EU Court: Opinion in Case C-478/21 China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products and Others v Commission

Thursday 16th February 2023

EU Court Opinion in Case C-478/21 China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products and Others v Commission

(Commercial policy)

The China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME) is an association governed by Chinese law whose members include Chinese exporting producers of certain cast iron articles (manhole covers).

In 2018, the CCCME had unsuccessfully challenged before the General Court a Commission Regulation that imposed an anti-dumping duty on imports of cast iron articles originating in the People’s Republic of China (PRC). By the present appeal, CCCME is asking the Court to set aside the General Court judgment of May 2021.

The Commission, as well as a number of European companies operating in the cast iron market (interveners) request that the Court dismiss this appeal. In particular, the Commission and interveners argue that the CCCME cannot be an association representing exporting producers in the PRC, since it acts under the supervision, management and business direction of the PRC ministries concerned. The interveners add that CCCME does not merely take instruction from the State, but acts on behalf of the State in the organisation of the commercial activities of the exporting producers.

Background Documents C-478/21