 China accuses EU of protectionism over new steel taxes Beijing (AFP) Jan 28, 2017 - Beijing has accused the European Union of "protectionist" behaviour after Brussels imposed anti-dumping duties on Chinese steel products, as it seeks to protect struggling steel makers in Europe. The EU Commission said Friday it would impose taxes of between 30.7 percent and 64.9 percent on certain Chinese steel products which it says are being sold at a loss in Europe. The measure, which also applies to Taiwan, is part of an EU push against China -- which makes more than half the world's steel -- for allegedly flooding global markets in violation of international trade agreements. But China's commerce ministry said the EU move was in breach of World Trade Organization rules and vowed to "take necessary measures to defend the fair rights" of Chinese companies. "Imprudently taking protectionist measures is just another attack on international trade," a ministry official said Friday in a statement. The targeted products are used to join steel pipes and tubes, and are commonly used in industries such as food processing and shipbuilding as well as energy and construction. In the face of criticism, Beijing has vowed to eliminate 100-150 million tonnes of capacity -- out of a total of 1.2 billion tonnes -- by 2020. The EU has had a series of trade disputes with China, its second-largest trading partner, but is also seeking to resolve the stand-off over steel with Beijing through the OECD, the Paris-based group of developed economies.
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The EU slapped definitive anti-dumping duties on steel products from China and Taiwan on Friday, as it broadens its campaign to protect struggling steel manufacturers in Europe.
The measure is part of an EU push against China, which makes more than half the world's steel, for allegedly flooding global markets in violation of international trade agreements.
It comes as protectionist US President Donald Trump promises to crack down on China's dominance of world trade, prompting a vigorous defense of globalisation by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the World Economic Forum in Davos last week.
"The European Commission's investigation confirmed that Chinese and Taiwanese stainless steel tube and pipe butt-welding fittings had been sold in Europe at dumped prices," the EU's executive arm said in a statement.
The targeted products are used to join steel pipes and tubes, and are commonly used in industries such as food processing and shipbuilding as well as energy and construction.
The EU has had a series of trade disputes with China, its second-largest trading partner, but is also seeking to resolve the stand-off over steel with Beijing through the OECD, the Paris-based group of developed economies.
Brussels now has more than 100 trade defence measures in place, 39 of them targeting unfair imports of steel products of which 15 are Chinese.
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