U.S. Chamber Supports Government's Case Against China In WTO

WASHINGTON, DC-The U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced its support for the U.S. government's decision to bring a case in the World Trade Organization (WTO) against China for offering prohibited subsidies for exports and import substitution.

"The U.S. Chamber of Commerce supports our government's judicious and transparent use of U.S. trade laws and WTO rules in actions against unfair trading practices around the world," said Myron Brilliant, vice president for Asia at the U.S. Chamber. "These subsidies violate China's commitments when it joined the WTO in 2001, and China should be held accountable."

In its annual assessment of China's WTO implementation, the U.S. Chamber called for additional transparency in China's subsidies policies. The Chamber noted that China issued its first subsidies notification to the WTO on April 7, 2006, over four years behind schedule and with some apparent significant omissions.

"The U.S. Chamber remains absolutely committed to working constructively with the Chinese government and China's private sector to make progress on the important bilateral trade agenda, but China must play by the rules," Brilliant said. "The Chamber will remain active in capacity-building and educational efforts throughout China, and will continue to forcefully advocate open markets between the United States and China based on the principles of fair trade and a level playing field."

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

www.uschamber.com

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07-25