China defended its decision to impose duties on U.S. poultry products on Sept. 21, responding to the United States challenge of the policy by saying it was in line with World Trade Organization rules.

The duties are widely seen as retaliation for a U.S. congressional ban on imports of cooked chicken from China, as well as U.S. President Barack Obama s decision in September 2009 to slap an emergency 35 per cent tariff on Chinese-made tires.

Beijing has accused U.S. companies of selling chicken in China at below market prices and of receiving government subsidies.