China expressed regret yesterday at the latest trade rift with the US and Europe but said it would consider their complaint that it is unfairly blocking foreign-made auto parts.
The US and the EU announced on Thursday they had lodged a complaint with the WTO over the issue, which enables them to call for dispute settlement consultations with China.
"China expresses regret at this," commerce ministry spokesman Chong Quan (
"China is studying the consultation requests from the EU and the US seriously," Chong said.
Under WTO rules, China has 10 days to answer the request for talks and has to start consultations within 30 days.
If a resolution is not found within 60 days, the parties can ask a WTO panel to rule in the dispute.
US and EU officials object to what appears to be domestic content requirements for autos made in China, with tariffs on certain imported parts.
US officials have criticized them as inconsistent with China's WTO commitments.
A statement from the office of the US Trade Representative said China's taxes on imported auto parts "discourage automobile manufacturers in China from using imported auto parts in the assembly of vehicles."
"As a mature trading partner, China should be held accountable for its actions and be required to live up to its responsibilities," US Trade Representative Rob Portman said on Thursday in Washington.
In Brussels on Thursday, officials said they hoped to resolve the complaint through the consultation process.
"It remains my strong preference and intention to seek an amicable solution to this issue," EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the EU this week said it had imposed a 44.6 percent anti-dumping duty on imports of Chinese color televisions after a TV maker in China refused to allow European officials to inspect its premises.
Konka Group, one of China's largest TV makers, had rebuffed a European request to make an on-site examination to verify that an earlier agreement was being kept, triggering the European move, the EU said.
The EU also announced last week it would impose tariffs on Chinese-made leather shoes for alleged unfair trade practices.
The shoe dispute followed a similar rift China had with the US and Europe last year over a wave of cheap clothing imports.
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