Published 18/05/2025 11:35
China announced on Sunday (18) anti -dumping rates that reach 74.9% on polioximethylene (Pom) copolymer imports, an engineering plastic used in auto parts, electronics, consumer goods, industrial machinery and medical equipment.
The tax will affect products from the United States, European Union, Japan and Taiwan.
According to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, the decision is the result of an investigation open in May 2024, following the unilateral adoption of US tariffs on electric cars, semiconductors and other Chinese products.
The ministry concluded that there was dumping and material damage to the domestic industry. The rates will come into force from Monday (19) and will be valid for five years.
The US was the hardest hit, with a maximum rate of 74.9%. For EU imports, the rate will be 34.5%. Japan will face 35.5%, except for the Asahi Kasei company, which will have a reduced rate of 24.5%. Taiwan, in turn, will have a general rate of 32.6%, but the companies Formosa Plastics and Polyplastics Taiwan will pay only 4%and 3.8%, respectively.
Response occurs in the midst of commercial truce with the USA
The measure was announced only six days after the 90 -day truce agreement between China and the United States, which provides for the temporary suspension of punitive tariffs and the opening of a permanent commercial negotiation channel.
Despite the provisional understanding, Beijing chose to maintain the autonomous response to dumping, indicating that China will not passively accept Washington’s protectionist offensive, led by Donald Trump.
Pom copolymer is considered strategic as it replaces metals such as zinc, copper and lead, being used in sensitive sectors of the global industry. According to the Chinese government, the massive entry of foreign product at artificially low prices was “causing substantial damage” to national production.
Reaction can affect relations with the European Union
The measure can also further tension the relationship between China and the European Union, which last year imposed heavy tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and have been accusing Beijing of excessive industrial capacity.
The South China Morning Post newspaper stressed that the Chinese decision underlines the contradictions of the truce, while reflecting Beijing’s active defense strategy: keeping the door open to commercial dialogue, but reacting firmly whenever disloyal practices identify.
According to the official statement of Xinhua, new exporters may request tariff review, but the announced rates will apply by default from May 19.
The initiative is supported by the World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and is part of multilateral trade defense mechanisms.
Source: vermelho.org.br
