WTO upholds US in trade dispute with China

The World Trade Organization upheld the US imposition of anti-dumping duties on Chinese steel pipes, tires and other products on Friday, the New York Times reported. The tariffs were enacted in 2008 by the Bush administration and maintained by the Obama administration. China had suggested a number of technical counterarguments to the suit – including asserting that state-owned enterprises and banks could not be considered public bodies providing subsidies – but the WTO panel rejected most of the arguments. On the same day, the United States International Trade Commission authorized the Commerce Department to impose duties on coated paper from China and Indonesia, finding that the paper is being sold in the US at below market value. The Obama administration has also agreed to investigate China’s policy support for its clean energy industry.