In many ways, Brazil’s clash with the European Union (EU) over retreaded tires resembles a standard trade dispute. European retread producers, upset about Brazilian efforts to block imports of the reconditioned tires, have forced a showdown between the EU and Brazil at the World Trade Organization (WTO). The wrinkle, however, is that instead of revolving around trade issues such as dumping and unfair competition, Brazil’s defense focuses on environmental degradation, malaria and dengue fever. At a WTO hearing in Geneva last month, Brazilian officials argued importation of EU retreads would add to the glut of illegally discarded tires that is blighting the land and rivers and creating habitat for disease-carrying mosquitoes. “Our argument is that a retreaded tire has a very short lifespan and... [Log in to read more]