China places sizeable duties on US poultry imports

China will impose anti-dumping duties of up to 105.4% on poultry imports from the US, the latest episode in a series of trade rifts between the two nations, state media reported. The duties will come into effect on February 13. The targeted importers include Pilgrim’s Pride Corp and Tyson Foods, which will pay 80.5% and 43.1% respectively in preliminary duties. The Ministry of Commerce said the decision to impose penalties comes after an investigation found that imports of US broiler-chicken products were being sold at below-market prices, hurting local suppliers. China imported 584,300 tons of chicken products from the US in 2008, 20% of total US poultry exports. The duties are expected to cut China’s chicken imports by 63,000 tons a month or around US$79 million. The investigation that led to the duties began in September, shortly after the US imposed tariffs on imports of Chinese tires. Last week Beijing lodged a complaint with the WTO over EU anti-dumping measures targeting Chinese-made shoes.