Asked by: Gregory Stafford (Conservative - Farnham and Bordon)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to include measures to help protect steelmakers from subsidised steel imports from (a) China and (b) the wider Far East in the forthcoming trade strategy.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
Steel is a top priority for this government. The UK applies 10 anti-dumping measures and two anti-subsidy measures on steel imports from China, and a safeguard measure on global imports for 14 steel categories. This measure was adjusted on 30 June to provide more effective protection for domestic producers.
On 26 June the government published its Trade Strategy, announcing we will sharpen our trade defence toolkit to better protect critical sectors, such as steel, from harm. Alongside this we launched the Steel Trade Measures Call for Evidence to prepare us for the expiry of the steel safeguard in June 2026.
Asked by: Wera Hobhouse (Liberal Democrat - Bath)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the lifting of tariffs on non-folding e-bikes from China.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Secretary of State for Business and Trade took a decision on 6 February 2025 to extend the anti-dumping and countervailing measures on folding e-bikes only. This followed an evidence-based review led by the UK’s independent Trade Remedies Authority.
No recent discussions have taken place between the Secretary of State for Transport and Chancellor of the Exchequer on this matter.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) revoking anti-dumping and (b) countervailing measures on non-folding e-bikes imported from China on UK cycle manufacturing.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
I refer the Rt. hon. Member to the answer I gave on 7th May to question UIN 48699 (Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament).
The Trade Remedies Authority is responsible for assessing the evidence presented to them by UK industry and other stakeholders in an investigation prior to submitting a recommendation to the Secretary of State. If industry is concerned about the impact of unfair foreign trade practices, they should directly engage the Trade Remedies Authority.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will consult stakeholders on the potential impact of the removal of anti-dumping and countervailing measures on non-folding e-bikes imported from China on UK cycle manufacturers.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
I refer the Rt. hon. Member to the answer I gave on 7th May to question UIN 48699 (Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament).
The Trade Remedies Authority is responsible for assessing the evidence presented to them by UK industry and other stakeholders in an investigation prior to submitting a recommendation to the Secretary of State. If industry is concerned about the impact of unfair foreign trade practices, they should directly engage the Trade Remedies Authority.
Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support the ceramics industry in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and (b) Staffordshire through his Department's trade strategy.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
I have been working closely with Ceramics UK and local MPs on the challenges facing the sector. My department will continue to consider all possible options where support may be given.
The Trade Strategy will set out the Government’s approach to maximising trade opportunities in support of the UK’s growth mission, for all sectors and regions. The United Kingdom currently has anti-dumping measures in place on ceramic tiles and ceramic tableware & kitchenware originating from China. The UK ceramics industry may apply for an investigation from the Trade Remedies Authority if it is being injured by unfair trading practices.
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the recent European Commission decision to extend anti-dumping duties on e-bikes from China for another five years.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
On 6 February, the Secretary of State decided to extend anti-dumping and countervailing measures on imports of Chinese folding e-bikes, and revoke these measures on non-folding e-bikes. This followed evidence-based transition reviews from the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA). This continues the necessary protection for folding e-bikes producers in the UK, whilst limiting the impact on our consumers and importers, and reflecting the needs of the UK market more generally.
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had discussions with representatives from (a) the cycle manufacturing industry and (b) cycle manufacturing industries outside the UK on anti-dumping duties on (i) e-bikes, (ii) bicycles and (iii) bicycle components from China.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
On 6 February, the Secretary of State extended anti-dumping and countervailing measures on Chinese folding e-bikes and removed non-folding e-bikes from the measures. This followed evidence-based transition reviews from the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA). This continues the necessary protection for UK folding e-bikes producers, whilst limiting the impact on our consumers and importers. A transition review of the anti-dumping measure on Chinese bicycles and certain bicycle parts is currently underway by the TRA. The Secretary of State met with UK manufacturer Brompton Bicycle on 7 March during his visit to Japan.
Asked by: Sarah Champion (Labour - Rotherham)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of anti-dumping measures on (a) electric and (b) pedal bikes from China on bicycle manufacturers in the UK.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
The UK currently applies an anti-dumping measure on imports of Chinese bicycles and certain bicycle parts, and an anti-dumping and a countervailing measure on imports of Chinese e-bikes. All three measures are currently subject to review by the UK’s independent Trade Remedies Authority who will assess the impact of amending the measure on UK producers, importers and consumers. The Secretary of State will have the final decision on the measures, and he will weigh up all the evidence provided. Whilst these reviews remain an ongoing process I cannot comment further.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the use of state subsidies in the production of (1) e-bikes, and (2) bicycles, made by (a) EU nations, (b) North American nations, (c) China, and (d) the rest of the world.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Trade Remedies Authority is the UK’s independent investigatory body that exists to defend the UK against unfair international trade practices, including assessing harm from subsidies. Where UK economic interests are being damaged by such unfair practices, action will be taken. The UK has in place an anti-subsidy and an anti-dumping measure on e-bikes from China, and one anti-dumping measure on bikes/bike parts from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Tunisia. The Trade Remedies Authority is currently reviewing all three measures.
Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on the Trade Remedies Authority’s recent recommendation to remove anti-dumping measures on e-bikes from China and the potential impact on the UK cycle manufacturing industry.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
The UK applies separate anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures on imports of Chinese e-bikes. The Trade Remedies Authority is currently conducting transition reviews of both measures and I therefore cannot comment further. Relevant information will be published on the Trade Remedies Authority’s public file as both reviews progress.