International law Bird & Bird advised European Industry players in the European Commission’s investigation into trade tariffs on imports from China into the European Union. A few days ago the European Commission, adopted an order imposing provisional trade tariffs of over 30% on imports from China into the European Union of certain industrial goods.
This significant decision follows a comprehensive investigation that commenced in June of the previous year.
The Brussels Competition, trade and public affairs team at Bird & Bird, representing European industry players (the petitioners) in this matter, has been a part of this investigation from the beginning. The team, led by Brussels partner Hein Hobbelen, is delighted with the Commission's decision.
Hein Hobbelen, partner at Bird & Bird, comments, “Our team is pleased that the European Commission has put a provisional protective shield over EU business. The Commission’s investigation revealed, as we had asserted, that significant distortions exist in energy costs, access to capital and wage costs; that discrimination in favour of domestic suppliers or otherwise influencing free market forces occurs; and that Chinese companies might have benefited from local assistance enabling them to potentially impact prices or costs. It has been challenging for our clients to compete on a level playing field under these conditions.”
