China Requests WTO Panel to Resolve Tire Tariff
According to the Jan. 8 Federal Register, China has requested from the United States the establishment of a dispute settlement panel under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (WTO) concerning various measures affecting some passenger vehicle and light truck tire imports. Specifically, the request was filed following a September approval of a three-year tariff on Chinese-made tires by President Obama. The tariff included a 35 percent additional charge in the first year. China sought the formation of the panel after the two countries could not formulate a mutually acceptable resolution to the dispute.
The move is the latest in a long-running series of trade disputes between the two countries. The formation of the panel was delayed last month by the U.S. but, under WTO rules, they are not allowed to do so again. China's complaint has been included on a WTO agenda for the Jan. 19 meeting of its dispute body. The U.S. Trade Representative will accept public comments through Jan. 29.