China has joined several other countries and entities in a two-day consultation at the World Trade Organization's headquarters in Geneva to settle a dispute against the United States over its tariffs on imported steel, according to a statement issued yesterday by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation.

In these joint consultations held on Thursday and yesterday, China, the European Commission, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland and Norway said to the United States that its protectionist measures violate WTO requirements on safeguards.

They also voiced their concern over what they said is a systematic abuse of safeguards by the United States despite condemnation by the Appellate Body of the WTO.

The group called on the United States to terminate its tariffs immediately.

Washington's move has outraged a number of steel producers worldwide since it became effective on March 20.

If these consultations fail to solve the dispute within 60 days from the request, they intend to proceed to request a WTO panel.

The European Union, which made the first complaint on the issue, is planning to submit a request to send a WTO expert group to further solve the dispute on May 6.

China, a major exporter of steel products to the United States, said it has a substantial trade interest in these consultations.

(China Daily April 13, 2002)