China’s commerce ministry on Sunday said that it had started an anti-dumping probe into the POM copolymers imported from the European Union, United States, Japan and Taiwan.

These engineering plastics are responsible for partially replacing metals like copper and zinc in automobile parts, for electrical, and medical purposes.

The ministry said the investigation will last for one year but may be further stretched by another six months if found necessary.

Concerning the probe, a European Commission spokesperson said that the commission will closely analyse the details of the investigations and decide on further steps.

The spokesperson added that there is an expectation that China will investigate all compliance with the rights and obligations under the WTO.

This is done in the wider context of the trade conflict between China, the United States and Europe. Recently the Americans said that they were increasing tariffs on different products that are imported from China among them electric cars, computer chips and medical products.

Beyond that, the EU has launched its trade investigation into Chinese tinplate steel, which is another trade and subsidy investigation launched by the EU into Chinese exports.

A specific event that can be mentioned is the last September European Commission’s investigation as to whether it will impose extra taxes on less expensive Chinese EVs that may receive government support.

This move is also attributed to the increased oversight by the US and Europe on China’s oversupplying of its production capacity in other economies.

Chinese officials have responded to these criticisms by claiming that placing an international emphasis on China’s overcapacity is misguided.

They argue that such criticisms overlook the fact that there is a great shift in critical industries in China and that to a greater extent, Chinese companies would not be where they are without the substantial support of the state.

(With inputs from Reuters)