China accuses US of misusing trade protection measures

It is reported that China accused Washington recently of abusing trade relief measures after US regulators increased import duties on Chinese-made steel pipes.

Mr Yao Jian Commerce Ministry spokesman referring to a series of recent US trade cases against Chinese exporters said "These seemingly fair trade measures in fact are abuses of trade relief measures which are intended to protect the domestic economy."

He said that "If the whole world followed the US and took similar measures, what kind of picture will that be?"

Mr Yao said the number of US anti dumping and anti-subsidy cases against Chinese goods rose by more than 50% last year to 23, while the value of goods affected rose by eight times to USD 7.6 billion.

The Commerce Department imposed preliminary duties of 11% to 13% on certain types of Chinese-made stainless steel pipes Wednesday to offset what it said were improper subsidies to manufacturers.

In the steel pipe case, US authorities said they acted on complaints that American producers and their employees were hurt by the Chinese imports. The government said US imports of Chinese-made seamless pipes were USD 382 million in 2008 and had increased 131% by volume since 2006.

The Commerce Department said a final determination is due May 10 and until then importers will be required to post bonds to cover the higher duties.