US, EU and Japan could take China rare-earth issue to WTO

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/business/news/article_1593334.php/US-EU-and-Japan-could-take-China-rare-earth-issue-to-WTO-Roundup

Japan and the United States have 'unofficially' discussed complaining to the World Trade Organization (WTO) about China's delayed exports of rare-earth metals, a Japanese news report said Friday. The European Union appeared to be considering similar action, sources in Beijing said.

China, which produces about 97 per cent of the world's supply of rare-earth metals, signed up in 2001 to the WTO agreement, which prohibits almost all restrictions on exports. Beijing has maintained that its recent export restrictions do not contravene the WTO rules, and are motivated by environmental considerations and by an ongoing consolidation of its primary sector.

Sources of both the US and Japanese governments told the Nikkei business daily that they would not rule out the possibility of jointly asking China to correct its action or bringing the matter to the attention of the World Trade Organization, the Japanese daily said in its online evening edition.

EU sources in Beijing told German Press Agency dpa that Brussels was consulting with affected European companies on the matter, a move which is usually required before lodging a complaint with the WTO.