ECIPE Roundtable: Deciphering EU anti-dumping policy

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