WTO rules against China for first time

[maddezmom]

Source: AP

GENEVA - The World Trade Organization on Wednesday issued its first official condemnation of Chinese commercial practices, siding with the United States, European Union and Canada in a dispute over car parts.

The WTO found that China was breaking trade rules by taxing imports of auto parts at the same rate as foreign-made finished cars, according to a copy of the ruling's conclusions obtained by The Associated Press.

In the sweeping decision, the three-member WTO panel found against China on nearly every point of contention with the U.S., the 27-nation EU and Canada.

The three trade powers argued that the tariff was discouraging automakers from using imported car parts for the vehicles they assemble in China. As a result, car parts companies had an incentive to shift production to China, costing Americans, Canadians and Europeans their jobs, they said.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080213/ap_on_bi_ge/wto_china_auto_parts

[ohio2007]

1. Steven Speilberg also slams China over Sudan oil deals

Steven Spielberg shuns Olympics in China

Steven Spielberg, the Hollywood film director, announced he was pulling out of his involvement with this year’s Beijing Olympics in protest at China’s role in atrocities in Darfur.

In the most embarrassing public relations set-back yet to the Chinese government’s hosting of the Games, Spielberg, who was due to be an adviser for the opening and closing ceremonies in August, said he could no longer live with his conscience over his position.


China has been a notable ally of the Sudanese government, buying its oil and selling it arms, and has threatened to veto United Nations security council resolutions imposing sanctions on the African country for massacres in Darfur, in the south of the country.


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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/02/13/wspielberg213.xml


<crickets>

[OhioChick]

2. About Damn Time. n/t