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In a growing trade clash, China has called a U.S. decision to impose duties on imports of Chinese steel pipe "abusive protectionism," reports The Wall Street Journal.

"China resolutely opposes this abusive protectionism and will take action to protect the interests of domestic industries," said China's Ministry of Commerce in a statement on its web site responding to the U.S. tariffs. The Journal says that the statement said the frequency of U.S. trade investigations against China this year has been "rarely seen in history."

According to the Journal, the ministry, on Friday, said it has begun investigating imports of some U.S. vehicles for possible dumping or subsidies that unfairly benefit U.S. auto makers. However, the newspaper says it wasn't clear whether the move was linked to the U.S. steel-pipe announcement.

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