No Exceptions for Dumping Duty on Chinese Bikes

BRUSSELS, Belgium (September 7) – There will be no exceptions for individual companies on the 30.6% anti-dumping duties on imports of Chinese bicycles. The dumping-duties were imposed in December 1995 and renewed in January 2000. During the course of the expiry review which led to the renewal of the measures, the European Commission received four requests for the initiation of a review. The requests were made by the following Chinese companies: Giant China Co. Ltd., Viva Guangzhou Bicycle Corporation Ltd., Merida Industry Co. Ltd. and the Kenton Bicycle Group. These companies claimed that the existing measures were no longer necessary to offset dumping, as they were now operating within market economy conditions, and circumstances has changed significantly with regard to the dumping previously established. After receiving the requests, the European Commission initiated a review and advised the companies concerned and the authorities of the People’s Republic of China of the initiation of the investigation. Also questionnaires were sent to the four applicants. All four companies subsequently withdrew their requests for review. According to the European Commission in its General Disclosure Document dated 22 August 2001, one company withdrew in November 2000 before its claim for market economy status had been verified. Two other companies withdrew their application in May 2001, after the Commission services has verified the information submitted in their claims for market economy status, and after the Commission services had disclosed their intention to propose the rejection of their market economy claim. This disclosure took place before any verification of their questionnaire responses. As far as the fourth company is concerned, the Commission services found that this company had not exported during the investigation period and the company decided to withdraw its request for a review in August 2001. (JO)