WTO reports further decline in new AD investigations, new AD measures

According to a statement released by the World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariat, the numbers of initiated antidumping investigations and of new final antidumping measures continued their previously-reported declining trends during the period July 1, 2005-December 31, 2005. During the July 1, 2005-December 31, 2005 period, 16 members initiated a total of 82 new antidumping investigations, down from 106 initiations in the corresponding period of 2004. In addition, 15 members applied a total of 76 new antidumping measures during the second half of 2005, a decline from the 93 measures applied during the second half of 2004. China, with 13 initiations, led other members in new investigations during the second half of 2005. Following China were Argentina and India (11 each), the European Communities (9), the US (8), and Australia and South Africa (5 each). China remains the most frequent subject of new investigations, with 33 initiations directed at its exports during July-December 2005 compared with 24 during the corresponding period of 2004. Other targets included Malaysia (7), Indonesia and South Korea (5 each), Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), Thailand and the US (4 each). Products that were the subject of new investigations during the second half of 2005 included chemicals (17), followed by base metals (15) and plastics (12). Regarding new final anti-dumping measures, the European Communities led the list during the second half of 2005, applying 19 of the 76 total new measures reported. This marked a remarkable increase against the 4 new measures reported by the European Communities in the second half of 2004. The European Communities is followed by India (10 new measures), Argentina (7), China (6), Mexico, Turkey and the US (5 each). Products in the plastics sector were the most frequent subject of new measures during the second half of 2005, accounting for 18 of the 76 total new measures. Products in the chemicals and base metals sectors were tied for second place, with 16 new measures each. Products in the textiles sector were next, with seven new measures, followed by the pulp and paper and machinery sectors, each of which accounted for five of the reported new measures.