The Appeals body of the World Trade Organization (WTO) voted to uphold Chinese objections to an earlier ruling that had supported the US' right to impose extra duties on imported Chinese circular-welded pipe, light-walled rectangular pipe and tube, new pneumatic off-the-road tires, and laminated woven sacks. Most notably, the WTO's top court upheld China's argument that the additional duties broke WTO trade rules.
The United Steelworkers (USW) union was disappointed with the ruling, and International USW President Leo W. Gerard said, "Today's decision from the WTO is very troubling." This is yet another example of the WTO overreaching and undermining the legitimacy of the WTO and the sovereignty of the United States."
"China is the world's number two economy and number one exporter, and it maintains a massive trade surplus with the US and the world. The WTO needs to make sure China plays by the same rules as everyone else, and ensure all countries can effectively enforce their trade laws when their workers and industries are being injured by predatory dumping and massive, trade-distorting subsidies," added Gerard.
China launched the dispute over excessive duties in September 2008.