China rejects US and EU trade charges

In a co-ordinated filing, the EU and the US complained to the WTO June 2009 that China’s export duties on raw materials such as coking coal were distorting the global market and hurting their manufacturers of steel and other products.

In response, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce rejected the charges. In a statement quoted by the official China Daily, it said: 'The main objective of China’s relevant export policies is to protect the environment and natural resources. China believes the policies in question are in keeping with WTO rules ... Following the WTO procedures for dispute resolution, China will appropriately handle the request for consultations.'

European Commission: Press Release: IP/09/986: EU requests WTO consultations with China over export restrictions on raw materials http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/986&format=DOC&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

BBC News, 24.6.09: China accused over unfair trade http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8116085.stm

EurActiv, 24.6.09: EU, US act against China on raw material exports http://www.euractiv.com/en/trade/eu-us-act-china-raw-material-exports/article-183436

---