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The EU proposed the world's highest number of new emergency tariffs to block low-priced imports last year, according to a report.
The Global Trade Protection Report, produced by an independent consultant, says 187 anti-dumping cases were begun in 2006, a relatively low level. The duties are levied against imported goods considered to be unfairly priced more cheaply than in their domestic market.
High commodity prices have made it harder in recent years for companies in sectors such as steel, enthusiastic users of anti-dumping, to show they have been hurt by underpriced imports. In 1999-2001, the peak of anti-dumping, 300-350 cases a year were started.
The EU started 35 new cases last year, the third highest annual number since the World Trade Organisation was created in 1994. India, traditionally the biggest user of anti-dumping, was second with 31 cases. Argentina initiated 19.
China was the target of a rising share of cases, receiving 37 per cent of complaints against 23 per cent in 2003.
A European Commission official noted that the EU had started no new cases in the first quarter of 2007, and said that since the EU reviewed existing anti-dumping duties frequently, it actually had fewer such duties in place than the US.
Peter Mandelson, EU trade commissioner, last year began a review of the EU's use of “trade defence” measures, including anti-dumping, but observers say some EU member states continue to oppose tightening up the rules. Negotiations in the Doha round of global trade talks to restrict the use of such measures have also been progressing slowly.
Sweden is one of the strongest backers of anti-dumping reform in the EU. Sten Tolgfors, Swedish trade minister, said that European companies would suffer from tit-for-tat measures as protectionism rose.
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