Beijing launches two more anti-dumping investigations into EU goods

China's Ministry of Commerce stated that it has launched an anti-dumping investigation into para-aramid filament originating in the EU. Para-aramid filament has low density, high modulus, high strength, dimensional stability, cutting resistance, corrosion resistance, heat resistance, flame retardancy, insulation and other properties. It can be used in fiber optic cable reinforcement materials, bulletproof fabrics, anti-cut fabrics, tire cord fabrics, automobile hoses, transmission belts, rope nets, power battery casings, etc.

The dumping investigation period determined by the investigation is from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, and the industrial damage investigation period is from January 1, 2023 to June 30, 2026. It will mainly assess whether low-priced imports of such products are impacting the Chinese market and harming domestic industries.

On the same day, the Ministry of Commerce also announced an anti-dumping investigation into imports of ethylidenenorbornene originating in the EU and Japan. Ethylidenenorbornene is a highly reactive cyclic olefin monomer. It is mainly used as the third monomer in the synthesis of ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM). It can increase the vulcanization speed and cross-linking density of EPDM rubber. It can also be used to manufacture synthetic resins, plastics, elastomers and pharmaceutical intermediates. The dumping investigation period is from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, and the industrial injury investigation period is from January 1, 2023 to June 30, 2026.

China's Commerce Ministry said both investigations would be concluded within a year, but could be extended by six months.

The investigation comes as China and Europe teeter on the brink of a trade war. The two sides held intense consultations in Beijing last month and reached a series of "consensus" aimed at balancing economic relations, but tensions remain.

Brussels calls the EU's growing trade deficit with China "unsustainable" and accuses Beijing of undermining the competitiveness of European companies through subsidies and artificially low exchange rates. China denies the accusations and says it will respond to any EU protectionist measures.

In October this year, China’s Ministry of Commerce also launched an investigation into p-nitrotoluene originating in the EU, saying that the “production and operations of domestic manufacturers in China have been harmed.” Para-nitrotoluene is used in the production of dyes, pharmaceuticals and pesticides.

According to Reuters, when Chinese President Xi Jinping met with visiting Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker in Beijing on Friday, he said that China's development is not the root cause of the problems facing Europe. On the contrary, China is a "partner and traveler" who can help Europe solve these problems.

He said that China and the EU should resolve economic and trade frictions through dialogue to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.

Xi Jinping also said that China is willing to expand cooperation with Austria in fields such as new energy vehicles and artificial intelligence.