WTO to Probe US Duties on China Exports

The World Trade Organization (WTO) decided on Tuesday to establish an expert panel to investigate the legitimacy of US anti-dumping and countervailing duties on Chinese exports.

The WTO headquarters in Geneva in November. China has protested at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over US anti-dumping and countervailing duties imposed on some Chinese-made products, state media reported. [Agencies]

The decision was made following a request by China, which has expressed deep concerns about the compatibility of the measures with US obligations in the WTO.

It usually takes 45 days for the settlement body to set up an expert panel and at least another six months for the panel to issue its final ruling on a dispute in accordance with WTO rules.

The US duties at issue affect such Chinese products as circular welded carbon quality steel pipe, new pneumatic off-the-road tires, light-walled rectangular pipe and tube, and laminated woven sacks.

China filed complaints with the WTO about the US measures last September. Consultations between the two sides were held November 14, according to the WTO dispute settlement process, but failed to resolve the issue.