Chinese Cotton Registry May Violate WTO Rules
Senators ask for delay in new system implementation.
Compiled by staff
Published: Mar 2, 2009
A handful of U.S. Senators want China to delay implementation of its new registration system exclusively for imported cotton, which is set to begin March 15. The Senators argue the new system, launched as part of China's General Administration of Quality Supervision Inspection and Quarantine, lacks transparency and is in clear violation of China's World Trade Organization accession agreement.
In a letter to Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack and Chinese Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong, Senators Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., Thad Cochran, R-Miss., and Pat Roberts, R-Kan., specifically outline their requests to encourage appropriate U.S. officials to continue to engage appropriate Chinese authorities to gain the delay.
Additionally, they ask them to schedule technical consultations if the delay is accepted and request this matter be included on the agenda for this month's regular meeting in the WTO on technical barriers to trade.
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