Brussels, 10/07/2012 (Agence Europe) - At the meeting of the WTO Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) on 10 July, China blocked the request made by the United States, Japan and the EU for a special panel to be set up to settle their grievance against Chinese restrictions on exports of rare earths, tungsten and molybdenum. The request was introduced on 27 June after 60-day consultations stalled. Beijing, for its part, defends its policy aimed at protecting natural resources and ensuring sustainable economic development. China states it is “puzzled by the complainants' initiation of the panel process as it has no intention of protecting its domestic industry through means that would distort trade”. (EH/transl.jl)