Monday, September 14, 2009

China and Trade

The China Daily reports on the filing of a WTO complaint against the US. It states:

"The Chinese government on Monday filed a formal complaint to the World Trade Organization (WTO) over steep U.S. tariffs imposed on Chinese-made tyres.

Under the WTO's dispute settlement system, the two countries will now have 60 days to try to resolve the dispute through consultations. If consultations fail, China can go further by requesting a WTO panel to investigate and rule on the case.

"China put forward a formal request for consultations with the U.S. under the WTO dispute settlement mechanism on the U.S. special safeguard measures against Chinese tyres," the Chinese mission to the Geneva-based body said in a statement....

U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday approved punitive tariffs up to 35 percent on all car and light truck tires from China in a so-called attempt to "remedy the clear disruption to the U.S. tire industry."

China had quickly denounced the U.S. move as a serious act of trade protectionism which violates WTO regulations."

The People's Daily also states:

"China launched anti-dumping and anti-subsidies investigations into some automobile and chicken products originally produced in the United States, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) announced on Sunday.

The probe follows complaints from Chinese manufacturers. They alleged the above products entered the country's markets with an "unfair competition manner", which harmed domestic industries.

The ministry said the investigation was in accordance with the World Trade Organization rules and China's laws.

The MOC announced, China always firmly opposes protectionism. The country hoped all countries worked together to promote a quick recovery of the world economy."

The actions by the current Administration will appear to ignite a severe tariff and trade war at a time when it would result in the most harm to the US economy.