China

The U.S. said it will investigate claims that China violated World Trade Organization rules by channeling billions of dollars worth of subsidies into its own green energy initiatives, news agencies report. The U.S.’s move follows complaints from U.S. steel workers that the Asian country is illegally backing domestic producers of clean energy products. A petition was filed in September by the United Steelworkers union before the office of Ron Kirk, the U.S. trade representative.

“Green technology will be an engine for the jobs of the future, and this administration is committed to ensuring a level playing field for American workers, businesses and green technology entrepreneurs,” Kirk said in statement as quoted by BBC.