FACTBOX-Materials targeted by EU, U.S. in China WTO case

June 23 (Reuters) - The European Union and the United States are taking action against China at the World Trade Organisation over export restrictions on a number of industrial raw materials used in steel, cars, microchips, planes and other products. [ID:nLN887624]

Brussels and Washington say Beijing continues to restrict exports of raw materials used in steel, semiconductors, aircraft and other products despite China's pledge to eliminate taxes and charges on exports when it joined the WTO in 2001.

Included in the materials expected to be covered by the case is a range of strategic minor metals, used in applications such as alloys, ceramics, mobile phones and light bulbs.

Some of these metals come from a limited range of sources and their supply can be vulnerable to interruption.

Here are the key uses of some of the listed materials:

BAUXITE

The most important aluminium ore, used for refining into alumina -- the raw material used to make aluminium.

FLUORSPAR

A mineral composed of calcium fluoride, or fluorite. Used to manufacture products such as aluminium, gasoline, insulating foams, refrigerants, steel and uranium fuel.

MANGANESE

Manganese is essential to iron and steel production because of its sulphur-fixing, deoxidizing, and alloying properties. Steelmaking, including its ironmaking component, has accounted for most manganese demand worldwide in the range of 85 percent to 90 of the total demand.

MAGNESIUM CARBONATE