Guatemala Challenges U.S. Trade Practices

GUATEMALA CITY – The Guatemalan government this week announced it will file a complaint against the United States before the World Trade Organization (WTO) for unfair trade practices, President Oscar Berger said.

According to Berger, the United States is “dumping” its dark-meat chicken on Guatemalan markets at prices lower than those established by the WTO, in an apparent effort to squeeze out the local chicken market.

The price of chicken breast in the United States is over $1 pound, but dark meat is being flicked off on Guatemalan markets for around $.50 per pound, according to the Agricultural Ministry.

Guatemalan chicken producers are urging the government to raise the import tax on chicken; but the government has not agreed to do so.