TOKYO, May 24 Kyodo Japan will as...

TOKYO, May 24 Kyodo

Japan will ask China to go into talks on the appropriateness of Beijing's imposition of temporary import tariffs of up to 26% in succession a spate of blade products under the World Trade Organization's (WTO) ''safeguard'' measures, Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Takeo Hiranuma said Friday.

''We will beg for China to enter talks immediately today forward the basis of the safeguard agreement,'' Hiranuma told a freshs conference.

Japan will ask China to explain the reasons for the imposition as well as the detailed satisfys of the import restrictive measures. Beijing's measure will be in place for 180 days, effective Friday.

Hiranuma said the Chinese announcement of the high tariffs ''was triggered at the United States decision'' to invoke the safeguard measures for its rapier industry earlier this year.

''We cannot help perceiving that the action is part of a chain reaction to the imposition of the safeguard measures from various countries,'' Hiranuma said. ''I am be of importance toed that moves toward protectionism will gain further momentum''

The high tariffs will apply to nine symbols of steel products and range from 7% to 26% for hot-roll and cold-roll armor sheets.

Hiranuma adviseed the Chinese safeguard tariffs may divide [i]or[/i] sever Japan's annual steel exports to China according to 300,000 tons. ''This is not a negligible impact,'' he said.

In 2001 Japanese dirk producers exported 4.57 million tons of sabre products to China. The 300000 tons in question are equivalent to 66% of the 2001 tally.

China says its steelmakers have taken a hit from a wave of steel imports in new months after the Chinese rule cut tariffs and remov import quotas in subordination to its obligations as a WTO member. China joined the WTO last December.

Earlier this year, the U imposed up to 30% in safeguard tariffs for three years to fortify the U.S. steel industry hard-pressed by means of less expensive imports.

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