The European Union imposed new anti-dumping duties on steel products from China on Friday, as it broadens its campaign to protect struggling steel manufacturers in Europe. The EU took the latest action against China, which makes more than half the world's steel, for allegedly flooding global markets in violation of international trade agreements.
The European Commission, the EU executive, said it imposed duties of up to 35.9 percent on Chinese hot-rolled flat steel used in shipbuilding, gas containers, pressure vessels, tubes and energy pipelines. EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem said the commission is trying to level the "playing field" with China and stop the damage to European producers.
"We are continuing to act, when necessary, against unfair trading conditions in the steel sector, and against foreign dumping," Malmstroem said in a statement. In January, the commission slapped anti-dumping duties on stainless steel tube and pipe butt-welding fittings, which are used to join steel pipes and tubes. They are commonly used in industries such as food processing and shipbuilding as well as energy and construction.