Source:
BBCThe US Commerce Department has imposed anti-dumping tariffs of up to 99% on imports of Chinese tubular goods. The department alleged China had been selling its oil well pipes at prices that were much lower than normal.
The move comes 10 days before President Barack Obama is due to make his first visit to China since taking office. He will be in China from 15-18 November.
Several US companies and a major labour union had petitioned the Commerce Department to examine Chinese under-pricing of the tubes, which include a variety of steel and iron products.
Beijing has filed a World Trade Organisation challenge to US anti-dumping duties on certain types of steel pipes, pneumatic off-road tyres and woven sacks. It has also requested consultations on the duties imposed on Chinese-made tyres, a preliminary step towards a WTO complaint. US and Chinese officials held talks in China in October on trade, clean energy and climate change amid the simmering trade disputes in several areas, claims of protectionism and a wide US trade deficit with China.
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8345881.stm