The European Union on Thursday decided to slap five-year duties on steel pipe imported from China on alleged dumping charges.

The long-term tariffs were up to 39.2 percent as a punishment to Chinese exporters for allegedly selling seamless pipe and tubes below cost in the EU, the European Commission said.

The decision was based on a vote at the end of July by trade officials and experts from EU member states.

The five-year duties, which are much higher than the provisional ones imposed in April, will take effect after the EU's Official Journal publishes the decision by October 8.

The 27-bloc imposed provisional duties of up to 24.2 percent in April on such products imported from China.

The EU began to a probe in July 2008 over a dumping complaint by a group of European producers.

Despite a commitment to fight protectionism made at the G20 summits in Washington and London, the EU has tended to resort to protectionism to protect its own producers in recent years.

It has refused to recognize China's market economy status, taking advantage to imposed tariffs on Chinese products including shoes, steel wire, pipes, tubes and bicycles.

The practice not only hurts Chinese exporters but also European consumers, according to consumer groups in Europe.

(Xinhua News Agency September 25, 2009)