EU Confirms Anti-Dumping Duties of Up to 45.3% on Chinese PCR Tire Imports

The European Commission has imposed definitive anti-dumping duties ranging from 4.3% to 45.3% on passenger car and light truck tire imports from China. The measures, which enter into force on July 8, cover new pneumatic rubber tires for passenger cars and buses or lorries with a load index not exceeding 121. The Commission concluded that dumped imports from China caused material injury to the EU tire industry, with Chinese tire imports increasing by over 35 million units during the investigation period and significantly undercutting EU industry prices. The duties will be imposed on various Chinese producers, with Hankook Group facing a duty of 4.3% and Shandong Yongsheng Rubber Group facing the highest rate of 45.3%. Other cooperating Chinese producers will be subject to a 24.4% duty, while all other imports from China will attract a 45.3% tariff. The Commission’s investigation found that the EU industry’s market share declined from 60% to 53% during the period under investigation, while Chinese tire imports increased their market share from 18% to 28%. The investigation also found that prices of dumped Chinese imports significantly undercut EU industry prices, with average price undercutting of around 19%, rising to 34.7% for tier-3 tires.