The Chinese tire industry has voiced its concerns regarding the Commerce Department’s recent ruling – a 15.69% preliminary countervailing duties on consumer tires produced in China and exported to the U.S. According to China Daily Information Co., the China Rubber Industry Association is urging the U.S. government to take measures against the anti-dumping and countervailing duties imposed on tires earlier this week.

Fan Rende, honorary chairman of the China Rubber Industry Association, said, “The U.S. move is only an attempt to further cut Chinese tire producers’ market share in the U.S. and it could encourage other countries or regional organizations such as the European Union, Japan and India, to take similar measures to reduce their trade deficits with China.”

The association is currently discussing solutions and plans to appeal to the U.S. government to take measures to protect the interest of Chinese tiremakers.

Zhao Ying, a researcher at the Institute of Industrial Economics of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing, said: “Most of the Chinese exports are low-end tires and do not endanger the U.S. industry. Chinese tire manufacturers who plan to seek legal redressal for their problems will find it an expensive affair. Small- and medium-sized Chinese tire makers will lose their access to the U.S. market because they are incapable of paying the huge duties demanded by the U.S. government. It will also be difficult for large Chinese companies to make profits by selling to the U.S. market.”

Still to come is a determination of anti-dumping duties, which is due Jan. 21, 2015. According to China Daily Information Co., if the U.S. confirms both duties, the Chinese government could challenge it through the aegis of the World Trade Organization.