China commerce ministry says disappointed at European probe into e-bike exporters

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https://ca.news.yahoo.com/china-commerce-ministry-says-disappointed-european-probe-e-030136850.html

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's commerce ministry said it is disappointed at the European Commission's decision to launch a probe into Chinese exporters of electronic bicycles, adding that Europe misunderstands the Chinese market.

The European Commission launched an investigation on Dec. 21 into whether Chinese exporters of e-bikes benefited from excessive state subsidies, the latest in a string of European probes into Chinese exports ranging from solar panels to steel.

China's e-bike market is fully market-based, said ministry spokesman Gao Feng at a regular briefing in Beijing on Thursday.

The European Bicycle Manufacturing Association wants the European Commission to impose duties on Chinese e-bikes.

"China hopes the European Union will respect World Trade Organization rules," Gao said.

Europeans buy some 20 million bicycles per year, of which about 10 percent are now e-bikes, with the potential to rise to a quarter of sales within five years.

Chinese producers, including Battle-Fushida, Aima and Tianjin Golden Wheel, sold e-bikes worth some 307 million euros in the EU in the year to Sept. 30.

(Reporting by Elias Glenn; Writing by Ryan Woo; Editing by Editing by Michael Perry)

2M ebikes per year in the EU, quite the market. Just need to find the North American numbers.

Can assume Canada is 1/10th, so 10k ebikes.

 
Doesn't understand the Chinese economy is about China doing as they please.

IMG_7241.JPG
 
Europe has only that much space in their landfill so they need quality ebikes sold in Europe.
China is filling dampsters of this world.
Long time ago I worked for couple of months at landfill here in Calgary , every weekend we had 1-2 BSO bicycles Walmart-sort thrown into garbage.
 
Regular bicycles being imported in the EU are also a source of controversy, if current tarrif's and duties expire the European bicycle industry is really going to be in for some changes:

http://www.bike-eu.com/laws-regulations/nieuws/2018/3/eu-to-review-anti-dumping-measures-on-import-of-conventional-bicycles-from-china-10133131
 
It is concerning that shoddy imports will a negative effect on the adoption of green technology. Aside from safety matters, the poor workmanship coupled with questionable after-purchase support will leave many with negative impressions of ebikes in general. The vast majority are not DIYers and won't have the means to deal with the inevitable problems.

I have to admit though, that I'm unfamiliar with China imports regarding their quality or durability. It wouldn't hurt to have local (North American/European) rules regarding quality/warranties for all imports, as this would greatly reduce waste going to landfill.
 
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