WTO upholds ruling against China’s rare earths curbs
Trade rules violated, appeal didn’t demonstrate export quotas are justified.
China is accused of unfair trade practices involving rare earths and minerals.
In March, the WTO dispute settlement panel found that China’s restrictions breach WTO rules. Its ruling followed complaints by the US, the EU and Japan.
In its ruling, the Geneva-based WTO’s appellate panel rejected Beijing’s appeal, saying it hasn’t demonstrated that the export quotas that China applies to various forms of rare earths are justified.
China has about one-third of global deposits of rare earths but accounts for more than 90% of production. In 2009, it alarmed foreign companies by limiting rare earth exports in an attempt to boost its domestic manufacturing base.
US Trade Representative Michael Froman said that the decision “marks the end of the line” for the rare earths dispute.
“By upholding rules on fair access to raw materials, this decision is a win not only for the United Sates, but also for every nation that respects the principles of openness and fairness,” Froman said.
In a statement, China’s Ministry of Commerce expressed regret about the ruling and repeated its arguments that the controls were aimed at protecting the environment and conserving resources.
The ministry promised “proper follow-up work” based on the WTO ruling but gave no details of what it would do.
