The TRA will investigate whether these imports are being dumped or subsidised, and are causing injury to JCB’s business and to UK industry.

Oliver Griffiths, TRA Chief Executive, said: “Our investigations will examine whether excavators from China are being sold into the UK at unfair prices because of dumping and subsidisation – and whether we need remedies to protect the UK economy.”

The TRA is seeking information from all interested parties to establish whether imports of excavators from China are being dumped in the UK at prices below their normal value, or whether they benefit from government subsidies and whether this is causing injury to domestic industries.