U.S. tariffs: China files a formal complaint with WTO

China has lodged a complaint with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over the new tariffs imposed by the United States on goods from China, the WTO said on Wednesday.

“China has requested WTO dispute consultations with the U.S. in regard to new tariff measures applied by the U.S. on goods originating in China,’’ the organisation said in a statement.

New 10 per cent tariffs imposed by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump on all Chinese imports took effect on Tuesday.

China responded by announcing tariffs of 15 per cent on imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) products and coal from the U.S. on Tuesday.

China’s President Xi Jinping

According to the WTO, the request for consultations formally initiates a dispute in the WTO.

“Consultations give the parties an opportunity to discuss the matter and to find a satisfactory solution without proceeding further with litigation,’’ it said.

If the dispute is not resolved after 60 days, the complainant may request adjudication by a panel.

Experts then assess whether the tariffs are compliant with WTO rules, in a procedure that takes several months.

If the arbitrators rule in China’s favour, Beijing can, under WTO rules, impose tariffs itself to the extent that it has suffered damage as a result of the US tariffs.

Trump won November’s presidential election promising to slap high tariffs on foreign goods.

He previously implemented several duties during his first term from 2017 to 2021.