Image Source: WikimediaThe European
Commission announced on Friday that it is launching an anti-subsidy
investigation on imports of steel products from China. European regulators also
promised to apply actively the so-called threat of injury mechanism, which
allows to take action before they receive actual proof of injure from the EU
steel producers.
The Chief Spokesperson of the Commission Margaritis Schinas at midday
press-briefing on Friday 13th , said that modernisation of trade defence system
is on the agenda of the EU Trade Ministers today in Brussels, including the
protection of the EU steel producers, who suffer from cheap steel imports from
China. Schinas said “It is a part of our promise that the Commission will do
everything in its power to restore fair trading conditions for the European
steel industry.”
At present, the Commission is investigating 10 cases on trade defence, 7 of
which concern steel products originating from China, in addition to 15
anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures also in place.
On Thursday 12th in a non-legislative resolution the European Parliament said
that the Chinese exports to the EU must be treated in a non-standard way until
this country fulfils the EU’s five criteria for market economy status. However,
MEPs underlined, that the EU must to find a way to do this in compliance with
its international obligations in the World Trade Organisation and in particular
China’s WTO Accession Protocol, which provides for changes in how China is to
be treated after 11 December 2016.
Source : NEWEUROPE.EU