Calling the move protectionist, China’s commerce ministry said the action will only add to trade frictions without doing anything to stop shrinking global demand, according to the Bloomberg news service.

“China believes that the lack of competitiveness in the U.S. steel industry is the result of over-protection,” the ministry said in a statement, according to Bloomberg.

“China urges the U.S. to abide by the World Trade Organization’s rules and to use trade remedy measures judiciously,” the ministry said.

Bloomberg has the full story here.