The EU Imposes Anti-dumping Duties on Tiles

The European Union (EU) on June 19 started an anti-dumping case against China-made ceramic tiles.

The EU case is expected to cost manufacturers a record sum of more than 300 million yuan ($43.94 million), reported the Yangcheng Evening News on June 19.

Last month, the European Ceramic Tile Manufacturers' Federation applied to the EU Commission to impose anti-dumping duties of up to 430 percent on Chinese ceramics.

Figures from the China Ceramics Industry Association show that the EU accounts for 8 to 9.5 percent of all ceramic tile exports.

"The sales to the EU only rose 1 percent over the past year, but sales from producers in the EU have dropped by more than 40 percent. You can't blame that drop off on China," said Lan Weibing, an official from the association, adding the production costs have increased dramatically due to the financial crisis.

Currently, more than 60 producers from Foshan, where 75 percent of China's ceramic tiles are made, have joined together to oppose the duties.