EU launches probe into Balkan construction imports tied to Chinese glass‑fibre dumping

The European Commission is preparing to open an investigation into imports of certain construction materials from several Balkan states after receiving information that the products are made with inexpensive Chinese glass fibre already subject to EU anti‑dumping duties. The probe will focus on open‑glass‑fibre meshes used in thermal‑insulation systems.

EU officials say the cheap Chinese fibre imports contribute to a record EU‑China trade deficit of about €1 billion per day. The Commission began talks with Beijing in June and hopes to achieve concrete results by October, when Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič is slated to travel to China. The Commission warned it could activate trade‑defence measures before the deadline, accusing Chinese producers of unfair pricing and of evading duties by supplying fibre to local Balkan assemblers.

China’s glass‑fibre overcapacity, estimated at more than double EU demand, threatens European manufacturers. The EU has previously imposed additional duties on glass fibre, including on Egyptian imports produced by Chinese firms. Industry group Glass Fibre Europe highlighted the scale of the overcapacity problem.