Foreign auto manufacturers operating in China received a boost as Beijing decided to delay a planned increase in tariffs on auto parts, the Wall Street Journal reported. As of July 1, tariffs were set to rise for auto parts that cost 60% or more of the total price of the completed vehicle. But a statement, dated July 5, posted on the General Administration of Customs� website said the increase would be postponed until July 1, 2008. Since April 2005, China has imposed tariffs of up to 30% on certain auto parts � well in excess of the international standard of 13-17% � much to the irritation of the US and EU who complained to the WTO this breached trading principles as it discriminated against foreign-made components in favor of local ones. It is thought that the Chinese decision to postpone the increase will help further talks between the three parties at the WTO, which have so far failed to find a resolution.
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