Qatar Complains to the World Trade Organization Against Three Arab Countries

On Monday evening, August 1, Qatar announced that it has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization against three countries among the four Arab nations that have imposed sanctions on it. According to the Associated Press, Qatar's complaint against Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain states that these countries have "violated" international trade laws and agreements. The three mentioned countries, along with Egypt, cut diplomatic ties with Qatar on June 5 and imposed sanctions on it by land, air, and sea. These four countries accuse Qatar of supporting "extremist and terrorist groups." Qatar rejects these accusations, stating that the sanctions imposed are "politically motivated." Qatar previously rejected a list of thirteen stringent conditions set by the sanctioning countries for lifting the sanctions, and since then, all mediation efforts between the parties have been fruitless. These conditions include shutting down the Al Jazeera television network, severing political ties with Iran, expelling members of the Muslim Brotherhood, and closing the Turkish military base in Qatar—conditions that Qatar considers contrary to its sovereignty. According to the report, Qatar's complaint to the World Trade Organization requests formal consultations with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain; a step that could open a new avenue for negotiations with these countries. In this regard, Qatar has stated that it seeks "transparent consultations and dialogue with the blockading countries." According to World Trade Organization regulations, the parties in dispute have 60 days to resolve their differences through negotiation, and if negotiations fail, Qatar can request the establishment of an independent panel. Such a panel could impose penalties on the three mentioned countries if the sanctions are not lifted. Qatar, which is set to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, has suffered significant losses since the closure of its only land border with Saudi Arabia. Qatar Airways, one of the largest airlines in the Middle East, has also had to change its flight paths to the airspace of Iran and some other countries. The U.S. State Department has previously expressed concern about the deepening crisis in Qatar, and U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has emphasized the need for restraint among Gulf countries in this crisis.