Gulf states threaten high taxes on European imports

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states have threatened to impose higher taxes on European Union (EU) exports to the Gulf unless Europea responds to the successive calls to facilitate the entry of the Gulf commodities to its markets and the EU to give up the policy of protectionism and placing obstacles before the free trade zone.

The Abu Dhabi al-Itihad daily on Tuesday quoted the director of the Dubai's chamber of commerce and industry as saying in conclusion of the Gulf- European summit " if the imposition of high tax fees is a violation to the bases of the World Trade Organization, so let's violate these bases. The Americans violate these bases every day."

He called on Europe to review its protectionist policies against the Arab Gulf industrial and petrochemical products and to cancel taxes on Gulf imports in order to strengthen trade and economic relations.