China - Subsidies to Producers of Primary Aluminium - Request to join consultations - Communication from the European Union

China – Subsidies to Producers of Primary AluminIum

Request to Join Consultations

Communication from the European Union

The following communication 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 17 January 2017 (WT/DS519/1, G/SCM/D113/1, G/L/1173), entitled "China – Subsidies to Producers of Primary Aluminium".

The EU notes that the request for consultations relates to subsidies provided by China to its producers of primary aluminium. The EU is a major global exporter of aluminium and aluminium products. Between 2013 and 2016, the EU has exported worldwide more than 11 million tonnes of aluminium and aluminium products, valued at approximately 40 billion Euros. The subsidies provided by China to its primary aluminium producers may have a substantial impact on the price of primary aluminium in the world market and thus affect global trade flows in aluminium and aluminium products. The EU has therefore a substantial trade interest in these consultations.

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