Brussels: The European Union has significantly escalated trade tensions with China by imposing a 79% tariff on imports of ceramic plates, cups, bowls, and other table and kitchenware. This action follows a comprehensive review of anti-dumping measures that have been in place since 2013, signaling Brussels’ intent to protect its domestic industry from what it considers unfair competition.
The EU’s 27-member bloc announced in its official journal on Friday that the new duty will replace previous tariffs that ranged from 13.1% to 36.1%, creating a uniform rate for all Chinese ceramic imports. The revised tariff is expected to remain effective for the next five years, unless reassessed earlier due to changing market dynamics.
According to the European Commission, the bloc’s executive arm, Chinese ceramics producers benefit from state control and preferential access to financing, land, and raw materials, allowing them to sell products at artificially low prices. To evaluate fair pricing, the Commission used data from Turkey as a benchmark to establish “normal” costs for raw materials, labor, and energy. The investigation concluded that Chinese exporters were engaging in dumping practices that harmed European manufacturers.
The move comes after a formal request by Cerame-Unie, the EU ceramics industry association, which emphasized that the tariffs are crucial to safeguarding jobs and production within Europe. The organization represents manufacturers of tableware and decorative ceramics, a sector employing over 30,000 workers across the Union. Industry representatives welcomed the hike, arguing that without protection, domestic producers would struggle to compete against subsidized Chinese imports.
This tariff increase is part of a broader pattern of trade disputes between the EU and China. The European Commission is currently conducting 63 trade remedy investigations, 47 of which involve Chinese products, reflecting growing concern over the competitive advantages enjoyed by Chinese firms due to state intervention. Analysts say the EU’s assertive approach underscores its determination to maintain a level playing field for European industries, even as tensions with Beijing over trade and market access continue to mount.
The new tariffs are expected to affect prices and supply chains across the EU market, potentially influencing retail costs for consumers while protecting local manufacturers from unfairly priced imports. Observers note that the escalation could prompt retaliatory measures from China, adding another layer of complexity to already tense EU-China economic relations.