European manufacturers of aerial work platforms, or mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) have complained to the European Commission about “unusual commercial practices” by importers of Chinese-made machines.
After reviewing the submitted evidence, and considering the impact on the EU industry, the commission has told complainants that it will now carry out an in-depth investigation, as authorised by the rules of the World Trade Organization, to re-establish a level playing field for all actors on the EU market.
The Commissions itself has not issued a public statement on the matter yet but the manufacturers have.
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French manufacturers Manitou and Haulotte were among those welcoming the move, with apparently coordinated statements.
Michel Denis, president and chief executive of Manitou Group, said: “We welcome the launch of this investigation. Fair competition on the European market is a prerequisite to ensure that businesses remain sustainable. We are therefore calling for swift and decisive action by the European Commission so that our activities and that of hundreds of our industrial suppliers in the EU can continue to innovate, to provide quality jobs to their workforce and continued safety to workers across the EU.”
Haulotte Group chief executive Alexandre Saubot said: “We welcome the initiation of this investigation as a fair-trade competition on the European market is the prerequisite to secure the stainability of our business models. We are therefore calling for swift and effective actions to ensure that our activities and that of hundreds of our industrial partners in the EU keep their ability to protect jobs, keep on innovating and continue serving our customers at its best across the EU.”
