[Salon] China issues its first report on U.S. WTO compliance

China issues its first report on U.S. WTO compliance

11-Aug-2023 CGTN

https://news.cgtn.com/news/files/2023-Report-on-U.S.-WTO-Compliance.pdf

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce issued a report on Friday on the U.S. fulfillment of its obligations under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.

In the report, China expressed concerns over U.S. policy measures that undermine the multilateral trading system, implement unilateral trade bullying, manipulate double standards in industrial policies, and disrupt global industrial and supply chains.

The U.S., as the world's largest economy and the main founder and important beneficiary of the multilateral trading system, should abide by the rules and fulfill its commitments, the report said.

China urged the U.S. to make its due contribution and promote the multilateral trading system to play a greater role in global governance.

The report pointed out that the U.S. has undermined the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism as it has selectively implemented the Dispute Settlement Body's rulings and recommendations.

The U.S. has been a respondent in 157 disputes, including 28 compliance disputes, accounting for approximately 20 percent, according to the report.

"Since 2017, the U.S. has blocked appointments of new Appellate Body members on the grounds of institutional issues, which led to the 'paralysis' of the Appellate Body."

To maintain its dominance in high-tech fields, the U.S. has been abusing export control and sanction measures, which hinder other countries' development, the report said.

By leveraging its superior or dominant positions in economy, technology and finance, the U.S. has also coerced other countries, regional groups and entities into abiding by its diplomatic policies and illegitimate demands, the report noted.

The report said the U.S. has applied different standards with regard to industrial policies between other members and itself.

The U.S. has adopted various protectionist practices, such as imposing high tariffs or taking trade-restrictive measures, providing massive subsidies to support domestic industry, instigating decoupling and fragmenting industrial and supply chains, and promoting "near-shoring" and "friend-shoring", it noted.

Commenting on the report on Friday, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said key members of the WTO should play an exemplary role and promote the strengthening of solidarity and cooperation among all parties to jointly safeguard the authority and effectiveness of the multilateral trading system.