The European Commission launched Thursday an anti-dumping probe against wire rod from China, Moldova and Turkey, opening the fourth case targeting Chinese steel products in five months.

"The investigation will determine whether the product concerned originating in China, Moldova and Turkey is being dumped and whether this dumping has caused injury," the Commission said in the European Union (EU)'s official journal.

The Commission said the probe was initiated following a complaint lodged on March 25 by the European Confederation of Iron and Steel Industries (Eurofer), a Brussels-based industry body representing major EU steel producers such as ArcelorMittal and ThyssenKrupp.

Upon receiving complaints, the Commission has 45 days to decide whether to launch an anti-dumping investigation.

It was the fourth EU anti-dumping probe against Chinese steel products in five months.

Also upon complaints from Eurofer, the Commission opened the first anti-dumping investigation into certain hot-dipped metallic-coated iron or steel flat-rolled products from China in mid-December, and the second one into stainless steel cold rolled flat products on February 1.

The third one was launched against Chinese steel wires in mid-February based on a complaint by a European producers' group called Eurostress Information Service.

China's Ministry of Commerce has voiced regret over the anti-dumping applications and hoped to solve the issue through dialogue and negotiations. It also hoped the Commission would refrain from adopting anti-dumping measures.

European steel users feared that they would face supply shortage if the EU takes anti-dumping measures against Chinese steel products.

The EU anti-dumping investigation normally takes no more than a year, and in any case must be completed within 15 months, after which the EU governments will have the final say on whether to impose definite five-year anti-dumping duties.

However, the Commission may impose provisional duties within 60 days to nine months during the investigation period, which may last for six to nine months.

Under EU rules, before taking provisional anti-dumping measures, the Commission must consult its member states, which are set to be divided on the issue.

(Xinhua News Agency May 9, 2008)