US seeks WTO action on China, India subsidies

WASHINGTON, October 6, 2011 (AFP) - The United States said Thursday it has enlisted the World Trade Organization to obtain detailed information on subsidy programs in China and India.







US Trade Representative Ron Kirk said that Washington had submitted information to the WTO identifying nearly 200 subsidy programs that China has failed to notify as required under WTO rules, as well as information on 50 subsidy programs in India not previously notified.

The United States is seeking the "prompt provision of detailed information and data from China and India" regarding the operation of these subsidy programs, Kirk said in a statement.

Under WTO rules, every member is obliged to notify the Geneva-based trade body of its subsidy programs "in a timely fashion.

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China, since becoming a WTO member in December 2001, has submitted only one subsidies notification -- more than five years ago and "noticeably incomplete" for the period from 2001 to 2004, the top US trade envoy said.

Since then, the US said, China has undertaken numerous subsidy programs, including subsidies for green technology and income tax exemption for investment in domestic "technological renovation.

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