Anti-dumping investigation begins into China MEWP imports to Europe

The complaint was first lodged in September by the ‘Coalition to restore a level playing field in the EU Mobile Access Equipment Sector’ and could potentially lead to tariffs being imposed on imported goods, as has been the case in the US. 

The identity of the coalition companies and/or individuals has not been made public.

However, France-based Haulotte Group and Manitou Group both welcomed the anti-dumping investigation. In identical statements released by both companies, they said, “In the last months, unusual commercial practices have emerged on the European market, at a time when healthy and fair competition is more necessary than ever for the development of a robust European industry in this sector.

The Berlaymont building - headquaters of the European Commission (Image: Andrzej via AdobeStock - stock.adobe.com)

“The European Commission was therefore informed of this situation and received substantial evidence on the above-mentioned practices and their negative impact for the EU industry.”

Expanding on the subject, Michel Denis, president & CEO of Manitou Group and Alexandre Saubot, the CEO of Haulotte Group, added, “We welcome the launch of this investigation. Fair competition on the European market is a prerequisite to ensure that businesses remain sustainable.

“We are therefore calling for swift and decisive action by the European Commission so that our activities and that of hundreds of our industrial suppliers in the EU can continue to innovate, to provide quality jobs to their workforce and continued safety to workers across the EU.”

In an immediate response from a China-based manufacturer, Sinoboom said it planned to work with the Commission. “Sinoboom is cooperating fully with the investigation and looks forward to confirming that it has followed the highest standards of professionalism while introducing its high quality products to European customers.”

Products under scrutiny 

Outlining the complaint, the European Commission said in its official statement, “The product subject to this investigation is mobile access equipment designed for the lifting of persons, self-propelled, with a maximum working height of 6m or more, and pre-assembled or ready-to-assemble sections thereof, excluding individual components when presented separately, and excluding person lifting equipment mounted on vehicles.”

In November 2021, the US International Trade Commission ruled that US MEWP manufacturers were being economically harmed by Chinese MEWP imports and announced that tariffs would be put in place. 

Full details of the case, as well as the likely time schedule for a ruling, can be found here. Companies have 70 days from 13 November to submit completed questionnaires concerning the issue, with European and Chinese manufacturers, importers and equipment users, including rental companies, able to participate.

The investigation in Europe 

The European Commission added the complainant had stated that it is not appropriate to use domestic prices and costs in the People’s Republic of China and outlined the State funding benefiting the Chinese aerial platform industries and the fact that there is a substantial degree of State ownership in the China sector, as well as in the upstream sector companies.

The commission said the complainant provided evidence that imports of the product under investigation from the country concerned have increased overall in absolute terms and in terms of market share.

“The evidence provided by the complainant shows that the volume and the prices of the imported product under investigation have had, among other consequences, a negative impact on the quantities sold, the level of prices charged and the market share held by the Union industry, resulting in substantial adverse effects on the overall performance and the financial situation.”

‘Sufficient evidence’

In addition the EC said, the complainant had provided sufficient evidence that there may be raw material distortions in the country concerned regarding the product under investigation.

“According to the evidence in the complaint the hot-rolled steel that is used to produce MAE, and which accounts for at least 17 % of the cost of production of the product under investigation, is subject to no VAT export refund in the country concerned…The complaint establishes that the raw material distortions appear to result in prices significantly below those of representative international markets.”

The Commission will now carry out an in-depth investigation to examine the alleged distortions to assess whether duty lower than the margin of dumping would be sufficient to remove injury.