SAY YES TO JOBS & FAIR TRADE
SAY NO TO MES FOR CHINA!
We, employees, trade unions, and employers of European industry – generating over €500 billion in annual turnover and millions of jobs – are committed to European manufacturing as the fundamental driver of innovation, environmental sustainability, growth and jobs in Europe. We support the principle of fair competition through free and fair trade.
China does not uphold the principle of fair competition in its trading relationships. China is not yet a market economy. Therefore, we call on EU leaders to deny Market Economy Status (MES) to China until it fulfils its World Trade Organisation (WTO) obligations. Granting MES would remove the EU’s ability to stop Chinese dumping.
EU leaders must stand up and take responsibility for their citizens, and Europe’s economic sustainability. They must build swift and effective trade defence instruments, securing the future of European manufacturing.
Deprived of targeted EU anti-dumping measures, unfair imports would further damage Europe’s industrial base and jobs. These imports would also further enlarge Europe’s CO2 footprint. Therefore, we call on EU authorities to agree on a sustainable EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), which does not impose additional costs on Europe’s most efficient plants, and ensures a global level playing field for European industry.
Together, we the employees, trade unions and employers of European industry oppose MES for China until it is a real market economy.
We call on the European Parliament, Member States and Commission to
Say YES to fair trade! Say NO to China MES!
INTERNATIONAL TRADE MUST BE FREE & FAIR
• China abuses the principles of free and fair trade to sustain unviable jobs and growth in China.
• China exports its overcapacity at predatory prices below the real cost of production to Europe’s open market to gain market share by undermining competition.
• Products dumped in the EU target vital European industries, including steel, aluminium, ceramics, plastics, solar panels and bicycles – among many others – affecting entire value chains.
• The EU had a record trade deficit with China in 2015 of over €180 billion, even without MES. This imbalance is growing as a result of massive dumping.
• China’s export-led expansion strategy and 5 year plans continue to promote massive overcapacity.
• Over 60% of all the EU's anti-dumping measures are against Chinese products.
• European manufacturers cannot compete with China’s state-sponsored dumping and export subsidies. Indeed, WTO and EU law prohibits EU member states from supporting their industries in this way.
• Dumped Chinese imports increase CO2 emissions, undermining the objectives of the EU’s climate policy and Emissions Trading Scheme, as products made in China have a much higher environmental footprint.
• China does not fulfil the EU’s basic criteria to be considered as a market economy.
STOP MES FOR CHINA!
• China is not a market economy – it is a state run economy which does not respect the WTO’s most basic principles, such as “allowing prices to be determined by market forces.”
• China’s government claims the EU must grant MES in 2016 because of its WTO Protocol, but in fact, no such commitment exists.
• Granting MES would be like issuing China a licence to dump, sending the wrong signal about the need to reform.
• Giving MES to China would wipe out European jobs and growth. Up to 3.5 million EU jobs are at risk and €228 billion in annual GDP could be lost.
THE EU MUST SAY NO TO MES FOR CHINA
• EU leaders must secure free and fair global trade, and establish more robust trade defence instruments.
• EU leaders must stop Chinese dumping now and keep jobs and growth in Europe!
• EU leaders must make it clear that China’s MES is not automatic in 2016.
• EU leaders must ensure that the EU Emissions Trading System does not lead to an increase of CO2 imports, from countries such as China into the EU, by safeguarding the global competitiveness of our industries.
