Polyester staple fibers are among favorite products of EU anti-dumping authorities. .
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Following a new complaint by the European producers of man-made fibers, EU Commission decided launching an investigation over PSF imports from China and Saudi Arabia. .
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Polyester fibers (HS 55032000) from both countries were not subject to EU anti-dumping duties until now.EU industry association CIRFS “has provided evidence that imports of the product concerned from the People Republic of China and Saudi Arabia have increased overall in absolute terms and in terms of market share,” the Commission explained. .
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Imports from Saudi Arabia rose from 4.3 million euros in 1997 up to 15.3 million euros in 2002 (latest available data). After increasing by 64% in 2000, they were up 21% and 25% in 2001 and 2002, respectively. .
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Imports from China boomed in 2002, rising 2,623% from 796,000 euros up to 21.7 million euros. .
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An interim review of PSF imports from Taiwan and Korea was also decided at the same time. Taiwan and Korea are the two most important PSF exporters in the world..
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“Existing measures are no longer sufficient to counteract the injurious dumping,” the CIRFS argued. .
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EU imports of PSF from Taiwan reached 56.8 million euros in 2002, up 16% from 2001. Imports from South Korea fell from 101 million euros in 2001 down to 95 million euros in 2002.EU importers are expected strongly opposing future duties on shipments from China and South Korea. .
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“When fibre prices increase, European textile jobs move to Asia,” said in a leaflet UK-based importer Eurochem GB Ltd. .
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The PSF importer denounces the timing imposed by EU Commission, in addition. .
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Anti-dumping notices were officially published on December 19th on the eve of a two-week break while time limits imposed to importers and exporters for requesting questionnaires do not exceed 15 days of publication of the notice, Eurochem said. .
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In addition to duties imposed on PSF imports from Taiwan and Korea, fibers from Australia, Belarus, India and Thailand are also subject to a similar treatment while anti-subsidy duties are imposed on PSF from Australia and Indonesia.
Date:1/22/2004
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