Mapping Anti-Dumping Disputes from 1995 to 2011: The Changing Pattern

Abstract

Anti-dumping is one of the most frequently litigated areas under the WTO agreements. While battles on this front were previously the domain of developed economies, the last decade has seen significant changes in this front. This paper examines these changes. It shows that while there has been a significant decline in such disputes between the developed economies, this has been more than offset by the increase in disputes between developed and developing economies. These changes highlight at least three developments: the successful globalization of the world’s economies, the increasing competition as between the world’s economies (both developed and developing), and the increasing might of the advanced developing economies - all of which augurs well for the growth of world trade - bearing in mind that anti-dumping is essentially a weapon of offence. These developments suggest that anti-dumping disputes will no doubt continue to be a bone of contention as between the major trading nations.

Keywords: Anti-dumping, dispute settlement, WTO

JEL Classification: K33