CHINA has asked for authorization from the World Trade Organization (WTO) to impose an annual trade sanction of US$7 billion on U.S. goods, as a result of the failure of the United States to comply with a WTO ruling, according to documents published Tuesday by the WTO.

A document circulated to all WTO members said China has requested authorization from WTO’s Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) to “suspend concessions or other obligations” with respect to the United States “at a level equivalent to the nullification or impairment suffered,” due to the failure of the United States to comply with the recommendations and rulings of the DSB.

The level of nullification or impairment totals approximately US$7.043 billion annually, added the document.

WTO Director-General Roberto Azevedo said in a note Tuesday that a hearing is expected Sept. 21 on the case, which originated with a Chinese challenge in December 2013 of over 40 U.S. anti-dumping rulings against Chinese goods.

China complained about U.S. dumping duties on several industries including machinery and electronics, light industry, metals and minerals, with an annual export value of up to US$8.4 billion.

China won a WTO ruling in 2016 in a dispute on certain methodologies applied by the United States during its anti-dumping proceedings. The ruling was later confirmed by an appeal last year.

However, China considers that “no substantive effort and progress has been made” by the United States to fulfill its implementation obligation.

(Xinhua)