Washington says WTO decision letting China tax US imports 'deeply disappointing'

After World Tre Organization [WTO] granted China a new tariff weapon in retaliation to $645 million worth of annual American exports escalating tre war between two largest economies, Washington on Tuesday derided move. On 26 January, a WTO arbitrator announced WTO’s decision on level of countermeasures China may request in its dispute with United States regarding Washington countervailing duties on certain products from China, according to press document issued by WTO. global tre organization authorized China to impose compensatory tariffs against America, a measure that caused widespre condemnation from United States. 

While amount was lower than what was requested by Beijing—an estimated $2.4 billion, China attained  legal authority to target American goods and products. As China holds formal WTO authorization to retaliate against US goods and services in a new turn to commerce and tre dispute that dates back to 2012, spokesman for US Tre Representative, am Hodge, said in a statement that decision me by WTO is “deeply disappointing.”

It “reflects erroneous Appellate Body interpretations that damage ability of WTO members to defend our workers and businesses from China’s tre-distorting subsidies," US Tre Representative, am Hodge, reportedly said in a statement. 

US seeks reformation in WTO rules following dispute settlement

In an emailed statement, Hodge stressed that WTO’s decision “reinforces need to reform WTO rules and dispute settlement, which have been used to shield China’s non-market economic practices and undermine fair, market-oriented competition,” according to Swissinfo. 

United States h imposed a series of tariffs on Chinese goods. Illegal countervailing duties were slapped on about a dozen Chinese imports including rmal paper, pipes, citric acid, lawnmowers, kitchen shelving, magnesia bricks, print graphics, solar panels, wind towers, and steel sinks. US tariffs on more than US $300 billion worth of Chinese goods were also imposed by former US President Donald Trump. In 2012,  Beijing went to WTO to challenge anti-subsidy tariffs United States imposed between 2008 and 2012, on over 22 Chinese products including solar panels and steel wires. As decision was announced Washington accused WTO of leniency towards China, ding that it benefits from easier treatment at WTO.