The World Trade Organization rejected an appeal by China on Monday that would have kept in place higher taxes for cars imported into the country. From AP:
“Especially in light of the current problems faced by the U.S. auto industry, I expect China to comply promptly with its WTO obligations by removing an unlawful and unfair trade barrier that is harming U.S. workers and manufacturers,” said U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab.
Her European counterpart, EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton, said, “China should now put an end to the discrimination and ensure a level playing field in its automotive sector.”
[…]
Beijing had appealed the original ruling made in July, arguing that the taxes were needed to stop whole cars being imported in large chunks, allowing companies to avoid the higher tariff rates for finished cars. It was the first time China lost a case before the world trade body.
