A spokesman for China's Commerce Ministry said recently that WTO-sanctioned consultations have been requested by China, with the United States over Washington's new duties on Chinese-made tires.

Yao Jian, the spokesman, described the tire duties, announced by Washington on Friday, as being in violation of WTO rules.

Yao said in a statement on the Ministry's website (Mofcom. gov. cn): "China has requested consultations with the United States, which is a legitimate use of its rights as a member of the WTO."

Member nations can ask for such talks as a prelude to seeking a ruling from the organization under the World Trade Organization rules.