ECIPE Roundtable: Deciphering EU Anti-Dumping Policy
CHANGE OF VENUE AND TIME! First Euroflat Hotel, Blvd Charlemagne 50. START 12.30
The use of trade defence instruments (TDIs) is at the centre of trade policy in the EU and many other jurisdictions – anti-dumping being the most frequently used. Worldwide, anti-dumping actions are increasing. In 2008, the WTO reported a 39% increase on 2007 figures. In 2009, the World Bank counted 34 new anti-dumping actions by G20 countries in the month following the April 2 summit alone.
Aside from the economic costs of anti-dumping duties in the form of domestic price increases, the new danger to Europe is that frequently targeted countries – such as China – are starting retaliatory actions of their own against the EU, notching up levels of non-tariff trade protection against European goods in global markets.
In all countries, the calculations and findings of anti-dumping authorities that lead to these decisions being made are subject to suspicion and criticism. In the EU, where lack of transparency makes independent review difficult or impossible, this is a particular problem. Because anti-dumping is a highly charged area of trade policy, generating strong emotions and defensive positioning, it can be difficult to obtain a clear idea of how this favourite of TDIs is actually being used and its significance for Europe’s trade with the rest of the world.
In this context, ECIPE has launched a project to fill the gaps in policy research about anti-dumping. It aims to dispassionately scrutinise EU anti-dumping practice outside of the usual lines of argument. Some of the early research covers – sectors and target countries where actions are concentrated; the effect of anti-dumping duties on trade diversion; and the potential to improve the investigation process.
The project team will discuss their findings at this seminar along with discussants Stefaan Depypere and P.K.M Tharakan – to generate policy debate about current anti-dumping policy. Mr. Depypere is Director (Trade Defence) in DG Trade, and Mr. Tharakan is an eminent economist, author most recently of “Anti-dumping and excess injury calculations in the European Union: A counterfactual analysis”.
You are invited to contribute your views to this lunch time discussion in a relaxed and informal setting.
The publications can be found here:
A light lunch will be served.
Limited space available
RSVP by 24 May to info@ecipe.org
Agenda
13:00 Arrival and buffet lunch
13:15 Welcome and introduction to the project, by Fredrik Erixon
13:30 Presentation of research findings:
Trends in EU Anti-dumping 1998-2008 Lucy Davis
Anti-dumping investigation Lucy Davis & Brian Hindley
Trade effects of anti-dumping Arastou Khatibi
14:00 Response from Stefaan Depypere
14:15 Response from P.K.M. Tharakan
14:30 Coffee break
14:45 Open discussion
16:00 Close