In response to rising unfair trade practices and global overcapacity, five EU Member States are calling for a significant strengthening of the Union’s trade defence instruments. Their proposals signal a shift in paradigm towards a more reactive, strategic and protective approach to safeguarding European industry.

The European Commission confirms, through the case concerning alkyl phosphonic acids and their sodium salts originating in China, a marked tightening of its anti-dumping policy in the chemicals sector. By departing from the lesser duty rule, it paves the way for exceptionally high duties, exceeding 200%, aimed at fully offsetting the effects of structural distortions.

By annulling the extension of an anti‑dumping duty to Türkiye, the General Court of the European Union has tightened the interpretation of the circumvention mechanisms laid down in Article 13 of the Basic Regulation. In clarifying what does — and does not — constitute an assembly or completion operation, the Court has reminded the Commission of the legal limits governing its action.

This case marks a significant development in how economic security considerations are integrated into trade defense investigations. For the first time, these considerations have been applied so explicitly, in accordance with the new Communication on Economic Security, published last December.