World
US Calls For Reform In WTO Rules After Global Trade Body Authorises China To Impose Tariffs On Washington
Swarajya Staff
Jan 27, 2022, 10:30 AM | Updated 10:36 AM IST
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
The United States on Wednesday (26 January) called for reforms in "WTO rules and dispute settlement" that have been used to "shield China’s non-market economic practices".
The statement by US Trade Representative office comes after the World Trade Organisation (WTO) allowed China to impose $645 million of compensatory tariffs against the United States.
The US had imposed anti-subsidy tariffs between 2008 and 2012, mainly during the term of the then US President Barack Obama, on 22 Chinese products ranging from solar panels to steel wire, reports Economic Times.
In 2012, China went to the WTO challenging the anti-subsidy tariffs in the US.
The case, which went on for nearly a decade, reportedly centred on whether the US could treat Chinese firms in which the government holds a majority stake as controlled by the state.
The USTR said the WTO decision favouring China in the case "reflects errorneous Appellate Body interpretations that damage the ability of WTO Members" to defend their workers and businesses from China's trade-distorting subsidies.
Adam Hodge, spokesperson for the US Trade Representative's Office, said the decision reinforces the "need to reform WTO rules and dispute settlement, which have been used to shield China’s non-market economic practices and undermine fair, market-oriented competition".
Earlier in November 2019, the WTO awarded China the right to impose retaliatory tariffs of $3.58 billion against US after finding fault with the way Washington determined whether Chinese products are being dumped on the US market.
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.