Obama opts for import tariffs on Chinese tires

In one of his first major decisions on trade policy, President Obama opted Friday to impose a tariff on tires from China in response to complaints that a surge of imports had undermined the U.S. industry and contributed to the loss of more than 5,000 jobs.

The tariff will amount to 35 percent the first year, 30 percent the second year and 25 percent the third year. A federal trade panel had recommended a levy of 55 percent.

The decision represents a victory for the United Steelworkers union, which had filed the trade complaint under a section of U.S. law intended specifically to protect U.S. manufacturers from Chinese imports. China's government, tire importers and some U.S. tire manufacturers with plants overseas had strenuously objected to the measure.

"The President decided to remedy the clear disruption to the U.S. tire industry based on the facts and the law in this case," the White House said in a statement released Friday night.