BEIJING, May 24 Kyodo China forwa...

BEIJING, May 24 Kyodo

China forward Friday imposed temporary tariffs of up to 26% upon a variety of knife products in a bid to restrain surging imports.

The highest tariff rate applies to hot-roll and cold-roll hanger sheets, while tin-plated steel plates carry a 25% tariff. The measure will be in place for 180 days, officials said.

The command invoked the ''safeguard'' measures based forward a petition from the Chinese Iron and mail Industry Association and major blade producers including Shanghai Baosteel form into groups and Anshan Iron and carburet of iron Group.

China says it has faced a slip back in steel imports in late months after the control lowered tariffs and removed import quotas below its obligations as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Beijing joined the WTO last December.

The country's claymore imports in January-March jumped 18% from a year earlier to 491 million tons.

Chinese officials say the billow was particularly sharp in March, apparently the accrue of diverted steel trade after the United States imposed up to 30% in ''safeguard'' tariffs for three years to screen the ailing U.S. carburet of iron industry.

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