Brussels, 05/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - The EU27 have agreed to issue Chinese ceramic tableware exports with reduced anti-dumping duties in relation to the European Commission's initial proposal.
On Thursday 4 April, the EU member states agreed to impose definitive anti-dumping duties on porcelain and ceramic tableware and kitchenware originating in China.
Provisional taxes ranging from 17.6% to 58.8% have been imposed on these products since November 2012, following an investigation opened by the Commission in February 2012 on the basis of a complaint from European producers of porcelain and earthenware tableware. Most member states were opposed to these taxes in the autumn, but the EU27 voted in favour on Thursday - once these taxes had been lowered to between 13.1% and 36.1%. These revised import taxes, which last for five years, are due to enter into force on 13 May.
According to figures put forward in 2012 by the European ceramic industry association, Cerame-Unie, the share of Chinese ceramic tableware on the European market grew from 22% in 2004 to 67% in 2011. During this time, European production saw its turnover fall by €650 million and it lost 10,000 jobs - in other words, 30% of the sector. The prices of Chinese ceramic tableware were estimated at 70% below those of tableware imported from other third countries. (EH/transl.fl)