China upset at high US tariffs on steel imports
Punitive tariffs announced after conclusion of anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations
China has voiced discontent at high punitive tariffs announced by the United States on Chinese steel products in the latest trade conflict, as Beijing braces for increased confrontation with Washington over trade under the Donald Trump administration.
The US Commerce Department announced earlier this week it would impose punitive tariffs ranging from 63.86 per cent to 190.71 per cent on China’s stainless steel products after concluding anti-dumping and anti-subsidy probes.
“China is disappointed that the United States continued to launch high taxes on Chinese steel export products and calls into question the unfair way the US conducted its investigation,” said Wang Hejun, head of the trade remedy and investigation bureau of the Ministry of Commerce, on Saturday.
Wang said the US disregarded evidence submitted by Chinese enterprises in its anti-dumping probe, violating the rules of the World Trade Organisation, and also disregarded the cooperation of the Chinese government and companies in the anti-subsidy investigation.
“China’s [steel] industry is strongly discontented with the way the US conducted the investigation and its decision,” Wang said, adding that China would take the necessary steps to protect the rights of Chinese businesses.