China on August 12 imposed anti-dumping duties of up to 20.1% on a chemical imported from South Korea and Thailand that is used to make clothes and plastic.
The Ministry of Commerce said it would impose tariffs for five years on pure terephthalic acid from the two countries after finding the domestic industry had suffered "substantial damage."
The tariffs range from 2%-20.1%, the ministry said.
Dumping occurs when exports are sold at below the cost of production. The 153 WTO member states have a right to respond to dumping by levying extra taxes.
Pure terephthalic acid is a white crystalline powder mainly used to make polyester and plastic bottles.
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2010
