The World Trade Organization (WTO) has agreed to rule on a dispute launched by China over US curbs on imports of steel pipes, tires and woven sacks, the Financial Times reported. This is the first time China has initiated a dispute panel at the WTO since joining in 2001. The case involves four sets of parallel anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties imposed by the US on two types of steel pipe, pneumatic off-road tires and laminated woven sacks. Beijing is particularly angry about the 2007 change in the US’ methodology for investigating subsidies, which has lead to the levying of duties against Chinese businesses. The US classifies China as a "non-market economy" and had previously only levied duties against its companies for anti-dumping violations. President Barack Obama’s administration has pledged to take a tough line against allegedly unfair trade practices.