Washington to file WTO complaint against China over car dutiesJuly 5, 2012 - 15:43 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The United States will file a complaint against China on Thursday, July 5 with the World Trade Organization for imposing duties on more than $3 billion worth of U.S.-made autos, a senior U.S. official said, according to Reuters. "The key principle at stake is that China must play by the rules of the global trading system. When it does not, the Obama Administration will take action to ensure that American businesses and workers are competing on a level playing field," a senior administration official said in an e-mail. The duties cover more than 80 percent of U.S. auto exports to China. "The duties disproportionately fall on General Motors and Chrysler products precisely because of the actions that President Obama took to support the U.S. auto industry during the financial crisis," the official said. Obama will highlight his bailout of the auto industry during a two-day campaign bus tour of Ohio and Pennsylvania. The WTO complaint is meant to reinforce that message and counteract criticism from Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney that Obama has not been strict enough when dealing with China. Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | European Parliament to discuss repression in Azerbaijan The European Parliament will discuss repression of civil society in Azerbaijan on April 24 PACE wants concessions from Azerbaijan to accept Baku back A PACE co-rapporteur said that Azerbaijani authorities must make certain concessions so that the country can return to PACE. Cyprus parliament honors Armenian genocide victims Acting House President Zacharias Koulias noted that April 24 marks the “black anniversary” of the Armenian genocide. Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed. |