EU to propose end to anti-dumping duties on Chinese light bulbs
Sunday, 29 July 2007
BRUSSELS, July 28 (Xinhua): The European Commission is set to propose an end to the five-year anti-dumping duties on Chinese energy-saving light bulbs, a spokesman said.
A group of trade experts at the European Union's executive body have been debating whether to drop the anti-dumping duties for several months as the trade defence measure against light bulbs made in China was introduced for five years in 2001.
Peter Power, a spokesman for EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson, said a majority of specialists support the end to the anti-dumping duties as the five-year period has expired.
"The outcome of the discussions puts the commission in a position to proceed with a formal proposal to end the duties," he said.
Some European bulb makers have been pressing had for a renewal of the duties for another five years, but the measure was criticised by environmentalists as unjustified in EU's fight against global warming.
EU member states will give a final say to the issue, based on the commission's proposal.
The 27-nation bloc has launched a review of its trade defence policy, notably anti-duping measures.
A group of trade experts at the European Union's executive body have been debating whether to drop the anti-dumping duties for several months as the trade defence measure against light bulbs made in China was introduced for five years in 2001.
Peter Power, a spokesman for EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson, said a majority of specialists support the end to the anti-dumping duties as the five-year period has expired.
"The outcome of the discussions puts the commission in a position to proceed with a formal proposal to end the duties," he said.
Some European bulb makers have been pressing had for a renewal of the duties for another five years, but the measure was criticised by environmentalists as unjustified in EU's fight against global warming.
EU member states will give a final say to the issue, based on the commission's proposal.
The 27-nation bloc has launched a review of its trade defence policy, notably anti-duping measures.