The Chinese commerce ministry is all set to investigate possible dumping of US propanol into its markets. The anti-dumping investigation will look into propanol and related products exported by the US into China in 2018, and could last up to a year or even get extended.

Just when we thought US-China trade talks were making progress, a move like this is sure to escalate tensions and possibly even disrupt the discussions. Several domestic propanol producers had submitted a formal application requesting an anti-dumping investigation to be carried out by the Commerce Ministry. These domestic companies account for 50% of China’s production of propanol and related products.

In another potentially problematic development, the US government is set to impose economic sanctions on a Chinese state-owned oil trading company for violating the US ban and purchasing crude oil from Iran. This move could further fuel tensions between US and Iran as well.