U.S., EU, Mexico go to WTO over China export quotas

U.S., EU, Mexico go to WTO over China export quotas    The United States, together with the European Union and Mexico, requested Wednesday the establishment of a World Trade Organization dispute settlement panel regarding China’s alleged use of export quotas to control stockpiles of essential raw materials.
   These materials include bauxite, coke, fluorspar, magnesium, manganese, silicon metal and carbide, yellow phosphorus, and zinc, key inputs in the production of steel, aluminum, and chemicals.
   “We believe the restraints at issue in this dispute significantly distort the international market and provide preferential conditions for Chinese industries that use these raw materials,” said U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, in a statement.
   Prior to this latest step, the United States and EU requested formal consultations with China at the WTO on June 23, and Mexico filed its consultations request on Aug. 21.
   “Working together with the European Union and Mexico, we tried to resolve this issue through consultations, but did not succeed,” Kirk said. “At this point, therefore, we need to move forward with the next step in the WTO dispute settlement process.”
   The WTO Dispute Settlement Body will consider the panel request at its meeting scheduled for Nov. 19.