China charges anti-dumping fees on Japan chip chemical

China began collecting temporary anti-dumping deposits on imports of dichlorosilane from Japan on Tuesday, September 8, after its commerce ministry said a preliminary investigation found dumping that damaged China's domestic industry.

Dichlorosilane is a chemical used to make semiconductors. China opened the anti-dumping investigation in January into imports from Japan, a major global supplier.

The Chinese commerce ministry said the deposits would apply from Tuesday. Most Japanese firms face a deposit collection rate of 99.2%, while Tokyo-based Denal Silane was assigned a rate of 80.8%.

A spokesman for Shin-Etsu Chemical told AFP the company was studying the measure. He said the product represented a very small part of the company's business and should have no material impact on its overall business.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said Tokyo would respond appropriately. He said Japan had lodged a strong protest and was formally requesting that the measures be withdrawn.

China's commerce ministry did not say how long the deposits would remain in place or when it would issue a final ruling.