By MarketWatch HONG KONG (MarketWatch) -- China is launching a trade investigation that could lead to new import duties on U.S. autos, according to a report Thursday. Beijing is considering the tariffs on cars and sport utility vehicles made by General Motors Co. (MTLQQ 0.59, -0.02, -2.79%) , Ford Motor Co. (F 6.96, -0.37, -5.05%) and Chrysler, according to a Reuters report, citing a U.S. industry official. The probe is apparently aimed at alleged unfair pricing and government subsidies, the report said. The report cited Steve Collins, president of the American Automotive Policy Council, as saying the U.S. government had received documents spelling out charges by Chinese officials this week, but that they had not been translated fully and that it was too early to comment on specifics. The Big Three U.S. automakers export about 9,000 vehicles to China annually, according to estimates cited in the report. The action comes as senior U.S. trade officials, including Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, are in China for high-level talks seeking to resolve disputes ahead of President Barack Obama's visit in mid-November. A flare-up in trade tensions came after the U.S. imposed a 35% duty on imports of Chinese-made tires in September. China challenged the action at the World Trade Organization and said it would launch a its own probe into the U.S. auto firms' practices.

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