BEIJING, Nov 6 — China’s Ministry of Commerce said it would protect its industry’s interests and accused Washington of double-standards in denouncing new US anti-dumping duties imposed shortly before a visit by President Barack Obama.
It also called for Washington’s swift recognition of China as a market economy.
The United States yestersday slapped preliminary anti-dumping duties ranging up to 99 per cent on US$2.63 billion (RM8.96 billion) in Chinese-made pipes used in the oil and gas industry, in the biggest US trade action against China.
That comes on top of counter-vailing duties on the same product, announced in September.
The preliminary Commerce Department decision came a week before President Barack Obama heads to Asia on a trip that includes stops in Shanghai and Beijing.
“China resolutely opposes the abuse of protectionist measures, and will take measures to protect the interests of our domestic industry,” the statement on the Ministry’s website said today
“We hope that the US will set aside its biases and as quickly as possible recognise China’s market economic status, thoroughly overcoming its double standards and giving equal and fair treatment to Chinese firms.”
In trade meetings with US officials last week in Hangzhou, the Chinese side pressed for recognition as a market economy, before the 2016 deadline set as part of its entry to the World Trade Organisation.
The United States promised to set up a panel to consider the issue.
“The US should give objective consideration to the fact that the fundamental problem of the concerned US industries is the fall in consumption demand brought on by the financial crisis, and thereby make a just, fair and reasonable final determination,” the ministry said. — Reuters
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