BEIJING, May 18 (Reuters) - China on Sunday announced

anti-dumping duties as high as 74.9% on imports of POM

copolymers, a type of engineering plastic, from the United

States, the European Union, Japan and Taiwan.

The commerce ministry's findings conclude a probe launched

in May 2024, shortly after the U.S. sharply increased tariffs on

Chinese electric vehicles, computer chips and other imports.

POM copolymers can partially replace metals such as copper

and zinc and have various applications including in auto parts,

electronics and medical equipment, the ministry has said.

In January the ministry said initial investigations had

determined that dumping was taking place, and implemented

preliminary anti-dumping measures in the form of a deposit

starting from January 24.

According to Sunday's announcement, the highest anti-dumping

rates of 74.9% were levied on imports from the United States,

while European shipments will face 34.5% duties.

China slapped 35.5% duties on Japanese imports, except for

Asahi Kasei Corp ( AHKSF ), which received a company-specific rate of

24.5%.

General duties of 32.6% were placed on imports from Taiwan,

while Formosa Plastics received a 4% tariff and Polyplastics

Taiwan 3.8%.

Hopes have risen that the U.S.-China trade war is easing

after the two sides said on Monday they had agreed to slash

reciprocal tariffs in a 90-day truce, a deal that state

mouthpiece the Global Times said on Friday should be extended.

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation group of nations

warned of "fundamental challenges" facing the global trading

system in a communique on Friday after a meeting in South Korea.