By TIOL News Service

GENEVA, OCT 08, 2017: FIVE WTO members questioned China’s import ban on solid waste, particularly for certain scrap materials, at the October 3, 2017 meeting of the WTO Committee on Import Licensing. The United States, the European Union, Australia, Canada and Korea sought more information on which types of materials would be affected, with some noting that this issue was of great interest to their business sectors.

The United States said it had significant concerns with the changes to import licensing surrounding China's implementation of an existing import ban on plastic and paper scrap. The US asked whether China was planning to extend the measure to cover ferrous and non-ferrous scrap, and if so, when this would be implemented and under what procedures. The US requested China to adhere to notification obligations, particularly for ferrous and non-ferrous scrap, noting that this constituted a multi-billion market for US stakeholders.

Earlier, on 18 July 2017, China had notified to the WTO that it would be imposing a ban on imports of certain kinds of solid waste by the end of 2017.

Canada said it shares the concern of the United States as the recently announced restrictions were already creating issues for its traders. Canada said it wanted to know the specific products China intended to ban as part of the catalogue of solid waste that will fall nchunder new restrictions.

Australia said it had similarly raised concerns over this issue both in Geneva and in Beijing. The EU also asked for more details on the policy. Korea said it will closely monitor the measures and that it will further cooperate with China as necessary.

China's delegation responded that it will forward these concerns to its capital for consideration.

Indonesia's milk import requirements

The US, the EU and Switzerland said they were concerned about Indonesia's new dairy import regulation. The US said it was concerned that the measure would restrict US dairy exports and create disadvantageous conditions for dairy importers and food processors. The EU and Switzerland also registered their interest in the issue and said they would like to receive more information on the measure.

Vietnam's import licensing for distilled spirits

The US expressed appreciation for Viet Nam's resolution of earlier raised concerns over the licensing regime affecting imported distilled spirits. The US said it had received information that a new decree will take effect next month that will eliminate discriminatory aspects of Viet Nam's licensing regime for spirits. The US said it remains interested in confirming this implementation. Australia said it too was pleased to hear the news.

Viet Nam confirmed that the new decree was finalized on 3 October and will enter into force on 1 November.

Other trade concerns

Previously raised trade concerns featured in the meeting again: India's import licensing requirements for boric acid; Mexico's steel import licensing programme; Indonesia's import licensing regime for cellphones, handheld computers, tablets and tyres: Brazil's import licensing procedures on industrial-use nitrocellulose; import licensing procedures in Bolivia; and Thailand's import procedures for feed wheat.