WTO rejects US anti-dumping appeal: Japan diplomat

GENEVA (Reuters) - The World Trade Organization's top court has rejected an appeal by the United States in a long-running case brought by Japan over Washington's treatment of unfairly priced imports, a Japanese diplomat said Tuesday.

The final ruling by the WTO's Appellate Body clears the way for Japan to seek trade sanctions against the United States. Japan had previously sought permission to impose up to $248.5 million in annual trade sanctions against the United States in the case.

"My understanding is that the Appellate Body upheld the panel finding that the United States appealed," the diplomat, who asked not to be identified, told Reuters. "The Appellate Body has upheld our position. Basically, I think we won."

The Appellate Body ruling is due to be published at about 1430 GMT.

(Reporting by Jonathan Lynn; Editing by Stephanie Nebehay)