WTO Decides Against U.S. on Sea Turtles

U.S. efforts to protect endangered sea turtles are inconsistent with global trade rules, a World Trade Organization hearing panel determined in a preliminary ruling. U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the decision after a consumer group reported it. The officials said the United States will challenge the ruling. The dispute involves a ban imposed by the United States on the sale of shrimp caught without special devices designed to protect endangered sea turtles. Thailand, Malaysia, India and Pakistan challenged the U.S. ban in a case before the Geneva-based WTO, the referee for global trade disputes. The four countries claimed the U.S. ban was being applied in a discriminatory manner and was really a disguised trade barrier that is illegal under WTO rules.