Chinese imports plunged in October

By Bruce Davis, Tire Business staff

Akron, Ohio - Imports of Chinese consumer tyres plunged in October from September as US distributors stocked up on tyres ahead of the 26 Sept. imposition of higher duties on tyres from that country, an analysis of recent trade data shows.

The number of Chinese passenger tyres imported in October was 1.62 million, less than half the number imported in September, according to data culled from Global Trade Atlas, and also half the number imported in October 2008.

Imports of Chinese passenger tyres started rising in July, topping 4 million units in a month for the first time, the data show, and peaking at 4.54 million and 4.41 million units in August and September before tailing off in October.

The US raised duties on Chinese consumer tyres to 39 percent from 4 percent 26 Sept. in response to a trade action brought earlier in the year by the United Steelworkers union. The additional duties fall to 30 and 25 percent in the second and third years of the period under scrutiny.

Despite the October plunge, imports from China through 10 months were still higher than in 2008 by more than 200 000 units-33.3 million vs. 33.1 million-and accounted for nearly 40 percent of all imports, the data show.

Overall car tyre imports fell 17.1 percent for the 10-month period to 84.1 million units. Other major trading partners showing increases over 2008 were Mexico and Thailand, the data show.

The light truck tyre numbers are equally dramatic. Units imported in October of 168 290 were 72.1 percent lower than the 602 339 imported in September and 60.9 percent lower than the October 2008 count, the data show.

For the year-to-date, light truck tyre imports from China were down 19.6 percent to 4.4 million units, or 4.4 percent of overall imports.

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Chinese imports plunged in October from Tire Business (a Crain publication)