Japan initiates WTO dispute complaint against Chinese steel duties

Japan has requested WTO dispute consultations with China concerning anti-dumping measures imposed by China on certain stainless steel products from Japan. The request was circulated to WTO members on 15 June.

Japan claims the measures in question, imposed in 2019 by China’s Ministry of Commerce, appear to be inconsistent with various provisions under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994 and the Anti-Dumping Agreement.

Further information is available in document WT/DS601/1

What is a request for consultations?

The request for consultations formally initiates a dispute in the WTO. Consultations give the parties an opportunity to discuss the matter and to find a satisfactory solution without proceeding further with litigation. After 60 days, if consultations have failed to resolve the dispute, the complainant may request adjudication by a panel.

• More on consultations
• Current status of disputes