Cefic welcomes anti-dumping methodology revamp

In 2016, China challenged that EU regulation which did not conform with existing international procedures when it came to calculating anti-dumping duties.

The European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) welcomes the recent agreement reached by the EU institutions on a new anti-dumping methodology during trilogue as part of a wider revamp of the current EU anti-dumping regulation intended to better comply with World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules.

In 2016, China challenged that EU regulation which did not conform with existing international procedures when it came to calculating anti-dumping duties.

The new methodology addresses how to calculate dumping margins for significant market distortions by third countries. The prices for raw materials, such as feedstock, are often manipulated and impact European competitiveness. The chemical industry, a key link in many production chains, is directly impacted by this. For this reason, the chemical industry welcomes the timely agreement that addresses this critical concern.

Speaking after the agreement, Marco Mensink, Cefic Director General, said: “We are an export-oriented industry and therefore rely on free and fair trade, based on internationally agreed trade rules. This new methodology will challenge unfair practices and help create a level playing field for European industries.”

Trilogue discussions are currently debating the Modernisation Trade Defence Instruments (MTDI), another essential element of the EU anti-dumping regulation. While the new methodology is about complying with WTO rules, MTDI is about modernizing the EU Trade Defence Instruments (MTDI’s). Both are essential elements for strengthening fair trade practices and therefore, it is important that an agreement is equally found on the MTDI.