By filing requests with the World Trade Organization, the European Union and Mexico have shown their hope to join Japan and Canada in helping the United States add pressure against China over increasing piracy concerns. The requests came just a few weeks after the US Trade Representative Susan Schwab filed two complaints with the WTO in which the US government cited China's "inadequate protection of intellectual-property rights," despite the country's recent promises to crack down more heavily on piracy. The results of those promises, plus previous efforts to pressure China into taking IP protections more seriously, have been decidedly unimpressive from the United States' point of view.
China reacted negatively to the USTR's complaint with the WTO: "We will fight to the last minute," said Vice Premier Wu Yi. Despite this seemingly aggressive response, she still added that the Chinese government would be "more resolute, adopt more measures, and step up IPR protection." As per the WTO's policy with new cases, member countries have 60 days to ask for permission to join the talks. China can choose to reject Mexico's and the EU's requests, but cannot prevent any of the WTO's members from initiating their own complaints.
News source: Ars Technica
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