75) Trade frictions USA-China

China Decries U.S. Anti-Dumping Duties
International Herald tribune, November 6, 2009
(abridged)

Beijing — China denounced new U.S. anti-dumping duties on steel pipes as protectionist Friday and opened its own investigation into imports of U.S.-made automobiles, little more than a week before a visit by President Barack Obama. Beijing also called for Washington’s swift recognition that China is a market economy — a designation that would make it harder for the United States to declare that Chinese products were being dumped at prices below market value.
On Thursday, Washington imposed preliminary anti-dumping duties on Chinese-made pipes used in the oil and gas industry. That followed countervailing duties on the pipes, announced in September. “China resolutely opposes the abuse of protectionist measures,” the Chinese Commerce Ministry said on its Web site.
Mr. Obama will visit China for several days beginning Nov. 15. Trade disputes are likely to feature prominently in his discussions with Chinese officials. China’s investigation into alleged U.S. auto export subsidies would target sedans with engine capacity of 2 liters and above, as well as sports utility vehicles, the Commerce Ministry said, issuing a long list of incentives and tax breaks it said were granted by the U.S. government and the state of Michigan. (Reuters)