China targets US fibre-optic firms after Washington sanctions chemical producer
Beijing says China’s first-ever anti-circumvention investigation found US firms mislabelled a specific optical fibre to dodge duties, triggering anti-dumping tariffs
China has slapped American fibre-optic firms with anti-dumping tariffs – a move announced hours after the US Treasury imposed sanctions on a Guangzhou-based chemical firm, over fentanyl claims.
The duties, ranging from 33.3 to 78.2 per cent, went into immediate effect and are to remain in place until April 2028, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday in an online statement.
Specifically, OFS Fitel faces a 33.3 per cent tariff, Corning a 37.9 per cent levy, and Draka Communications Americas, along with other unidentified US firms, were hit with a 78.2 per cent tariff.
“The ministry ruled that US exporters altered trade patterns without commercial justification to ship the optical fibre to China, undermining existing anti-dumping duties,” the statement said.
Launched at the request of Chinese companies, the probe marked China’s first-ever anti-circumvention investigation, according to the ministry. Such an investigation assesses whether trade practices have been altered to avoid liability for duties.
In a separate statement on Thursday, the ministry said: “China has been prudent in applying trade-remedy measures while upholding fair and free trade. But at the same time, we will take necessary steps to ensure their effectiveness and protect domestic industries.”
It also stressed that the investigation was conducted in accordance with Chinese law and World Trade Organization rules.
Also on Thursday, Chinese customs authorities revealed the specific product code – 90011000.01 – for the optical fibre being subjected to additional anti-dumping tariffs.