US decision on China-made steel wheels brings hope

The United States' decision not to impose anti-dumping duties or countervailing duties against imports of steel wheels from China has brought hope and confidence to the industry that has seen frequent investigations from foreign countries, a Chinese official said Thursday.

The U.S. International Trade Commission recently made a final determination that "a U.S. industry is not materially injured or threatened with injury by reason of imports of certain steel wheels from China that the U.S. Commerce Department has determined are subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value."

The decision came a year after the U.S. Department of Commerce launched anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations on China-made steel wheels following petitions from Accuride Corporation and Hayes Lemmerz International Inc.

The victory provides "precious experience" for China to cope with similar trade investigations and boosts confidence in other industries facing the same challenges, an official from the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products told Xinhua Thursday under condition of anonymity.

The case was the U.S.'s first such investigation targeting auto components from China.