CHINA will protect the legitimate rights of its tire makers, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said Saturday in response to a recent trade probe by the United States.

    On Friday, the U.S. Department of Commerce launched an anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigation into tires for trucks and buses imported from China.

    The decision was groundless and China expressed serious concerns, said the MOC in a statement. The charges were filed regardless of opposition from some key tire makers in the United States and the domestic tire companies are earning a healthy profit.

    Since 2007, the United States has launched a number of trade remedy investigations against Chinese tires, which have severely hindered normal exports and the industry, said the MOC. The Chinese Government will pay close attention to the case and will protect the legitimate rights of Chinese tire makers according to the WTO rules.(Xinhua)