China said on Sunday the U.S. decision to impose special protectionist tariffs on tire imports from China is grave trade protectionism and goes against its commitments made at the Group of 20 summit.

"We hereby express our strong discontentment and firm opposition to the U.S. decision, which was made regardless of China's solemn stance," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said in a statement.

U.S. President Barack Obama decided to impose a tariff on tires imported from China on Sept. 11, which will begin with a 35-percent duty the first year and decrease to 30 percent the second year and 25 percent the third year on passenger vehicle and light-truck tires from China.

"The United States, by making the decision, failed to honor its commitments made at the G20 financial summit and abused trade remedy measures, which is grave trade protectionism and will undermine the China-U.S. economic and trade ties as well as the early recovery of world economy," Jiang said.

China has lodged solemn representation to the U.S. side and reserves its right to take further actions, Jiang said.

(Xinhua News Agency September 13, 2009)