Published on Friday, May 17, 2020
(Reuters) – The European Union has launched an investigation on flat-rolled steel or iron products from China that are plated or covered with tin as a new effort to protect domestic manufacturers.
The EU has launched several investigations to determine whether Chinese clean-tech producers are dumping subventioned goods on EU market and whether Chinese owned companies receive unfair subsidies when operating within the European Union.
The European Commission, who is conducting the investigation, claims that its goal is to prevent unfair market competition and distortion.
What you need to Know about the Investigations
TINPLATE STAINLESS STEEL
The European Commission launched an anti-dumping probe on May 16, 2004 into flat-rolled iron or steel products coated or plated with Chinese tin.
The EU’s official journal stated that the investigation was a result of a complaint by Eurofer, a European steel association.
The investigation will be completed within 14 months and possible provisional duties could be imposed in 7 to 8 months.
Imports of Wood Flooring
In response to a complaint from the European Parquet Federation, the European Commission launched an anti-dumping probe on wood flooring imports on 16 May.
The investigation is focused on multilayered wood flooring panels. The investigation excludes panels made of bamboo or at least with the top layer of it.
Medical Devices
The EU’s official journal announced on April 24 that the European Commission had launched an investigation into Chinese public purchases of medical devices.
This is the first investigation under the EU International Procurement Instrument. The instrument aims to stop countries from favoring their domestic suppliers unfairly.
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The Commission could restrict Chinese companies from bidding on EU public tenders if it finds that European suppliers do not have fair access to China’s market.
The investigation must be completed within nine months. However, the Commission may extend this time by an additional five months.
WIND TURBINES
Margrethe Vestager, EU’s antitrust commissioner, said on April 9 that the EU is investigating subsidies received from Chinese suppliers of windmills destined for Europe.
Vestager, without naming any specific companies, said that the project will examine wind park developments in Spain, Greece France, Romania, and Bulgaria.
China claimed that the investigation was “discriminatory against Chinese enterprises” and supported protectionism.
SOLAR PANELS
Thierry Breton, European Industry Commission, said that the European Commission would close its investigation of Chinese bidders for a Romanian solar park after they withdrew.
On April 3, it launched two investigations to determine whether Chinese bidders received excessive subsidies when bidding for contracts.
The first consortium investigated was a consortium consisting of Romania’s ENEVO Group, and a Chinese subsidiary LONGi’s Green Energy Technology Company. The second consortium under investigation consisted of subsidiaries of the Chinese state-owned Shanghai Electric Group Co.
Breton stated that the Commission would close its investigation after taking note of LONGi Solar’s withdrawal from the bidding process and Shanghai Electric’s withdrawal.
ELECTRIC VEHICLES
The Commission announced on September 13, 2023, that it would conduct an investigation to determine if punitive tariffs should be imposed on Chinese electric vehicles.
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It wants to know if Chinese exports to the EU of EVs are receiving excessive subsidies.
In April, China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao stated that the U.S. government and European Union were wrong to claim there was an excess of Chinese electric vehicle capacity. A Chinese industry group said this probe was biased against Chinese manufacturers.
The investigation will last for up to 13 month. The Commission may impose anti-subsidy duty provisional measures nine months after it began the investigation.
Source: Investing.com