EU Industry for Fair Trade - Stop China Dumping: Stop China MES
 
Manifesto

A EUROPEAN INDUSTRIAL MANIFESTO FOR FAIR TRADE - STOP CHINA DUMPING: STOP CHINA MES!

We, the undersigned employees and employers of European industry – accounting for more than €500 billion in annual turnover and millions of jobs across the EU – are committed to European manufacturing as the fundamental driver of innovation, environmental sustainability, growth and jobs in Europe. We also support the principle of fair competition through free and fair trade.

Therefore, we call on EU leaders to deny Market Economy Status (MES) to China. China is not a market economy. Granting MES would eliminate Europe’s ability to stop Chinese dumping. Deprived of targeted EU anti-dumping measures, China will destroy Europe’s industrial base and European jobs.

EU leaders must stand up, and take responsibility for their citizens and Europe’s economic sustainability. Swift and effective trade defence measures must be enacted to stop China dumping now, to ensure the future of European manufacturing.

Together, we the employers and workers of Europe, oppose MES for China until it stops dumping and becomes a real market economy.

We call on Members of the European Parliament, Ministers in the European Council and European Commissioners to: Say NO to China MES!

INTERNATIONAL TRADE MUST BE FREE & FAIR
  • The EU held a record trade deficit with China in 2015 of over €180 billion even without MES. This imbalance is growing as a result of massive Chinese dumping.
  • Chinese overproduction is dumped on foreign markets to sustain unviable jobs and growth in China.
  • China exports its overcapacity at predatory prices below the real cost of production to Europe’s open market to gain market share and to undermine competition. China abuses the principles of free and fair trade.
  • China is targeting vital European industries from steel and aluminium to ceramics and solar panels, with unfair trade practices.
  • China’s export-led expansion strategy and 5 year plans continue to promote massive overcapacity.
  • Over 60% of all the EU's anti-dumping measures are against China.
  • European manufacturers cannot compete with China’s state-sponsored dumping and export subsidies. Indeed, WTO and EU law prevent European member states from supporting their industries in this way.
  • Dumped Chinese imports increase CO2 emissions, as products made in China have a much higher environmental footprint than those made in Europe.
  • China’s dumping preserves Chinese jobs at the expense of European workers.
  • China’s government claims that Europe must grant China MES, even though it does not fulfil the EU’s basic criteria of a market economy.
  • China’s government claims the EU must grant MES in 2016 because of its WTO Protocol. In fact, no such commitment exists.
  • China does not respect even the WTO’s most basic principles, including “allowing prices to be determined by market forces.”
STOP CHINA MES!
  • China is not a market economy – it is a state run economy controlled by the Chinese government.
  • Granting MES would be issuing China a licence to dump against all EU industries, sending the wrong signal over the need to reform its state-run economy.
  • Giving MES to China would kill jobs and growth in Europe - up to 3.5 million jobs are at risk and €228 billion in annual GDP could be lost.
THE EU MUST SAY NO TO CHINA MES!
  • EU leaders must stop China dumping now and keep jobs and growth in Europe!
  • EU leaders must make clear that China’s MES is not automatic in 2016. China is not yet a market economy.
  • EU leaders must ensure that the EU Emissions Trading System both safeguards the competitiveness of its highly efficient and innovative industries, and helps achieve global climate objectives.
  • EU leaders must secure free and fair global trade, and establish more robust trade defence mechanisms.
To EU leaders: Say NO to MES!