美国《1930年关税法》修改的法律观察

美国近日修改《1930年关税法》授权美国商务部对以中国为代表的所谓"非市场经济国家"征收反补贴税,是对来自中国的进口产品新一轮贸易保护主义的表现。WTO规则并未禁止对"非市场经济国家"反补贴,因此美国此次修法并不违反其在WTO项下的义务,但美国如果对来自中国的产品按照"非市场经济国家"使用替代国方法进行"双反"救济,依据WTO争端解决上诉机构"对来自中国的产品的反补贴和反倾销措施"报告,将很可能违反WTO协定的"适当金额"要求,构成双重救济。中国当前最重要的是积极应对现实的"双反"调查,而长远的目标则是争取美国对中国完全市场经济地位的承认。

Legal Review on the U.S. Amendment to Tariff Act of 1930

U.S. has recently amended the Tariff Act of 1930, which authorizes U.S. Ministry of Com- merce to impose countervailing duty on ＂non - market economy states＂ including China. It is obviously new - round trade protectionism against Chinese importation. Under WTO rules the countervailing measures against ＂non -market economy state＂ are not prohibited, so this amendment is not in violation of WTO obligations. Nevertheless, if U.S. treats China as ＂non - market economy state＂ and resorts to double remedies of anti - dumping and countervailing duties by means of surrogate approach, U.S. may violate the ＂appropriate a- mount＂ requirement and constitute double remedies in accordance with the Report of Appellate Body of DSB on United States -Definitive Anti -dumping and Countervailing Duties on Certain Products from China. Therefore, it is of vital importance for China to positively respond and defend the anti - dumping and counter- vailing investigation and to gain recognition of full market economy status from U.S. in the long run.