China Dumping: Giant Request Individual Treatment

BIKE EUROPE: BRUSSELS, Belgium (Feb 22) - Giant China has requested for a 'partial interim review' on anti-dumping duties on bicycles imported from China, taking into account its exports to all 25 EU member states (EC 25). The European Commission is already conducting an interim review on these China dumping duties which is limited to the exports to the 15 old member states (EC 15) The request for a partial review could result in an individual dumping duty for Giant China. According to Giant Europe President Jan Derksen, Giant China is not the only company applying for an individual duty. Three others have done the same in the context of the EC 15 interim review. The Official Journal of the European Union in which the request from Giant China is announced, also invites other bicycle producers to come forward if they would like to be included in the newly initiated EC 25 review. Bicycles exported by Giant China Co. to the European Union are currently charged with 30.6% anti-dumping duty. End of April 2004 the European Bicycle Manufacturers' Association (EBMA) applied for an interim review on these dumping duties which was honoured by the commission and was officially announced April 29th 2004. The joint European bike makers are looking for a substantial increase in duties, even up to over 150%! The request made by Giant China is based on, as the company states: "Changing circumstances with regard to the market economy status and the substantial reduction in its dumping margin." In the Official Journal of the European Union it is said that: "The applicant provided evidence showing that a comparison of normal value based on its own cost/domestic prices and its export prices to the enlarged EU, would lead to a reduction of dumping significantly below the levels of the current measure." After consulting the Advisory Committee, the European Commission has concluded that sufficient evidence exists to justify the initiation of a partial interim review. This investigation should not only determine whether the company is operating under market economy conditions, but also if Giant China is meeting the conditions for an individual treatment. In case Giant China is meeting these conditions, an individual dumping duty could be set. The investigation will also make clear whether the existing dumping measures should continue to be applied, should be revised or dropped for Giant China. (JO)