U.S. panel launches trade secret theft probe into Chinese steel

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. International Trade Commission said on Thursday it launched an investigation into complaints by United States Steel Corp that Chinese competitors stole its trade secrets, engaged in price fixing and misrepresented the origin of their exports to the United States.

The ITC said in a statement that it has not made any decisions on the merits of the case. U.S. Steel, in its complaint under section 337 of the main U.S. tariff law, is seeking to halt nearly all imports from China's major steel producers and trading houses.

(Reporting By David Lawder)