Granting market economy status to the People's Republic of China

30.9.2015

Question for written answer P-013310-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Lorenzo Fontana (ENF)

According to a report by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), granting market economy status (MES) to China could put about 3.5 million jobs EU in the EU Member States at risk in the sectors the most affected by the agreement. The causes of this include China’s overcapacity development strategy and dumping, which could affect sectors relating to the production of steel, chemicals, motor vehicle parts and environmental technologies.

Given the difficult economic situation the EU is experiencing in relation to industry and jobs, the particular vulnerability of the abovementioned sectors in some Member States and the fact that China meets only one of the five criteria laid down by the EU to be considered a market economy, does the Commission think the conclusions of the EPI study are in line with its own impact assessments?

Can it say what stage the discussions relating to the granting of market economy status to China are at?