The European Commission has adopted a catalogue of measures that will allow Member States to better defend mselves against cheap imported goods. The rules to be implemented on Wednesday will henceforth be able to be applied against all States with unfair trading practices.

The European Union wants to protect businesses from unfair competition. It can now, among or things, proceed against goods which are offered at artificially depressed prices or whose producers benefit from illicit state aid. The measures mainly take import products from China.

"Undistorted international trade is vital for our businesses," said federal Economics minister Brigitte Zypries (SPD). "With new tools, we can identify and repel cases of injurious dumping." Government intervention in foreign markets would orwise be detrimental to German and European industry.

A previously existing safeguard clause against cheap imports, especially from China, had expired a year ago. If, in future, EU Commission can demonstrate that sales and production price of imported goods are not proportionate to each or, it may set itself sales prices for products. These should be based, among or things, on price of goods in countries with comparable economic conditions or at international prices. In addition, Brussels authority is planning to regularly monitor market conditions of certain countries.

After several years of debate two weeks ago, European Commission decided to restate rules – to displeasure of Chinese government. In summer, trade dispute even prevented a common commitment to climate change at EU-China summit.

Date Of Update: 21 December 2017, 12:02