Following protestations aired back in September 2008, it appears that the European Union and the USA are poised to take formal action against China this month over export restrictions on around 20 exported raw materials, including bauxite, fluorspar, magnesite, rare earths, and talc.
In a Reuters bulletin today it was reported that Brussels and Washington are to formally request consultations with Beijing on the issue on 22 June. Should these talks fail, the next stage would be for the EU/USA to request a WTO panel to hear the complaint.
The charge is that China has been placing unfair export quotas...