Russia not Welcome at US-China Table

Geneva (via Washington Trade Daily) – The United States has rejected a request from the Russian Federation to participate in the consultations of the ongoing World Trade Organization trade dispute between China and the United States over Washington’s sanctions/restrictions on Chinese companies in the arena of semiconductor manufacturing items and other items, as well as their related services and technologies destined for or in relation to China, WTD has learned.

As reported earlier, China called on Washington to address export controls put in place against China, insisting that “these measures are inconsistent with the United States’ obligations under various provisions of the covered agreements” of the WTO rulebook.

Russia sought to join the proposed Article Four consultations between China and the United States as a third party under Article 4.11. Washington acknowledged the letter from Russia “requesting to join in the consultations requested by China as circulated in document WT/DS615/1.”

The United States, however, rejected Russia’s request because of Moscow’s “premeditated and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.” Washington said it “does not intend to engage in business-as-usual activity with the delegation of the Russian Federation, including direct engagement on this matter. Furthermore, the United States does not consider Russia's claim of substantial interest to be well-founded.”

In a separate request made by Taipei, Washington agreed to allow the country to participate in the consultations on grounds of “substantial interest”, noting that Taiwan “refers to its semiconductor industries' 26 percent share of global semiconductor revenue in 2021 and close bilateral trade ties with the United States.”