The World Trade Organization (WTO) has set up a panel to examine the so-called “surrogate country” approach used by the European Union to calculate anti-dumping measures applied to Chinese exports. The move follows a request from Beijing. When China joined the WTO in 2001, it was agreed other member states could treat it as a non-market economy for 15 years. The deadline passed late last year, but the EU still wants to operate on rules that protect it from cheap Chinese products flooding its markets. China had asked the WTO to establish a panel of experts to rule on its demand that the EU stop using a “surrogate country” system to determine whether China is selling its products below market prices. The EU rejected that request, but when China submitted a second demand, WTO rules required the body to set up a panel. The EU has indicated it would like the U.S. to be an ally against alleged unfair Chinese practices at the WTO, but U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has said it may ignore rulings made at the Geneva-based body.