China’s Ministry of Commerce has begun an anti-dumping investigation into imported X-ray tubes, primarily from the US and India, utilised in computed tomography (CT) machines.
This development follows a complaint filed in March by Kunshan Yiyuan Medical Technology. The inquiry is a response to claims that these devices are being sold at prices below their fair market value. The investigation is expected to conclude by 4 April 2026, although an extension of six months is possible under special circumstances.
The Ministry of Commerce said that the applicant’s medical CT tube production meets the qualifications set by the Anti-dumping Regulations of China, as evidenced by the applicant and preliminarily reviewed by it. Additionally, the application includes the necessary content and evidence required to initiate an anti-dumping investigation, as outlined in Articles 14 and 15 of these regulations, said the ministry.
The investigation comes in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s decision to raise tariffs on Chinese imports by 34%, bringing the total levy to 54%. In retaliation, China announced an equivalent 34% tariff on goods from the US.
Analysts from J.P. Morgan and BTIG have identified GE Healthcare as a company that may be impacted due to its significant presence in China’s imaging sector.
If evidence of dumping is found, affected companies may need to adjust their pricing to avoid additional import duties. Robbie Marcus, a J.P. Morgan analyst, noted that while the investigation could slightly affect GE Healthcare’s short-term operations, the X-ray tubes constitute only a small portion of the company’s CT system revenue.
Amid escalating tensions between the US and China, other medical technology firms are experiencing challenges. Illumina, a DNA sequencing company, faced an import ban in March and was placed on China’s unreliable entity list in February, potentially shifting domestic demand towards Chinese competitors.
