Appliance makers bemoan trade protectionism

Industry insiders fear Whirlpool's petition for US anti-dumping duties on made-in-China washing machines of Samsung and LG could have wider implications

China's washing machine manufacturers should mount a pre-emptive defense in the United States to minimize any potentially damaging impact of the ongoing anti-dumping investigation against imports of large residential washers made in China, industry experts said.

The US Commerce Department had initiated the investigation earlier this month in response to a petition by the Michigan-based Whirlpool Corp, a home appliance maker.