China’s Strategic Move: Anti-Dumping Investigations Target Taiwan, U.S., EU, and Japan

On the eve of President-elect Lai Ching Te’s inauguration in Taiwan, China is set to launch an anti-dumping investigation into plastic raw materials from Taiwan, the United States, the European Union (EU), and Japan.

Lai Ching Te, the President-elect of Taiwan, is set to begin his term with the 16th Presidential inauguration ceremony on the 20th. As the President-elect belongs to the pro-US, independent-leaning Democratic Progressive Party, there is keen interest in his stance on future China-Taiwan relations.

According to the Taiwan Liberty Times, Lai’s inauguration speech will emphasize “moderation, confidence, responsibility, and unity.” He plans to focus on maintaining the “democracy, peace, and prosperity” route of the current administration. A government official emphasized that “moderation” means “continuing the foundation of the current Tsai Ing Wen administration and making Taiwan ‘indispensable’ in global economics and geopolitics.”

This official stated, “Lai Ching Te will continue to modernize Taiwan’s defense and our own aircraft and ship plans,” adding, “Our goal is to prevent conflict from ever occurring.” Earlier, Chinese-language media outlets such as the Hong Kong Ming Pao and Taiwan United News also predicted that Lai would maintain the status quo in his inauguration speech.

In contrast, China continues to label Lai Ching Te as a separatist force even after the election, a stark contrast with their willingness in the past to explore dialogue possibilities with the Democratic Progressive Party governments of Chen Shui Bian and Tsai Ing Wen.

China’s Ministry of Commerce announced on its website that it would conduct an anti-dumping investigation into Polyoxymethylene Copolymer (POM) from Taiwan, the US, the EU, and Japan until May 19 of next year. China previously imposed anti-dumping duties of 6.2 to 34.9% on POM products imported from South Korea, Thailand, and Malaysia since 2017.

The inauguration ceremony will be attended by a US delegation led by former National Economic Council (NEC) Chairman Stephen L. Norris, and former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the US delegation as former senior officials well-versed in key areas such as national security, diplomacy, and economics, and who understand US-Taiwan and Indo-Pacific affairs.

According to Taiwanese media, US Congressman Michael McCaul, known for his hardline stance on China, will visit Taiwan after the inauguration ceremony. McCaul plans to lead a bipartisan congressional delegation to observe Taiwan’s military exercises.