China accuses US of abusing trade rules
15-09-2009
The Ministry of Commerce says a US decision to impose added duty on mainland-made tyres is an abuse of World Trade Organisation safeguard measures.
Speaking at a news conference in Beijing, a spokesman for the Ministry said the duties send the wrong message to the world.
The tyre duty was applied for the first time by Washington to "safeguard" provisions Beijing agreed to before joining the World Trade Organisation in 2001.
The safeguard can be invoked if a surge in imports hurts US manufacturers. China promptly said it would seek consultations with Washington over the duties - a preliminary step toward asking for a WTO ruling on the measures.
The spokesman said that Beijing does not want to see the case negatively impact Sino-US ties, but added that Chinese officials would reiterate their opposition to trade protectionism at the upcoming G20 summit of world leaders in Pittsburgh.
The Ministry said on Sunday it would launch its own investigation into chicken parts and automotive imports from the United States.
