BRUSSELS, Nov 25 (Reuters) - European Union member states failed to agree whether to impose anti-dumping duties on Chinese-made screws and steel fasteners, a step that would likely irritate Beijing, diplomats said on Tuesday

The diplomats said the EU anti-dumping committee did back proposals by the EU's trade chief to place extra tariffs on imports of some citrus fruits products from the Asian powerhouse in a case that will have less of an impact on EU-China trade.

"The member states decided to deal with the screws case at an extraordinary meeting on Dec. 3 as they felt there was too much evidence to assess," one diplomat told Reuters on the basis of anonymity.

A document obtained by Reuters earlier this month showed that EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton -- who oversees trade policy for the 27-nation bloc -- wants tariffs of between 63 and 87 percent on Chinese fasteners over the next five years.

The decision, which has angered China, covers up to 200 Chinese companies exporting components widely used for cars, white goods or machinery in the EU and worth some 575 million euros ($740 million) per year.

Jiaxing Association of Iron and Steel Fastener Companies, which represents some 20 percent of exports of fasteners said on Monday it would urge the Beijing government to appeal any duties at the World Trade Organisation -- the global trade watchdog.

The decision to impose duties on certain prepared or preserved citrus fruit followed a complaint from Spanish producers who said cheaper imports were increasing rapidly from China to the detriment of the local industry.

 EU trade experts say Chinese exporters get an unfair edge because of suspected subsidies in China's steel industry that gives them cheap raw materials.

Trade disputes between Brussels and Beijing are on the rise since the EU's trade deficit with China ballooned, hitting 160 billion euros last year.

EU trade ministers must approve any duties before they can come into force.