China's commerce ministry has launched two anti-dumping investigations into industrial imports from the European Union and Japan, adding to trade tensions with two of its largest trading partners. The probes were announced on Friday, 6 November, following complaints from Chinese domestic producers, Reuters reports.

One investigation covers para-aramid filament yarn from the EU, a heat-resistant fibre used in aerospace, protective equipment, cars and fibre-optic cables. The other covers ethylidene norbornene (ENB), a chemical used as a raw material for EPDM synthetic rubber, imported from the EU and Japan.

What the investigations will examine

The ENB probe will examine alleged dumping between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026, with an injury review covering January 2023 to June 2026. According to MLex, the complaint was filed on 9 October by Chinese producer Henghe Materials & Science Technology on behalf of the domestic industry, and interested parties have 20 days to register or submit comments.

Evidence submitted with the applications showed imports of ENB from the EU and other markets rose by a cumulative 27.35 percent between 2023 and 2025, and were up 56 percent year on year in the first half of 2026. Prices of para-aramid filament yarn from the EU were reported to have fallen by more than 50 percent between 2023 and mid-2026.

One-year timetable

Both investigations are expected to conclude by 6 November 2027, though they may be extended by six months. China's commerce ministry said the probes were launched in line with World Trade Organization rules and Chinese law, and urged Brussels to address trade concerns through dialogue. The ministry also noted that Brussels had opened 16 trade remedy cases against Chinese products in 2026, nearly double the number in the same period last year.