States."

Brazil and India have already spoken up in support of Antigua and Barbuda, fully supporting that the United States should have to compensate the island nation.

The European Union, which has supported the case against the United States, has yet to notify the country as to whether or not they will file a compensatory claim as well.

Countries may end up fighting for compensation in the case as well.

According to the Associated Press, the U.S. is also arguing that it is exempt from negotiating compensation to governments because Internet gambling wasn't clearly talked about during the initial WTO agreements.

courtesy of Sarah Polson

News Added: 23 May, 2007

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