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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