WTO rules against China in auto tariff case

A WTO dispute panel has ruled against Chinese import tariffs on auto parts in a case brought forth by complaints from the US, the EU and Canada, the Financial Times reported. The ruling marks China’s first legal setback since joining the trade body in 2001. The complaint stated that China had broken WTO rules by charging duties above the permitted limit on imported auto parts that made up over a certain proportion of a completed vehicle. China, which is expected to appeal the decision later this year, has claimed that the charges were necessary to prevent automakers from dodging the car duty by importing large portions of vehicles to be assembled locally. There are three other active WTO cases against China, including complaints about intellectual property rights enforcement, news media restrictions and discrimination against US books, films and music.