European Commission Directorate-General for Trade

Actions against EU exporters

Why should the EU monitor trade defence 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, whose measures unfortunately not always conform with WTO rules.

The main aim of the Commission's trade policy is to help the EU to compete better on international markets. Unwarranted trade defence measures unfairly block EU exporters' free access to the world's markets, and their negative impact should be minimised whenever possible.

What should EU exporters do to defend their own interests?

Any exporting industry subject to a trade defence action initiated by a non-EU country is responsible for defending its rights throughout the proceedings and for cooperating with the investigating authorities to favour a positive outcome.

What exactly is the EU Commission's role?

The Commission's job is to monitor and assist affected EU industries and support EU national authorities. It also plays a more direct role in anti-subsidy and safeguard investigations, when EU subsidies are involved and the EU as a whole is targeted.

More specifically, it:

• closely monitors the development of trade defence investigations initiated by non-EU countries: the EU publishes statistics concerning ongoing investigations and measures in force and an annual report on non-EU country trade defence actions
• assists and advises EU national authorities and the Community industry concerned by investigations initiated by non-EU countries and coordinates efforts
• promotes discipline and seeks to make non-EU countries comply with their WTO obligations (through bilateral meetings, consultations under the relevant WTO Agreements, WTO dispute settlement procedures).

Supporting information

Factsheets: Summary of the main characteristics of trade defence legislation of certain non-EU countries

The Commission services have compiled detailed information relating to trade defence investigations conducted by non-EU countries. This information is available for the main users of the instruments as set out below. If you have any other specific knowledge or experience, please share it with us, so that we can up-date our fact sheets.

Please refer to the Guide for EU exporters (Other available languages) for specific terminology.