The EU has started new anti-dumping investigations, initiated on May 20 2010, concerning ring-binder mechanisms originating in Thailand.
It has been reported that the commission suspects dumping by exporter Thai Stationery, which is a subsidiary of the Chinese company Wah Hing Stationery Manufactory Ltd.
The leading EU producer, Ring Allianz, has claimed that Thai Stationery inflates its productivity data, thus lowering its per-unit production cost and suppressing any resulting evidence of dumping. It also alleges that the Thai producer provided EU officials with inaccurate data on the cost of raw materials and production costs.
Also concerning ring-binders, the leading producer of this product in China, Worldwide Stationery, has set up operations in India. Exports from India to the European Union have also been rising. Ring Allianz is said to be monitoring these exports for evidence of dumping.