The European Commission announced on Thursday (May 23) that it has initiated an anti-dumping investigation into the import of lysine from China.
According to a spokesperson for the European Commission, this decision was made after receiving a complaint from European industries, which included evidence of unfair trade practices by Chinese manufacturers.
Dumping refers to flooding the market with low-priced products, which is generally regarded as an unfair trade practice.
The spokesperson added that the investigation will consider the interests of all relevant EU companies to determine whether measures should be taken to counter the unfair trade practices alleged in the complaint.
Previously, France’s Metex company stated that the dumping behavior of Chinese lysine manufacturers has led them into financial difficulties. Its factory is the only one in Europe producing this type of amino acid, and it is facing the threat of closure if no buyer is found by May 27.
Lysine, also known as amino acid lysine, is one of the essential amino acids that the human body cannot synthesize on its own and must be obtained through diet. Lysine plays a vital role in many mechanisms of the human body, including aiding in the absorption of calcium, iron, and zinc, promoting the growth of collagen, among others.
Recently, the EU has initiated anti-dumping investigations on various imports from China, including tin-plated steel flat products, medical devices, seamless iron or steel pipes and tubes, multilayered wood flooring, and others.
Earlier, the EU also launched anti-subsidy investigations on imports of wind turbine generators and electric cars from China, and suggested imposing “targeted” tariffs on Chinese electric cars.
Analysts believe that the two sides are on the brink of a trade war.
With the US raising import tariffs on a range of Chinese goods, experts warn that if the EU does not take corresponding measures, it is almost certain that these products will be exported in large quantities to Europe. Experts suggest that the EU should implement higher tariffs and restrictions systematically to safeguard the European industrial supply chain and manufacturing capabilities.
On Thursday, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen expressed her hope that Western countries could build a “wall of opposition” against state-driven industrial policies of the Chinese Communist regime to protect domestic free markets. This was a key issue advocated by Yellen at the G7 finance ministers’ meeting earlier this week.