China defends raw materials curbs after WTO ruling
By Wang Yanlin |
July 7, 2011, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINA yesterday reiterated that its raw materials export restrictions were in line with World Trade Organization objectives for protecting the environment and reducing pollution - one day after the WTO ruled that China's practices were unjustified.
The country will closely evaluate the report's ruling, and will respond to it through the WTO dispute settlement mechanism, the Ministry of Commerce said yesterday.
"We regret to learn that the WTO panel found China's relevant measures, comprising export tax and export quotas for certain raw materials, were inconsistent with WTO rules, and they found our measures were not pursuant to the general exceptions relating to the conservation of natural resources and the protection of human health," the ministry said in a statement.
"But we still appreciate the panel's appraisal on the terms of reference, export quota allocation and administration, as well as the issuance of export licenses," the ministry said.
According to WTO dispute settlement rules, China will have the right to appeal to the body within 60 days after Tuesday's release of the report.
The United States, the European Union and Mexico filed an application with the WTO in 2009, demanding an investigation into China's export restrictions of certain raw materials, including coke, bauxite and magnesium, which are used in the production of steel, electronics and medicine.
The three said these measures gave an unfair advantage to Chinese producers and harmed the interests of foreign manufacturers.
China defended its measures by arguing that the prohibition, licensing, export restrictions and partial tax rebates are justified as it is aimed at protecting the environment and exhaustible resources, in addition to reducing surplus supplies.
Not retaliation
Tu Xinquan, vice president of China National Institute of WTO, said in an earlier interview that China's measures were not in retaliation over the uproar against trade protectionism since the global financial crisis.
After the 2008 financial crisis, many countries resorted to trade protectionism to save their industries.
Last year China suffered 64 trade disputes involving US$7 billion and its trade laws have increasingly come under fire by the US and European countries, said Vice Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan.
The country will closely evaluate the report's ruling, and will respond to it through the WTO dispute settlement mechanism, the Ministry of Commerce said yesterday.
"We regret to learn that the WTO panel found China's relevant measures, comprising export tax and export quotas for certain raw materials, were inconsistent with WTO rules, and they found our measures were not pursuant to the general exceptions relating to the conservation of natural resources and the protection of human health," the ministry said in a statement.
"But we still appreciate the panel's appraisal on the terms of reference, export quota allocation and administration, as well as the issuance of export licenses," the ministry said.
According to WTO dispute settlement rules, China will have the right to appeal to the body within 60 days after Tuesday's release of the report.
The United States, the European Union and Mexico filed an application with the WTO in 2009, demanding an investigation into China's export restrictions of certain raw materials, including coke, bauxite and magnesium, which are used in the production of steel, electronics and medicine.
The three said these measures gave an unfair advantage to Chinese producers and harmed the interests of foreign manufacturers.
China defended its measures by arguing that the prohibition, licensing, export restrictions and partial tax rebates are justified as it is aimed at protecting the environment and exhaustible resources, in addition to reducing surplus supplies.
Not retaliation
Tu Xinquan, vice president of China National Institute of WTO, said in an earlier interview that China's measures were not in retaliation over the uproar against trade protectionism since the global financial crisis.
After the 2008 financial crisis, many countries resorted to trade protectionism to save their industries.
Last year China suffered 64 trade disputes involving US$7 billion and its trade laws have increasingly come under fire by the US and European countries, said Vice Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan.
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