China won a partial victory at the World Trade Organisation on Tuesday in a dispute over tariffs imposed on its poultry products by the European Union. Between 2006 and 2009, Brussels set up a wide range of tariffs on poultry imports. The EU then cut separate deals with Brazil and Thailand to reduce costs on imports from the two countries. Beijing claimed it deserved the same deal under WTO rules, which seek to create a level playing field for global trade.
After the EU refused, China in 2015 filed a 10-point complaint with a WTO panel of experts. In Tuesday's ruling, the experts sided with China on two issues, saying "the EU violated WTO rules" concerning Beijing's duck, goose and guinea fowl exports.
Both sides have 60 days to appeal. China's multi-front battle at the WTO over tariffs on its exports have taken on increased importance following the election of US President Donald Trump.
The EU has indicated it would like the US to be an ally against alleged unfair Chinese practices at the WTO, but Trump's administration has said it may ignore all rulings made at the Geneva-based body. Experts have warned a US dismissal of the WTO could degrade the international trading system and trigger a rise in harmful tit-for-tat tariffs.
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