INTRODUCTION

Complaint of China

1.1 On 19 September 2008, China requested consultations with the United States pursuant to Article 4 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes("DSU"), Article XXIII:1 of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 ("GATT 1994"), Article 30 of the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures ("SCM Agreement") and Article 17 of the Agreement on Implementation of Article VI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 ("AD Agreement"). The consultations concerned definitive anti-dumping and countervailing duties imposed by the United States on imports of four products from China (circular welded carbon quality steel pipe, pneumatic off-the-road tires, light–walled rectangular pipe and tube, laminated woven sacks). China and the United States held consultations on 14 November 2008. These consultations failed to resolve the dispute.

1.2 On 9 December 2008, China requested the establishment of a panel pursuant to Articles 4.7 and 6 of the DSU, Article XXIII:2 of the GATT 1994, Article 30 of the SCM Agreement, and Article 17 of the AD Agreement.

B. Establishment and Composition of the Panel

1.3 At its meeting on 20 January 2009, the Dispute Settlement Body ("DSB") established the Panel pursuant to the request of China in document WT/DS379/2, in accordance with Article 6 of the DSU.