BEIJING, May 19, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - China slapped duties of up to 75 percent on imports of plastics from the United States, European Union, Taiwan and Japan on Monday, following an investigation into alleged dumping, Beijing's commerce ministry said.

The new duties target imports of polyformaldehyde copolymer, a common plastic used in car parts, medical devices and household appliances.

The levies will range from 3.8 percent to 74.9 percent, the commerce ministry said on Sunday, adding they would come into force the following day.

The new duties come just a few days after the United States and China slashed sweeping tariffs on each others' goods for 90 days -- a temporary de-escalation in a trade war that has roiled global markets and international supply chains.

Beijing has frequently launched anti-dumping investigations against countries with which it has broader trade disputes.

In April, it slapped anti-dumping measures on EU brandy, hitting France's export-reliant cognac industry.