The US, the EU and Mexico have filed a complaint with the WTO, claiming that China uses special taxes to discourage the export of raw materials used by the steel, aluminum and chemical industries, Bloomberg reported. They have asked the WTO to look into the legality of these restrictions, which apply to 20 metals and chemicals including coke, bauxite and manganese. The complaint says that the taxes serve to keep raw materials inexpensive and available to domestic manufacturers. The US, EU and Mexico said they asked for consultations with China at the WTO in August to discuss the issue, but this came to nothing. European Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton added that the restrictions “continue to distort competition and increase global prices, making conditions for our companies even more difficult in this economic climate.” China says the taxes are designed to protect the environment and natural resources.
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