Mexico files WTO complaint against Chinese export restrictions on raw materials

Monday, 31 August 2009 23:29:38 (GMT+2)

Mexico joined the United States and European Union last Friday in filing a complaint with the World Trade Organization regarding China's export restrictions on certain raw materials.

According to the document filed by Mexico with the WTO, China imposes quantitative restrictions on the export of bauxite, coke, fluorspar, silicon carbide, and zinc.

China also imposes export duties on bauxite, coke, fluorspar, magnesium, manganese, silicon metal, yellow phosphorus, and zinc.

Mexico's government finds that these restrictions on exports of key raw materials, used in steelmaking and in the manufacturing of other products, violate certain obligations agreed to by China as part of its terms of accession to the WTO.

China has 30 days to respond to Mexico's request for trade consultations. If this does not occur, Mexico can request an arbitration panel.

Mexico's complaint follows two respective complaints filed in June by the US and the EU regarding the same export restrictions on raw materials by China.

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