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China Halts DuPont Antitrust Probe Amid Trade De-Escalation Efforts

By  |  July 22, 2025

China has suspended its antitrust investigation into DuPont China Group, a subsidiary of the U.S.-based chemical giant DuPont, according to a statement released by the country’s market regulator on Tuesday. The move comes as part of a broader effort to de-escalate ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China.

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    The investigation, which began in April, focused on alleged violations of China’s anti-monopoly laws. It was widely viewed as one of several retaliatory measures launched by Beijing in response to what it described as unfair tariffs imposed by then-U.S. President Donald Trump. Per Reuters, the probe formed part of China’s swift reaction to a series of U.S. trade actions, including the implementation of so-called “reciprocal tariffs” on Chinese imports.

    According to Reuters, the suspension of the investigation is a direct result of a diplomatic agreement reached in Geneva in May, where Chinese and American trade negotiators agreed on steps to cool the heated economic standoff. As part of that deal, Beijing committed to pausing or scrapping non-tariff actions that had been aimed at pressuring Washington.

    Related: China Launches Antitrust Probe Into DuPont

    The announcement comes ahead of a scheduled meeting between U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and senior Chinese officials, set to take place in Stockholm next week. The meeting marks the third round of trade negotiations between the two sides and is seen as a critical step toward extending a fragile trade truce that is due to expire on August 12.

    While the primary focus of the talks has been tariff relief and market access, Bessent indicated that the discussions could expand to include contentious issues such as China’s ongoing purchases of oil from sanctioned nations like Russia and Iran.

    The suspension of the DuPont China probe is viewed by analysts as a goodwill gesture aimed at smoothing the path for more constructive dialogue between the world’s two largest economies.

    Source: Reuters