China has filed a request with the World Trade Organization (WTO) on Thursday for consultations with the United States, disputing the legitimacy of the import tariffs relating to the alleged intellectual property theft that hit over $60 billion worth of Chinese goods, WTO stated in a release. According to the procedure, Beijing and Washington have 60 days to settle the complaint or a neutral arbitration panel set up by WTO would do so. A separate complaint over the steel and aluminum tariffs has been filed earlier in the day.
In China's view, American tariffs violate principles of international trade as well as specific obligations the US has under the WTO. "With the United States refusing to enter compensation negotiations in accordance with WTO rules, China has to initiate the dispute settlement procedure to protect its rights and interests," the official statement by the Ministry of Commerce in Beijing said earlier in the day.
The US tariffs cite Section 301-310 and Section 232 of the 1974 Trade Act that mentions "trade protectionism" as a tool for preserving national security. In retaliation, Beijing has introduced reciprocal measures, including a 25% tariff on soybeans.
