While considering the need for the "long-term and healthy development" of bilateral ties, Wednesday saw China urging the United States not to impose punitive duties on Chinese tyre imports.

According to vice commerce minister Fu Ziying, “We hope that the US government can refrain from taking action out of consideration for the long-term and healthy development of China-US relations.” 

It was following a hearing at the US Trade Representative's office on plans to implant punitive duties on tyre imports from China to save jobs in the United States did the Fu’s came to appeared.

The decision was made by the commission based on a petition headed by the United Steelworkers Union that Chinese tyre imports had tripled since 2004, forcing plant shutdowns and the loss of 5,100 jobs.