The European Commission announced last week that it will extend the measures for a further five years, in response to a request lodged by the Association of European Wheels Manufacturers on behalf of producers representing more than 25% of the total EU production of the aluminium wheels.
Wang Hejun, head of the MOC trade remedy and investigation bureau, said that the weak performance of EU aluminium wheel makers is due to the global economic downturn, rather than to Chinese suppliers, Xinhua said.
Aluminium wheels from China are mainly used for retail, while EU-made wheels are used in finished automobiles, Wang told the news service. Rather than damaging the EU industry, Chinese products fill a gap in the market, he said.
The EU is being over-protective of its producers, and the move will hurt both Chinese enterprises and the EU industry and consumers, Wang told Xinhua.