China on Sunday imposed anti-dumping duties of up to 74.9% on imports of POM copolymers—an engineering plastic—from the United States, European Union, Japan, and Taiwan, concluding a probe launched in May 2024.

The Chinese commerce ministry said the investigation found evidence of dumping that harmed domestic producers. The highest duties, at 74.9%, were levied on US imports, while the EU and Japan face tariffs of 34.5% and 35.5% respectively. Asahi Kasei Corp of Japan received a lower, company-specific rate of 24.5%.

Taiwanese imports were slapped with general duties of 32.6%, although Formosa Plastics and Polyplastics Taiwan received significantly lower rates of 4% and 3.8%, respectively.

POM copolymers, used as metal substitutes in auto parts, electronics, and medical equipment, are widely traded in the high-performance materials market. Preliminary duties have already been in place since January.

The announcement comes amid simmering trade tensions, following the US’s tariff hikes on Chinese electric vehicles and semiconductors earlier in 2024. However, both sides recently agreed to a 90-day truce to reduce tariffs, sparking hopes of easing hostilities.

Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) group issued a communique on Friday following ministerial talks in South Korea, warning of “fundamental challenges” to the global trading system.