China looking at ramifications of WTO study on auto parts export dispute

China looking at ramifications of WTO study on auto parts export dispute The Chinese government said late last week that it is studying an interim report issued by the World Trade Organization on European Union, U.S. and Canadian complaints about China’s tax measures on auto parts imports, the Xinhua news service reported Friday.
   “China is carefully studying the report and is preparing to submit its opinions to the WTO panel, according to a government statement issued by the Chinese mission to the world trade body,” the story said. “China respects the dispute settlement procedures of the WTO and will not make comments on the case until the final ruling is made, the statement said.”
   The report, released Wednesday, mostly supports EU, U.S. and Canadian complaints that the Chinese tax measure on imported auto parts violates WTO rules.
   “China considers auto parts as a whole vehicle if they account for 60 percent or more of the value of a final vehicle, and it charges a higher tariff on them,” the story said. “China says the measure is meant to keep 'lawbreakers' from exploiting the difference between tariff rates for importing entire automobiles and auto parts, and to protect consumers’ interests.”
   The final WTO report on the matter is due in March.