Key cases involving world trade disputes with Beijing
August 14, 2009
Since it joined the global trade body in 2001, China has brought five complaints to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and has been a defendant in 16 cases. Below are some recent cases at the WTO:
Cases in which China is complainant:
Cooked poultry: China launched a WTO case in April over US legislation that forbids the government from beginning the process of certifying Chinese cooked poultry exporters. The House of Representatives appropriations bill extends the measure for a fourth year, while the Senate version orders the government to begin the certifying process.
Steel: China is challenging US anti-dumping duties on steel products. Beijing is also unhappy with a series of other US actions against its imports, including tyres.
Steel fasteners: China last month requested consultations on anti-dumping duties imposed by the EU against imports of Chinese steel screws and fasteners. The EU exempted two European joint ventures manufacturing fasteners in China.
Cases in which China is defendant:
Raw materials: The EU and US argue that Chinese export restrictions, including taxes and quotas, on several raw materials unfairly lifts the international price, while keeping input prices cheaper for manufacturers in China.
Distribution services and intellectual property rights: On Wednesday a WTO panel found in favour of the US, which claimed that Chinese curbs on importing and distributing foreign publications and audio-visual products violated its WTO commitments. China may appeal.
Both the US and China claimed victory earlier this year, when a WTO panel found China had failed to protect and enforce intellectual property rights, but rejected the US contention that China sets the threshold for prosecuting piracy so high that it is ineffective. China noted the findings did not challenge its right to censor content.
Grants, loans and other incentives: The US, Mexico and Guatemala requested consultations regarding certain grants, loans and other incentives to encourage exports of Chinese brands.
Financial information: China in November settled on a complaint by the EU, the US and Canada against China's requirement that foreign financial information suppliers, including Thomson Reuters, must operate through an entity designated by the Xinhua news agency, rather than dealing directly with subscribers. - Reuters
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