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EU probes into Chinese subsidies and imports

The European Union released an examination into flatrolled iron or steel products plated or covered with tin from China in a latest effort to safeguard homegrown manufacturers.

It has actually likewise launched a number of probes into whether Chinese clean tech manufacturers are disposing subsidised items on EU markets and whether Chinese-owned business unfairly benefit from subsidies while operating inside the European Union.

The European Commission, which is performing the investigations, says its goal is to prevent unfair competitors and market distortion.

Here's what you require to know about the investigations:

TINPLATE STEEL

The European Commission opened on May 16 an anti-dumping examination into flat-rolled items of iron or steel plated or covered with Chinese tin.

The EU's official journal said the examination follows a complaint from European steel association Eurofer.

The investigation is to be concluded within 14 months, with the possible imposition of provisionary duties in seven to eight months.

WOOD FLOOR COVERING IMPORTS

The European Commission initiated on May 16 an anti-dumping examination into wood flooring imports, following a complaint by the European Parquet Federation.

Under examination are put together multilayered wood flooring panels. Panels of bamboo, or with a minimum of the top layer of bamboo, are excluded as are panels for mosaic floorings.

MEDICAL GADGETS

The European Commission introduced a probe into Chinese public procurement of medical devices, the EU's main journal stated on April 24.

The examination is the very first under the EU International Procurement Instrument, which aims to prevent countries from unjustly favouring domestic suppliers.

If the Commission discovers that European suppliers do not have fair access to the Chinese market, it might put limitations on Chinese medical gadget business bidding in EU public tenders.

The examination is to be concluded within nine months, although the Commission can extend this duration by an additional five months.

WIND TURBINES

The EU is examining aids gotten by Chinese suppliers of wind turbines destined for Europe, the bloc's. anti-trust commissioner Margrethe Vestager stated on April 9.

It will look into wind park development in Spain, Greece,. France, Romania and Bulgaria, Vestager stated without naming. specific companies.

China stated the probe was inequitable versus Chinese. business and endorsed protectionism.

SOLAR PANELS

The European Commission will close its investigation into. Chinese bidders in a public tender for a solar park in Romania. after the companies withdrew from the procedure, European Market. Commission Thierry Breton stated on May 13.

It released two examinations on April 3 into whether the. Chinese participants benefited exceedingly from subsidies in. bidding for an agreement.

It first investigated a consortium consisting of Romania's. ENEVO Group and a subsidiary of China's LONGi Green Energy. Technology Co. The second consortium examined. consisted of subsidiaries of Chinese state-owned Shanghai Electric. Group Co.

Breton stated that the Commission took note of the. withdrawal of LONGi Solar and Shanghai Electric from bidding and. would therefore close its investigation.

ELECTRIC AUTOMOBILES

The Commission stated on Sept. 13, 2023 that it would release. an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electrical lorries to. figure out whether to enforce punitive tariffs on them.

It wants to learn if Chinese exports of EVs to the EU. market are taking advantage of excessive subsidies.

China's commerce minister Wang Wentao stated in April that. U.S. and European assertions of excess Chinese EV capability were. baseless, while a Chinese industry body stated the probe was. stacked against Chinese makers.

The examination, officially introduced on Oct. 4, will last. up to 13 months. The Commission can enforce provisional. anti-subsidy responsibilities 9 months after the start of the probe.

(source: Reuters)