The World Trade Organization (WTO) decided on Tuesday to establish an expert panel to investigate the legitimacy of U.S. anti-dumping and countervailing duties on Chinese exports.

The decision was made following a request by China, which has expressed deep concerns about the compatibility of the measures with U.S. obligations in the WTO.

It usually takes 45 days for the settlement body to set up an expert panel and at least another six months for the panel to issue its final ruling on a dispute in accordance with WTO rules.

The U.S. duties at issue affect such Chinese products as circular welded carbon quality steel pipe, new pneumatic off-the-road tires, light-walled rectangular pipe and tube, and laminated woven sacks.

China filed complaints with the WTO about the U.S. measures last September. Consultations between the two sides were held Nov. 14, according to the WTO dispute settlement process, but failed to resolve the issue.

(Xinhua News Agency January 21, 2009)