WTO Panel to Look Into US Tariffs on Chinese Tires

[pampango]

Source: ABC News

The World Trade Organization will launch an investigation into American import taxes on Chinese tires at a meeting of trade diplomats next week, according to a statement Monday. The dispute focuses on a three-year tariff approved in September by President Barack Obama, which aims to slow China's rapid export growth and protect American jobs in the tire sector.

The WTO included China's complaint in an agenda published for a meeting on Jan. 19 of its dispute body. Washington delayed Beijing's request last month for the establishment of an investigative panel, but cannot do so again under WTO rules.

The panel will be asked to evaluate whether the U.S. tariffs violate rules governing trade among the WTO's 153 members. Trade cases often take years to resolve, but can result in the WTO authorizing retaliatory sanctions. Obama ordered the higher tire tariffs for three years, including a 35 percent additional charge in the first year. It comes on top of a regular 4 percent tariff.

The two countries are also squabbling over American imports of Chinese steel pipes. Last month, the U.S. government imposed new duties on pipes mainly used in the oil and gas industries, affecting about $2.8 billion worth of Chinese exports. Beijing immediately criticized the decision, but has yet to initiate a WTO case.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=9528745

[hlthe2b]

1. Hmm. that is worth looking into... Given' China's record

of producing unsafe products lately, I surely don't want to be purchasing Chinese-made tires... I know the article refers to Chinese branded tires, but....

DUers, do you know where your tires are made?

[jdadd]

3. I recently purchased four Dunlop

Snow tires that I found out after the fact, were made in China. So far so good.....:scared:

[hlthe2b]

4. Bought four Michelin's yesterday...

Fear I may find out the same.

[denverbill]

2. It amazes me that conservatives fear 'world government' but don't oppose WTO.

WTO and NAFTA are destroying America, and there doesn't seem to be anything we, Congress, or even the President can do about it any more.