The European Union is increasingly relying on trade defence measures to protect domestic industries from unfair competition, using anti-dumping and anti-subsidy rules to counter imported products sold at artificially low prices, according to EuroNews.
The measures are designed to help European manufacturers compete against foreign producers that benefit from lower labour costs, state support or less stringent environmental standards.
Anti-Dumping Measures Support Local Industry
According to EuroNews, sectors including steel, chemicals, ceramics, agriculture, automotive, food and textiles have faced growing pressure from low-cost imports in recent years.
One example is Italy’s ceramics industry, centred in the Emilia-Romagna region, which generates around €8 billion in annual turnover and directly employs approximately 20,000 people.
Graziano Verdi, CEO of the Italcer Group, told EuroNews that imports from India have rapidly expanded their market share in Europe by offering products below production costs.
While the EU has introduced tariffs on ceramic imports from India, Verdi argues the measures remain insufficient. He noted that earlier anti-dumping duties on Chinese ceramic products proved far more effective, reducing China’s market share to below 1%.
Protecting Fair Competition
Trade defence instruments are intended to prevent foreign companies from gaining market share through unfair pricing or government subsidies.
According to EuroNews, the European Union had 156 anti-dumping measures and 25 anti-subsidy measures in force at the end of 2023, covering products imported from 19 countries.
The EU also introduced the Foreign Subsidies Regulation in 2023 to prevent companies backed by foreign state aid from gaining an unfair advantage in public procurement contracts.
Industry representatives warn that without these protections, European manufacturers could struggle to compete, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises facing higher production and energy costs.
Local Manufacturing Remains a Priority
The report highlights the success of anti-dumping measures introduced in 2019 to protect Europe’s electric bicycle industry, which contributed to a decline of more than 80% in Chinese imports.
Dutch bicycle manufacturer Nijland told EuroNews that maintaining production within Europe supports product quality, safety and local employment while helping businesses remain competitive over the long term.
Industry leaders argue that protecting fair competition is essential not only for preserving manufacturing capacity but also for safeguarding jobs, investment and industrial resilience across the European Union.
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