The United States is filing a complaint against China before the World Trade Organization in a trade dispute over auto parts, according to a statement released Thursday by U.S. Trade Representative's office.

The statement said that the United States is joined in this WTO action by the European Union.

The United States alleges that China is imposing high taxes on auto parts imported from the United States and other countries in violation of pledges it made when China joined the WTO in late 2001.

Consultations are the first step in a WTO dispute. Under WTO rules, filing a complaint triggers a 90-day consultation period in which both sides try to work out their differences.

Parties that do not resolve an issue through consultations may refer the matter to a WTO dispute settlement panel.

Source: Xinhua