The World Trade Organization (WTO) has officially opened its investigation into the added U.S. tariff on China-produced consumer tires imported into the country.

WTO arbitrators will evaluate whether the U.S. tariffs violate rules governing trade among the WTO's 153 members.

These trade cases can take years to resolve, and may result in the WTO authorizing sanctions against the U.S.

In September 2009, the Obama Administration ordered a three-year tiered added tariff on imported China-made consumer tires – 35 percent for the first year, 30 percent for the second and 25 percent for the third – supporting a complaint filed by the United Steelworkers. (Tire Review)