Chinese tire makers may target EU

A prominent European tire industry representative said recently he believes Chinese tire makers will seek to increase trade with Europe following the imposition by the U.S. of import duties on their products.

“In general, we assume that they [the Chinese] will try to intensify sales in Europe,” said Hans-Jurgen Dreschler, CEO of Germany’s tire trade association, BRV. “But we expect that this won’t affect the European market.”

The E.U. and U.S. markets, Mr. Dreschler explained, have completely different markets for cars, so the tires used are different with regards to dimensions.

“We do expect, however, that the tire manufacturers in China will shift their supply in the medium run — regarding the dimensions needed in Europe,” he added in response to questions from European Rubber Journal, a United Kingdom-based sister publication of Tire Business.

In this case, he noted, the Chinese action would affect the European tire market.

Asked whether the E.U. might follow the U.S. in imposing tariffs, the BRV leader commented: “Whether Europe will take similar measures to counter Chinese competition, can’t be seen at the moment.”