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Tackling unfair trade
Trade defence
The EU's commitment to the liberalisation of international trade depends on a level playing field between domestic and foreign producers based on genuine competitive advantages.
The European Commission's role in achieving open and fair trade includes the defence of European production against international trade distortions such as subsidisation or dumping, by applying trade defence instruments in compliance with EU law and WTO rules.
The Commission monitors the application of these instruments, follows up the enforcement of measures and negotiates future international rules with EU trading partners.
Anti-dumping
Action against dumped imports
Anti-dumping measures counter dumping practices occurring when non-EU manufacturers sell their goods in the EU below the normal value (usually the sales price) on their domestic market.
Anti-subsidy
Action against imports of subsidized products
Anti-subsidy measures counteract trade distortive subsidies which make subsidised goods artificially competitive (e.g. cheaper) compared to non-subsidised goods.
Information for business
Trade defence from the business perspective
Practical information for businesses that may be affected by unfair trade.
Advisory committees
Composition and role of the committees
The Advisory Committees comment on important stages in trade defence investigations.
Notice board
What's new in Trade defence: listings of current and archived legislation, decisions, notices and corrigenda.
Safeguards
Protection against unforeseeable surge of imports
Industry sectors subject to sudden unforeseeable dramatic shifts in imports may request a temporary measure to gain time adapt to the new market situation.
Actions against EU exporters
Monitoring actions taken by non-EU countries against EU exporters
As the world's leading exporter, the EU is often the subject of trade defence investigations initiated by non-EU countries.
Investigations
Ongoing and completed trade defence investigations
Searchable listings of detailed information about ongoing and completed trade defence cases.
Legal basis
The legal basis for trade defence measures
The legal basis for the application of EU Trade Defence Instruments, together with recent judgements of the European Court of Justice.