In a significant move to safeguard its domestic manufacturing sector, the European Commission has imposed sweeping anti-subsidy duties on Chinese mobile access equipment (MAE)—such as aerial work platforms used in construction and industrial settings. The decision follows an in-depth investigation revealing aggressive pricing tactics and substantial state support to Chinese manufacturers.

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1. Overview of the Tariff Action

Measure	Details
Tariff Range	20.6% to 66.7%
Targeted Products	Mobile Access Equipment (MAE)
Reason for Tariffs	Unfair subsidies and artificially low pricing
Annual EU Market Size	Over €1 billion (approx. $1.14 billion)
Implementation	Anti-subsidy duties under EU trade protection laws

The Commission cited violations of fair trade rules, stating that Chinese producers were undermining EU market stability by exporting equipment at prices around 20% lower than EU-made alternatives.

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2. Chinese MAE Market Share Growth in the EU

The market dynamics over the past few years have tilted sharply in favor of Chinese MAE suppliers, triggering regulatory action.

Year	Chinese Market Share in EU
2020	29%
October 2022	41%

This rapid expansion raised red flags, with EU authorities pointing to state-backed financing and low-cost raw material access as the primary enablers.

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3. Companies Affected by the Tariffs

Chinese Companies Targeted
Hunan Sinoboom Intelligent Equipment
Zoomlion Intelligent Access Machinery
Zhejiang Dingli Machinery

These companies, among others, are said to have received grants, cheap financing, and subsidized inputs, giving them a pricing advantage that EU regulators found to be distortive.

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4. Protection for EU Industry

The European Commission’s action is also seen as a lifeline for European MAE manufacturers, particularly those based in France:

Major EU MAE Producers
Haulotte
Manitou

These companies have seen mounting pressure as cheaper Chinese imports gained traction in key EU markets, threatening local employment and production capacity.

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5. Part of a Larger Pattern

This is not an isolated case. The MAE tariffs form part of a broader EU crackdown on subsidized Chinese imports. As of now, nearly 80 Chinese products face anti-dumping or anti-subsidy duties under various EU trade actions.

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6. Key Drivers of EU Action

The Commission’s decision was guided by a number of clear findings:

Finding	Implication
Unfair State Subsidies	Enabled below-market pricing and cost structures
Artificial Pricing	20% cheaper on average than EU competitors
Preferential Financing	Access to low-interest loans from Chinese institutions
Subsidized Inputs	Inputs supplied by the state at artificially low prices

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Conclusion

The European Commission’s tariffs on Chinese MAE imports underscore the EU’s growing assertiveness in defending its industrial base. As Chinese manufacturers aggressively expand through state-supported pricing strategies, regulators in the West are increasingly inclined to push back with trade protection mechanisms. For the EU’s MAE industry, this is a pivotal moment—where regulatory support could help level the playing field and preserve competitiveness in a rapidly evolving global trade landscape.