Saudi Arabia has told the WTO that national security concerns mean it cannot allow the world trade body to settle an intellectual property dispute with Qatar, according to a transcript seen by Reuters.

The Saudi representative told a WTO dispute settlement meeting that Riyadh had cut ties protect its vital security interests and that WTO agreements could not override that decision.

“My government considers that the severance of diplomatic relations renders impossible the conduct of any dispute settlement procedures,” the Saudi trade diplomat said.