Source:  MEATINGPLACE.COM, 2/5/10

China has announced it will impose heavy anti-dumping duties on American poultry imports, claiming its local producers have been hurt by U.S. products sold at unfairly low prices.

China's Commerce Ministry said the duties, to begin the end of next week, will range from 43.1 percent to 105.4 percent, according to published reports. The tariffs follow the conclusion of an unfair trade practices investigation China launched against the United States in September. 

The tariffs come at a time of escalating tensions between the United States and China, amid reports that President Barack Obama will meet with the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan religious leader, later this month in Washington.

President Obama this week vowed to "get much tougher" with China on trade rules, including currency rates, to ensure U.S. goods do not face a competitive disadvantage, Reuters reported.

Chinese officials, in turn, warned that a meeting with the Dalai Lama was not in the best interest of the United States at a time when the country is attempting to recover from an economic crisis.
China also this week threatened sanctions on U.S. companies planning to sell arms to Taiwan.

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