EU sets deadline for China to lift restriction on coking coal exports

EU sets deadline for China to lift restriction on coking coal exports

As previously reported by SteelOrbis, the restrictions on export of coking coal imposed China have stood as a problem between European Union (EU) and China for a long time. Previously EU set deadline for China to scrap restrictions as May 14, 2004 however two parties agreeing that the subject requires more time to discuss, extended the negotiations two more weeks. According to the latest statement released by EU, the deadline for China to lift restrictions on coking coal exports is determined as this Friday, i.e May 28, 2004. On the condition that, China does not lift the restrictions on the subject raw material, EU will take the case to World Trade Organization (WTO). In this case, legality of the restrictions will be discussed by the panel. China had previously announced that it increased the amount of coking coal that is allowed to be exported by 1.5 million tons for this year however EU insists on lifting of restrictions completely as EU meets 30% of its coking coal need from China.