Orgalime Comments on the European Commission’s Initiative on Modernisation of Trade Defence instruments

We represent a fundamentally healthy industry that is a major employer in Europe (10.2 million people), a major export sector (over a third of EU manufacturing exports), and also a significant importer thanks to its extensive supply chain. Given the above, we believe that the EU’s trade strategy should focus on shaping globalisation and improving the international competitiveness of the EU’s industrial base.

As further explained in our position paper here below, in Orgalime’s view, trade defence instruments, applied in compliance with EU law and WTO rules, play an important role in achieving open and fair international trade, and in defending European production against trade distortions, such as subsidisation or dumping by trade partners.

Trade defence instruments should only be used for their purpose, namely to counter predatory behaviour displayed by certain trading partners of the EU in specific situations and moments in time.