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