China strongly opposes a US decision made Friday night to impose special protectionist tariffs on tire imports from China, Ministry of Commerce spokesman Yao Jian said Saturday.

Yao said China has held negotiations with the US over the case but the US still sticks to this decision, which is serious trade protectionism, with which China is strongly dissatisfied.

The Ministry said the US had violated the WTO rule by this decision, and also its promise made on the G20 summit.

Yao said China would reserve all rights to take responsive actions to firmly protect the interests of Chinese companies.

(Xinhua News Agency September 12, 2009)