In a significant development, the Ministry of Commerce has announced the initiation of anti-dumping investigations into imported analog chips originating from the United States. This decision comes amidst growing tensions over trade practices and accusations of unfair barriers posed by the U.S. government against Chinese semiconductor products.
According to a spokesperson for the Ministry, the U.S. has allegedly stretched the definition of national security, improperly utilized export controls, and employed a strategy described as ‘long-arm jurisdiction’ to hinder Chinese chip products, particularly in the rapidly advancing artificial intelligence sector. The spokesperson emphasized that these actions violate World Trade Organization (WTO) regulations and undermine the legitimate rights of Chinese companies, prompting a strong objection from Beijing.
The investigation specifically targets general-purpose interface and gate driver chips imported from the U.S. The Ministry highlighted that a preliminary assessment indicated a striking increase of 37% in the volume of these imported products from 2022 to 2024, while their prices plummeted by 52% during the same period. This pricing disruption is thought to have exerted significant pressure on the sales prices of domestic products, thereby compromising the production and operational viability of local companies.
Following the receipt of a formal application from domestic industry representatives, the investigating authority reviewed the request and determined that it fulfilled the necessary conditions to commence an anti-dumping investigation. The authority assured that the inquiry would adhere to established legal protocols, ensuring that the rights of all stakeholders are protected throughout the process.
Moving forward, the investigation aims to provide an objective and impartial ruling based on the findings, further highlighting China’s commitment to upholding fair trade practices while addressing perceived injustices in its economic dealings with the U.S.
