Commerce Ministry: Anti-dumping probe on rubber begins

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Anti-dumping investigations involving China are in the news again.

Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesperson Gao Feng on Thursday's press briefing said that an anti-dumping investigation into hydrogenated butyl rubber from the US, the European Union and Singapore is a normal trade remedy case.

Gao said the case doesn't need to be associated with other trade issues.

The year-long probe in rubber was launched Wednesday and came at the request of two Chinese companies for anti-dumping measures formally submitted to the ministry by Zhejiang Cenway New Materials Co., Ltd. and Panjin Heyun New Materials Co., Ltd. on August 14. The companies alleged the rubber producers from the three regions are engaged in unfair pricing.

The commerce ministry says it will deal with the case in accordance with WTO regulations.

Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesperson Gao Feng speaks at a routine press briefing in Beijing on August 31, 2017. /CGTN Photo

Meanwhile, trade relations with BRICS nations were also highlighted during Thursday's briefing. As Brazilian President Michel Temer embarked on his first state visit to China on Thursday, new investment opportunities are expected to emerge between the two countries.

Brazil is China's largest trading partner in Latin America and China has been Brazil's largest trading partner for eight consecutive years.

"Since the two economies are so complementary to each other, both sides are looking to develop new growth points and ways of innovative collaboration, including trade in services and the e-commerce industry." said Gao.

"Despite the drop in bilateral trade volume due to global commodity prices, more and more Chinese companies are willing to invest in Brazil and the investment fields are getting more diverse. This is also because of Brazil's more opening investment policies and the improving environment."

Talking about economic and trade ties between China and India, Gao says the potential is still huge for the two countries to enlarge their cooperation despite the recent border tension. In the first seven months of the year, bilateral trade volume has reached over 47 billion US dollars, a 21.5% growth from that of last year.