The four major cases noted below have been decided by the WTO concerning China, the U.S. and the EU during 2011. What do they indicate? One, that China has won a major case against the EU. This is China’s biggest victory in the WTO. Two, the U.S. has won two major cases against China. Three, China mostly prevailed on appeals in an important case against the U.S. 

What are the lessons? One, the U.S. is doing pretty well in the WTO litigation process. Two, but so is China. What does this portend for future trade relations? The answer is simple. Both China and the U.S. know the global trade rules and they are perfectly able to defend their positions. Don’t take any litigation for granted. The U.S. recently filed another case against China late last month in the WTO. This one contesting China’s antidumping duties on the import of U.S. poultry into China. 

Recently Decided China Trade Litigation in the WTO in 2011.

• AB for U.S. in Tires Case for safeguards on import of tires from China. WTO Summary for Case # 399.

• Panel for U.S. on export restraints on raw materials from China. WTO Summary for Case # 394.

• AB for China on EU A/D on fastners from China.  WTO Case Summary for Case #397.

• AB mostly for China on A/D and CVD on steel from China. WTO Case Summary for Case #379.