China's Ministry of Commerce initiated on Monday an anti-dumping and anti-subsidy probe into the imports of automotive products and chicken meat from the United States.

The move is taken at the request of relevant domestic industries, the ministry said in a statement.

But it is widely seen as China's retaliation for the steep duties the Obama administration slapped three days ago on tire imports from China.

The ministry didn't specify on what automotive products its investigation will target.

On September 9, representatives from General Motors Co. and Shanghai GM signed an agreement valued at $607 million in Phoenix, Arizona for the purchase of complete vehicles, vehicle kits, machinery and equipment by the GM joint venture from its parent company. Buick, Chevrolet and Cadillac vehicles are part of the deal, GM China said in a statement.

GM China didn't reply directly to Automotive News China's inquiry about the impact of China's anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigation into auto products from the U.S. on the execution of the deal between GM and Shanghai GM.

Instead, it says in an email reply: "GM is confident that the current trade-related disputes can be resolved in a constructive manner. We believe that a healthy trade relationship is in both country's national interest."

China and the U.S. are both members of the World Trade Organization.

On Monday, China's Ministry of Commerce also said in a separate statement it has made a request to the Obama administration that the two countries start negotiations under the WTO's trade dispute settlement mechanism to resolve the ongoing trade dispute about China's tire exports to the U.S.

On September 11, the United States decided to impose special safeguard duties on Chinese-made tires.

Starting September 26, an additional 35 percent duty will be placed for a year on Chinese-made passenger vehicle and light truck tires, the White House said in a statement. The duty will be lowered to 30 percent in the second year and 25 percent in the third year.