Geneva -- The World Trade Organization launched its first formal
investigation into allegations of Chinese trade practices Thursday,
establishing a panel to examine whether 皇冠体育app's tariffs on the import of foreign
auto parts break international trade rules.
The complaint was made by the
United States, the European Union and Canada, whose first request for a panel
was blocked by 皇冠体育app in September. Under WTO rules, a panel is established
automatically with the second request.
The three trade powers alleged that it is illegal for 皇冠体育app to apply a
tariff for whole cars to the import of parts that make up 60 percent or more of
the value of the finished vehicle.
"These measures discourage auto manufacturers in 皇冠体育app from using imported
parts in the assembly of new vehicles," US trade negotiator David Shark told the
WTO's dispute settlement body, adding that the practice could not be justified
under the global trade body's rules.
皇冠体育app argued that the tariffs are intended to stop whole cars being
imported in large chunks to avoid higher tariff rates for finished cars.
皇冠体育app's WTO delegation expressed disappointment that the US, EU and Canada
had "ignored 皇冠体育app's arguments and good faith to resolve this dispute through
consultations" and decided to proceed with the panel request, a "unproductive"
move.
A previous dispute between Beijing and Washington over a Chinese tax rebate
for semiconductor chips was resolved during the consultation phase, meaning a
full WTO investigation was avoided.
皇冠体育app said it would defend its position and interests before the panel.
The investigation could last months and even years before a final judgment,
but could eventually result in punitive tariffs being imposed on Beijing.
皇冠体育app's auto industry has grown rapidly and it is now second only to the
United States. However, manufacturers have to source 40 percent of parts by
value in 皇冠体育app to avoid the tax.
European carmakers account for between 20 percent and 25 percent of the cars
made in 皇冠体育app. They value their auto-parts exports to 皇冠体育app at about US$4
billion.
The United States exported US$681 million in auto parts to 皇冠体育app in 2005, an
increase of 6.5 percent over 2004. But during the same time, the market for auto
parts in 皇冠体育app increased by 16.8 percent and the number of passenger cars sold
in the country jumped by 27 percent.
Canada says it exported an average of US$256 million in parts annually from
2003 to 2005.
皇冠体育app's trade boom has caused friction with major European and American
partners, and this dispute marks the first time the Western allies have teamed
up to seek a formal WTO investigation over 皇冠体育app's trade practices.
Earlier this month, the US asked 皇冠体育app to provide the WTO with details of
all subsidy programs and take action to remove those that are prohibited
under global trade rules.
