The European Commission is considering an investigation into construction material imports from several Balkan countries, suspecting they use low-cost Chinese glass fibre already subject to EU anti-dumping duties. This probe is part of broader EU efforts to counter unfair Chinese trade practices and rebalance trade ties.
Traditional Japanese manufacturers, known for products like toilets (Toto), glass fibre (Nittobo), and food seasonings (Ajinomoto), are emerging as crucial suppliers of specialized materials for advanced AI chip manufacturing and packaging, becoming "second-order AI beneficiaries" as global AI investment surges.
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.
