China Opens Anti-Dumping Probe Into EU Chemical Imports Days Before Beijing Trade Talks
China's Commerce Ministry launched an anti-dumping investigation on Saturday into imports of p-nitrotoluene from the European Union, just days before the EU's trade commissioner was due in Beijing for high-stakes talks.
A spokesperson for the ministry said China's domestic industry had requested the investigation into whether low-priced EU imports of the chemical were flooding the Chinese market, complaining of "damage to production and operations". The chemical is used in the production of dyes, pharmaceuticals and pesticides.
Talks on October 8
The probe comes less than a week before EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao were scheduled to hold critical talks in Beijing on October 8, aimed at avoiding an escalation of tit-for-tat trade measures. The ministry's investigation will conclude within 12 months, with the possibility of a six-month extension.
The tensions have been simmering for months. In September, the EU began an investigation into polyvinyl chloride imports from countries including China. Beijing rejects the argument that its manufacturers' competitiveness rests on state support and has threatened countermeasures against EU moves to block its firms, even as the 27-nation bloc moves to defend its industries against what it describes as a flood of Chinese exports.
Dialogue over confrontation
"China has repeatedly reiterated that the EU needs to face its own economic and trade problems directly and resolve mutual concerns through dialogue and consultation," the Commerce Ministry spokesperson said. With both sides holding active trade-remedy investigations against each other, Thursday's talks will be the first real test of whether the dispute can be managed through negotiation rather than escalation.
Sources: The Hindu (AFP)
China's Commerce Ministry launched an anti-dumping investigation on Saturday into imports of p-nitrotoluene from the European Union, just days before the EU's trade commissioner was due in Beijing for high-stakes talks.
A spokesperson for the ministry said China's domestic industry had requested the investigation into whether low-priced EU imports of the chemical were flooding the Chinese market, complaining of "damage to production and operations". The chemical is used in the production of dyes, pharmaceuticals and pesticides.
Talks on October 8
The probe comes less than a week before EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao were scheduled to hold critical talks in Beijing on October 8, aimed at avoiding an escalation of tit-for-tat trade measures. The ministry's investigation will conclude within 12 months, with the possibility of a six-month extension.
The tensions have been simmering for months. In September, the EU began an investigation into polyvinyl chloride imports from countries including China. Beijing rejects the argument that its manufacturers' competitiveness rests on state support and has threatened countermeasures against EU moves to block its firms, even as the 27-nation bloc moves to defend its industries against what it describes as a flood of Chinese exports.
Dialogue over confrontation
"China has repeatedly reiterated that the EU needs to face its own economic and trade problems directly and resolve mutual concerns through dialogue and consultation," the Commerce Ministry spokesperson said. With both sides holding active trade-remedy investigations against each other, Thursday's talks will be the first real test of whether the dispute can be managed through negotiation rather than escalation.
Sources: The Hindu (AFP)