China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) has begun an anti-dumping investigation into grain oriented flat-rolled electrical steel imported from the United States and Russia.

An investigation was also launched into subsidies for electrical steel from the United States, the MOC said in a bulletin on its website.

The investigation would cover the alleged dumping behavior and extent of under-pricing of electrical steel products from the U.S. and Russia.

The investigation would seek to ascertain whether dumping and subsidies had damaged China's electrical steel industry and the extent of damage done to the industry, said the ministry.

The investigation would strictly follow regulations of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and domestic trade laws to protect the rights and interests of domestic industries, said MOC spokesperson Yao Jian.

The investigation would conclude before June 1, 2010, under normal circumstances, but it could extend until Dec. 1, 2010, under special circumstances.

Source: Xinhua