U.S. files new case against China in World Trade Organization

Washington, DC, United States (4E) – The U.S. plans to file a new case against China at the World Trade Organization (WTO), accusing the Chinese of trade practices that put American car and car parts manufacturers at a competitive disadvantage that forced them to send production and jobs overseas.

The complaint is the latest trade row between the world’s two biggest economies with less than two months before Americans cast their votes in November’s general elections.

The Obama administration has already filed two separate cases against China this year at the WTO: one is about China’s rare earth minerals exports, and the other on Beijing’s alleged imposition of anti-dumping duties on American automobiles exported to China.

This action comes after the recent exchange between the president and GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney about U.S. economic policy on China. Each candidate has accused the other of not able to stand up against the Chinese.

The issue of China’s trade practices has become a major subject of political conservation throughout the campaign.

During a campaign stop in battleground state Ohio on Friday, Romney stepped up the attacks on Beijing for stealing American ingenuity and promised to crack down on unfair currency practices. Meanwhile, the Obama campaign launched an ad accusing Romney of shipping American jobs overseas particularly China.

A poll conducted by NBC/Marist College last week saw the president leading Romney by seven points in Ohio, where manufacturing jobs is a very important subject given its importance in the local economy. No Republican candidate has ever won the presidency without capturing Ohio.

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