July 11, 2012 by NADCA in Industry News
CBS Evening News reported, "The United States filed a complaint against China today with the World Trade Organization. The US accuses China of putting unfair fees on some cars made in America, making them more expensive for Chinese drivers." CBS went on to profile China's love of American automobiles, noting, "Last year, the Chinese bought 18 million cars -- six million more than were sold in the US -- and 80% paid cash."
The New York Times reports the US "filed a trade complaint against China on Thursday for new duties it imposed on American-made cars and trucks." US Trade Representative Ron Kirk said, "The Obama Administration will continue to fight to ensure that China does not misuse its trade laws and violate its international trade commitments to block exports of American-made products. American auto workers and manufacturers deserve a level playing field and we are taking every step necessary to stand up for them." China imposed the duties, which the Obama Administration "said cover about $3.3 billion worth of auto exports to China, after the Obama administration bailed out General Motors and Chrysler in the wake of the financial crisis in 2008."
The Washington Post says the "action comes as President Obama has pledged to get tougher on China's trade policies to help level the economic playing field with the Asian economic power." Obama touted the move during campaign stops in auto-producing Ohio on Thursday. The White House said the tariffs impact about 80% of US auto exports to China. Press Secretary Jay Carney "noted that this is the seventh such action taken against China. 'The previous six have all been successful,'" he said.