The US Commerce Department says it is putting duties of between 4.9 and 198 percent on Chinese wooden furniture after a preliminary dumping investigation prompted by complaints from US manufacturers.

They say ten tariffs, ranging from 4.9 percent to 198 percent, will be imposed in an effort to offset the unfairly low price of furniture such as wooden beds, dressers, night tables and night stands.

It is the latest and largest in a series of trade spats with China.

The tariffs would take effect immediately but may be adjusted after a final determination by the Commerce Department and review by the quasi-judicial International Trade Commission in the coming months.

A final determination is expected by December 20.

However some analysts argue the tariffs would not bring back US jobs but merely allow companies to shift production to other low-cost countries.
 
(Chinabroadcast.cn June 19, 2004)