In May 2025, the European Commission launched an anti-dumping investigation into Chinese passenger car and light truck tyres, sparking widespread concern across global trade networks.
According to the Commission’s official announcement, the investigation targets tyres under EU CN codes 4011 10 00 and 4011 20 10, following complaints from European tyre manufacturers alleging that “low-priced Chinese imports” are damaging domestic industries.

For Ireland, this is far from a distant trade dispute.
As an island economy within the EU, Ireland’s logistics industry relies heavily on imported tyres — a price hike could significantly raise operating costs for transport, delivery, and freight companies.

More importantly, post-Brexit Ireland now serves as a “trade bridge” between the EU and the UK.
This raises new questions: Could the anti-dumping measures on Chinese tyres trigger ripple effects through this bridge? And how can Ireland’s logistics companies manage cost pressures and supply chain disruption?

Background: EU Anti-Dumping Measures — A Long-Brewing Dispute

The EU’s move against Chinese tyres is not sudden, but rather a continuation of ongoing EU–China trade tensions.

According to Tyrepress China, since 2021, Chinese tyre exports to the EU have grown by over 51%, with prices significantly lower than European-made alternatives. This pricing gap has alarmed European manufacturers.
In response, the European Alliance Against Unfair Tyre Imports lodged a formal complaint, arguing that underpriced imports threaten 75,000 direct jobs and a €18 billion market across the EU.

Previously, the EU had already imposed anti-dumping and anti-subsidy tariffs on Chinese bus and truck tyres. Extending the scope to passenger and light truck tyres is widely viewed as a move to further protect local industry.

Under EU procedures, the investigation is expected to last 14 months, but if preliminary evidence emerges, provisional tariffs could be applied within 8 months.

For Chinese manufacturers, this poses serious risks — from cancelled orders and price reviews to the loss of EU market access.
If the final ruling in July 2026 upholds the measures, tariffs could become long-term, effectively shutting some Chinese producers out of the European market.

Conversely, such actions may trigger retaliatory trade measures from China, increasing uncertainty for the global supply chain.
In this climate, logistics firms across Europe — especially those dependent on Chinese imports — must start re-evaluating supply chain stability.

Impact on EU Logistics: When Tyre Costs Go Up, Everyone Feels It

Tyres are literally the foundation of logistics — when they become more expensive, entire transport chains are affected.

According to Trojan Tyres, if anti-dumping tariffs are imposed, import costs per tyre could rise by €21.12 to €78.90. This seemingly modest increase can ripple across every layer of the logistics ecosystem:

1. Profit Margins Shrink as Operating Costs Surge

Higher tyre prices immediately raise procurement expenses, particularly for courier and urban delivery companies that rely on light commercial vehicles. Frequent tyre replacement amplifies the financial strain.

2. Reduced Efficiency and Delivery Delays

Some operators may delay maintenance to save costs — but ageing tyres lead to higher breakdown risks, repair costs, and delivery disruptions, all of which harm service reliability.

3. Sustainability Challenges Intensify

While the EU continues to push for “green logistics” and lower carbon emissions, anti-dumping tariffs may temporarily increase operational emissions as companies adjust supply routes or rely on longer-distance imports.

Moreover, tyre manufacturers might shift production to Southeast Asia or Africa, forcing logistics providers to restructure shipping routes — e.g., from China → SEA → Europe — which raises both costs and lead times.
Industry analysts predict that logistics costs across Europe could rise by 5–10% between 2025 and 2026 as a result of this measure.

Ireland: A Small-Island Economy with Outsized Pressure

If EU logistics firms are under pressure, Irish operators are under double pressure.

As an island nation with no domestic tyre production, Ireland’s logistics sector relies almost entirely on imports.
Compounding this, most Irish logistics providers are SMEs, with limited financial buffers.

According to the Irish International Freight Association (IIFA), previous EU anti-dumping actions against Chinese bus and truck tyres already disrupted local supply chains. Extending tariffs to passenger and light truck tyres will likely worsen the situation.

Ireland’s challenges can be summarized in three main points:

1. SMEs Struggle to Absorb Rising Costs

For smaller operators, tyre inflation means either cutting other expenses or raising service prices, risking client loss and tighter margins.

2. UK Trade & Agri-Exports Face Headwinds

Ireland exports over €5.6 billion in agri-products to the UK annually (TU Dublin, 2024).
Rising tyre costs or shortages could slow transport efficiency, reduce product freshness, and disrupt supply chains critical to the Irish agri-sector.

3. Jobs at Risk, Industry Stability in Question

Ireland’s logistics industry supports over 100,000 jobs.
If sustained cost pressure forces companies to downsize, unemployment could rise — though this might eventually encourage local tyre remanufacturing and circular economy initiatives, in the short term, uncertainty dominates.

Turning Point: Can Ireland’s “Bridge Advantage” Make a Difference?

Post-Brexit, Ireland occupies a unique position as a logistics bridge between the EU and UK under the Northern Ireland Protocol.
This advantage could be leveraged to mitigate tariff impacts in two ways:

1. Using the UK as a Cost-Effective Transit Route

EU tariffs apply to tyres shipped directly from China to the EU, but not to the UK.
Chinese tyre makers could ship to Britain first, then re-export through Ireland’s ports (e.g., Belfast) into the EU.
This would help bypass some EU tariffs, increase Irish port activity, and create local jobs.

2. Building Ireland into a Regional Distribution Hub

Ireland could serve as a “China–Europe tyre hub”, offering bonded warehousing and cross-docking services for EU logistics operators.
This would transform Ireland into a key re-export node connecting China, the UK, and continental Europe.

However, this strategy requires tight coordination with customs authorities.
Large-scale re-exports through the UK–Ireland corridor could attract EU scrutiny, raising compliance costs.
Therefore, the government should simplify customs procedures, expand ICS2 digital clearance, and support logistics firms in maintaining legal, efficient cross-border flows.

Conclusion: Preparing for the New Reality

The EU’s anti-dumping probe on Chinese tyres represents more than a trade dispute — it’s a stress test for Europe’s logistics resilience.
For Ireland, the challenge is balancing cost control, compliance, and connectivity.

In the short term, logistics firms must brace for higher operating costs.
But in the long run, this could drive innovation and diversification:

• Diversify sourcing: Explore suppliers from Southeast Asia, Latin America, and other regions to reduce reliance on a single market.

• Digitize operations: Adopt logistics management systems to optimize routes, reduce empty mileage, and boost efficiency.

Ultimately, the anti-dumping case highlights the complex nature of EU–China trade.
Rather than confrontation, dialogue and collaboration will be key to achieving stability.
For Ireland, maintaining its bridge advantage while strengthening its logistics infrastructure may be the best way forward.

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