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US official downplays risk of trade war with China

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-09-17 08:50

SAO PAULO: The top US trade official is downplaying the risk that the United States and China could become embroiled in a trade war after the Obama administration imposed tariffs on Chinese tire imports.

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US Trade Representative Ron Kirk tells Brazilian business executives he does not believe the dispute "should or need spark any trade war."

But Kirk said Wednesday that the dispute could lead the United States to buy more Brazilian tires.

Beijing filed a World Trade Organization complaint Monday challenging the higher tariffs on US imports of Chinese-made tires as a violation of free-trade rules.

US President Barack Obama approved the duties Friday to slow the rapid growth of imports blamed for the loss of thousands of US jobs.