China is to appeal a World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling that U.S. tariffs on Chinese tires are consistent with global trade rules, said Yao Jian, spokesman of China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC), Wednesday.

China was concerned about the negative effects of the WTO ruling, Yao said.

Imposing the duties on Chinese tires was aimed to shift domestic pressure in the U.S., but the action would not solve the problems in the related sectors, Yao said.

On Sept. 11, 2009, the United States announced punitive tariffs of up to 35 percent on all Chinese car and light-truck tire imports in an attempt to "remedy the clear disruption to the U.S. tire industry."

On Sept.14, 2009, China requested consultations with the United States on the issue, calling the tariffs inconsistent with WTO rules and U.S. obligations under China's Accession Protocol.

A WTO ruling on Monday said that the United States tariffs on Chinese tires were consistent with global trade rules.