EBMA welcomes EU investigation into e-Bike dumping, China calls for case to be dropped
An investigation into whether anti-dumping measures should apply to Chinese-sourced electric bikes has been welcomed by the European Bicycle Manufacturer’s Association and simultaneously slammed by China’s commerce ministry.
On Friday, Chinese representatives called for the termination of the measures, which are designed to level the playing field for those manufacturing in Europe through levies on imported goods.
Meanwhile, the EBMA’s Moreno Fioravanti, the Secretary General, said: “We strongly welcome the new European Commission investigation into the dumping of Chinese e-bikes, which are flooding the EU at an alarming rate and artificially low prices. EBMA has also asked the European Commission for the immediate registration of Chinese e-bike imports, which will allow EU anti-dumping duties to be imposed retroactively, and will shortly file an anti-subsidy complaint.”
Asking for immediate support, Fioravanti suggested the EU may be in breach of WTO rules if it does not act to stem the flow.
“EBMA and the EU manufacturers of bicycles, pedal assist e-bikes, and components are firm believers in free trade, but trade must also be fair. Injuring domestic producers through imports which are dumped and heavily government-subsidised is against the WTO rules. We have asked the Commission to order the registration of Chinese e-bikes as soon as possible so that the blatant disregard of trade rules by Chinese e-bike manufacturers can be stopped quickly.
“We are confident that the Commission will make a thorough analysis and confirm the massive scale of dumping from China which is injuring EU producers and destroying sustainable manufacturing jobs, Innovation, growth and investment in Europe.”
Further backing his belief that the European industry needs protection, Fioravanti pointed to the scale of the EU cycling business, which he reminds is responsible for over 90,000 “green jobs” and for 900 SME businesses.
The startling growth of Chinese electric bike exports has given cause for alarm among European makers. According to the EBMA, “next to zero” bikes were shipped in 2010. Yet by the end of 2017, over 800,000 are expected to leave for Europe. In 2016, 70% of all imports into Europe stemmed from China, with 40% more exported year-on-year.
“If this dumping is not stopped, China will quickly grab an e-bike monopoly in Europe. Dumped Chinese e-bikes are causing injury to European industry which is harming the European economy and consumers worldwide. Indeed, local EU manufacturing by SMEs is the only sustainable future for the EU, both to create new green jobs and to really cut carbon and other dangerous emissions”, concluded Fioravanti.
