After the electric car, tires. At the European Commission, voices are organizing to prepare an offensive against Chinese car tire brands, imported into Europe at unbeatable prices. In 2024, the market in the European Union was worth €18 billion, and more and more of its share is being taken by Chinese brands installing their products as original equipment.
Some manufacturers are crazy about them. Thanks to these cheaper tires, they are able to increase their price competitiveness and fit into consumers' tight budgets, especially when it comes to equipping tires on electric cars. To verify that the European industry "is suffering harm or is at risk of suffering harm," an investigation has been opened.
Brussels did the same last year, based on an investigation into Chinese electric car manufacturers importing their cars into Europe and benefiting from aid from Beijing. As a result, the EU decided to add significant customs duties, depending on each brand. These taxes are still in place, even though Europe is trying to negotiate with Beijing due to the trade war between the United States and China.
Car tires in addition to bus and truck tires
If Chinese car tires were to be taxed in the 27 countries of the European Union, they would then join bus and truck tires, which have already been taxed for several years. The investigation's findings are expected within a maximum of 14 months, but "provisional" measures could already be announced within 8 months.
In the meantime, Europeans are trying to take advantage of their capacity for innovation. At Michelin, a factory has just opened for the large-scale production of 5-HMF, a molecule obtained from fructose using ecological processes. The result? An organic, non-toxic compound capable of replacing fossil substances, often nicknamed "the sleeping giant" as it could be a significant solution provided it can be produced in quantity and at a controlled cost.
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