China - Measures Concerning Trade in Goods and
Services
Request to Join Consultations
Communication
from the United Kingdom
The following communication, dated 10 February
2022, from the delegation of the United Kingdom to the delegation of China, and the delegation
of the European Union, is circulated to the Dispute Settlement Body in
accordance with Article 4.11 of the DSU.
_______________
Pursuant to Article 4.11 of the
Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes
("DSU"), the United Kingdom notifies the Government of the People's
Republic of China ("China") of its desire to join the consultations
requested by the European Union ("EU") in China – Measures Concerning Trade in Goods and Services
(WT/DS610/1).[1]
These consultations concern China's measures affecting importation of goods
from, and the exportation of goods to, the EU, and affecting trade in services
between the EU and China.
The United Kingdom has a
substantial trade interest in these consultations as a major trading partner
with China.[2]
These consultations relate to a set of measures that appear to constitute a
targeted restriction of trade in goods and services between China and
Lithuania, and which disrupt supply chains throughout the EU. The United
Kingdom has significant concerns about these measures. Any further
proliferation of these practices is likely to have a substantial adverse impact
on the United Kingdom's commercial interests.
Moreover, the United Kingdom has
a systemic interest in the proper interpretation and application of the
relevant provisions cited in the EU's consultation request.
As a result, the United Kingdom
respectfully requests that it be permitted to join the consultations in this
dispute. In accordance with the rights and obligations of WTO Members under
Article 4.11 of the DSU, the United Kingdom looks forward to receiving your
reply.
__________
[1] The consultations are requested pursuant to Articles 1 and 4 of the
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").
[2] The value of trade in goods and services between the United Kingdom
and China was £82.9 billion in 2020, amounting to 7% of all the United Kingdom's
trade. In 2020, 4% of UK exports of goods and services were to China and 9% of
UK imports of goods and services were from China.