U.S. says importer must recall Chinese tires

U.S. transportation officials on Tuesday formally insisted a New Jersey importer recall up to 450,000 Chinese-made light truck tires, dismissing the company's claim it cannot financially withstand that step.

The tires have an insufficient or missing gum strip -- which prevents belt separation -- FTS told NHTSA. FTS said tires sold under Westlake, Telluride, Compass and YKS names could fail at highway speeds. It also told regulators at least six other U.S. distributors had sold tires of similar construction by the same manufacturer.

"China has been asleep at the switch when it comes to safety inspections," Sen. Charles Schumer