China asks WTO to rule on EU fasteners tariffs

China has asked the WTO to examine EU anti-dumping measures on imports of Chinese-made screws and bolts, AFP reported. A statement released by the Chinese mission to the WTO in Geneva said Beijing had sought consultations with Brussels on the issue in July, but this "failed to lead to a satisfactory resolution of the matter." A European Commission spokesman said Beijing’s claim was unfounded and that the EU had clear evidence of Chinese fasteners being sold in Europe at below cost price. The EU imported US$762 million worth of Chinese fasteners in 2007, according to the Jiaxing Association of Chinese Fastener Producers. The tensions can be traced back to the European Commission’s decision in January to impose tariffs of 26.5% to 85% on imports of Chinese steel and iron fasteners. On Monday, it said it would extend tariffs on Chinese and Vietnamese shoe imports by a further 15 months.