Various levels of government in China, from the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) to the local level, continue to respond to trade disputes with countries around the world in an attempt to minimize friction and create a productive environment for Chinese exports.

Trade disputes continued to be high on international agendas in 2006, when disputes led to some 86 investigations by 25 countries. With a value of more than $2 billion at stake, disputed trade reached an all-time high and grew by 37 percent over the previous year.

The greatest number of investigations was launched by the European Union, with 12 enquiries that brought into question Chinese electronics and machinery exports.

The number of trade disputes from the United States in 2006 almost equaled that of 2005, but 2006 was the first year that the US began anti-subsidy investigations into Chinese exports.

Developing nations like India and Turkey also undertook investigations into Chinese exports.

source: China Daily