China on Monday asked the World Trade Organization (WTO) to establish an expert panel to investigate U.S. anti-dumping and countervailing duties on Chinese products which may violate WTO trade rules.

The U.S. measures at issue "appear to raise a number of WTO concerns," and China "is deeply concerned" about the compatibility of these measures with U.S. obligations in the WTO, the Chinese delegation told a meeting of the WTO's Dispute Settlement Body (DSB).

According to the delegation, China has called the United States' attention to its concerns on numerous occasions, but "thus far it has not received any concrete solution from the United States."

"Therefore, given its systemic concerns, China is compelled to pursue this matter further and to request that the DSB establish a panel ... to examine China's complaints," it said.

The U.S. duties at issue affect such Chinese products as circular welded carbon quality steel pipe, new pneumatic off-the-road tires, light-walled rectangular pipe and tube, and laminated woven sacks.

China filed complaints to the WTO about the U.S. measures in September. Consultations between the two sides were held on Nov. 14 according to the WTO dispute settlement process, but the consultations failed to resolve the dispute.

At the DSB meeting on Monday, the United States blocked the establishment of the panel. But the panel would be established automatically if China makes the request again in January.

At least half a year is needed for a WTO panel to issue its ruling on a dispute.

(Xinhua News Agency December 23, 2008)