US panel OKs new trade probe on China copper pipe

WASHINGTON Nov 13 (Reuters) - A U.S. trade panel on Friday approved the 12th investigation this year into charges of unfair trade practices by China, days before President Barack Obama meets with Chinese leaders in Beijing.

The U.S. International Trade Commission voted 6-0 to back the Commerce Department's probe into whether China and Mexico are selling seamless refined copper pipe and tube in the United States at unfairly low prices.

U.S. producers have asked for "anti-dumping" duties of 60.50 percent on imports from China worth about $446.3 million in 2008 and from Mexico worth about $282.0 million. (Reporting by Doug Palmer; editing by Anthony Boadle)