The Protocol for China’s accession into the WTO stipulated certain differential treatment for China, including the determination of normal value in anti-dumping investigations for the transitional period of 15 years. This treatment was authorized by the Protocol in response to concerns raised by other WTO Members at the time of China’s entry into the WTO. Since the transitional period is over in November 2016, there is an argument supporting the grant of market economy status to China, although the Protocol does not require the automatic grant of market economy after the passage of the transitional period. However, China’s recent trade measures, which have been adopted to press another WTO Member to meet its political objective, raise a question as to whether China is indeed ready for market economy status. This article analyzes such case and offers a view on the grant of market economy status to China.

1. Introduction
2. Dispute over the Grant of Market Economy Status to China
    A. The US and EU Rules on the Determination of Normal Value in Anti-Dumping Investigations
    B. Protocol on China’s Accession into the WTO
    C. Role of Government in China’s Economy and Trade
3. China’s Measures against Imports from Korea:Are They Compatible with the GATT/WTO Rules and China’s Demand for Market Economy Status?
    A. Background
    B. China’s Trade Measures against Korea
    C. Compatibility with the GATT/WTO Rules and China’s Demand for Market Economy Status
4. Conclusions: Is China Ready for Market Economy Status?
References

• Yong-Shik Lee(Law and Development Institute, Development Practice (MDP) Program at Emory University)