CHINA will impose tariffs of up to 36 percent on some imported nylon products to protect its domestic industry from suspected dumping.

The decision applies to Nylon 6, or polycaprolactam, from the United States, European Union countries and Russia, as well as Taiwan Island, the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement posted yesterday on its Website.

The tariff, a preliminary antidumping measure, will affect companies, including BASF Corp, the US affiliate of German chemical manufacturer BASF SE, and Honeywell Resins & Chemical LLC, the statement said.

The ruling is China's latest action in trade disputes with the US after President Barack Obama announced up to 35 percent duties on China-made tires, to be imposed for the next three years.

China responded to the tire tariffs by filing a complaint to the World Trade Organization and launching antidumping investigations into imports of US auto parts and chicken products. It was already investigating Nylon 6 imports.

The trade row will be among topics at a China-US trade and commerce meeting later this month in Hangzhou, ministry spokesman Yao Jian said last week.

Nylon 6 is used to make many products such as toothbrushes, socks and robes. From yesterday China will require foreign nylon makers to pay the tariff as a security deposit, the ministry said.