Guidance

Factsheet: What are trade remedies?

Published 7 February 2023

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/what-are-trade-remedies/factsheet-what-are-trade-remedies

What are trade remedies?

Factsheet Highlights

  • What are Trade Remedies?
  • Anti-Dumping Measures
  • Countervailing Measures (Subsidies)
  • Safeguard Measures

What are trade remedies?

Trade remedies (also known as trade defence instruments), are measures put in place to help protect UK businesses from unfair imports. Trade remedies include anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguard measures.

If you have queries about trade remedies contact us on contact@traderemedies.gov.uk.

Anti-dumping Measures

Dumping occurs when goods are imported into a country and sold at a price that is below their normal value in their country of export. Dumping investigations assess whether dumping is occurring and causing material injury to a domestic industry.

An anti-dumping remedy may be needed if the dumping causes or threatens material injury to a domestic industry or makes it more difficult for one to be established.

Countervailing Measures (Subsidies)

A subsidy exists if there is either a financial contribution by a foreign authority which confers a benefit on the recipient (usually an industry or business manufacturing goods) or a form of income or price support received from a foreign authority which confers a benefit on the recipient.

Not all subsidies are countervailable (can be offset through a trade remedy). A subsidy is countervailable if it is specific to certain geographical areas, companies or industries (rather than general) and when it is granted either directly or indirectly for the manufacture, production, export or transport of goods. These subsidies may promote unfair trade in goods that harm UK industry.

Safeguard Measures

When there is an unforeseen surge of imports of a particular good or goods that are causing or threatening to cause injury to the UK’s domestic industry, industry can apply for a safeguard investigation.

Safeguard measures temporarily restrict imports of specified goods to help domestic industries adapt to new or temporary market conditions and must be applied to all imports of the product in question regardless of their origins, although this is subject to certain exemptions, e.g. those from developing countries.

  • Introduction to the TRA
  • The Economic Interest Test
  • Bringing an Application for Anti-dumping/Countervailing Measures
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