US THE Ministry of Commerce ministry promised to take measures to protect Chinese industry after the US slapped anti-dumping duties on US$2.6 billion on Chinese steel pipe imports, reports London's Financial Times.
The threat comes less than a week before US President Barack Obama visits Beijing for the first time and at a time when trade conflicts between the two countries are growing, despite the regular high-level meeting last week that many hoped would reduce tensions.
"China resolutely opposes such protectionist practices, and will take steps to protect the interests of our domestic industries," said Commerce Ministry spokesman Yao Jian on the state website.
"The US should give objective consideration to the fact that the fundamental problem of the US industries in question is the fall of demand brought about by the financial crisis."
The US Commerce Department has levied a 99 per cent tariff on Chinese steel pipes, after the US, the EU and Mexico sought a World Trade Organisation probe into Beijing's exports on materials an alleged attempt to manipulate prices.
Earlier the US president signed off on a China-only "safeguard" tariff of 35 per cent tariffs on Chinese tyres.
Chinese have opened investigations into US-poultry imports on grounds of safety and into cars and auto parts because of recent government aid received by the US industry has virtually turned it into a State Owned Enterprise.
"We hope the US will set aside its biases and act as quickly as possible to recognise China as a market economy," said the ministry statement.
Source : HKSG, 10.11.09.
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