As widely expected, China has appealed a ruling by the World Trade Organization (WTO) against its export policies on several raw materials including bauxite, fluorspar and silicon carbide.
The appeal, which was expected before the 3 September deadline, means the issue will go to the WTO’s Appellate Body - a group of seven judges.
In August, the WTO upheld complaints by the US, the EU and Mexico that China’s exports quotas on nine minerals did not comply with the world trade body’s rules.
“The Appellate Body have up to a maximum of three months [from 31 August] to complete their examination, produce a report with their findings, conclusions and recommendations,” a WTO spokesman told IM.
The WTO ruling, which was widely misreported to include rare earth elements, could affect China’s export policies on industrial minerals.
The other minerals covered by...