The anti-dumping investigation targets certain types of analog integrated circuits (analog ICs) imported from the US. The Ministry of Commerce will focus on commodity interface ICs and gate driver ICs.

These chips are commonly used in devices like hearing aids, Wi-Fi routers, and temperature sensors, and are often produced by US companies such as Texas Instruments and ON Semiconductor.

Workers produce chips at a semiconductor factory in Jiangsu province, China in 2021. Photo: AFP

Concurrently, the ministry announced an anti-discrimination investigation targeting the Chinese chip industry. According to Beijing, the US has imposed a series of restrictive measures related to chips, indicating protectionist behavior.

"US measures such as export restrictions and tariffs constitute an act of containment and suppression of the development of China's high-tech industries," a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce said, referring to advanced computer chips and artificial intelligence.

The two investigations were announced after the US added 23 Chinese companies to its restricted entity list on 12/9. Washington believes these companies affect US national security and foreign policy interests. Two of the companies are accused of purchasing chip manufacturing equipment for leading Chinese semiconductor company SMIC.

This move comes just before US-China trade talks in Madrid (Spain) from 14/9 to 17/9. China's Ministry of Commerce questioned the timing of the sanctions and called on the US to "immediately correct its wrongdoings and stop the unreasonable suppression" of Chinese businesses.

"China will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its businesses," the ministry declared.

Phien An (according to Reuters, AP)