China Takes U.S. Action to WTO

China has asked for consultations at the World Trade Organization's Dispute Settlement Body on countervailing duty measures applied by the U.S. against 22 Chinese products, including solar panels, a statement said.

After the US Department of Commerce initiated a trade remedies investigation into Chinese solar power imports, China has responded in a completely predictable manner:

The New York Times reports today that the new US antidumping and countervailing duty investigations of Chinese solar panels is proceeding exactly as expected - by everyone other than the folks who petitioned for the case, of course:

As readers of this blog know, the Cato Institute will be publishing a new paper of mine on the global subsidy epidemic and how the United States could lead international reform efforts but only if we get our own subsidy (and anti-subsidy) house in order.  That paper, "Countervailing Calamity: How to Stop the Global Subsidies Race," should be officially out in a week or so, but in the meantime I'll be previewing certain themes (it's a long paper) here, as I did the other day when President Oba

I wish I could say that this development is in any way surprising, but, well, that's just not true (emphasis mine): Solar manufacturers including the U.S. unit of SolarWorld AG (SWV) are preparing a trade complaint against imports from China, as they seek help from President Barack Obama to counter subsidies to their competitors, according to people familiar with the matter.

Over the last few weeks, I've cautioned that America's absurd ethanol policies and the new US WTO complaint against Chinese "green subsidies" (which arose from the United Steelworkers' Section 301 petition) could spark new trade disputes targeting US exports.

GENEVA (Reuters) - China launched a complaint at the World Trade Organization on Friday against U.S. import duties on 22 Chinese products that the United States says are unfairly priced or subsidized, including solar panels and steel products. "China firmly opposes the abuse of trade remedy measures and trade protectionism," China's Ministry of Commerce said in a statement. China's complaint counterattacks in areas where the United States has hit Chinese products with punitive tariffs, known as anti-dumping duties or countervailing duties, in recent years. ...

GENEVA (Reuters) - China launched a complaint at the World Trade Organization on Friday against U.S. import duties on 22 Chinese products that the United States says are unfairly priced or subsidized, including solar panels and steel products. "China firmly opposes the abuse of trade remedy measures and trade protectionism," China's Ministry of Commerce said in a statement. China's complaint counter-attacks in areas where the United States has hit Chinese products with punitive tariffs, known as anti-dumping duties or countervailing duties, in recent years. ...