May 23,2014

Press Contact:

Keith Chu: 202-224-4515

Wyden Statement On WTO Ruling Against Chinese Automobile Tariffs

WASHINGTON –Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., praised the World Trade Organization’s ruling today in favor of the United States in a challenge against Chinese automobile tariffs:

“The World Trade Organization has confirmed that, following an inadequate investigation, China illegally levied tariffs on U.S. companies. I am pleased that USTR stood up for U.S. autoworkers and their families and I hope this case makes clear that the United States will not back down on trade enforcement in the face of retaliation,” Wyden said.

“Whether we are dealing with foreign companies illegally dumping goods into the United States or Chinese military officers engaged in criminal hacking, the United States must uphold the law when it comes to enforcement.  And if China retaliates, as it threatened to do in response to the criminal proceedings against state-sponsored economic espionage launched by the Department of Justice, the United States should exercise all available options to enforce U.S. rights,”  he continued.

The WTO today ruled in favor of the United States in its challenge to Chinese antidumping and countervailing duties on U.S. autos. China originally took the action in retaliation for U.S. tariffs lawfully imposed on Chinese tires in 2009 and upheld by the WTO in 2011.  Just days ago, after the United States filed criminal hacking charges against Chinese military officers, China’s State Internet Information Office threatened retaliation against U.S. companies. 

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