China launches anti-dumping probe into U.S. autos

HANGZHOU, China Oct 29 (Reuters) - China is conducting a preliminary anti-dumping investigation of U.S.-made autos in response to a request by China's car industry, Commerce Minister Chen Deming said on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters after two days of high-level Sino-American trade talks in this eastern Chinese city, Chen promised an "objective, just and fair review".

President Barack Obama, who will visit China in mid-November, angered Beijing last month by slapping a 35 percent duty on imports of Chinese-made tyres, which totalled about $1.8 billion last year.

China immediately challenged the action at the World Trade Organisation and said it would launch an anti-dumping and countervailing-duty investigation against U.S. autos to offset unfair pricing and government subsidies.

Beijing's probe could lead to new import duties on autos and sports utility vehicles made by Chrysler [CCMLPC.UL], Ford (F.N) and General Motors [GM.UL], a U.S. industry official said on Wednesday. [ID:nN28258268] (Reporting by Lucy Hornby; Editing by Alan Wheatley)