European Union member states agreed Tuesday to impose a 24-percent anti-dumping duty on wire rod imported from China.

The measure is applicable for five years from the beginning of August.

The European Commission launched an anti-dumping probe of Chinese wire rod in May 2008.

The investigation followed a complaint from the European Confederation of Iron and Steel Industries, a Brussels-based group representing major EU steel producers such as ArcelorMittal and ThyssenKrupp.

China's Ministry of Commerce had called on the EU to refrain from adopting any anti-dumping measures, insisting that the issue should be resolved through dialogue and negotiations.

European steel users voiced concern that they would face supply shortages if the EU imposed anti-dumping duties on Chinese steel products.

Source: Xinhua