Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08RIYADH1830
2008-12-21 14:24:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:
SAUDI RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON TRADE PROTECTIONISM
how-toVZCZCXRO1762 PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR DE RUEHRH #1830 3561424 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 211424Z DEC 08 FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9663 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHJI/AMCONSUL JEDDAH PRIORITY 9909 RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC PRIORITY RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS RIYADH 001830
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP AND EEB
DEPT PASS TO USTR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD ECON EFIN SA
SUBJECT: SAUDI RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON TRADE PROTECTIONISM
REF: SECSTATE 125609
UNCLAS RIYADH 001830
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP AND EEB
DEPT PASS TO USTR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD ECON EFIN SA
SUBJECT: SAUDI RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON TRADE PROTECTIONISM
REF: SECSTATE 125609
1. (SBU) Post delivered the points in reftel demarche to the
Saudi Government on December 3. In a December 21 meeting
with Deputy Finance Minister Hamad Al-Baz'y, Econ Counselor
urged the SAG not to increase tariffs. Al-Baz'y said there
was "no discussion" within the SAG about raising existing
tariffs or imposing any new tariffs. He added that just a
few days earlier the SAG had in fact lowered tariffs on a
number of products as part of Saudi Arabia's WTO accession
commitments.
2. (U) Econ contacts in Saudi Customs provided additional
details regarding the recent tariff reductions mentioned by
Al-Baz'y, specifically that they were the third phase of
Saudi Arabia's tariff-reduction commitments under their WTO
accession, and that they took effect on December 11. These
reductions included a decrease in tariffs on 61 chemical
products from 12% to 8%, a decrease on 13 plastics products
from 14.6% to 11.9%, and a decrease on household
refrigerators from 12% to 10%.
RUNDELL
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP AND EEB
DEPT PASS TO USTR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD ECON EFIN SA
SUBJECT: SAUDI RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON TRADE PROTECTIONISM
REF: SECSTATE 125609
1. (SBU) Post delivered the points in reftel demarche to the
Saudi Government on December 3. In a December 21 meeting
with Deputy Finance Minister Hamad Al-Baz'y, Econ Counselor
urged the SAG not to increase tariffs. Al-Baz'y said there
was "no discussion" within the SAG about raising existing
tariffs or imposing any new tariffs. He added that just a
few days earlier the SAG had in fact lowered tariffs on a
number of products as part of Saudi Arabia's WTO accession
commitments.
2. (U) Econ contacts in Saudi Customs provided additional
details regarding the recent tariff reductions mentioned by
Al-Baz'y, specifically that they were the third phase of
Saudi Arabia's tariff-reduction commitments under their WTO
accession, and that they took effect on December 11. These
reductions included a decrease in tariffs on 61 chemical
products from 12% to 8%, a decrease on 13 plastics products
from 14.6% to 11.9%, and a decrease on household
refrigerators from 12% to 10%.
RUNDELL