The Asian country restricts the import of movies, DVDs, music, books, and newspapers
The United States today asked the World Trade Organization (WTO) to establish an arbitration panel against China over restrictions on the import and distribution of products with high levels of intellectual property rights, such as movies, DVDs, music, books and newspapers.
Americans argue that there are unfair restrictions that limit commercial rights in the case of motion pictures for theatrical release.
Furthermore, according to the US, China establishes regulations that prevent foreign providers of publication distribution services, as well as foreign providers of home audiovisual services, from accessing the market.
However, since China disagreed, the panel was not established.
The Asian giant argued that it complies with WTO requirements and that it annually imports and distributes 20 films, half a million publications of different types "and countless old/audiovisual products".
The United States wants all Chinese restrictions removed not only so that its products can freely enter the Chinese market, but also to fight piracy.
According to the Americans, China is violating the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), and the WTO Accession Protocol.
In this protocol, China committed to the full opening of the right to trade, with some limited exceptions - not applicable in this case - within three years of accession.
China joined the WTO in December 2001.
Despite this commitment, China reserves the right to import certain products for certain state-designated companies—often wholly or partially owned by the state.
Any questions about this news?
Talk to Coexia, the AI of the foreign trade
