In a new move to defend domestic producers, the European Union opened an inquiry into Chinese flat-rolled iron and steel products that have been plated or coated with tin.

It has also started a number of investigations to find out if Chinese clean tech businesses are unjustly benefiting from subsidies while doing business inside the EU and if Chinese-owned companies are dumping subsidised goods on EU markets.

The investigations are being conducted by the European Commission, which claims that its goal is to stop unfair competition and market distortion.

What you should know about the investigations is as follows:

Tinplate Steel

A Chinese tin-plated or coated flat-rolled iron or steel product is the subject of an anti-dumping inquiry launched by the European Commission on May 16.

According to the official EU journal, Eurofer, a European steel organisation, filed a complaint, which prompted the inquiry.

The inquiry must be completed in 14 months, and in seven to eight months, temporary responsibilities may be imposed.

Wood Flooring Imports

On May 16, the European Commission opened an anti-dumping probe into imports of wood flooring in response to a complaint from the European Parquet Federation.

The constructed multilayered wood flooring panels are being examined. Bamboo panels, or panels containing bamboo at least on top, are not allowed, nor are panels intended for mosaic flooring.

Medical Devices 

The EU’s official journal announced on April 24 that the European Commission has opened an investigation into Chinese public procurement of medical products.

This is the first probe conducted in accordance with the EU International Procurement Instrument, which strives to stop nations from unjustly favouring their own suppliers.

Chinese medical equipment firms who bid in EU public tenders may face limitations if the Commission determines that European suppliers lack equitable access to the Chinese market.

The Commission may choose to extend the investigation’s deadline by an additional five months, but it must be finished within nine months.

Wind Turbines

According to EU antitrust commissioner Margrethe Vestager, the EU is looking into subsidies that Chinese manufacturers of wind turbines going to Europe got. This was announced on April 9.

Vestager stated, “Without naming specific companies, it will look into wind park development in Spain, Greece, France, Romania, and Bulgaria.”

China said the investigation supported protectionism and was “discriminatory” against its businesses.

Solar Panels

Following the businesses’ withdrawal from the process, the European Industry Commission’s probe into Chinese bids in a public bidding for a solar park in Romania will be concluded, European Industry Commission Thierry Breton announced on May 13.

On April 3, it opened two investigations to determine if the Chinese bidders received undue advantage from subsidies.

It started by looking at a group that included ENEVO Group from Romania and a LONGi Green Energy Technology Co. subsidiary from China. The second consortium under investigation included Shanghai Electric Group Co., a state-owned company in China, and its subsidiaries.

According to Breton, the Commission will end its inquiry having noted Shanghai Electric’s and LONGi Solar’s departure from the bidding process.

Electric Vehicles 

On September 13, 2023, the Commission said that it will begin looking into Chinese electric vehicles for anti-subsidy violations in order to decide whether to apply harsh penalties.

It seeks to ascertain whether China’s electric vehicle exports to the EU market are aided by exorbitant subsidies.

While a Chinese industry association said the investigation was biassed against Chinese manufacturers, China’s commerce minister Wang Wentao stated in April that claims made by the United States and Europe over China’s surplus electric vehicle (EV) capacity were unfounded.

The formal start of the probe, which will open a new tab on October 4, might last for up to 13 months. The Commission has nine months from the beginning of the investigation to enact temporary anti-subsidy responsibilities.

(Adapted from Reuters.com)