EU imposes up to 45.3% anti‑dumping duties on Chinese tires

The European Commission has adopted permanent anti‑dumping duties on imports of passenger‑car and light‑truck tires from China. The tariffs, ranging from 4.3% to 45.3%, took effect on 7‑8 July and will remain in force for five years. The measure follows an investigation that found Chinese manufacturers selling tires at artificially low prices, harming the EU tire industry that employs more than 80,000 people in 14 member states.

In 2024 the EU market consumed about 330 million tires worth over €18 billion. Chinese imports that year reached nearly 93 million units, valued at more than €2.5 billion and representing a 28% market share, up from 18% in 2021. Duties are differentiated by the level of cooperation with the probe: firms that cooperated, such as Hankook, face the lowest rate of 4.3%; about 60 cooperating producers receive 24.4%; non‑cooperating exporters are hit with the maximum 45.3% duty. A separate investigation into possible Chinese subsidies is ongoing and could lead to further measures.

The Commission expects the duties to level the playing field for European manufacturers, though they will likely raise the price of tires for consumers across the bloc.