China – Tax Measures Concerning Certain Domestically Produced Aircraft

Request to Join Consultations

Communication from the European Union

The following communication, dated 18 December 2015, from the delegation of the European Union to the delegation of China, the delegation of the United States and to the Chairperson of the Dispute Settlement Body, is circulated in accordance with Article 4.11 of the DSU.

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Following the request for consultations of the United States that was circulated to the WTO Members on 10 December 2015 (WT/DS501/1), and pursuant to Article 4.11 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes (DSU), the European Union hereby notifies the Government of the People's Republic of China, the Government of the United States of America and the Dispute Settlement Body of its desire to join the consultations requested by the United States in DS501, in light of its substantial trade interest in this dispute.

The European Union's substantial trade interest to participate in these consultations is justified by the fact that the alleged discriminatory tax advantages for domestically produced general, regional or agricultural aircraft in the People's Republic of China potentially affect its own aircraft industry. The European Union points out that it has an important aeronautics industry and is one of the main global exporters of aircraft and components with around 55 billion Euros of worldwide (extra-EU) exports (in aircraft and related parts) in 2014. Exports from the European Union to the People's Republic of China of aircraft and components amounted to around 7.8 billion Euros. Therefore, the European Union has a substantial trade interest to participate as third-party in these consultations.

The European Union looks forward to being informed of the date and venue of the consultations.

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