EU Imposes Definitive Anti-Dumping Duties on Chinese Passenger Car Tyres

The European Commission has officially imposed definitive anti-dumping duties on imports of new pneumatic tyres for passenger cars and light lorries originating in China. The duties, which range from 4.3% to 45.3% depending on the manufacturer, will remain in force for five years.

The decision follows an in-depth anti-dumping investigation launched in May 2025 after a complaint from the European tyre industry. According to the Commission, Chinese tyre manufacturers exported products to the European Union at unfairly low prices, causing significant injury to EU producers.

The European tyre industry represents more than 80,000 jobs across 14 EU Member States and generates an estimated market value exceeding €18 billion in the passenger car and light truck tyre segment. The Commission stated that the measures are intended to restore fair competition while ensuring that European manufacturers can compete on equal terms.

The anti-dumping duties vary by producer, with lower individual rates granted to companies that cooperated during the investigation. Manufacturers that did not cooperate are subject to significantly higher duties. The measures apply prospectively and are not retroactive.

The new tariffs are expected to affect tyre importers, distributors and manufacturers throughout Europe. Market participants may review their sourcing strategies, while some global tyre producers could increase production in facilities located outside China to reduce the impact of the duties.

The decision represents one of the most significant EU trade defence measures affecting the tyre industry in recent years and is expected to reshape competitive dynamics within the European passenger car tyre market.

Sources:

• European Commission – Directorate-General for Trade and Economic Security

• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1540