US tire imports from China declined by nearly 24 percent in 2010 compared to 2009 and further declined by 6 percent in the first half of 2011.?[Photo/CFP]

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has rejected China's appeal of a ruling that backed United States duties on Chinese tire imports. China expressed its regret Monday over the WTO’s report on the tire dispute.

The panel concluded that in imposing the transitional safeguards measure on 26 September 2009 in respect of imports of subject tyres from China, the United States did not fail to comply with its obligations, the WTO said on its website Monday.

In September 2009, the U.S. decided to impose punitive tariffs on car and light truck tires imported from China of 35 percent, 30 percent and 25 percent respectively during the next three years.

The U.S. government's decision to impose special tariffs on tire imports from China violated WTO rules and was an abuse of trade remedy measures, said the Chinese government.

China lodged its complaint at the Geneva-based WTO against the levies just three days after Obama announced them.

US tire imports from China declined by nearly 24 percent in 2010 compared to 2009 and further declined by 6 percent in the first half of 2011, the Chinese Preferment Mission to the WTO said in a statement.