Brussels, 18/07/2016 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 18 July, several industrial associations called on the EU not to grant China market economy status (MES), as long as the country fails to respect the five criteria outlined by the EU to achieving this end. This appeal comes ahead of another debate at the College of Commissioners on Wednesday 20 July, before a formal proposal (after the summer break) is introduced on the basis of the three options defined in February (EUROPE 11482).
Aegis Europe, a grouping of 30 European manufacturing associations (ranging from older industries to renewables) that together have an annual turnover worth €500 billion and which also employ millions of workers in the EU, stated "What China wants from the EU is a 'licence to dump' by treating it the same as bona fide market economies in any EU anti-dumping investigation".
The association also pointed out that "There is a serious risk that the European Commission de facto proposes granting such a licence, either intentionally, or not. The consequences however would be the same, regardless of additional measures put in place. The doors would be left wide open for an unprecedented attack on all manufacturing industries across the European Union. This will in turn endanger millions of jobs".
Aegis Europe relayed this message from several of the other industrial associations expressing their wishes on Monday, such as the solar industry association Eu Pro Sun, the European fibreglass industry association, GlassFibre and the European Bicycle manufacturers Association (EBMA). Aegis Europe again urges the EU to ensure that China is only be granted MES status if it respects the five criteria set out by the EU in this connection, which China has so far failed to respect, apart from one single element.
The association concluded "It is imperative to relate any proposal about the calculation methodology used in anti-dumping proceedings to the EU's 5 market economy criteria. Without this, anti-dumping measures in the EU". (Emmanuel Hagry)