China has hit back against the sweeping rules passed by the US Department of Commerce in October, severely restricting the country's access to advanced semiconductor technology.
“China takes legal actions within the WTO framework as a necessary way to address our concerns and to defend our legitimate interests,” said China's commerce ministry.
He added that the US curbs “threatened the stability of the global industrial supply chains”.
The complaint is the first step in a WTO mediation process. The next step would usually see the case being put before the Appellate Body. However, that body has been recently suspended due to disagreements among member states, meaning China’s complaint is unlikely to create any legal effect.
"We have received a request for consultations from the PRC [People's Republic of China] related to certain US actions affecting semiconductors," said Adam Hodge, spokesperson for the US Trade Representative's office...