Alicia Kearns urged Parliament to probe JD.com’s Joybuy UK launch over state-subsidy concerns after its €2.2bn (£1.9bn) bid for Ceconomy takeover approaches for Currys, Argos, Very Group. The Treasury moved de minimis customs duty closure to October 2028 to curb sub-£135 imports and shield high-street retailers from unfair tax loopholes.
Shadow national security minister Alicia Kearns called on Parliament to scrutinize JD.com’s UK expansion under its Joybuy brand, citing concerns that Chinese state subsidies may give the retailer an unfair advantage over domestic firms.
JD.com recently submitted a €2.2bn bid for German electronics group Ceconomy and has explored takeover approaches for UK retailers Currys, Argos and Very Group, heightening competitive pressures on high-street and online marketplaces.
In response to concerns over low-value imports, the Treasury advanced plans to close the sub-£135 customs duty exemption to October 2028, aiming to protect British retailers from tax-advantaged overseas e-commerce competitors.
