Reuters reports that the World Trade Organization (WTO) has upheld a U.S. decision to impose extra safeguard duties on imports of Chinese tires.

The United States imposed the 35 percent duties in September 2009 after the United Steelworkers (USW) filed a case regarding a surge of Chinese tire imports that were affecting U.S. producers.

As Reuters explains, WTO rules allow members to impose temporary tariffs on goods to counter a destabilizing flood of imports.

The Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) previously released a report showing that the imposition of tire import duties succeeded in providing relief for U.S. tire manufacturers and their workers.

USW President Leo W. Gerard praised the WTO decision, saying, “Since relief was granted by the President, the law has had its intended effect,” Gerard said. “Investments in U.S. tire manufacturing are up, jobs have been created and our companies are shipping more tires to consumers.  While we still need to accelerate our nation’s economic recovery, the economic benefits of the trade relief are clear and indisputable.”

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