Tag: tariffs
USA increasing tariffs on US$200 billion of Chinese imports…including tyres
In the USA, the recent United States Trade Representative (USTR) Section 301 investigation exploring potential tariffs on a range of Chinese imports has reported back. After tariffs of 10 per cent were put into place in September, the planned increase to 25 per cent in January was delayed while trade talks continued.
Vellco Tyre Control sets sights on European retreading markets to establish growth
Vellco Tyre Control will seek to capitalise on increased optimism in the European tyre retreading market by expanding its casing supply business into new territories. Retreaders of commercial vehicle tyres were given a boost last year when the European Union introduced tariffs on certain new Chinese products in the segment, which have long caused headaches among retreaders due to their low price. The independently owned casing dealer and used tyre specialist from Weaverthorpe, North Yorkshire is engaged in the procurement, grading and sale of tyre casings of all types, including car, van, truck, agricultural, industrial, and earthmover. In addition to targeting selected European clients, Vellco said it would simultaneously consolidate and strengthen its position in key global markets such as South America and Africa.
EU publishes definitive anti-subsidy and updated anti-dumping rates
The European Union has published its definitive decision relating to anti-subsidy duties imposed on Chinese-produced truck tyres imported into the continent. This follows the EU’s final decision on anti-dumping duties, which was released on 18 October 2018. In short, the latest document (which runs to well over 120 pages) demonstrates how large subsidies have supported some Chinese tyre makers. However, it doesn’t mean the overall per tyre rate importers have to pay will change.
US market receives first Magna OTR tyre production from Thailand
One way of avoiding anti-dumping duties applicable to tyres imported from China is not to import tyres from China. This is what Magna Tyre Group is now doing in the USA – the company is meeting increased demand for OTR tyres in this market by expanding its production capacity in Thailand. Tyres made in this facility, comments Magna, are don’t attract tariffs in the USA and thus offer the opportunity for the company to “massively increase our presence on American market.”
Chinese truck/bus tyres: US court partially rejects determination
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) must reappraise its final determination on truck and bus tyres from China after the US Court of International Trade (CIT) only partially sustained the ITC’s determination that the US tyre industry has been neither materially injured nor threatened with material injury by imports of these products.
EU rejects claims Pirelli isn’t related to CNRC and Aeolus
Having published its definitive decision on Chinese-produced truck tyre dumping, the European Union has also rejected claims that Pirelli is not related to either China National Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd (CNRC, which is owned by ChemChina) or Aeolus. Therefore, any tyres made by any of the related companies in China have to be subject to comparable import tariffs.
Michelin predicts significant slowdown in car and truck tyre demand
While presenting its nine-month 2018 results, Michelin has predicted a significant slowdown in passenger and truck tyre market conditions in the second half of the year. However, the well-known tyre manufacturer also predicted “sustained growth” in the speciality sector, which consists of OTR, two-wheel, aircraft and agricultural tyres.
Jiangsu General investing US$300 million in Thailand tyre plant
Jiangsu General Science Technology Co. Ltd. is set to invest around US$300 million in the construction of a tyre manufacturing facility in Thailand. The news follows earlier reports published in the Spring that Jiangsu General was considering Cambodia for the investment.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
2018 has been ‘Up in the air’
When it comes to reviewing 2018, two words sum up the kinds of talking points virtually everyone has touched on this year: tariffs and Brexit. Indeed it has to be said that 2018’s two meta-themes are not entirely separate from one another. Nevertheless, both have this in common. For most of the last twelve months details of both subjects have been “up in the air”, leaving the rest of us to forecast (which often means speculate) exactly what is going on. See page 32 for further analysis of what has been going on this year as well as coverage of a couple of stories that are emblematic of these themes.
Continue Reading