China angry at US tariff threat

By Louisa Lim
BBC correspondent in Beijing

TCL is one of the Chinese firms hit by the tariffs

China has criticised American plans to impose anti-dumping duties on some Chinese televisions as groundless and unfair.

The US has announced plans to impose tariffs of up to 45% on some Chinese TVs.

The move comes a week after the US limited imports of some Chinese textiles.

The mounting trade tensions mean that Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao faces a difficult trip to the US next month.

'Double standards'

The China Daily newspaper quoted a commerce ministry official accusing the US of double standards.

He pointed out that most of the components for Chinese televisions are imported from the US and Japan.

He added that a reasonable conclusion would be that those TV parts in turn must have been dumped on China.

Indeed these planned tariffs will also hurt some American companies who make televisions in China.

The latest spat comes just a week after the US announced it would limit imports of some Chinese textiles.

In retaliation, China delayed a buying mission to the US and warned it might impose its own tariffs on American goods.