US Challenging China Export Duties at WTO

The U.S. is requesting World Trade Organization consultations over Chinese export duties on 21 tariff lines related to the raw materials antimony, cobalt, copper, graphite, lead, magnesia, talc, tantalum and tin, for which Beijing charges 5 percent to 20 percent ad valorem rates, U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman announced (here). The duties hurt U.S. chemical, steel and automotive sectors, to name a few, make the materials more expensive for downstream U.S. manufacturers, and encourage U.S. and other non-Chinese producers to move production to China, Froman’s office said. China committed to erase export duties for all products except those listed in a specific annex upon its accession to the WTO, USTR said. Vice President Joe Biden is addressing the issue during a speech at the Port of San Diego July 13.