China launches anti-dumping probe into chemical compound p-nitrotoluene from the EU

Beijing: China on Saturday launched an anti-dumping investigation into imports of p-nitrotoluene, a chemical compound used in dyes and pharmaceuticals, from the European Union, as trade tensions between the two sides grow.

Trade tensions between the EU and China have grown in recent months, with both sides imposing or considering curbs on each other's imports. EU measures are aimed at slowing down the inflow of electric vehicles and fast fashion from China, among other products.

The Chinese Commerce Ministry said in a statement the probe was initiated after a complaint from China's domestic industry.


Preliminary evidence showed that prices of p-nitrotoluene from the EU dropped by nearly 60% cumulatively between 2022 and 2025, it said.

EU trade officials are set to travel to Beijing on Oct. 8 and 9 for high-level trade talks intended to smooth out some of the tensions.