The European Union has imposed import duties of up to 66.4% on steel products from China as part of measures to curb dumping by Chinese exporters of steel wheels for vehicles including cars, tractors and trailers.
Sanctions have been imposed against Chinese manufacturers such as Zhejiang Jingu Co., Xingmin Intelligent Transportation Systems Co. And others.
The investigation was initiated by a complaint filed by the Association of European Automobile Wheel Manufacturers.
There are currently 11 wheel manufacturers in the EU, but the Commission declined to name any of them. According to the Commission, European manufacturers asked for anonymity "out of fear of retaliation from some of their customers."
The European market for steel road wheels is estimated at 800 million euros or 881 million dollars. The industry currently employs 3,600 people, mainly from Germany, France, Spain, Czech Republic, Italy, Romania and Poland.
Fees introduced from last Friday will be valid for six months. They can be renewed for five years thereafter. Rates range from 50.3 to 66.4% of the customs value.
In addition, the European Commission launched an investigation into the supply of hot-rolled stainless steel from China, suspecting Beijing of providing unreasonable preferences to stainless steel exporters distorting the market.
The investigation is expected to take about 13 months and may lead to the imposition of new duties on the import of steel sheet and coil products into the EU.
