G/SG/150  
 
6 February  2018 
(18-0824) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Safeguards  Original: English  
 
 
IMPOSITION  OF A SAFEGUARD MEASU RE BY THE UNITED STATES  
ON IMPORTS  OF LARGE RESIDENTIAL WA SHERS  
REQUEST FOR CONSULTA TIONS UNDER ARTICLE 12.3 
OF THE AGREEMENT ON SAFEGUARDS  
CHINA 
The following communication, dated 6 February 2018, is being circulated at the request of the 
Delegation of China . 
_______________  
On 26 January 2018, the Government of the United States of America ( "United States ") notified 
the WTO Committee on Safeguards pu rsuant to Article 12.1(c) of the WTO Agreement on 
Safeguards ( "Safeguards Agreement ") of its decision to apply a safeguard measure on imports of 
large residential washers.1 On 11 December 2017, the United States indicated that it was prepared 
to consult wi th those WTO Members that have a substantial interest as exporters of products 
concerned.2 
As a Member that is a major exporter of the product at issue, T he People 's Republic of China 
("China " or "we") hereby formally requests consultations with the United States pursuant to Article 
12.3 of the Safeguards Agreement and Article XIX:2 of the General Agreement on Tariffs and 
Trade 1994 (GATT 1994) with respect to the United States' safeguard measures on large 
residential washers . These measures include:  
 The Presidential Proclamation to Facilitate Positive Adjustment to Competition from 
Imports of Large Residential Washers, signed on 23 January  20183; 
 The affirmative injury determination issued by the U.S. I nternational Trade Commission 
("USITC") on 5 October 2017 4, which was reported to U.S. President Donald Trump in 
December 2017; and  
 Any amendments thereto or extension thereof, and any  other  related measures.  
We believe the measures taken by the United Sta tes are not consistent with its  obligations under 
the relevant provisions of the GATT 1994 and Safeguards Agreement which includ e, but are not 
limited to: Articles I, II, X, XI, XIII, and XIX of GATT 1994 and Articles 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 12 of the 
Safeguard s Agreement.  
Article 12.3 of the Safeguards Agreement entitles China , as an exporter with a substantial interest 
in the product  concerned,  to have an adequate opportunity for prior consultations before 
application of a measure. This request does not prejud ge China's position on whether the period 
                                                
1 G/SG/N/8/USA/10/Suppl.3 -G/SG/N/10/USA/8 -G/SG/N/11/USA/7 (dated 26 January 2018).  
2 G/SG/N/8/USA/10/Suppl.2 (dated 11 December 2017).  
3 Proclamation 9694 of 23 January 2018 – To Facilitate Positive Adjustment to Competition From 
Imports of Large Residential Washers, United States Federal Register, 25 January 2018 (Volume 83, 
Number  17). 
4 Public Report, Large Residential Washers , Inv. No. TA -201-076, USITC Pub. 4745 (Dec. 2017).  G/SG/150  
 
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  between the announcement and application of the proposed measure provides sufficient amount of 
time for a meaningful exchange  of views , as required under Article 12.3.  
In accordance with  Article 8.1 of the Safeguards Agreement, China also is exercising its right to  
trade compensation  consultation s. However, in the process of the se consultations, China  reserves 
the right to raise additional  issues , make further factual and legal arguments , and pursue any 
other remedies provided for under the Safeguards Agreement and the Understanding on Rules and 
Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes.  
China would like to  set the consultations  mentioned above on 9 February or 12 February, 2018 and 
looks forward to  a prompt reply to this request from the United States . 
 
 
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