Beijing is not happy after the European Union last week imposed anti-dumping tariffs on certain Chinese steel imports.  It's a sign the bloc is stepping up efforts to protect European steelmakers that are struggling with overcapacity.

The import duties start at 18.4 percent and go up to 22.5 percent, and apply to rebar used in ferro concrete construction.  China's Ministry of Commerce says that's "unreasonable" amd discriminatory against Chinese products:

"In its essence, this action is an artificial obstacle, an exclusion of Chinese products, and unfair protectionism for EU industry," the ministry said in a statement.  Currently the EU has 37 anti-dumping and antisubsidy measures in place in the steel sector, of which 15 concern China.

The European steel association Eurofer represents producers who make more than 25 percent of the bloc's rebar production - and it is welcoming the decision.  European steelmakers have lodged multiple complaints over Chinese competitors which flood Europe with cheap steel at unfairly low prices.  EU steel prices have fallen roughly 40 percent while this has been going on.

Under World Trade Organization rules, the EU can impose anti-dumping duties on products from countries outside the bloc if an investigation demonstrates that these products enter the EU at prices below fair market value and cause injury to the EU industry.