In disagreement with Chinese reprisals against Lithuania and with Beijing’s policy on patents, Brussels had seized the World Trade Organization (WTO) at the beginning of 2022. This time, it is asking it to constitute two “ special groups “who will be able to act” like some kind of courts “.
The European Commission assures us that it would have preferred to settle ” these disputes through a consultation process “, a process that remained in vain in the Lithuanian file as in that of the patents.
Measures ” discriminatory and coercive »
On the one hand, Brussels is offended by the measures taken against Lithuania after the Baltic country authorized Taiwan to open an official representation in Vilnius under its own name. The Commission denounces measures discriminatory and coercive against Lithuanian exports and EU products incorporating Lithuanian components. The financial impact remains marginal, but Brussels is concerned about the paralyzing effect that these measures can have on economic players.
Intellectual property
The second dossier concerns respect for intellectual property. For just over two years, Chinese courts have been able to prohibit patent holders from using a non-Chinese court to enforce their rights. A provision that Brussels deems “ incompatible » with the agreement of the WTO. Resolving these disputes will likely take time. The “special groups” will be formed by March 2023. Their work can then last up to a year and a half.
►Also read : China-European Union: from honeymoon to defiance under Xi Jinping (October 19, 2022)