Source: European Parliament
The Commission closely monitors trade defence investigations conducted by third countries targeting EU exports. Trade defence instruments are available to all World Trade Organisation (WTO) members provided that the relevant WTO requirements are abided by.
In January 2024 the Turkish authorities initiated a safeguard investigation by Notice 2024/1, number 32427, pursuant to the regulation on Import Protection Measures No 25486 published in the Official Gazette of Türkiye, dated 8 June 2004, which implements the WTO Safeguard Agreement into Turkish domestic legislation.
The investigation covers imports of uncoated paper from all third countries. In June 2024 Türkiye introduced definitive safeguard measures on the product concerned in form of a specific duty of USD 87 per ton, subsequently decreasing every year.
Since the beginning, the Commission has been actively intervening as interested party in the framework of the investigation, in close cooperation with the EU industry (Confederation of European Paper Industry).
A first written submission dated 20 February 2024, in support of the EU producers concerned was sent to the Turkish authorities. The Commission also intervened at the public hearing[1] which took place in April 2024.
Following these interventions certain products not produced in Türkiye were excluded from the scope. The Commission will continue to closely monitor the case and intervene as appropriate during any subsequent steps, such as a possible mid-term review.
- [1] Communiqué No:2024/1-Paper-All Countries: https://ticaret.gov.tr/ithalat/ticaret-politikasi-savunma-araclari/korunma-onlemleri/sorusturmalar/tamamlanan-sorusturmalar-completed-investigations/teblig-no2024-1-kagit-tum-ulkeler.