China's Restrictions on Recyclables Challenged at WTO
The U.S. and other countries that export scrap metals, plastics, paper or cardboard to China complained about new restrictions on waste materials at the World Trade Organization's Committee on Import Licensing. At the committee meeting, which was described by a Geneva trade official, the U.S. asked for the topic to be broached, and the European Union, Canada, Korea and Australia joined in, according to the official. The U.S. told China that its changes have led to recyclable material being buried in U.S. landfills, and said there could be a heightened threat of increased marine litter if the global recycling chain remains disrupted. The U.S. also said Chinese manufacturers have been forced to use virgin materials because so much less recyclable material is being accepted (see 1805040054).
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An Australian representative said that while Australia appreciates China's efforts to reduce pollution, it finds the measures to be more restrictive than necessary to achieve the desired objectives. Other countries just asked for more transparency on the changes. China replied that it had already filed some of the information they sought to the WTO Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade, and said it will give more specifics to the Committee on Import Licensing.