The EU Will Keep Duties on Chinese Light Bulbs For One Year

(China is a very important supplier to the promotions industry, and although this piece does not directly relate to this industry, it does give an indication of the EU's response to pressure from members regarding imports from China. Ed.)

The EU Commission has proposed a one-year extension of anti-dumping duties that raise the price of Chinese energy-efficient light bulbs by 66%.

The Commission has previously planned to lift duties in the autumn. The Commission’s mind change on scrapping the duties immediately is mainly due to the pressure from its German Enterprise and Industry Commissioner, Gunter Verheugen, who was worried that the dropping of the tariff immediately could cost jobs at Siemen’s, Osram light bulb factory.

Osram has lobbied to keep the tariffs in place, saying the low-cost Chinese imports damage European manufacturing.

Philips, the Dutch company, are disappointed but hope that member states will ultimately decide on the merits and will consider that keeping this tax will do nothing for the energy conscious EU consumers.

Peter Mandelson, Commissioner for Trade, had wanted to lift the duties, but as a result of criticism from Commissioner Verheugen, it seems a compromise will be reached for the time being.

Margot Parker, Consultant, eurocom-consult.com

For further information visit www.euobserver.com

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