China - Measures Concerning Trade in Goods and Services

Request for Consultations by the european union

The following communication, dated 27 January, from the delegation of the European Union to the delegation of China, is circulated to the Dispute Settlement Body in accordance with Article 4.4 of the DSU.

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My authorities have instructed me to request consultations with the Government of the People's Republic of China ("China") pursuant to Articles 1 and 4 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes ("DSU"), in conjunction with Article XXII:1 of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 ("GATT 1994"), Article 24.8 of the Trade Facilitation Agreement ("TFA"), Article 11 of the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures ("SPS Agreement") and Article XXII of the General Agreement on Trade in Services ("GATS") in relation to measures adopted by, and attributable to, China, affecting the importation of goods from, and the exportation of goods to, the European Union ("EU") and affecting trade in services between the EU and China. These measures appear to be inconsistent with the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization, in particular Articles I:1, V:6, X:3(a) and XI:1 of GATT, Article XVII of GATT and Article 1.2 of China's Protocol of Accession to the WTO in conjunction with paragraphs 46 and 342 of the Working Party Report, Articles 3, 5, 7, 9 and 10 of the TFA, Article 2 and Annex C in conjunction with Article 8 of the SPS Agreement, and Articles II, VIII, XI, XVI and XVII of GATS.