China enforces steep antidumping duties amid trade tensions
Antidumping duties of up to 75% on the import of polyoxymethylene (POM), a plastic used in automotive components and household appliances, have come into effect, according to the Ministry of Commerce. These arise from an investigation into alleged dumping practices.
Beijing initiated an anti-dumping investigation in May 2024, shortly after the United States significantly increased tariffs on, among other items, electric vehicles and chips from China.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Ministry of Commerce claimed that the investigation revealed significant harm to Chinese industry caused by dumping from the USA, EU, Japan, and Taiwan.
The US with the heaviest burden
The highest rate, 75%, was applied to imports from the United States. Deliveries from the EU were subjected to a 35% duty. Products from Japanese companies will be taxed at a rate of 36% (except for Asahi Kasei Corp., which faces a 25% rate). For Taiwan, the general rate will be 33%, with two companies subject to individual duties of 4% and 3.8%.
The government newspaper "Global Times" claims that these measures are permitted by the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Reuters notes that following an agreement between the authorities in Washington and Beijing to lower mutual tariffs as part of a 90-day truce, there is hope for easing the trade war between the two largest economies in the world.
