China’s Ministry of Commerce on Saturday launched an anti-discrimination investigation into U.S. chip trade policy as well as a separate anti-dumping probe — one day before a new round of trade talks between the U.S. and China in Spain.
The first probe aims to determine whether Washington discriminated against Chinese companies in its chip trade policy. The second concerns suspicions of dumping imports of certain American analog chips used in devices such as hearing aids, Wi-Fi routers, and temperature sensors.
In its statement, the ministry stressed that the United States in recent years has imposed a series of restrictions on China in the chip sector, including trade discrimination investigations and export controls.
Such “protectionist” practices, Beijing suspects, are designed to discriminate against and curb the development of high-tech industries, particularly advanced computing chips and artificial intelligence.
Talks will begin in Madrid from September 14 to 17, led by Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng.
The ministry said both sides will discuss economic and trade issues, including U.S. tariffs, “abuses” of export controls, and the situation around TikTok.
China called on the U.S. to immediately correct its “wrong practices” and stop unjustified suppression of Chinese firms, stressing it will take necessary measures to firmly defend its national interests.