China urges the United States to eliminate special tariffs imposed on tires imported from China, Ministry of Commerce spokesman Shen Danyang said on Sept 20.

"It's necessary to urge the US to promptly discard the special safeguarding measures on Chinese tires and ensure a fair, competitive environment for Chinese enterprises," Shen said at a press conference.

Shen said the action was a protectionist measure aimed at indulging domestic political pressure in the US and it distorted the order of bilateral trade.

The move hurt the legitimate interests of Chinese enterprises, and brought no benefits to the US side, he said.

In 2009, the US decided to impose duties of up to 35 percent on certain Chinese passenger vehicle and light truck tires, citing damage to its own tire industry.