The U.S. Commerce Department on Tuesday recommended raising import duties
on Chinese-made aluminum foil it said is being sold at unfairly low prices due
to improper subsidies to producers.
Beijing faces complaints from the United States, European Union and other
trading partners that a flood of Chinese aluminum, steel and other exports are
being sold at unfairly low prices.
The Commerce Department said it concluded Chinese exporters were selling
aluminum foil at 49 to 106 percent below fair value and were receiving unfair
subsidies of 17 to 81 percent of the goods' value.
"China will take necessary measures to defend its interests in response to
the wrong practice of the United States," said a Commerce Ministry official,
Wang Hejun, in a statement.
The American Chamber of Commerce in China says Chinese officials have
warned of possible unspecified retaliation if Washington took excessive steps in
trade disputes.
