AsianFin -- The U.S. Commerce Department will impose preliminary anti-dumping duties of 93.5% on Chinese graphite imports, citing unfair subsidization of the critical battery material.

The move follows a petition filed in December by the American Active Anode Material Producers, a trade group representing domestic graphite suppliers. The group alleged that Chinese companies were undercutting the U.S. market through illegal dumping practices.

With the new duties layered on top of existing tariffs, the effective rate on Chinese graphite will climb to around 160%, according to the trade association. The decision marks a further escalation in trade tensions as the U.S. aims to bolster domestic supply chains for electric vehicle and battery components.