MEP Wouter Beke (PPE) has called on the European Commission to take urgent action to protect the European citric acid sector from what he describes as unfair competition and dumping by third countries, particularly China. In a parliamentary question submitted on 15 April 2026, Beke warns that the sector's viability is seriously undermined by import prices significantly below production costs, threatening the existence of European production capacity in a strategic sector with consequences for essential value chains.
Concrete asks on import quotas, local content, and minimum prices
whether the Commission is prepared to set import quotas to prevent market disruption; its position on imposing minimum local content requirements to strengthen strategic anchoring and security of supply; and whether it is considering reintroducing minimum import prices (MIPs) for citric acid, and within what timeframe. Beke notes that the existing anti-dumping procedure is too slow and not effective enough, with any potential adjustment not expected until next year at the earliest, despite the problem being acute since 2023.
protectionist and interventionist
The question signals a clear policy orientation towards stronger trade defence and industrial intervention. Beke advocates for quantitative restrictions (import quotas), local content rules, and price floors—tools that go beyond standard anti-dumping duties. This reflects a protectionist stance aimed at shielding domestic producers from low-cost Chinese imports, prioritising industrial self-sufficiency and security of supply over free trade principles.
Expected follow-up
The Commission is required to respond to the written question within approximately six weeks. Its answer will signal the Commission's policy direction on trade defence for sensitive industrial sectors, potentially indicating whether it is open to more aggressive measures or prefers to rely on existing WTO-compliant instruments. The response will be closely watched by European citric acid producers, who face an estimated 60% market share held by Chinese imports, and by downstream industries reliant on citric acid as an input.
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