EU seeks WTO help in China row

27 June 2012 Last updated at 08:09 ET

Rare earths being processed in ChinaChina has 90% of the world's rare earth supplies

The European Union has asked the World Trade Organization to arbitrate in a row about China's export restrictions on its "rare earth" minerals.

The EU, along with the US and Japan, has asked the WTO to set up a dispute settlement panel, arguing that China is being unfairly restrictive.

China could face litigation by the WTO.

Minerals such as tungsten and molybdenum are important in the manufacture of electrical products, including mobile phones.

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