Current Status of Anti-Dumping Investigations: The Korean Perspective

Abstract

Since the global economic crisis occurred in 2008, international trade communities have worried about rising protectionism, as protectionist measures such as import restrictions and tariff increases have been historically prevalent during periods of economic slowdown. Moreover, Mr. Donald Trump, the US President-elect, maintained a protectionist stance in his campaigns. Specifically, he claimed that foreign countries have dumped huge quantities of underpriced products into US markets in order to drive US products out of domestic markets. He announced that he would use his powers of the presidency to raise tariff rates, accusing China and Mexico of unfair trade practices. WTO statistics indicate that anti-dumping measures have been widely used to protect domestic industries in recent years. The number of anti-dumping measures initiated amounted to 177 in 2005, while 141 measures were in force. In 2015, the number of anti-dumping measures initiated amounted to 226, while 182 measures were in force.