US and China exchange fire over duties
Tuesday 18 September 2012
Related articles
Beijing and Washington both filed trade complaints against each other yesterday in a tit-for-tat exchange after the US said it would launch a case against China's unfair support for its car industry.
The two cases could shift the focus to President Barack Obama's management of the sometimes contentious US relationship with China and his support for the US car industry in the final weeks before a close presidential election.
Beijing's complaint to the World Trade Organisation about a new US law allowing duties on subsidised goods from China came a few hours after the White House said it would launch a trade complaint over what it says is China's unfair backing of its car industry.
The US trade representative subsequently filed a case against China, saying: "Export subsidies are prohibited under WTO rules because they are unfair and severely distort international trade. China expressly agreed to eliminate all export subsidies when it joined the WTO in 2001."
China's complaint potentially affects close to 30 products that have previously been targeted by US duties. In a brief statement, the WTO said the products included steel, tyres, magnets, chemicals, kitchen appliances, wood flooring and wind turbine towers.
In March, the House of Representatives voted to ensure the United States could impose duties on subsidised goods from China and Vietnam, a move the White House said was needed to protect American jobs.
China's Commerce Ministry said: "China hopes that the United States can correct its mistaken policy and appropriately resolve China's concerns through WTO dispute resolution mechanisms and consultations."
It made no mention of the US decision to initiate a case against China at the WTO over subsidies for cars and car parts.
The move allows Mr Obama to take a stand on China and advance the interests of a major job-providing industry. His opponent, Mitt Romney, has attacked Mr Obama for what he says is an overly cautious approach towards China.
-
Revealed: Devastating impact of 'bedroom tax' sees huge leap in demand for emergency hardship handouts for tenants
-
Notes from a small island: Is Sealand an independent 'micronation' or an illegal fortress?
-
You thought Ryanair's attendants had it bad? Wait 'til you hear about their pilots
-
Revealed: Eerie new images show forgotten French apartment that was abandoned at the outbreak of World War II and left untouched for 70 years
-
Five-year-old British girl dies in a pool at Coral Sea Waterworld Hotel in Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh resort
- 1 Stoke City investigate 'religious abuse' after 'pig's head is found in Kenwyne Jones' locker'
- 2 Gove’s lesson: spare the comma, spoil the child
- 3 Heading for America? Prepare for the longest US immigration queues ever
- 4 Grace Dent on TV: Extreme Couponing, My Strange Addiction, and Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, TLC
- 5 Join Ryanair! See the world! But we'll only pay you for nine months a year
Get your summer started with British Military Fitness
BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes
Visit York
Find out what The Independent's resident travel expert has to say about one of the most beautiful small cities in the world
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
iJobs Money & Business
Fidessa Analyst / PM - Banking - London - £600pd
£550 - £600 per day: Orgtel: Fidessa Analyst / PM - Banking - London - Up to £...
Sourcing Manager - Banking - London - £500pd
£450 - £500 per day: Orgtel: Sourcing Manager - Banking - London - Up to £500p...
School Finance Assistant (part-time, term-time only)
To be discussed at interview.: Queen Elizabeth's School: An experienced and ef...
Java Developer - Munich OR Milian
£294.05 - £330.92 per day + 150 per day travel and accommodation: Orgtel: A le...
Day In a Page
The price of pacifism
Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond
Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?
One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned
Gordon Ramsay's worst nightmare: A restaurant he cannot save
Why bitters are back on the bar
The 10 Best barbecues



Comments