The World Trade Organization is investigating the legality of countervailing duties imposed by the USA and the EU in 2003 on production of Hynix Semiconductor. The probe was requested by the Korean government, who opposes punitive tariffs and rulings against Hynix.

The EU Commission and the US Department of Commerce found Hynix Semiconductor guilty in getting illegitimate financial support from its creditors that were said to be controlled by the Korean government as well as numerous other kinds of financial assist.

Hynix Semiconductor and South Korean government have been pretty consistent in proving that all accusations against Hynix have no ground and the company is totally innocent of performing any illegal actions or receiving illegal financial aid from the country’s government.

In the first half of 2003 the USA and the European Union imposed definitive anti-dumping duties on shipments of Hynix DRAM products in the EU and the USA. The US Department of Commerce slapped 44.71% on imported DRAMs from Hynix Semiconductor, the EU Commission taxes the struggling memory maker with 34.8% tariff. Both duties became effective in Summer 2003.

If the WTO discovers that Hynix is not guilty, the US and EU will have to dismiss the punitive customs and return Hynix already paid tariffs.