Measures Related to the Exportation of Rare Earths, Tungsten and Molybdenum
| Short Title: | Rare Earths |
|---|---|
| Respondent: | China |
| Third Parties: | Argentina; Brazil; Canada; Colombia; Chinese Taipei; European Union; Norway; Oman; Russia; Saudi Arabia; Turkey; India; Vietnam; |
| Complaintant(s): | United States; |
| Dispute Number: | DS431 |
| Link to Dispute Site: | http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/cases_e/ds431_e.htm |
| Dispute Subject(s): | Export Restrictions; |
| Dispute Status: | Pending |
On 13 March 2012, the United States requested consultations with China with respect to China's restrictions on the export of various forms of rare earths, tungsten and molybdenum. The request refers to materials falling under but not limited to 212 eight-digit Chinese Customs Commodity Codes and over 30 measures. The request also refers to a number of Chinese published as well as unpublished measures that, operating separately or collectively, allegedly impose and administer export restrictions. These restrictions include export duties, export quotas, minimum export price requirements, export licensing requirements and additional requirements and procedures in connection with the administration of the quantitative restrictions.
The United States claims that these measures are inconsistent with:
• Articles VII, VIII, X and XI of the GATT 1994; and
• paragraphs 2(A)2, 2(C)1, 5.1, 5.2, 7.2, 8.2 and 11.3 of Part I of China's Protocol of Accession, as well as China's obligations under paragraph 1.2 of Part I of the Protocol
of Accession.
On 22 March 2012, the European Union and Japan requested to join the consultations. On 26 March 2012, Canada requested to join the consultations. Subsequently, China informed the DSB that it had accepted the requests of Canada, the European Union and Japan to join the consultations.
On 27 June 2012, the United States requested the establishment of a panel. At its meeting on 10 July 2012, the DSB deferred the establishment of a panel.
Panel and Appellate Body proceedings
At its meeting on 23 July 2012, the DSB established a single panel pursuant to Article 9.1 of the DSU to examine this dispute, DS432 and DS433. Brazil, Canada, Colombia, the European Union, India, Japan, Korea, Norway, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Chinese Taipei and Viet Nam reserved their third party rights. Subsequently, Argentina, Australia, Indonesia, Peru, Russia and Turkey reserved their third party rights. On 12 September 2012, the United States, the European Union and Japan requested the Director-General to compose the panel. On 24 September 2012, the Director-General composed the panel.