China considers EU duties on Chinese steel unfair

China's Ministry of Commerce has expressed concern and regret after the European Union imposed temporary tariffs on imports of two types of Chinese steel entering the EU, calling the investigation methods "unfair."

"Reckless trade protectionism and faulty practices that restrict fair market competition are not incentives for the European Union's steel industry," the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said in a statement.

The EU's method is "unfair and unreasonable" and will cause "serious harm to the interests of Chinese enterprises," according to a posting posted on the website of the Ministry of Commerce.

Chinese steel products account for less than 5 percent of the European market and do not pose a serious threat to European industry, the ministry said. The main reason for the problems of metallurgy in Europe is not trade, but weak economic growth, the minister said.

"China hopes that the EU will strictly abide by the relevant rules of the World Trade Organization and fully guarantee the right of Chinese companies to protest," the ministry said in a statement.