The EU introduces tariffs on the import of the sweetener erythritol from China: ‘They harm our producers…’

The final anti-dumping duties range from 34.4 percent to 233.3 percent, and will be levied retroactively, from June 7 of last year.

The preliminary tariffs introduced in July will now be final, with the Commission explaining that, according to the results of the investigation, Chinese imports are “severely” harming European producers who recorded “double-digit losses” and were forced to suspend production. at the end of 2022, according to the press release from Brussels.

The erythritol market in the EU is worth EUR 30 million, the Commission stated.

In July, the Commission for erythritol from the Chinese company Baolingbao Biology Co. imposed a duty of 34.4 percent, and Shandong Sanyuan Biotechnology of 156.7 percent. Importers of erythritol from all other Chinese companies will pay a duty of 235.6 percent.

The tariffs will take effect on Friday, January 17, and will be applied for a period of five years.

China’s response

China, on the other hand, announced separately on Thursday that it would introduce provisional tariffs on imports of industrial plastics from the United States, the European Union, Japan and Taiwan after concluding a months-long anti-dumping investigation.

Provisional anti-dumping duties on polyacetal copolymers will range from 3.8 to 74.9 percent, depending on the country of origin and the company, and will be applied from January 24, he states. in the announcement of the Ministry of Trade.

Riverč is a plastic that can partially replace metals such as copper and zinc and is used in a wide range of products, including auto parts, electronics and medical equipment, the release added.

The highest tariffs will be applied to the products of American companies, while imports from the European Union will be subject to tariffs of 42 percent. Most Taiwanese and Japanese companies will face tariffs of 32.6 percent and 43.7 percent, respectively.

China launched an anti-dumping investigation in May last year, in the same week that the US raised tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles to 100 percent, and the European Union launched a trade investigation into the import of certain types of Chinese steel, Reuters recalled.

From January to December last year, China imported roughly three billion yuan ($409 million) worth of industrial plastics from the US, Japan, Taiwan and Germany, according to data from China’s customs administration.