Is anti-dumping here to stay?

The long term survival capacity shown by anti-dumping systems appears surprising particularly in view of their well-known shortcomings. With the systematic reduction in other forms of protection, the anti-dumping mechanism is poised to become a very important trade-restricting device. The durability of the anti-dumping system can be explained by various factors. The public perception of the notions of 'dumping' and 'anti-dumping' is diffrent from what the rules and regulations define them to be. This weakens the effect of the technical arguments against its detrimental effects. But there is also the fact that genuine social concerns about the impact of liberalisation reflect adversely and unjustly against what passes for 'dumping' under the current legislation. Special interest groups are highly effective in making use of the anti-dumping system and hence have a stake in prolonging its existence. For potential countervailing forces such as the consumers' organisations, anti-dumping problems are not a priority item for action. The uneven pace at which liberalisation and deregulation have opened up markets in different countries adds strength to the arguments of pro-anti-dumping groups.