Last week the EU Commission imposed provisional anti-dumping duties of up to 59% on ceramic tableware and kitchenware from China, disregarding the fact that a majority of member states had opposed such a move.

GRTU, EuroCommerce who represent European retailers and importers in Europe and Foreign Trade Association condemned the move. In a democratic society, it is not acceptable that the Commission can impose punitive duties under such circumstances.

GRTU had consulted its members and expressed a clear view that voting in favour of such an anti-dumping duty was not in favour of Maltese traders and consumers. The fact that at the vote taken at the Anti-Dumping Committee of 23 October only nine member states were in favour shows very clearly that this is the situation in many other European countries.

At this stage of an anti-dumping investigation, the vote by member states is however technically not binding on the Commission (unlike when a decision is taken to impose definitive duties). However, many commentators expressed surprise that the Commission had decided to go ahead with legislation.

SME importers will be hit particularly badly by the measures as they operate on very tight margins in a highly competitive marketplace. This measure will also impact consumers as members had indicated that they may be forced to put up prices and/or reduce the range of product. In such times of recession when we are all looking to save money, imposing duties on such a wide range of products that every family needs simply in order to protect a few players in the EU industry is short-sighted.

The investigation is set to continue until the Commission is ready to decide whether definitive duties should be imposed. This decision is likely to arrive by April so that interested parties can submit comments and member states can be consulted before the ultimate deadline of 16 May 2013. At that point duties could be imposed for a maximum of five years.

GRTU takes this opportunity to advise members that from today onward tableware and kitchenware of ceramic of other type of pottery originating from China will be subject to a 59% duty on the price of the project on importation.