By extending the already-imposed tariffs on a significant chemical fluid, imposing security sanctions on seven American businesses, and threatening to stop buying US semiconductors in a single time, China has heightened industry conflicts with the United States.
China’s Ministry of Commerce ( MoC ) announced on December 26 that it will continue to impose anti-dumping taxes on imports of n-butanol from the US, Taiwan, and Malaysia for another five years, effective from December 29, 2024.
According to the MoC, removing anti-dumping duties would probably cause China’s domestic n-butanol economy to resume or continue its dumping practices and suffer as a result.
A significant organic compound is used to make paint, adhesive, and fillers in the production of many materials.
On December 29, 2018, China imposed 52.2-139.3 % tariffs on n-butanol imports from the US and 12.7-26.7 % tariffs on those from Malaysia. A 56.1 % work was imposed on all Chinese firms, except Formosa Plastics Corp, which only paid 6 %.
In 2022, China imported 105, 400 tons ( 66 % of total ) of n-butanol from Taiwan and 37, 300 tons ( 23.4 % of total ) from Saudi Arabia, according to a report published by the Beijing-based Huajing Industry Research Institute. The remaining came from Russia, South Africa and Malaysia.
According to the report, China’s N-butanol manufacturers are lagging behind domestic rivals in terms of product quality.  ,
Hands sales to Taiwan
The Chinese Foreign Ministry sanctioned seven American companies and their related top executives on Friday night, China time, or Thursday night, US time, to fight against US arms sales to Taiwan.
Beijing claimed that the restrictions, which are based on China’s Anti-Foreign Sanctions Laws, are a response to the National Defense Authorization Act of the United States, which contains numerous adverse sections about China.
The sanctioned companies will now have their goods frozen in China and be unable to conduct business with Taiwanese businesses or individuals.
The seven businesses include Insitu Inc, Hudson Technologies, Saronic Technologies, Raytheon Canada, Raytheon Australia, Aerkomm Inc and Oceaneering International Inc.  ,
These companies are engaged in a wide range of business. Insitu is a manufacturer of unmanned aerial techniques and a wholly-owned company of Boeing, a defence company. Aerkomm is a provider of satellite communication technologies. Oceaneering offers products and mechanical solutions to the onshore power, defence, aerospace and production industries.  ,
The Biden administration’s 19th square of arms sales to Taiwan was approved on December 20th, which precipitated the most recent square of Taiwanese restrictions. Upgraded military data url systems and weapon mounts for Taiwanese ships were part of the US$ 29 million deal.
The Biden presidency approved$ 385 million in new arms sales to Taiwan on November 29th, including sections for Taiwan‘s US-made F-16 fighter jet and radar systems due in 2025.
On December 5, China sanctioned 13 US companies engaged in the production of robots, artificial intelligence and defense connections, as well as six mature company executives.
” A series of actions shows that the US has not stopped trying to contain China’s development through the Taiwan issue”, a Shanxi-based military columnist using the pseudonym” Dianwutang” wrote in an article. The promises made by British officials are no longer valuable to us.
China is becoming more and more sophisticated in resolving its problems with the US. If the US doesn’t move, China didn’t take actions, and if the US moves, China will strike with accuracy”.
He said the sanctioned US companies are now in purgatory as they didn’t get high-quality organic material materials such as chromium, tungsten and arsenic, from China. He stated that even if they could purchase these goods from second places, they would still have to pay a very high rate.
In an online panel discussion on December 19th, Stephen Tan, managing director of the International Policy Advisory Group, stated that China will undoubtedly pressure Trump to stop selling arms to Taiwan, but he didn’t make any concessions because he is a staunch supporter of the principle that “you pay your personal expenses for your security,” which may lead to a rise in US hands selling to Taiwan.  ,
Fair competitors?
On December 23, the US Trade Representative Office said it would build a Section 301 research into China’s targeting of fundamental electronics, or identity cards, for supremacy and the impact on the US economy. On December 26, China said Washington may stop pushing forward the research.  ,
In a media briefing on December 27 at 9:30 AM local time, the Ministry of Commerce’s China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT ) stated that the US-initiated 301 investigation into China’s semiconductor industry is a clear example of trade protectionionism.  ,
CCPIT’s director, Sun Xiao, demanded that the US abide by WTO regulations and quickly halt punitive restrictions, as well as encourage professional assistance with China through dialogue and consultation.
He criticized the US for subverting fair contest rules by subsidizing its unique semiconductor industry.  ,
CCPIT did not provide specific instructions for what steps it would take, but it appears to be telling China that it can stop buying US cards in the future. Following the US’s announcement of new chip export controls against China, several Chinese business organizations earlier this month asked their members to refrain from purchasing American-made tradition electronics due to” safety” concerns.  ,
The Asia Times has Yong Jian as a contribution. He is a Chinese columnist who specializes in Chinese technologies, economy and politics.
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