REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, CIREBON -- The Indonesian government is prepared to take the United States Department of Commerce (USDOC) to the Dispute Settlement Body of the World Trade Organization (DSB-WTO) over allegations of dumping biodiesel. Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita stated that the Indonesian government will contest the false claims, as it has violated the WTO's anti-dumping regulation.

"We will ready all measures, including contesting the (US') allegation against our biodiesel with the Dispute Settlement Body," Lukita noted in Cirebon District, West Java Province, on Wednesday.

On Feb 21, the USDOC, an institution that determines the dumping level, published the final report on biodiesel products of Indonesia and Argentine.

According to the department's final investigation, the biodiesel dumping levels of some producers of Indonesia had exceeded the limit.

Some of the companies cited included Wilmar Trading PTE Ltd, at 92.52 percent; PT Musim Mas, 276.65 percent; and others, 92.52 percent.

The minister believes that the significant increase in the USDOC's final report is baseless. He added that the allegation has violated the WTO's anti-dumping regulation.

The Trade Ministry has noted that the final remarks are based on the false assumption that Indonesia is part of the "particular market situation."

As a result, the USDOC has ignored the producers' costs that have been complied on the basis of the Generally Accepted Accounting Principle.

However, the USDOC report is not yet binding, as it still awaits the final decision of the US International Trade Commission.

The US Commission is scheduled to announce its verdict on Apr 6.

Lukita noted that the Indonesian government will continue to support Indonesian exporters and producers by proposing the submission and hearing sessions.

According to the US Trade Map, biodiesel imports from Indonesia have increased by 47.31 percent from 2014 to 2016.

However, compared with the figure in 2016, biodiesel exports have declined by 99.97 percent to reach US$71 thousand during the third quarter last year, mainly after the publication of Anti-dumping & Countervailing reports.

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