It was bound to happen, sooner than later: China has filed a complaint against the United States at the World Trade Organization concerning "a U.S. law effectively banning imports of Chinese poultry products."
The complaint argues against Section 727 of the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009, which China says "places restrictions on the import from China of poultry products that are inconsistent with the United States' WTO obligations."
The Chinese WTO mission said it had also sent a note to the U.S. mission requesting consultations regarding the restrictive law. Related documents have also been sent to the WTO. And according to WTO dispute settlement procedures, once a complaint is filed, the two concerned parties are given 60 days to try to resolve their dispute before further actions are taken. Then, the gloves are off.
Cross-posted from La Vida Locavore.
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