US wins another big case against China, as WTO rules Beijing unfairly used tariff-rate quotas to block wheat, rice and corn
- Ruling sides with US complaints that Beijing administered tariff-rate quotas for wheat, rice and corn in a way that was not transparent, predictable or fair
This story is published in a content partnership with POLITICO. It was originally reported by Adam Behsudi on politico.com on April 18, 2019.
The United States prevailed in a WTO fight with China over a dispute in which Washington accused Beijing of unfairly blocking access for US farm goods to its market through restrictive use of tariff-rate quotas.
A tariff-rate quota generally involves a much lower tariff for products imported within the quota and imposes a significantly larger tariff for any imports that fall outside the quota.
The ruling helps bolster the Trump administration‘s position in ongoing negotiations aimed at reining in Beijing‘s trade practices.
US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said in a statement that the ruling “further demonstrates that President Trump will take all steps necessary to enforce trade rules and to ensure free and fair trade for US farmers”.