The European trade organisation that represents European Glass Fibre Producers, has welcomed a new round of EU trade measures taken against Chinese glass fibre importers.
GlassFibreEurope represents the interests of European glass fibre manufacturers and their 5,000 employees. The European Commission initiated an interim review of the existing anti-dumping measures on glass fibre imports from China on 18 December 2013, and a new anti-subsidy proceeding on 12 December 2013. After a thorough investigation, the European Commission established that Chinese manufacturers dump glass fibre at predatory prices to seize EU market share, and receive illegal subsidies from the Chinese government.
Therefore, the European Commission notified parties of its intent to impose new anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures in early October 2014. The final proposal to impose total duties which are generally up to 25–30% on imports from Chinese producers was supported by EU Member States on 26 November 2014.
Mauro Malanchini, President of GlassFibreEurope commented:
We welcome the decision by EU Member States to support the European Commission’s proposal to impose trade defence measures against Chinese glass fibre manufacturers. Unfair competition from China has caused considerable injury to European industry, with the loss of European factories and jobs in an important strategic sector. We hope the new measures will restore healthy competition in the EU glass fibre market for the benefit of producers and downstream users alike.
The organisation say that the new EU measures will help avoid a situation where important European industries like the automotive and renewable sectors would become increasingly dependent on Chinese State-controlled glass fibre supply.