Press Release: WTO Appellate Body rules against Chinese restrictions on access to rare earths and other raw materials

The Appellate Body of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on the 7 August 2014 ruled in the European Union's favour. It confirmed the findings made by a Panel in March 2014 that China’s export restrictions on rare earth, as well as tungsten and molybdenum, are in breach of WTO rules. Backing the claims of the EU and its co-complainants, the US and Japan, the WTO found that China’s export duties and quotas were not justified for reasons of environmental protection or conservation policy.

• Primary Source

European Commission: RAPID: MEMO/14/504: WTO Appellate Body confirms: China’s export restrictions on rare earths and other raw materials illegal http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-14-504_en.pdf

ESO: Background information: Chinese restrictions on access to rare earths and other raw materials - WTO rules in EU’s favour http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-chinese-restrictions-on-access-to-rare-earths-and-other-raw-materials-wto-rules-in-eus-favour/

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