China, on Nov. 6, formally launched an investigation into possible dumping and unfair subsidies involving some U.S. auto imports, the commerce ministry said.

The ministry said that it had launched an "anti-dumping and countervailing probe into sedans and off-road vehicles with an engine size of 2.0 liters or above imported from the United States."

China said in September that its domestic auto industry had requested that the ministry look into the alleged unfair trade practices, but the government had not given specifics about the products in question until now. China "will make an impartial and reasonable ruling on this case based on the law and facts to maintain fair trade," the commerce ministry said.

The move is the latest in a series of retaliatory trade actions taken by the two trading partners ahead of a visit to China by President Barack Obama.

On Nov. 5, the U.S. Commerce Department said it had imposed anti-dumping tariffs of up to 99% on imports of Chinese tubular steel products used in oil and gas wells. Beijing condemned the move as an "abuse of protectionism."

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2009