CFIA Seeks WTO Appeal On EU Fastener Tariffs

Jason Sandefur

The China Fastener Industry Association issued a statement expressing its “strong indignation” toward the European Union’s anti-dumping tariffs imposed February 2, 2009, and asked the Chinese government to appeal to the WTO.
“We affirm again: Chinese fastener enterprise will unite together and apply for WTO rules and necessary actions to protect our own interest,” the CFIA stated. “Meanwhile, in order to protect our dignity, we strongly request China government to sue WTO on EU abuses antidumping rules on fastener imports from Mainland China.”
The European Union Council of Ministers adopted anti-dumping duties on certain fasteners from China and the tariffs will be imposed upon publication of the regulation, Fastener & Fixing Europe magazine reported.
The tariffs are the result of an anti-dumping investigation started in 2007 against fasteners imported from China. The general tariff for a range of fasteners imported from China, including hex bolts, socket screws, small screws and washers, is 85%.
Approximately 100 Chinese exporters that cooperated with the investigation are accorded a 77.5% tariff. A handful of companies, which succeeded in obtaining so-called individual treatment are accorded specific tariffs ranging from 63% to 79.5%.
Exceptions include subsidiaries of two European fastener manufacturers with plants in China.
The CFIA responded that the tariffs are “obviously unfair and lack(ed) … impartiality, transparency and reasonable legal evidence during the whole process of this antidumping case.”
The tariffs will have “great adverse impact on Chinese fastener enterprises and is partial to the foreign-owned enterprises in China.”
Noting the global financial crisis, the CFIA said Chinese government leaders have met with EU leaders and “reached a compromise to oppose trade protectionism. However, actions of EU contrasted sharply with its promises and EU also abuses antidumping rules. We once again appeal to EU to respect the fact and the development trend of China-EU trade relationship.” �2009 FastenerNews.com