Press Release: EU Joins Japan in WTO Challenge against Chinese Anti-dumping Duties on Steel Tubes

The European Union on 13 June 2013 requested consultations with China in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) concerning Chinese anti-dumping duties imposed on imports of high-performance stainless steel seamless tubes (“HP-SSST”) from the EU. Japan had already started a dispute settlement proceeding on the same measure addressed against Japanese products.

The EU believes the anti-dumping duties are incompatible with WTO law, both on procedural and on substantive grounds. WTO consultations will give the EU and China the opportunity to find a negotiated solution. If the consultations are not successful, after 60 days the EU can ask the WTO to establish a panel to rule on the case.

The duties of 9.7% to 11.1% imposed on European products are significantly hampering access to the Chinese market.