China launches anti-dumping campaign related to US products

Sunday China announced it intends to launch an anti-dumping investigation into US sales of chicken and auto products in response to Washington's decision to impose punitive sanctions on Chinese tire imports late last week, according to the Wall Street Journal report. 

The move reflected the first time the US government has used special "safeguard" rules against alleged Chinese dumping. Friday, the Obama administration said it will impose stiff tariffs on imports of Chinese-made tires, saying it found surging imports of such products had disrupted US markets.

The procedure was started after China's Ministry of Commerce received complaints that US products were being sold in China at below-market prices. However, ministry declined the actions against US producers are a form of protectionism.

China has consistently opposed trade protectionism, and the country's actions since the financial crisis have reflected this stance, the report says. 

Chinese officials haven’t still decided a timetable and the list of goods to be involved if the anti-dumping probe were to result in actions.