The launch of this investigation also comes after Yuyuan Dantian, a Chinese social media channel affiliated with state broadcaster CCTV, said the Chinese government had prepared “sufficient countermeasures” against the EU’s “double standards” investigation into Chinese industry. This happened less than 24 hours after the police warned that it was happening. And it was prepared to retaliate if the bloc continued to take such steps.
Polyformaldehyde copolymers (POM copolymers) are thermoplastics used in a wide variety of applications, from automotive parts, electronics, and industrial machinery to sports and medical equipment, pipe fittings, and building materials. It can also partially replace metals such as copper, zinc, tin, and lead.
The Commerce Department said in a statement Sunday that the investigation should be completed within a year but “may be extended by six months in special circumstances.”
The ministry said the investigation was in response to a joint application submitted last month by six mainland Chinese producers.
A copy of the application was attached to the ministry’s statement. It showed that POM copolymers imported from four sources were involved in “apparent dumping” in the mainland Chinese market, which the producers said had caused “significant damage” to the local industry.
“Timely and effective anti-dumping investigations and corresponding anti-dumping measures will help restore the distorted order of market competition, and in turn protect mainland China’s industrial and economic security.” is written in the application.
Despite recent moves towards stabilizing relations, including Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent tour of Europe, the European Commission on Thursday announced that it will not be able to sell tin plating and coatings from China amid recent escalation in trade tensions. anti-dumping investigation into flat-rolled iron and steel products has begun. this month.
US President Joe Biden on Tuesday proposed new, higher tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, advanced batteries, solar cells, steel, aluminum and medical equipment, extending a Trump-era trade war between the rival powers. Ta.
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US proposes new level of tariffs on China amid recent trade war escalation
US proposes new level of tariffs on China amid recent trade war escalation
The White House’s move raises the possibility that the Brussels government will take similar measures. The Brussels government has launched a series of investigations into alleged Chinese subsidies in industries such as electric vehicles and green energy that are suspected of hurting the profits of European companies.
This comes just two months after the Chinese railway manufacturer withdrew from a public tender in Bulgaria following the launch of a similar investigation by the EU.
In a post on Saturday, Yuyuan Dantian suggested that China was prepared to use deep means in response to the EU’s anti-subsidy investigation, saying:[We] …It turns out that China has sufficient countermeasures. If Europe continues to take action, it is very likely that China will also have to take a series of countermeasures. ”
Although it does not elaborate on its origins or what measures might be taken to address it, the post suggests that Europe’s wine, dairy, and aviation sectors are potential targets.
The Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s warning to the European Union characterized it as “serious.”
“We call on the EU to refrain from taking discriminatory measures in subsidy-related investigations and to provide Chinese companies with a fair business environment,” the EU said in a statement on Saturday.
The polymer exploration announcement also came on the eve of the inaugural speech of Taiwan’s next president, William Lai Ching-de, who has been labeled a “troublemaker” by the Chinese government.
Lai’s oath of office from Taiwan’s independence-minded ruling Democratic Progressive Party will be closely watched by both China and the United States for clues about the future direction of relations across the Taiwan Strait.
Beijing considers Taiwan to be part of China and can be reunified by force if necessary. Most countries, including the United States, do not recognize Taiwan as an independent state, but the United States opposes any attempt to seize the self-governing island by force and is committed to arming it.
The copolymer is one of at least three categories of polyformaldehyde (POM) that China imports. Imports accounted for nearly 45% of the country’s POM demand in 2022, according to data from Beijing-based research firm huaon.com.
According to calculations based on Chinese customs data, the EU, Taiwan, Japan, and the United States ranked third to sixth, respectively, as China’s POM import sources in the first quarter of 2024.
