Brussels, 01/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - China informed the World Trade Organisation (WTO) dispute settlement body on Wednesday 31 August of its decision to appeal against the ruling which went against Chinese restrictions on the export of raw materials (see EUROPE 10412). The WTO notes that the appeal body has three months to deliver its report.
Ruling on a complaint lodged in 2009 by the EU, the United States and Mexico, the WTO decided on 5 July that the restrictions imposed by China on exports of nine raw materials of crucial importance to European industry (including bauxite, zinc, coke and magnesium) were illegal. At issue were the taxes on these imports, import quotas and a minimum price regime. These raw materials are used in the production of medical equipment, CDs, electronic materials, fridges, car batteries and drinks cans, and also in the motor car and non-ferrous metallurgy sectors. (L.C./transl.rt)