China to probe steel tube imports in trade dispute

China said Friday it was investigating some steel tube imports from the European Union, Japan and the United States over allegations that products had been sold at below market price.

The Ministry of Commerce said it would launch a year-long investigation into alloy-steel seamless tubes and pipes designed for high temperature or high pressure uses, according to a statement on its website.

The announcement of the investigation into alleged dumping by EU members and the two other countries came as the EU's executive arm considers a heavy tariff of 47 percent on Chinese solar panels.

In November last year, China slapped duties on another type of steel tube imports from the EU and Japan. Those duties -- ranging from 9.2 to 14.4 percent -- apply to "high performance" stainless steel seamless tubes.

The latest investigation will probe whether companies are dumping alloy-steel tubes in the Chinese market, the ministry said.