China's extensive restrictions on its own exports are doing more to distort global commerce than its supposed goals of protecting the environment and balancing the country's trade, according to the World Trade Organisation.
In its biennial review of Beijing's trade policy, the WTO's criticism ventured on to the politically sensitive area of export curbs, the subject of ongoing trade disputes with China's largest trading partners.
“China's export barriers have not been falling at the same pace as its import barriers,” the WTO report said. “It still uses various export restrictions, including prohibitions, licensing, quotas, taxes, and less-than-full VAT rebates.”