China Programme • Volume 13 • Number 2 • 21st January 2009
WTO to Hear Chinese Complaint against US Import Duties
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The WTO announced on Tuesday that it will rule on a challenge that Beijing has brought against US tariffs on imports of certain Chinese tyres, steel pipes and woven sacks.
This is just the second time that Beijing has filed a case with the WTO’s dispute settlement body and the first time that a panel has been formed to hear a Chinese complaint. The first complaint that Beijing filed at the WTO, which challenged US duties on coated paper imports, was resolved in consultations.
The US imposed the import tariffs in question alleging that China was selling those products in the US market at less than their normal value, a practice known as ‘dumping’. WTO rules allow Members to counter the effects of dumping by imposing tariffs or other punitive measures against the offending country. In this case, however, China argues that the US retaliation has gone too far.
“China is greatly concerned by the various substantive and procedural problems found in the US anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations and measures against Chinese products at issue,” China said in its official statement to the WTO requesting the formation of a panel.
China launched the case in September (see BRIDGES Weekly, 25 September 2008, http://ictsd.net/i/news/bridgesweekly/29763/). Consultations between the two parties were reportedly held in November, but no resolution was reached.
Dispute panels are usually formed within 45 days after a request is granted. Panels can then take up to six months or longer to arrive at a ruling.
ICTSD reporting; “WTO to rule in China trade dispute with US,” REUTERS, 20 January 2009.
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I don’t think so