WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3830/98 by Paul RÜBIG to the Commission. Impact of international financial turmoil on the European steel market - fairer world trade
Date: 1998-12-22
Institutions: European Parliament, RUEBIG
Subjects: World Trade Organisation, anti-dumping legislation, anti-subsidy proceeding, economic recession, import policy, liberalisation of the market, protectionism, restriction on competition, steel, third country













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91998E3830

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3830/98 by Paul RÜBIG to the Commission. Impact of international financial turmoil on the European steel market - fairer world trade  


Official Journal C 207 , 21/07/1999 P. 0131 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3830/98by Paul Rübig (PPE) to the Commission(22 December 1998)Subject: Impact of international financial turmoil on the European steel market - fairer world tradeThe international steel trade faces new challenges; three major regions of the world - Russia, South-East Asia and Latin America - are facing economic problems. The consequences of this are twofold: the shift in traditional trade flows has led to massive increases in imports into Europe, with a 520 % rise in imports from Asia and a 109 % rise in imports from the USA in 1998, and the concentration of markets has resulted in a fall in European exports, exacerbated by a tendency towards regional protectionism. European steel producers have so far coped successfully with this development. What is now needed above all is regulatory measures for the future.What measures does the Commission consider necessary to ensure fair conditions of competition worldwide? More specifically, will the Commission provide a list of all anti-dumping and anti-subsidy proceedings current or pending?Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission(19 January 1999)The Commission recognises that the Community steel sector has experienced an exceptional surge in imports as well as a fall in exports as a result of the crises that began in South East Asia last year. Under these conditions, it is necessary for all parties to act responsibly, for steel exporting countries to ensure fair trading practices and for steel importing countries to refrain from disproportionate or hasty responses to pressures on their markets.In accordance with the World trade organisation (WTO) ministerial declaration in May 1998 the Commission is fully committed to maintaining current levels of market access while pursuing further liberalisation. The Commission considers that the expansion of trade within a rule-based system will help economies recover from current economic difficulties. In this context, trade defence instruments are necessary to remedy specific situations, as provided in WTO rules.The Commission received an anti-dumping complaint and an anti-subsidy complaint from Eurofer about hot rolled coils of steel concern imports from six and three countries respectively. As required by the Basic anti-dumping Regulation (EC) 384/96 of 22 December 1995(1), the Commission examined the complaints to ensure they met the requirements concerning the provision of prima facie evidence in accordance with the Basic anti-dumping and anti-subsidy legislation, both of which are fully in conformity with the WTO agreements in these areas. Following consultation of the Member States, the Commission decided on 6 January that the prima facie case of the European industry was strong enough to warrant the initiation of full investigation.The following is the list of current anti-dumping (AD) and anti-subsidy (AS) investigations concerning steel products:>TABLE>(1) OJ L 56, 6.3.1996.