China – Tariff rate Quotas for Certain Agricultural Products

Request to Join Consultations

Communication from the European Union

The following communication, dated 22 December 2016, 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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Pursuant to Article 4.11 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes (DSU), the European Union (EU) hereby notifies the Government of the People's Republic of China (China), the Government of the United States, and the Dispute Settlement Body that, in the light of its substantial trade interest, it desires to be joined in the consultations requested by the United States in a communication circulated to WTO Members on 21 December 2016 (WT/DS517/1, G/L/1171), entitled "China – Tariff Rate Quotas for Certain Agricultural Products".

The EU notes that the request for consultations relates to China's administration of its tariff-rate quotas (TRQs), including those for wheat, short- and medium- grain rice, long grain rice, and corn. The EU is a major global exporter of wheat and corn. Between 2012 and 2015, the EU has exported worldwide 108.6 million tonnes of wheat and 11.7 million tonnes of corn, valued at approximately 24.2 and 3.6 billion euros, respectively. China's administration of its TRQs for the commodities at issue may have a substantial impact on trade flows between China and the EU in such commodities, in particular wheat and corn. The EU has therefore a substantial trade interest in these consultations.

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