China says anti-dumping tariffs on U.S. auto imports "based on laws and facts"

19/12/2011 12:00 - 363 Views

China's decision to levy anti-dumping duties on U.S. auto imports is made "based on laws and facts," a spokesman with the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said Thursday.

Investigations into the auto market showed that U.S. auto makers have received government subsidies and dumped their vehicles into the Chinese market, which has substantially harmed China's auto industry, said MOC spokesman Shen Danyang during a press conference.

The Ministry of Commerce said Wednesday that China will levy anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on sedans and sport-utility vehicles (SUV) with engines of 2.5 liters and above imported from the United States.

The investigation, launched in response to an application filed by domestic auto makers, is "objective, fair and reasonable," respecting the rights of all the relevant interested parties, Shen said.

Imports of these U.S. auto models increased 1.3 times year-on-year from May to October this year, while the prices of these vehicles fell 12.4 percent in October from the May level, which led to the ministry's decision on the duties, he said.

Effective Thursday, importers of related vehicles from the U.S. will be required to set aside deposits with Chinese customs ranging from 2 percent to 12.9 percent according to the level of dumping and the level of subsidy U.S. carmakers received from their government, the ministry said in a statement on its website Wednesday.

The duties will expire on Dec. 14, 2013, said the statement.

Source: English.news.cn