European Commission May Investigate Chinese Mobile Telecom Network Imports
The European Commission decided “in principle” Wednesday to launch an own-initiative (ex officio) anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigation of imports of mobile telecom networks and essential elements such as radio access networks and mobile network cores from China, Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht said. The decision won't be activated right now to “allow for negotiations towards an amicable solution with the Chinese authorities,” he said in a statement. China exports telecom network equipment to the EU market valued at just over 1 billion euros ($1.29 billion) per year, the EC said.
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An ex officio trade defense action is one undertaken without an official complaint from the EU industry, the EC said. It offers a “shield” when the risk of retaliation against European companies asking for trade defense instruments is high, it said.
The EC has been gathering evidence for over a year, De Gucht spokesman John Clancy said at a press briefing. If an investigation is ultimately begun, however, further evidence would have to be collected, he said.
Asked about a timeline for activating the case, Clancy said, “The clock is ticking.” The EU has had an open-door policy with its Chinese partners for a year, and now hopes authorities will step forward and discuss this situation in a serious manner, he said. The EU wants “rapid engagement” from China, he said. Clancy declined to say what evidence the EC has so far.