China’s Ministry of Commerce launches anti-dumping investigation into EU imports of para-nitrotoluene

China’s Ministry of Commerce announced on Saturday (October 3) that it would launch an anti-dumping investigation into para-nitrotoluene imported from the EU. This comes less than a week before EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic’s visit to China.

Para-nitrotoluene is a widely used chemical raw material, mainly used in the production of dyes, pharmaceuticals and pesticides.

A spokesman for China's Ministry of Commerce said the investigation was initiated in response to a request from domestic industry. The applicant claimed that low-priced p-nitrotoluene from the EU flooded into the Chinese market, causing "damage to its production and operations." The department stated in a statement that preliminary evidence shows that between 2022 and 2025, the price of para-nitrotoluene in the EU has fallen by nearly 60% cumulatively.

The department said the investigation will be concluded within 12 months, and can be extended by six months in exceptional circumstances. Its spokesman also said: "China has reiterated many times that the EU needs to face up to the economic and trade issues it faces and resolve each other's concerns through dialogue and consultation."

Bilateral trade friction continues to heat up

In recent months, trade tensions between China and the EU have continued to intensify. Both sides have implemented or are considering restrictive measures on each other's imported goods. The outside world is worried that the situation may evolve into a full-scale trade war.

The 27 EU countries are trying to protect local industries against the impact of a large number of Chinese exports, with relevant measures targeting Chinese products such as electric vehicles and fast fashion. Critics argue that these Chinese exports are heavily subsidized. Beijing denies that the competitiveness of its manufacturers is due to state support and has threatened countermeasures against EU moves to restrict Chinese companies.

In September this year, the European Union launched an investigation into the import of polyvinyl chloride from many countries, including China.

EU trade officials are scheduled to go to Beijing to hold high-level trade talks from October 8th to 9th in an effort to avoid further escalation of tit-for-tat trade measures between the two sides.