The UK’s Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has published its initial findings on the review of anti-dumping and countervailing measures applied to bus and lorry tyre imports from China. The findings, released on 27 August 2024, suggest raising duties on these imports to safeguard the UK's tyre retreading industry, which is a vital component of the nation's economy.
The UK tyre retreading industry is estimated to contribute around £230 million annually to the economy and supports approximately 5,500 jobs, according to the British Tyre Manufacturers’ Association. Retreading extends the life of tyres, which is both economically beneficial and environmentally responsible. However, the influx of low-cost, lower-quality tyres from China, many of which are deemed "single-use" and unsuitable for retreading, poses a significant threat to this industry.
The TRA's review indicates that without these protective duties, the UK market could see a rise in the importation of these lower-quality tyres, leading to potential harm to the domestic industry. Additionally, an increase in non-retreadable tyres would negatively impact environmental efforts, as fewer tyres would be recycled.
Based on the evidence gathered, the TRA has proposed a range of combined anti-dumping and countervailing duties on Chinese tyre imports, depending on the level of cooperation from the exporters involved in the review.
The range of duties proposed aims to create a level playing field for UK retreaders, ensuring that domestic businesses can compete fairly against the influx of imported tyres.
The TRA has opened a consultation period for businesses and stakeholders affected by these findings. Interested parties are encouraged to submit their feedback through the TRA’s online case platform by 17 September 2024. This consultation process will allow the TRA to refine its recommendations before any final decisions are made.
The TRA continues to monitor and adapt its trade remedies to suit the evolving needs of the UK, ensuring that industries such as tyre retreading are not undermined by unfair trade practices.
For further details on the case and ongoing developments, stakeholders can access the TRA’s public file.
