Chinese lobbyists to argue against tire tariffs

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A non-governmental Chinese delegation has flown to the US to lobby against a proposed increase in duties levied on tires imported from China. China's tire industry is claiming that Chinese-made tires pose no threat to the US sector.

China's Rubber Industry Association says China exported 40 percent of its total tire output during the last two years.

And one third of the exported tires goes to the US, with a volume nearing 2.2 billion US dollars.

The issue is linked to the more than 100-thousand workers in China's tire sector.

The US government is considering imposing a special three year levy of up to 55 percent on Chinese tires starting from September.

The current level is three percent.

Fan Rende, Chairman of China Rubber Industry Ass'n, said, "If the special protection customs come into effect, it will rock the Chinese tire industry. The sector may experience a first negative annual growth since China's reform and opening-up policy started 30 years ago."