China's Ministry of Commerce, on Thursday blamed United States of misuse of trade relief measures after it took action against imports from China and increased the import duties on China-made steel pipes. This case is related to 16 inches of the carbon and alloy pipe of 16 inches used in industrial piping systems for purposes of to carrying water, steam, petrochemicals, chemicals, oil products, natural gas and other liquids and gasses.

Highlighting some of the recent US trade cases, Ministry spokesman Yao Jian said, ''These seemingly fair trade measures in fact are abuses of trade relief measures which are intended to protect the domestic economy. If the whole world followed the U. S. and took similar measures, what kind of picture will that be? This is the United States abusing its own trade relief measures".

These statements came after the United States on Wednesday said that the duties would offset Government subsidies and hence forced preliminary duties of 11% to 13% steel pipe from China, saying the duties would offset government subsidies.

Defending the charges by China, U. S. authorities said they have just responded to the complaints from American producers and their employees about poor Chinese imports.