China will strengthen the implementation of its earlier decision of adjusting tariffs on steel products, which is to boost domestic supply and keep their prices stable amid extended price rallies of global commodities, according to the State Council's Executive Meeting on Wednesday.

A host of steps was implemented starting on May 1, including raising export tariffs on certain iron and steel products, temporarily exempting tariffs on pig iron and scrap steel, and canceling export tax rebates for some steel products, according to the Tariff Commission of the State Council.

Since the beginning of this year, due to multiple factors, especially the transmission of the global price rise in commodities, some products have seen extended price rallies, with some hitting new records.

Boosted by the price surge of raw materials, China's producer price index, which measures costs for goods at the factory gate, saw a better than expected year-on-year increase of 6.8 percent in April.

Although the consumer price index, the main gauge of inflation, rose by only 0.9 percent in April, the increase in non-food prices was 1.3 percent. 

"Affected by the increase in raw material prices, the prices of our industrial products such as refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, laptop computers and bicycles have all increased," said Ren Zeping, chief economist of Soochow Securities.

The government will take very seriously the adverse impact caused by the price hike, and take measures to ensure the supply of commodities, curb unreasonable price increases and prevent transmission to consumer price, according to the meeting.

Policies for tax and fee cuts and inclusive finance were also decided upon to help micro and small businesses as well as self-employed individuals cope with difficulties in production and operation.

"While the market continues to play a decisive role in resource allocation to ensure the supply of commodities and keep their prices stable, the government must better fulfill its responsibility," Premier Li Keqiang said when chaired the meeting. "Any monopoly and hoarding will be cracked down upon under the law to step up market regulation."

The government will also seek to maintain the stability of monetary policy and keep the RMB exchange rate broadly stable at an adaptive, balanced level to guide market expectations as appropriate, according to the meeting.

The latest round of commodity price rally reflected the gap between supply and demand, increased dollar liquidity, and the law of the economic cycle itself, Ren said. 

Demand in China, the U.S. and Europe has picked up successively this year, while supply from India, Brazil and Argentina has lagged due to the out-of-control COVID-19 pandemic, he explained. 

Another key factor is U.S. dollar liquidity. 

"U.S. President Joe Biden launched a $3 trillion stimulus plan after he came to power this year," Ren said. "The plan has caused a sharp drop in the dollar index and the flood of dollar liquidity. Commodities are priced in dollars, and if more dollars are printed and the dollar index falls, the prices for commodities will rise." 

He also pointed out the commodity price rally was the result of the economic cycle. 

"We must carefully analyze the reasons behind this round of rapid increase in commodity prices and focus on the crux of the issue, to adopt measures in a targeted and holistic approach," Li said.

(With input from Xinhua)