China regrets WTO upheld ruling on raw material export restraints
By Staff Reporter |
February 1, 2012, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINA yesterday regretted the World Trade Organization's decision to uphold a raw material export restriction ruling against the country as it reiterated that the curbs were meant to protect the environment.
The WTO on Monday rejected China's appeal against the ruling that the country has violated global trading rules when it limited the exports of nine industrial raw materials, including zinc, coke and magnesium, by imposing duties and quotas, which gave domestic manufacturers an unfair edge.
"The WTO rules should not only stress free trade but they should also allow member countries to take necessary steps to protect their natural resources and environment," the Ministry of Commerce said yesterday.
In a bid to realize sustainable development, China will carefully evaluate the WTO's ruling and continue to enhance the scientific administration of resource products based on WTO rules, the ministry added.
Although China regretted the ruling was upheld, it still welcomed the WTO' support for its appeal on some issues in the case and appreciated the world trading body's agreed with the country's management of quotas and export licenses, the ministry said.
The case was brought by the United States, the European Union and Mexico in 2009. China contended that the restrictions were placed on the materials on the basis of protecting the environment and exhaustible resources. The WTO issued the ruling in July last year, and China appealed in September, stoking rising tensions between the country and its trading partners.
The ruling may prompt the US to launch a new case against China's rare earth export policy.
Rare earths are valuable elements vital in the making of hybrid cars, wind turbines and missiles. China has said it will keep the 2012 rare earths export quota virtually unchanged from 2011.
The ministry has made preparations for possible complaints about other resource products, including rare earths, an anonymous official of the ministry told Xinhua news agency yesterday.
The WTO on Monday rejected China's appeal against the ruling that the country has violated global trading rules when it limited the exports of nine industrial raw materials, including zinc, coke and magnesium, by imposing duties and quotas, which gave domestic manufacturers an unfair edge.
"The WTO rules should not only stress free trade but they should also allow member countries to take necessary steps to protect their natural resources and environment," the Ministry of Commerce said yesterday.
In a bid to realize sustainable development, China will carefully evaluate the WTO's ruling and continue to enhance the scientific administration of resource products based on WTO rules, the ministry added.
Although China regretted the ruling was upheld, it still welcomed the WTO' support for its appeal on some issues in the case and appreciated the world trading body's agreed with the country's management of quotas and export licenses, the ministry said.
The case was brought by the United States, the European Union and Mexico in 2009. China contended that the restrictions were placed on the materials on the basis of protecting the environment and exhaustible resources. The WTO issued the ruling in July last year, and China appealed in September, stoking rising tensions between the country and its trading partners.
The ruling may prompt the US to launch a new case against China's rare earth export policy.
Rare earths are valuable elements vital in the making of hybrid cars, wind turbines and missiles. China has said it will keep the 2012 rare earths export quota virtually unchanged from 2011.
The ministry has made preparations for possible complaints about other resource products, including rare earths, an anonymous official of the ministry told Xinhua news agency yesterday.
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