China launches tit-for-tat anti-dumping probe
FACTA
FUTURA
China has launched an "anti-dumping" investigation into chemical imports, in what appears to be a response to trade barriers introduced by other countries. Thermoplastics coming from the US, the EU, Taiwan and Japan are sold at prices below fair market value, says Beijing. The investigation could take up to 18 months to complete. Beijing's move follows trade policies implemented by the EU and the US. Washington announced sharp tariff increases on Chinese goods, including computer chips and solar panels. US has imposed a border tax of 100% on electric vehicles. In Europe, the European Commission also announced an investigation into Chinese tinplate steel. Other EU probes concern Chinese electric vehicles, solar panels, wind turbines, and medical devices. The EU has a 4 July deadline to decide whether to impose measures against imported Chinese EVs.
OECD has anticipated as one of global scenarios for 2035 the so-called Multitrack World, i.e. a world where humanity has formed into several separate and largely parallel clusters, each operating within its own data infrastructure and digital ecosystem. Although this scenario is broadly conceived and encompasses a wide range of aspects - from digitization and regulation to the political and cultural spheres - the intensification of trade disputes could accelerate this development and be an important driver in fulfilling this scenario. All these aspect should be followed closely and in parallel, as there can be a thin line between a multipolar (multiple centres of power in a still globalised world) and multitrack (separate and parallel clusters of states) development.