EU steps up WTO dispute with Russian over car levy

BRUSSELS, Oct 10 (Reuters) - The European Union asked the World Trade Organization (WTO) on Thursday to rule on the legality of a recycling fee Russia imposes on imported cars, stepping up a trade dispute between the two.

The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, said it had asked the WTO to establish a dispute settlement panel to adjudicate on the fee. The EU believes the charge discriminates against EU vehicle exports to Russia, worth some 10 billion euros ($13.5 billion) per year.