China files lawsuit at WTO over US tariffs

Shipping containers from China at the Port of Los Angeles in Wilmington (California, USA) on February 4.

Reuters reported on February 6 that China has officially filed a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization (WTO) about the tariffs that US President Donald Trump imposed on Chinese goods.

In a statement cited by the WTO, China said the measures appeared inconsistent with US obligations under the agreement that led to the establishment of the trade body, pointing to the discriminatory nature of the US tariffs.

"China reserves the right to take additional measures and make complaints regarding the issues identified herein, during the consultations and in any future request for the establishment of a panel," China's statement said, without detailing the measures involved.

Trump raises taxes, China retaliates immediately

On February 1, Mr. Trump announced tariffs on goods from Mexico, Canada, and China, forcing them to stop the flow of the addictive drug fentanyl, as well as forcing Mexico and Canada to stop the flow of illegal immigrants into the U.S. He then postponed tariffs on the two North American countries, but still imposed them on China.

Mr. Trump plans to impose a 10% tariff on goods from China. Beijing then announced it would file a lawsuit at the WTO.

Since December 2019, the WTO dispute settlement system has been paralyzed by the collapse of the Appellate Body, which has the final say in disputes. The first Trump administration and then former President Joe Biden blocked the appointment of new judges to the Appellate Body, which they said was a misuse of judicial power in disputes. The body cannot function if it has fewer than three judges.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bi-my-ap-thue-trung-quoc-khoi-kien-len-wto-185250206071103265.htm