Trade Defence – Bahrain, Egypt, Thailand
Policy areas / Trade / Trade Defence – Bahrain, Egypt, Thailand
Trade Defence – Bahrain, Egypt, Thailand
Egypt has become the leading exporter of glass fibre reinforcement to the EU market
In brief
Over the past decade, major Chinese glass fibre producers have established and expanded production capacities in countries such as Egypt, Bahrain and Thailand. These facilities have become important export platforms serving the European market and have contributed to a significant increase in imports of glass fibre reinforcements into the EU. Egypt, where the European Commission identified countervailable subsidies in 2020, is now the largest source of glass fibre reinforcement imports into Europe.
In April 2026, the European Union adopted anti-dumping measures on imports of glass fibre reinforcements from Bahrain, Egypt and Thailand, with duties ranging from 11% to 25.4%. For Egypt, these measures are added to the anti-subsidy duties already imposed in 2020.
Why is it important
The European glass fibre industry operates in highly strategic value chains, supplying materials used in transport, construction, renewable energy, electricity networks, electronics and defence applications. At the same time, the industry is highly capital intensive and requires continuous investment in production assets.
The expansion of Chinese-owned capacities in third countries has created significant distortions on the EU market. European investigations have found that imports from Bahrain, Egypt and Thailand were entering the EU at dumped prices, causing injury to European producers. Without effective trade defence instruments, these practices risk undermining investment, reducing production capacity and weakening Europe’s resilience in strategic industrial value chains.
Our view
The investigation finding that dumping exist in these third countries and that imposition of anti-dumping measures are an important step towards restoring fair competition and addressing the injury caused to European producers. However, the measures adopted remain insufficient to fully address the predatory strategies pursued through these investments in third countries. Further actions will be needed to strengthen the sector and secure its future in Europe.
The investigation confirmed the existence of dumping in these third countries and the anti-dumping measures are an important step towards restoring fair competition and addressing the injury caused to European producers. However, the measures adopted remain insufficient to fully address the predatory strategies associated with these investments in third countries. Further action will be needed to strengthen the sector, safeguard strategic manufacturing capacities and secure its long-term future in Europe.
Supporting documents