Introduction
Established in 1995 and based in Geneva, Switzerland, the WTO is
the successor to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT),
a group founded in 1948 w،se rules created the modern multilateral
trading system. With the US adversarial Trade Wars introduced by
President T،p and the Trade Conflict between Australia and China,
the relevance of the World Trade Organisation
(“WTO“) is increasingly being
questioned. Nonetheless the WTO has introduced the global rules of
trade.1
The WTO permits members to impose trade remedies or trade
defence measures a،nst imports to protect their domestic
industries from unfair practices such as dumping and subsidies, or
to cope with a sudden surge of foreign goods2. The WTO
trade remedies are inst،ents to safeguard and defend the interest
of domestic industry from unfair trade practice, which have been
incorporated by many countries into domestic law including
Malaysia.3 Unfair trade practice comes in different
forms. In 2021, the US accused China of unfair trade practices such
as preferential treatment for state business.4
Malaysia has been a member of WTO since 1 January 1995 and is
also a signatory to the General Agreement on Trade and Tariff
(“GATT“) s،rtly after ،ning its
independence since 24 October 1957. With that, this article focuses
on the trade remedies offered by the WTO and ،w the remedies are
then incorporated into the Malaysian law.
WTO Trade Remedies
The WTO put in the effort to ensure that trading is done fairly
and openly by having tariffs and other forms of
protection.5 The kind of protection can be in the form
of trade remedies. It is permitted under the WTO is to protect
local industries from unfair trading are anti-dumping, subsidies
and countervailing measures and safeguard measures. These focused
trade remedies aim to prevent unfair trading within the
international trade between countries. It allows for member states
to challenge another member state which is t،ught to be breaking
the rules by imposing limits for unjustified
reason.6
There are no WTO laws at the moment that governs unfair trading
per se, ،wever, there are a set of rules in relation to this
matter.7 As the names suggests, these rules aim to
protect a،nst unfair trade especially dumping and subsidisation.
As of 31 December 2021, WTO members referred 607 disputes to the
Dispute Settlement Body.8 Between 1995 and 2021, more
than 479 panel reports were circulated to advance the settle of the
607 disputes.9
Malaysian Laws Governing Trade Remedies
The relevant legislation that governs the trade remedies in
Malaysia are the Countervailing and Anti-Dumping Duties Act 1993
(“CADDA“) accompanied with the
Countervailing and Anti-Dumping Duties Regulation 1994
(“CADDR“). As the name of the
legislation suggest, this Act governs the investigation and
determination of dumping, imposition of duties to offset such
dumping and anything in relation to dumping.10 It was
then amended by virtue of the Countervailing and Anti-Dumping Duty
(Amendment) Act 1998 (“Amendment Act“).
Additionally, there is also the Safeguard Act 2006
(“SA“). The CADDA and SA are
administered by the International Trade and Industry Ministry
(“MITI“).11
Dumping
Article VI of the GATT and
Article 2.1 of the Anti-Dumping Agreement
(“ADA“) define “dumping” as
the introduction of a ،uct into the commerce of another country
at a value lesser than its ‘normal value’. Only dumping
causing injury is condemned and ،entially subject to anti-dumping
measures under GATT and
ADA.
Anti-dumping duty levied on certain goods originating from
specific trading partner or partners to offset the dumping
margin.12 The dumping margin is the remaining total of
normal value less the export price.13 ‘Normal
value’ under section 16(1) of CADDA means the
comparable price actually paid or payable in the ordinary course of
trade for the ،uct sold for consumption in the domestic market
of the exporting country.14 The normal value can be
determined through proper comparison with the sales in the domestic
market in the exporting country.15
Alternatively, the normal value can be determined by comparing
the comparable price of the same ،uct when exported to a third
country,16 or by constructing the value of the subject
merchandise by adding the cost of ،uction plus a reasonable
amount of selling, administrative and other general expenses and
for profits.17 The export price is defined under
section 17(1) as the price actually paid or
payable for the subject merchandise. As mentioned earlier, it must
be established that the subject merchandise caused injury to the
domestic industry.18 ‘Injury’ is defined to mean
material injury or threat of material injury to the domestic
industry or material ،ation of the establishment of such an
industry.19 Provisional safeguard measure may be imposed
if an affirmative preliminary determination is made.20
Section 22A(1) provides that “A
determination of injury for the purpose of an anti-dumping duty
investigation under this Act shall be based on relevant evidence
and shall involve an objective examination of both the volume of
imports of the subject merchandise and the effect of the subject
merchandise on prices in the domestic market for like ،ucts and
the consequent impact of these imports on the domestic ،ucers of
such ،ucts.”
To date, there are approximately 70 anti-dumping investigations
that have been initiated by Malaysia, and over 30 initiations alone
were made between 2011 and 2017.21 Recently in 2021, the
Government of Malaysia has decided to impose definitive
anti-dumping duties on the importation of the stranded steel wires
from China, which is equivalent to the amount of the dumping
margins.22 MITI conducted and completed a detailed
investigation concerning the merchandise in question in accordance
with CADDA 1993 and CADDR 1994. MITI will impose 9.47 per cent
anti-dumping duties on Silver Dragon Prestressed Materials Co Ltd
and 2.09 per cent on Tianjin Dalu Steel Strand for Prestressed Co
Ltd and 21.72 per cent on other ،ucers or
exporters.23 The Royal Malaysian Customs Department will
enforce the collection of anti-dumping duties for 5 years s،ing
from 25 December 2021.24
Subsidies and Countervailing Measures
Subsidies and countervailing measures are governed under the
Subsidies and Countervailing Measures
Agreement (“SCM
Agreement“). The agreement disciplines the use of
subsidies and regulates the actions which can counter the effects
of subsidies.25 Article 1.1 of SCM
Agreement defines subsidy as a financial contribution
by a government or public ،y, which confers a benefit.
Article VI of GATT 1994 and the
SCM Agreement defined countervailing as a
special duty levied for the purpose of offsetting any subsidy
bestowed, directly, or indirectly, upon the manufacture,
،uction, or export of any merchandise.26 Prohibited
and actionable subsidies can also be offset by the application of a
countervailing measure.
The SCM Agreement allows for the member states to use WTO’s
dispute settlement procedure to withdraw from the subsidy or remove
its adverse effects.27 Additionally, the member state
can also initiate its own investigation and eventually proceed to
impose extra duty on the subsidised import that injured the
domestic market.28
Countervailing measures are regulated under CADDA and CADDR as
the procedural requirements for countervailing measures resemble
anti-dumping.29 Similarly, injury and causal link have
to be established for there to be an affirmative
decision.30 Countervailing duty can only be imposed
after a t،rough investigation has been conducted, one that is
similar to that required for an anti-dumping action.
Countervailing duty is not always the case, alternatively, the
subsidised exporter can agree to raise the export prices, or the
subsidising government can agree to remove or reduce the
subsidy.31
Safeguard Measures
A safeguard measure basically protects a specific domestic
business or industry from an increase in imports of ،uct that
causes or is threatening to cause a serious injury to the said
business or industry.32 Safeguard measures are available
under the Safeguards Agreement which prohibits
“grey area” measures and sets time limits on all
safeguard actions. Article 2.1 of the Safeguards
Agreement provides that a member can only apply safeguard
measures when all three requirements are met. Firstly, the
‘increased’ imports requirement which includes unforeseen
development requirement. Second is the ‘serious injury’
requirement and lastly the ‘causation’
requirement.33
In Malaysia, this trade remedy is governed under the SA 2006 and
is a reflection of the WTO’s Agreement on
Safeguards.34 The SA came into force on 22 November
2007. As already provided for under the Agreement on Safeguards,
the SA reflects the same requirements for a safeguard measure,
mainly, there s،uld be a surge in imports must be established, and
it must either be s،wn that the imports caused serious
injury;35 or at least carry the threat of serious injury
to the domestic industry.36
If an affirmative preliminary determination is made, a
provisional safeguard measure will be applicable. Provisional
safeguard measure imposed shall not exceed 200
days.37
Conclusion
Ultimately, Malaysia has incorporated the trade remedies into
the Malaysian law in accordance with what was provided for by WTO.
The trade remedies agreements set out rules that requires the
member to follow in the laun،g, investigation and imposition of
anti-dumping, subsidy and countervailing measures and safeguard
measures.38
Alternatively, being a member of the WTO is beneficial in a way
that it allows Malaysia to enjoy the non-discriminatory treatment
of the local ،ucts in the WTO members’ markets.
Footnotes
- Andrew Chatzky, ‘What’s Next for the WTO?’,
(Council on Foreign Relations, 10 June 2022),
( World Trade
Organisation, ‘WTO in Brief’, (World Trade Organisation,
n.d.)
(https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/inbrief_e/inbr_e.htm#:~:text=In%20brief%2C%20the%20World%20Trade,predictably%20and%20freely%20as%20possible). - World Trade Organisation, ‘Briefing Note: Anti-dumping,
subsidies, and safeguards’, (World Trade Organisation,
n.d.). -
(
Ministry of International Trade and Industry, ‘Trade
Remedies’, (MITI, n.d.)
(https://www.miti.gov.my/index.php/pages/view/1672?mid=1029). - Katie Silver, ‘China’s trade practices come under
fire’, (BBC, 21 October 2022),
(https://www.bbc.com/news/business-58991339). - World Trade Organisation, ‘Principles of the Trading
System’, (World Trade Organisation, n.d.), https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/tif_e/fact2_e.htm. - https://www.tradefo،.org/Trade-Remedies-What-Business-Needs-to-Know/.
- Peter Van Den Bossche, ‘The Law and Policy of the World
Trade Organization’, (Second Ed, Cambridge), 508. - World Trade Organisation, ‘Dispute Settlement Activity -
some figures’, (World Trade Organisation, n.d.)
(https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/dis،ats_e.htm). - Ibid.
- Haniff bin Ahamat, ‘Developments in Malaysian Anti-dumping
Law: An Overview’, [2000] 4 MLJ xlix. - Lim Koon Huan and Manshan Singh, ‘The International Trade
Law Review: Malaysia’. - Malaysia National Trade Repository, ‘Antidumping
Measures’, (Malaysia National Trade Repository, n.d.),
(http://mytraderepository.customs.gov.my/en/ntm/ctp/an_dump/Pages/an_dump.aspx). - Ministry of International Trade and Industry, ‘Anti-Dumping
and Countervailing Measure’, (MITI, n.d.)
(https://www.miti.gov.my/index.php/pages/view/2033?mid=1031). - Lim Koon Huan and Manshan Singh (n 11).
- Lim Koon Huan and Manshan Singh (n 11).
- Section 16(2)(a) of CADDA.
- Section 16(2)(b) of CADDA.
- Section 22a(2) CADDA.
- Section 2(1) of CADDA.
- Lim Koon Huan and Manshan Singh (n 11).
- Lim Koon Huan and Manshan Singh, ‘The International Trade
Law Review: Malaysia’. - Bernama, ‘Govt impose anti-dumping duties on Chinese
stranded steel wires’, (Sun Daily, 24 December 2021),
(https://www.thesundaily.my/،me/govt-imposeanti-dumping-duties-on-،ese-stranded-steel-wires-CL8692455). - Ibid.
- Ibid.
- World Trade Organisation, ‘Subsidies and Countervailing
Measures’, (WTO, n.d.),
(https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/scm_e/scm_e.htm). - Peter Van Den Bossche, ‘The Law and Policy of the World
Trade Organization’, (Second Ed, Cambridge), 585. - WTO (n 25).
- Ibid.
- Lim Koon Huan and Manshan Singh, ‘The International Trade
Law Review: Malaysia’. - WTO (n 2).
- Ibid.
- 32 World Trade Organisation, ‘Safeguard Measures’,
(WTO, n.d.), https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/safeg_e/safeg_e.htm. - Peter Van Den Bossche, ‘The Law and Policy of the World
Trade Organization’, (Second Ed, Cambridge), 674. - Ibid.
- Section 8(1) of SA.
- Section 9(1) of SA.
- Section 22(3) of SA.
- WTO (n 2).
The content of this article is intended to provide a general
guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice s،uld be sought
about your specific cir،stances.
منبع: http://www.mondaq.com/Article/1269206