The EU has raised tariffs on Chinese ceramic tableware to 79%, citing unfair pricing practices and state support for producers.
The European Union has sharply increased tariffs on ceramic tableware imports from China following a review of anti-dumping measures first imposed in 2013, reported Reuters.
The 27-member bloc will now apply a uniform 79 percent duty on plates, cups, bowls, and other kitchenware, replacing earlier duties that ranged from 13.1 percent to 36.1 percent, according to a filing in the EU official journal.
The European Commission stated that Chinese ceramics producers were owned or guided by state authorities and benefited from preferential financing, land, and raw materials.
To assess costs, the EU executive used Turkish data as a benchmark for raw materials, labor, and energy, concluding that Chinese exporters were selling at artificially low prices.
The EU has announced tariffs of 79 percent on all ceramic table and kitchenware from China, up from a range between 13.1 and 36.1 percent previously. This follows an investigation by the European Commission that found Chinese ceramics were owned, controlled, or guided by 'authorities,' receiving preferential financing, land, and raw materials. The result of this was artificially low prices, the commission stated.
Hong Kong's China Economic Review commented: 'Both national and local governments in China regularly use subsidies in a wide range of areas, for example, automobiles. These subsidies and benefits are a significant advantage for Chinese producers.'
In order to deal with the tariff backlash that has become almost inevitable, one Chinese automobile producer, Chery, has announced it is starting production of electric vehicles in Spain later this year.
BYD, which has been the subject of US tariffs, is also suing the Trump administration to claim back the tariffs they have paid to import their vehicles.
'Tariffs are becoming ever more normalized in global trade, and the dream of free and fair trade is becoming ever more distant. Protectionism is growing, and deglobalization is gathering momentum,' said the editorial.
