China’s Commerce Ministry said it is extending anti-dumping duties on phenol imported from the United States, the European Union, South Korea, Japan and Thailand for another five years, effective 29 August. The announcement, published in an official statement on Thursday, maintains levies that were due to expire after a previous review period. Phenol is an industrial chemical used in the production of plastics, resins and pharmaceuticals. Beijing argues that overseas suppliers have sold the product in China at unfairly low prices, harming domestic producers. The ministry said investigations showed dumping would likely continue if the measures were removed. The decision underscores Beijing’s readiness to keep trade defences in place amid persistent tensions with major trading partners. The affected economies have not yet issued formal responses to the extension.