Interpretation of WTO's Panel Report on United States — Tariff Measures on Certain Goods from China and Its Enlightenment to China

Abstract

The United States imposed a high tariff on importing goods from China which valued USD 34 billion and USD 200 billion respectively in 2018 and 2019. This measurement not only violated the most favored nation treatment principle, but also violated the tariff concession commitment which the US offered to China. With respect to the United States’ defence under Article XX(a) of the GATT 1994, the Panel adopted a holistic approach to determining whether the measures at issue were “necessary to protect public morals” and found that there were no relationship. The ruling has the following enlightenments: the enterprises should value the proof in WTO litigation and make use of the rules and procedures governing the settlement of disputes. Finally, the enterprises should pay more emphasis on the market of One Belt One Road to expand more trade benefits and enjoy the double win.