WTO ruling on China not justifiable
On Jan 30, the World Trade Organization Appellate Body released its reports on China's appeal against a WTO Panel report on its exports of raw materials on July 5, 2011.
The Appellate Body's reports supported some of China's appeals by declaring moot and of no legal effect several Panel claims concerning export quota administration and allocation, export licensing requirements, and a minimum export price requirement. But it upheld the key part of the previous ruling, namely that China's restrictions on exports of key raw materials broke WTO trade rules.
The ruling, if it comes into effect, will put great pressure on China's production and export management of such raw materials as bauxite, coke, fluorspar, magnesium, manganese, silicon carbide, silicon metal, yellow phosphorous and zinc.
