MEXICO CITY: Mexico’s government opened on Wednesday an anti-dumping investigation into steel wire rod from China following protests by Mexican producers.

The probe was announced following a request by three companies, ArcelorMittal Las Truchas, Deacero and Ternium Mexico, which claimed that Chinese imports were sold below national prices, harming domestic production.

Mexico’s government imposed some tariffs on steel products from Asia in July and tightened customs controls after national companies said they were forced to lay off thousands of workers due to ‘unfair competition’.