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US ignites tyre tax row with Chinese
TENSIONS between the US and China escalated last night, with Beijing slamming Washington for what it called its “rampant protectionism” over a decision to impose extra duty on Chinese-made tyres.
Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu criticised the US decision, saying it sent a dangerous protectionist signal before a G20 summit. The commerce ministry also threatened legal action against imports of US poultry and vehicles.
“This is going to damage financial and trade cooperation between China and the US, and does not help push the world economy toward an early recovery,” Jiang said. The frictions over trade are likely to spill over into President Obama’s visit to China in November.