EU to probe into Chinese mobile telecom firms

BRUSSELS - The European Commission decided to open an anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigation into mobile telecommunication networks and equipments imported from China, said the Commission in a statement on Wednesday.

According to the statement, the decision will not be activated for the time being to allow for negotiations towards an "amicable solution" with the Chinese authorities.

The case was an ex officio trade defense action, which means the case was started by the Commission, i.e. Directorate General for Trade without request from Member States.

As a matter of fact, insiders disclose that most Member States were against launching the case. The Commission explained this measure was taken as a shield against trade retaliation against European companies.

The case is obviously aimed at Huawei and ZTE, China's two leading telecommunication system and equipment providers.