Canada says China shirking WTO pulp paper ruling

Canadian and Chinese leaders meet in Beijing.

Canada today formally accused China of failing to comply with a World Trade Organization ruling against Chinese duties on a Canadian paper product and asked for talks to resolve the issue.

The WTO Dispute Settlement Body ruled in May 2017 that China had imposed anti-dumping duties on Canadian exports of cellulose pulp in a manner that breached China’s obligations under the WTO’s Anti-Dumping Agreement. China was later given until April 22, 2018 to comply with the ruling.

“Canada considers that China has not properly implemented the DSB’s recommendations and rulings,” Canada said in its request for talks. “In particular, it appears that China’s continuing anti-dumping measures on cellulose pulp from Canada are imposed inconsistently with the following provisions of the Anti-Dumping Agreement and the GATT 1994.”

Canada said it looked forward to talks with China on the issue within the next 15 days. If the two sides can not resolve the issue bilaterally, it will go back to a WTO panel to decide whether China has complied.