The European Commission has presented its 22nd Annual Report on the Community's anti-dumping, anti-subsidy and safeguard activities (2003).

At the end of 2003, the Community had 156 antidumping measures and 17 countervailing measures in force. Of the measures, the large majority was in the form of duties; however, in a number of cases, undertakings were accepted. It should be noted that in 2003, only 0,3% of total imports into the Community was affected by anti-dumping or anti-subsidy measures.

Although the year 2003 distinguishes itself in comparison with the previous years by a decrease in the number of investigations initiated and measures imposed, it has been "eventful" in a number of other aspects, such as the safeguards on steel and citrus fruits, the proposal on changing of the decision-making process and the introduction of deadlines in reviews.

As in previous years also this year's report shows that the EC is a cautious user of trade defence instruments (TDI). When applied, TDI are subject to the highest level of discipline and restraint while providing effective guarantees against unfair trade practices. Transparency in the use of TDI is regarded as essential, and this high standard has been further increased through changes to the legislative framework in 2004. The Commission is determined to continue to pursue this line of policy in the future.

The European Commission has presented its first annual report 2003 on third country anti-dumping, anti-subsidy and safeguard action against the Community.

The year 2003 has confirmed the increasing trend in the number of trade defence cases being opened against Community exporters. The number of definitive measures in force against the Community has increased from 169 at the end of 2002 to 192 at the end of 2003. The number of measures could also rise in the coming years, mainly due to uncertainties surrounding China's future use of trade defence.

In terms of statistics, the US had in 2003, as in the previous year, the largest number of measures in force (53) against the Community, followed by India (32), Brazil (12), South Africa (11) and Canada (10). As for the number of investigations against the Community, which were underway at the end of 2003, India had the largest number (7), followed by the US (5), China (4), Ecuador (4), Ukraine (4) and Venezuela (4). In spite of the significant number of measures in force against Community exporters, there is some ground for optimism for the coming year(s). On the multinational front, the EC is encouraging discussions in the context of the Doha Development Agenda to introduce higher standards in anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations. On a bilateral level, the EC is setting up trade defence instruments (TDI) ad hoc expert groups with a number of trade partners (India, China and Korea). These groups offer an opportunity to exchange information and views, outside the existing formal framework, on better ways of carrying out investigations and applying TDI rules.

In conclusion, the report states that 2003 has seen several positive results for EC exporters targeted in third country proceedings. A number of very important cases have been terminated without the imposition of measures while in other cases measures have been withdrawn.

The following key cases deserve to be mentioned: withdrawal of the US steel safeguard action, trade affected: 900 million euros; compliance by the US with the WTO ruling on the so-called "privatization case" (DS-212), trade affected: 300 million euros; withdrawal of the Chinese safeguard measures on steel, trade affected: 200 million euros; termination of the Indian AD investigation on X-Ray baggage inspection multi-energy systems from EU, trade affected: 20 million euros; termination of the Russian safeguard investigation on imports of wallpaper, trade affected: 112 million euros; exclusion of EC exporters from the Russian safeguard measure on ball-bearings, trade affected: 10,6 million euros; termination of the Mexican AD investigation on imports of ceramic tiles from Spain, trade affected: 48 million euros; termination of the Australian AD investigation on imports of olive oil from Italy and Spain and anti-subsidy investigation on the same product from Italy, Greece and Spain, trade affected: 60 million euros; another positive achievement in 2003 has been the improvement of co-ordination with Member States on third country measures. In March 2003, the Commission had in-depth discussions with Member States (Commercial Questions Group) on how it deals with third country measures. This has, inter alia, lead to the identification of direct contact persons within the national administration of each Member State, to ensure that DG Trade can rapidly communicate information. As of 1 May, this Member State "hotline" has been extended to include the new EU members.