EU leaders are considering trade defence measures against China's 'overcapacity,' but the author argues this is a misnomer. China's manufacturing growth stems from its integration into global supply chains and adherence to international standards, making its products competitive through efficiency and expertise, not unfair practices.
The EU's executive branch will engage with China to address trade imbalances and develop new trade defense tools to counter Chinese industrial overcapacity and reduce overdependence on the Chinese economy.
The European Commission has imposed anti-dumping duties ranging from 11% to 25.4% on glass fibre produced by Chinese companies operating in Egypt, Bahrain and Thailand. The measures target Belt and Road routing to circumvent tariffs on products labelled "made in China". By 2024, imports from these three countries accounted for 24% of the EU market, with Egyptian imports alone reaching 18%. The industry employs over 4,500 workers directly in the EU, with unions warning of potential plant closures without stronger action.
