China Imposes Provisional Duties on Plastics Imports

China has announced provisional anti-dumping duties on imports of industrial plastics from the United States, European Union, Japan, and Taiwan, following a months-long investigation. The duties, which will take effect on January 24, range from 3.8% to 74.9%, depending on the exporting country and specific company. These measures particularly target US firms, as China imported around 3 billion yuan worth of these plastics from the affected countries last year. The polyacetal copolymers in question are significant for various applications, including automotive and electronics, as they can partially replace metals like copper and zinc. This move occurs amid rising trade tensions and is seen as a response to previous tariff hikes. The decision reflects China's ongoing strategy to protect its domestic industries and counter perceived unfair trade practices.