China Advances Case on “Zeroing”
China announced today it will advance another WTO case against the United States on its use of “zeroing” in targeted anti-dumping cases. China requested consultations at the WTO in December 2013, alleging that the United States' use of zeroing methodology in targeted dumping cases against certain Chinese exports violates the WTO Anti-dumping Agreement. Targeted dumping occurs when there are patterns of export pricing that differ significantly “among...
The US has won a World Trade Organization (WTO) case against China on export restraints on rare earths, tungsten, and molybdenum -- important components in US products, including petroleum, automobiles, and certain electronics. China will have 60 days to appeal the ruling; if it chooses not to appeal, it will have a set period of time to comply with the panel’s findings.
The case, initiated in September 2012, centered around China’s imposition of export duties, quotas, minimum...
The Obama Administration on Wednesday nominated Robert W. Holleyman II as Deputy United States Trade Representative (USTR) with the Office of the US Trade Representative, which leads trade negotiations and coordinates investment policy on behalf of the Executive Office. Holleyman will manage the Asia-Pacific portfolio, assuming a role formerly held by Demetrios Marantis until his departure in May 2013. Since stepping down, Marantis’ position has been filled on an acting basis by Wendy Cutler...
Catherine A. Novelli was confirmed unanimously today by the Senate as Undersecretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment. Novelli replaces Robert Hormats, who left the position in July 2013 for the private sector. In her new role, Novelli will be charged with overseeing State-led economic and trade-related dialogues with China.
Novelli was formerly Vice President of Worldwide Government Affairs at Apple, Inc., and has previously served for over 20 years in...
The Senate voted unanimously today to confirm Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) as Ambassador to China. Baucus will assume the role currently held by Ambassador Gary Locke, who is set to step down March 1.
Baucus has been actively engaged on trade issues during his three decades in the Senate, particularly in his role as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. He has traveled to China eight times to discuss trade and commercial issues and has been a vocal advocate for Montana beef and other...
The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations today unanimously approved Senator Max Baucus’ (D-MT) nomination to be US ambassador to China. While no date has been set for consideration of his nomination by the full Senate, media reports suggest the vote will take place before the end of the week. Baucus’ nomination is not expected to face opposition in the full Senate. Baucus will succeed current Ambassador Gary Locke after Locke departs on March 1.
For more on Baucus’ views and...
In his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today, Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) said he would focus on “positive, cooperative, and constructive” ways to promote US-China trade and reduce regional tensions if confirmed as ambassador to China. He said this strategy had already “paid dividends,” such as China’s commitment to negotiate a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) based on a US approach. Baucus is widely expected to be confirmed by the committee and full Senate...
The United States, China and 12 other World Trade Organization (WTO) members announced on January 24 they would begin work towards reducing tariffs on environmental goods, such as solar panels, wind turbines, and other green technologies. The talks represent the latest multilateral effort involving China aimed at reducing trade barriers for goods and services in global markets. Other recent multilateral negotiations involving China have not progressed significantly; negotiations over the...
The US-China Business Council today called on the White House and congressional leaders to oppose counterproductive language expected to be included in 2014 fiscal year appropriations that bars the Departments of Commerce and Justice, NASA, and the National Science Foundation from purchasing information technology (IT) systems from China without first conducting a cyber-espionage or sabotage risk assessment. The letter states that the rule “does little to improve the security of the US...
The United States will seek consultations with China in the World Trade Organization (WTO) over China’s compliance with an earlier WTO panel decision on US grain oriented flat-rolled electrical steel (GOES) exports, according to US Trade Representative Michael Froman. That case – which the United States won on appeal in October 2012 – challenged China’s imposition of anti-dumping (AD) and countervailing duties (CVDs) on US steel exports; China was given until July 2013 to become compliant...
