Journalism of Courage
China’s Ministry of Commerce has started two investigations into US chip trade policies, one for discrimination and another for suspected dumping, a day before new trade talks with Washington are due to begin in Spain, Reuters reported.
The ministry said the first inquiry will look at whether US measures unfairly target Chinese companies in the semiconductor sector. The second will focus on possible dumping of US analogue chips, used in products such as hearing aids, Wi-Fi routers and temperature sensors.
In a statement quoted by Reuters, the ministry said the United States had introduced “a series of restrictions” on China in recent years, including export controls and discrimination probes. It said such measures “are intended to curb and suppress China’s development of high-tech industries such as advanced computing chips and artificial intelligence.”
Trade talks in Madrid
The new round of talks will take place in Madrid from 14 to 17 September, led by Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng. According to the ministry, discussions will cover tariffs, US export controls and the future of TikTok, the Chinese-owned short video app facing a potential ban in the United States.
In another statement, the ministry questioned Washington’s actions. “What is the US’s intention in imposing sanctions on Chinese companies at this time?” it asked. “China urges the US to immediately correct its erroneous practices and cease its unwarranted suppression of Chinese companies. China will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.”
US restrictions
On Friday, Washington added 32 entities to its restricted trade list, including 23 in China. Among them were two companies accused of trying to obtain US equipment for China’s leading chipmaker, SMIC.
The Madrid meeting will be the fourth major in-person dialogue this year. The two countries have maintained a trade truce that eased tariffs and allowed rare earth minerals to flow from China to the United States. In July, both sides agreed in Stockholm to extend a pause on tariffs for another 90 days, a move approved by President Donald Trump last month.
TikTok dispute
TikTok will also be discussed. The app faces a deadline of 17 September to divest its US assets or risk being banned. US lawmakers say user data could be passed to the Chinese government.
China’s official People’s Daily rejected those concerns, writing on Saturday: “The Chinese government attaches great importance to data privacy and security and has never and will never require companies or individuals to collect or provide data located in foreign countries for the Chinese government in violation of local laws.”
The newspaper added: “If the United States insists on undermining the legitimate interests of Chinese companies, China will take necessary measures to safeguard national interests and the rights of Chinese companies.”
