The complaints filed separately by US and EU with the WTO alleging that China is unfairly helping domestic industries by restricting exports of certain raw materials represent a departure from past allegations that China is flooding other countries' markets with its exports. The raw materials involved in the dispute include bauxite, coke, magnesium, manganese, silicon metal and zinc. China is a top producer of these materials.

China's government defended the restrictions, saying they protect the environment and improve the composition of China's exports.