EU Anti-Dumping Legislation Stay In Force Despite China and Taiwan WTO Membership

BRUSSELS, Belgium (November 30) - The World Trade Organization membership for Taiwan and China will have fewer effects on their exports to Europe than for the exports from Europe to both countries. Despite the membership of the two countries, European anti-dumping legislation in which China is considered a state economy will stay in force for the oncoming 15 years. The same goes for the dumping duties fixed to specific Taiwanese companies and their export of complete bicycles to the European Union. Nevertheless, the WTO membership implies that all WTO-countries will grant China and Taiwan the Most Favoured Nation status. But the EU did that already before both countries were official members. Moreover, the GSP is applicable on Chinese imports in the EU. On the other hand, the access for Europeans to the Chinese and Taiwanese markets will get easier, and cheaper. For a start, China and Taiwan will have to lower their import duties for EU made products and components. For Taiwan it is not yet clear how much exactly the duties will be lowered. At this moment, it is 25% for motorcycles, and 15% for parts and spares, with the exception of clutches, gearboxes, transmission equipment and parts thereof, which are dutied 20%. Bicycles and bicycle parts do 10%. But it is certain that the major part of the implementation of lower tariffs will be effectuated from 2002 on. China’s import duties for bicycles will be lowered from 20% to 13% and for bicycle components from 19.6% to 12%. With regard to mopeds and motorcycles up to cylinder capacities of 250cc, the Chinese import duties will come down from 52% to 45%. (AR)