EBMA Expected to Withdraw Dumping Complaint

BRUSSELS, Belgium (13 January 2000) -- During the EBMA meeting on 14 January Cycleurope is expected to announce its withdrawal from the latest dumping complaint against Taiwan and China. If this happens, the EBMA will have no other option than to withdraw its complaint altogether. Rumors about Cycleurope's intention to withdrawal its support were already circulating at the end of 1999. The company may have had tactical reasons to postpone its decision. The questionnaires concerning the dumping proceedings, which the European Commission sent out to importers and exporters, had to be completed and returned no later than 14 January. Cycleurope could have saved its competitors a lot of time and expense by withdrawing its support earlier. Viewed in such light, many players accept the late decision with skepticism. Initially, the EBMA meeting was planned on 20 January. But when the organization heard that the Advisory Committee had a meeting planned for the same day, it changed the date to the fourteenth. By moving the date forward, the Commission can bring a quick settlement to the complaint. (JO)