WTO will investigate Chinese tire tariffs

Jan. 12, 2010

The World Trade Organization (WTO) will soon launch an investigation on Chinese tire tariffs put in place by the United States government this past September, according to reports out of Europe.

A three-person panel, which will be formed on Jan. 19, will evaluate whether or not the U.S. complied with WTO rules in levying the tariffs, which are now in their first phase.

The investigation is expected to take nine months, after which a final decision will be rendered and published.

In late December, China asked the WTO to form a panel "to decide the legitimacy of punitive U.S. tariffs imposed on Chinese-made auto tires."

The White House imposed a 35% tariff on certain Chinese-built passenger and light truck tires in late September. The Chinese government claims the tariff "is a compromise to the pressure of domestic protectionism interests."

For more information, see President sets first-year tire tariffs at 35%.