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Government 'regrets' complaint over subsidies

By Jiang Wei (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-02-06 09:13

The Chinese government said it regrets a US decision to bringBeijingbefore the World Trade Organization (WTO) over its industry subsidies.

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The US government filed a complaint last Friday with the global trade body against China's industry subsidies.

"It's a pity the United States has sought the consultation process at the World Trade Organization," said a Chinese commerce ministry spokesman.

The spokesman said the Chinese government was reviewing the US case, adding that the two sides had "kept bilateral contact over the issue all along". But he declined to disclose detailed information.

The US Trade Representative Susan Schwab said tax breaks andtariffexemptions encourage Chinese companies to buy Chinese-made equipment rather than imports, while financial incentives help firms to export their goods. She said the time for negotiations had been "exhausted".

The US claims China's State subsidies for steel, paper, information technology and other industries allow China to export its goods on the cheap, preventing US firms from being able to compete fairly, both at home and in other markets.