WASHINGTON, D.C. – United States Trade Representative (USTR) Michael Froman announced that today the World Trade Organization (WTO) adopted an August 2, 2013 dispute settlement panel report in favor of the United States in a major trade dispute with China, proving that China’s imposition of duties on U.S. chicken “broiler” products violates international trade rules. With the report now formally adopted by the WTO Dispute Settlement Body, China must bring itself into compliance with its WTO obligations. In 2009 – the year before China imposed the duties – the United States exported over 613,000 metric tons of broiler meat to China. Exports fell almost 90 percent after the imposition of the duties, according to a USTR press release.
“Today’s announcement is welcome news to U.S. chicken producers, who look forward to once again competing in this viable export market without unjustified trade restrictions,” said National Chicken Council President Mike Brown. “We’re hopeful that mutually beneficial trade in poultry products between China and the United States can now be restored as soon as possible. Today’s news sends a clear message to other countries that have similarly brought unjustified antidumping duties on U.S. chicken products.”
Ambassador Froman noted, “This decision represents a significant victory for American farmers and chicken producers and proves that the United States will not stand by while our trade partners unfairly hurt U.S. exports and U.S. jobs. Given the wide-ranging violations found by the WTO, I hope that China’s acceptance of the WTO’s decision without appeal signals a recognition by China that it needs to take a serious look at its trade remedies regime and bring its rules, procedures and practices into line with its WTO obligations.”
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