WTO: China must halt export restriction GENEVA, Switzerland, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- The World Trade Organization said China needs to drop its export restrictions and taxes for nine raw materials used by industries around the world. U.S. Trade Representative Ronald Kirk said the ruling that applies to bauxite, zinc, yellow phosphorus and six other materials, was "a tremendous victory," for the United States, Mexico and the European Union, which filed the complaint. The ruling Monday was made by the WTO's highest appeals panel, The New York Times reported. James Bacchus, a former chairman and longtime member of the Appellate Body that ruled on the case Monday, called the decision, "a major win for the United States." The core argument in the case involved the allegation China used export taxes and other business restrictions to force foreign companies to build factories in China rather than in their home countries. Bacchus said China will likely comply with the ruling as it does not want to lose access to markets that it gains as a member of the WTO. China had argued its policies were designed to protect the environment and conserve rare materials, which are permissible exceptions in the trade agreements. However, in 2001, when China joined the WTO, it agreed to end the export restrictions, the Times said.