Tag: China
US puts 10% import tariffs on all Chinese tyres
The Trump administration upped the ante once again in the ongoing trade war between the USA and China on 18 September with the introduction of tariffs on all US$200 billion of imports including basically all categories of tyres, retreads and inner tubes. At President Trump’s direction the additional tariffs will initially be set at 10 per cent and will take effect on 24 September 2018. However, as of 1 January 2019, the level of additional tariffs will increase to 25 per cent.
Ricardo shares vision for future hybrid transmissions at CTi Shanghai
With hybrid vehicles set to capture a significantly greater market share during the transition to electrified transportation, Ricardo will share its vision as to how high efficiency, low-cost Dedicated Hybrid Transmissions (DHTs) can be created using the company’s highly advanced Select-R transmission design toolchain.
Linglong Tire commences cooperation with FAW
On 1 September 2018, Chinese vehicle manufacturer FAW Group Corporation signed a product technical cooperation framework agreement with Shandong Linglong Tire. The two parties intend to collaborate on the development of tyres for new models produced by FAW.
TRIB testifies at US tariff hearings
The Section 301 Committee of the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) is holding hearings at the US International Trade Commission as part of a consultation process ahead of proposed import duties on certain Chinese produced tyres.
China implements anti-dumping tariffs against synthetic rubber producers
On 10 August 2018 China’s Ministry of Commerce announced plans to implement anti-dumping duties ranging from 23.1 per cent to 75.5 per cent on synthetic halogenated butyl rubber from the United States, the European Union and Singapore starting 20 August 2018.
Yongtai Group enters administration
The Chinese Yongtai Group, which once ranked as the 32nd largest tyre manufacturer in the world and which used to produce World Rally Championship tyres for DMack as well as the well-known Durun budget brand, is bankrupt. Shandong Yongtai Group Co., Ltd. officially entered administration on 16 July 2018. On 4 August 2018 Shandong Dongying Intermediate People's Court published documents showing that Guangrao County-based Caijin Asset Management Co., Ltd.’s application for Yongtai to enter administration had been accepted. The Beijing-based Dacheng (Jinan) law firm was appointed as the administrator of Yongtai Group.
ZC Rubber using Dow-produced foam to make Mobike tyres
Mobike, one of the world’s largest bike-sharing companies, is adding e-bikes to its fleet that use new foamed integrated tyre solutions. The tyres are a result of a partnership between Dow and Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber to develop a tyre solution based on mixing Dow’s Infuse Olefin Block Copolymer (OBC), Engage Polyolefin Elastomers and Nordel EPDM.
SEMA: Trump’s tariffs ‘misplaced’
The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) has voiced its disapproval of US President Trump’s aim to impose 25 per cent tariffs on a range of products imported from China; the US-based association, which represents the vehicle aftermarket, says it opposes these tariffs as well as the Trump administration’s tariffs on steel and aluminium and the threatened tariffs on imported cars and automotive parts – it considers them “as misplaced and having the potential to impose significant harm on US businesses and consumers.”
Pirelli acquires 49% in Chinese tyre plant to boost APAC ‘high value’ strategy
With investment of 65 million euros, Pirelli is taking a 49 per cent share in a “technologically advanced” consumer tyre plant in China. Through this joint venture partnership with Hixih Rubber Industry Group, Pirelli says it will gain greater production flexibility in APAC, particularly within the high value segment. The new joint venture company has been named Jining Shenzhou Tyre Co.
NTDA: EC anti-subsidy decision ‘no great surprise’
Following decisions on the part of the European Commission (EC) to review its Chinese truck tyre anti-dumping tariffs and to decide against implementing anti-subsidy remedies against Chinese-produced tyres for the time being, the industry itself has been responding to the news. For its part, the UK’s National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) was not shocked by the news that the EC is not planning to implement anti-subsidy (otherwise known as counter-veiling duties) and highlighted difficulties associated with their implementation.
Bridgestone: Another patent infringement win in China
A further victory for Bridgestone Corporation in its battle against patent infringement was delivered by the Shanghai Intellectual Property Court, which ruled favourably in its lawsuit against Chinese tyre manufacturer Fangxing Rubber Co., Ltd. (Fangxing).
ChemChina names Sinochem boss as new chairman
Ren Jianxin has retired as chairman of ChemChina. His successor has been named as Ning Gaoning (Frank Ning), who concurrently serves as chairman of Chinese state-owned petrochemical and fertiliser company Sinochem. Ren’s replacement by the chairman of ChemChina’s rival is considered by many a precursor to a merger between the two firms, an arrangement that would create a group with annual turnover in excess of £100 billion.
Linglong Tire progressing with recycling, pyrolysis projects
Linglong Tire is examining tyre pyrolysis technology and its application to waste tyre recycling. The tyre maker shares that it organised a conference on the subject at its headquarters in Zhaoyuan, China on 24 July, an event attended by 13 academics and experts from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Sichuan University, Zhejiang University and Beijing University of Technology.
Chinese truck tyres: EC proposes revised anti-dumping duties
Thanks to an internal document sent to EU member states and national tyre trade associations, we now have a clearer idea about what form the European Commission’s final anti-dumping measures against Chinese truck and bus tyres may take. The Commission favours a system of fixed, per-tyre duties similar to the preliminary duties introduced in May; the silver lining for Chinese tyre makers is that it has recommended these duties be reduced.
Make tariffs great again
The tyre industry has seen its fair share of import tariffs in recent years. The largest scale of these, across the widest range of products, was initiated by the US against Chinese produced car tyres in 2009. That president has been and gone since then (as have further tariffs on car tyres and OTR tyres), but still tariffs are making a huge impact on the tyre industry in the USA and beyond.
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