The Ad Hoc Group of EU E-Cycle Companies, managed by LEVA-EU, has recently made a request to terminate anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on e-bikes imported from China. The group argues that these measures are unreasonable and pose a threat to the European electric bike industry.
The group has raised several important points to support their argument. First, they question the accuracy of the job claims made by the European Bicycle Manufacturers Association (EBMA). While the EBMA states that the EU e-bike industry supports over 180,000 jobs, the European Commission’s calculations show only 3,493 employees in the industry. This inconsistency raises doubts about the necessity of these duties.
Furthermore, the Ad Hoc Group emphasizes the negative impact of these measures on EU companies. Many businesses have faced legal consequences and financial losses, putting their survival at risk. The combination of duties on e-bikes and essential bike components has created a complex legal situation that jeopardizes the entire EU e-bike industry.
The group also highlights the inconsistency in the application of duties to electric bicycle parts. While measures were taken to prevent circumvention of duties on conventional bicycles, no similar actions were taken for electric bicycle assembly in the EU. This raises concerns about the possibility of Chinese exporters exploiting these loopholes and evading duties on electric bicycles.
In addition, the Ad Hoc Group points out the double standards in the European Commission’s approach. Companies that assemble electric bicycles outside of Europe using mainly Chinese parts allegedly circumvent the rules, resulting in heavy penalties for European customers. However, these rules do not seem to apply to electric bicycle assembly within the EU, creating an unfair situation for European companies.
In conclusion, the Ad Hoc Group of EU E-Cycle Companies calls for the termination of anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on e-bikes from China. They argue that these measures are unjustified, inconsistent, and pose a threat to the future of the European electric bike industry. It is crucial for policymakers to carefully consider the implications of these duties and ensure a fair and sustainable approach to the e-bike market.
