Members of the VDMA Materials Handling and Intralogistics Association have filed a formal complaint with the European Commission against the import of mobile cranes from China into the European Union, alleging unfair competition practices and calling for the immediate initiation of an anti-dumping investigation.
The complaint, representing around 99% of the EU mobile crane industry, has been jointly submitted by Liebherr, Manitowoc, Sennebogen, and Tadano — four of Europe’s largest and most established mobile crane manufacturers.
According to the VDMA, the action is necessary to protect Europe’s strategic independence in critical infrastructure, energy, and defense. The complaint targets the import of self-propelled mobile cranes with lifting capacities of at least 30 tonnes, which play a vital role in the construction and maintenance of power networks, transportation infrastructure, and renewable energy projects.
“Our European industry welcomes fair competition, but it is clearly unfair to compete with products whose prices don’t even come close to covering the raw material, energy, and production costs of a European mobile crane manufacturer,” said Christoph Kleiner, Managing Director Sales, Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH. “Chinese manufacturers benefit from a multitude of subsidy mechanisms that give them a massively unfair advantage when exporting to the EU.”
The companies argue that these subsidised imports from China are undercutting European prices, posing a direct threat to the viability of Europe’s crane manufacturing sector and the thousands of jobs it supports.
“We believe in fair competition and have asked the European Commission to take action against the significant harm to European industry caused by the dumping practices of Chinese manufacturers,” said Aaron Ravenscroft, President and CEO, The Manitowoc Company, Inc. “We urge the Commission to restore fair competition across the EU.”
Noriaki Yashiro, CEO of Tadano Europe Holdings GmbH, added: “The anti-competitive pricing strategies of Chinese manufacturers necessitate an anti-dumping investigation. We urge the European Commission to act swiftly and decisively to ensure a fair and competitive environment for future production and employment.”
Erich Sennebogen, Managing Director, Sennebogen Maschinenfabrik GmbH, warned that Chinese crane producers are increasingly targeting export markets: “The combination of unused production capacity, existing inventories, and substantial government support means that significant damage to the vulnerable European industry will continue unless anti-dumping measures are imposed.”
The manufacturers highlight that European companies have long adhered to strict environmental, safety, and data protection standards, investing heavily in technology and innovation to improve performance and sustainability.
The VDMA argues that without intervention, the influx of low-cost imports could erode Europe’s strategic industrial base and make the region dependent on non-European suppliers for key lifting and construction equipment.
The European Commission is now expected to review the complaint and decide whether to open a formal anti-dumping investigation in the coming weeks.
