China voices protest against US steel probe

• Source: China Daily
• [10:20 May 01 2009]
• Comments

The Chinese government is deeply concerned about US investigations into tubular and pipe steel imported from China, the Ministry of Commerce said yesterday.

Spokesman Yao Jian made the remarks in response to a decision by the US Department of Commerce on Wednesday to launch anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations into specific types of Chinese steel pipes used in oil and gas drilling.

The case was filed in April by US Steel and other manufacturers who say Chinese producers get government subsidies that help them export to the United States at unfairly low prices.

They want anti-dumping duties ranging from 37 percent to 99 percent on the goods, as well as additional countervailing duties to offset the alleged subsidies.

Yao said the Chinese industries had protested against the US decision. "Steel pipes are the main Chinese steel product exported to the US. The move will seriously hurt Sino-US steel trade and have a negative impact on related US industries", Yao noted.

He said the US would send wrong signals to the world, and China would respond appropriately.

(Xinhua / AP)