China Opens Anti-Dumping Probe Into EU Chemical Exports
China has launched an anti-dumping probe into EU chemical exports. The chemical p-nitrotoluene is used in dyes, medicines and pesticides.
China says domestic producers asked for the probe. They claim imports from the EU harmed them.
The probe could take 12 months with a possible six-month extension. EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič is due in Beijing on 8–9 October.
He will hold talks on trade tensions. The probe came just days before that visit.
Reports say Brussels also wants Chinese commitments on exports. It wants the rare-earth export truce extended.
The EU launched three similar investigations last week. The Financial Times described China's probe as retaliation.
Brussels has nearly tripled the rate of its own trade investigations. It warned of “harsher measures” unless Beijing offered concrete concessions. The EU was running a €1 billion-a-day trade deficit with China.
Key Terms 4
- Anti-dumping probe A check on whether foreign goods are sold below fair prices, hurting local firms.
- p-nitrotoluene A chemical used to make dyes, medicines and pesticides.
- Trade deficit When a country buys more from another country than it sells to it.
- Rare-earth export truce A pause in limits on exporting rare-earth metals, which are used in electronics.