RPT-FACTBOX-Materials targeted by EU, U.S. in China WTO case

The European Union and the United States are taking action against China at the World Trade Organization over export restrictions on a number of industrial raw materials used in steel, cars, microchips, planes and other products. Brussels and Washington say Beijing continues to restrict exports of raw materials used in steel, semiconductors, aircraft and other products despite China’s pledge to eliminate taxes and charges on exports when it joined the WTO in 2001. Included in the materials covered by the case is a range of strategic minor metals used in applications such as alloys, ceramics, mobile phones and light bulbs. Some of these metals come from a limited range of sources and their supply can be vulnerable to interruption. (June 24, 2009)