BEIJING: China on Friday imposed a levy on imports of a chemical from the United States widely used in feed, pesticides, food, and medical fields.
The development comes at a point when Beijing and Washington are going through heightened tensions over bilateral trade.
The Ministry of Commerce in a statement said that from Saturday, imports of propionic acid from the United States will be subject to a duty of 43.5%.
In July last year an investigation found the Chinese domestic propionic acid industry was materially damaged.
A trade dispute between the world’s two largest economies has been increasing despite recent diplomatic exchanges.
The U.S. has recently threatened to increase tariffs on Chinese steel imports, and is putting pressure on Mexico to prohibit China from selling its metal products to the U.S. indirectly from there.
China’s commerce ministry on Thursday said it strongly objects to the U.S. increasing tariffs and will take all necessary measures to protect its rights and interests.
