BEIJING - China has launched an anti-dumping investigation into imports of p-Nitrotoluene from the European Union (EU), the Ministry of Commerce said Saturday.

The investigation was initiated following an application from the domestic industry, a spokesperson for the ministry said in response to a media query.

Preliminary evidence submitted by the applicants showed that the volume of p-Nitrotoluene imports from the EU remained at a high level from 2022 to 2025, while prices fell by nearly 60 percent cumulatively over the period. The dumped imports from the EU caused damage to the production and operations of China's domestic industry, the spokesperson noted.

The spokesperson said the application met the requirements for initiating an anti-dumping investigation under Chinese law and World Trade Organization rules, adding that China will conduct the investigation in accordance with relevant laws and regulations and fully protect the rights of all interested parties.

P-Nitrotoluene, also known as 4-Nitrotoluene, is mainly used to produce chemicals that are widely applied in dyes, pigments, pesticides and pharmaceuticals, according to the ministry.