US Steel Corporation filed a trade complaint Tuesday against big Chinese steel makers and distributors, seeking to bar allegedly unfairly traded Chinese products from the US market.

The US company, which produces and sells steel products in North America and Europe, said it had filed a complaint with the US International Trade Commission (ITC) to launch a probe under Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 against the largest Chinese steel producers and their distributors.

The complaint "alleges illegal unfair methods of competition and seeks the exclusion of all unfairly traded Chinese steel products from the US market," the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based company said in a statement.

The complaint accuses the Chinese companies of illegally conspiring to fix prices, stealing trade secrets and false labeling to avoid duties.

"We have said that we will use every tool available to fight for fair trade," said Mario Longhi, US Steel president and chief executive, in the statement.

The ITC has 30 days to evaluate the complaint and decide whether to open an investigation.

China was on the firing line in Brussels on April 18 as ministers and top officials from steel-producing nations met to discuss cheap Chinese steel exports that are blamed for plant closures and job losses in some countries.

China produces more than half of the world's steel and is accused of flooding the market with products sold below cost in violation of global trade rules.

Angry steel manufacturers have urged the European Union, the second-biggest steel producer, to follow the United States in punishing China with harsh tariffs.

The US in March slapped tariffs of nearly 300 percent on cold rolled steel used to make auto parts, but the EU settled on a more cautious 20 percent duty for the same product.

vs/pmh

UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION