June 23,2009

Grassley Welcomes U.S. Case on Chinese Export Restraints

Sen. Chuck Grassley, ranking member of the Committee on Finance, with jurisdiction over international trade, today made the following comment in response to the announcement that the United States has requested World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement consultations with the People’s Republic of China regarding China’s export restraints on numerous important raw materials.

“Ambassador Kirk is doing the right thing by filing this case. China’s export restraints violate the commitments that China made when it joined the World Trade Organization. The restraints unfairly raise costs for U.S. manufacturers, and they give Chinese firms an unfair competitive advantage in world markets. That’s unacceptable. USTR should aggressively pursue these consultations. If the consultations fail to resolve the issue soon, USTR should follow through to litigate to the end.”

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