China unleashes ‘dumping' epidemic across Europe
The European Commission (EC) warned more than 100 categories of goods had seen 'harmful increases' in volumes shipped to the Continent in the first half of the year, with China branded the worst offender.
Data published by Brussels suggests Beijing is flooding the trading bloc with goods ranging from leather to car engines amid increasing evidence that the world's second biggest economy is trying to divert shipments to other countries because of Mr Trump's tariffs.
The EC said that compared with a year ago, there had been a 2,616pc increase in imports of xylol, a chemical often used in paint thinners, which was being imported at prices roughly 30pc cheaper than 2024.
Heatwaves in Europe have also triggered a 36pc increase in air conditioning units from China that the EC said were being sold at prices 7pc lower than a year ago.
Trump's tariffs
The increases in dozens of products being dumped in Europe come after President Trump raised tariffs on Chinese goods being imported into the US to as high as 145pc as tensions simmered between the two nations.
However, officials agreed to a trade truce in Geneva in May, although a 90-day pause on other trade barriers is due to expire next week.
Average US tariffs on Chinese exports now stand at 55pc and cover all goods, according to analysis by the Peterson Institute. China's average tariffs on US exports average 32.6pc.
Officials in Brussels remain particularly concerned that Beijing will flood the bloc with cheap cars, as cutthroat competition in mainland China forces manufacturers to sell abroad.
Last month, officials warned that the EU will not tolerate 'dumping' of Chinese electric vehicles. Teresa Ribera, EC's vice president, added that the bloc also refused to import 'cheap equipment' to help get to net zero.
'There is this assumption that counting on cheap equipment could be good to boost the potential of new developments and new decarbonisation pathways,' she said.
'And there may be truth on one side, but as you also know, it may be difficult in terms of how it could impact on the capacity to ensure a level playing field. So we cannot accept any type of dumping practices.'
While the EC said it had not found evidence that cheap cars were landing in Europe, it noted there were increasing shipments of car and van trailers, as well as big petrol and diesel engines.
Turkey has also dumped an increasing amount of goods onto the continent, including rubber and basic metals, according to the Commission, while it added that South Korea was also increasing shipments of chemicals to Europe at knockdown prices.
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