EU imposes provisional duties on China ceramic imports (2)

The commission also set provisional duties yesterday of 15.9 to 67.8 percent on iron tubes and pipe fittings from China and Thailand. EU imports from the two nations in 2011 were 59 million euros.

Although historically, European china was a cheaply priced alternative to the genuine Asian product, the commission said that in the modern era imports were crowding out domestic sales.

European importers say the duties would harm consumers and traders and argue that European producers cannot meet local demand, meaning imports would be sought from other countries, such as Bangladesh and Vietnam.

Chinese producers hope EU members that voted against the measures will continue their opposition.

Some members, such as from Scandinavia, tend to vote against duties as a matter of free-trade principle. Others said they were unconvinced by the commission's arguments and data in this case.

We recommend:
A Decade of Fastest Development	Eastern Boom Lightens Western Gloom	Chinese firms 'potential Trojan horses'? slows
AVIC unveils new aircraft engines	Oct. data released, inflation slows	13th Int'l Automobile Industry Exhibition
China Int'l Industry Fair opens in Shanghai	Caofeidian coal wharf put into use	Galaxy Soho building in Beijing