Ceramics, towards new EU anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese tableware
Unfair competition led to the closure of more than 60 companies and the loss of almost 10,000 jobs in Europe
by Barbara Ganz
Key points
A crackdown on unfair competition in Chinese tableware is on the way.
The proposed increase in EU anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese imports, which emerged from an EU Commission partial review investigation concluded in October 2025, "counteracts unfair practices that create anti-competitive distortions and have been damaging ceramic manufacturing for years, having already led to the closure of more than 60 companies and the loss of almost 10,000 jobs across Europe," says Confindustria ceramica. The proposal is a step in the right direction
Freedom of choice
'An industrial model based on economic, social and environmental dumping,' says Amedeo Sala, a member of the association's board, 'represents a serious threat of industrial desertification in Europe, with the associated loss of quality jobs and skills. And it is also a question of freedom of choice for the European consumer: 'The absence of Italian and European production would make it impossible for the consumer to choose in a competitive regime,' adds Sala.
Chinese dumping was proven by the European Commission itself in 2012-2013, and confirmed by further actions in 2019 and 2025, which recorded the continuation of unfair practices. Furthermore, in 2019 the EU also uncovered attempts to circumvent tariffs through Chinese companies redirecting exports via other countries. The continuation of distortionary trade practices has, over time, created structural economic damage to the European ceramic and porcelain tableware industry - which employs 25,000 people on the continent - despite the imposition of tariffs ranging from 13.1% to 36.1%.
L’indagine
The 2025 investigation, which was carried out 'with the utmost transparency and in compliance with the regulations of the WTO, the World Trade Organisation, ended with the European Commission proposing the application of tariffs of 79%, aimed at re-establishing fair market conditions,' the association goes on to say. This decision came after finding incredibly high levels of dumping of Chinese imports, even as high as 446.5%. Not stopping Chinese economic, environmental and social dumping means favouring a business model based on importing products sold at prices incompatible with any European industrial cost'.
