DG Trade TDI Report 2024: Progress made, challenges remain
/Brussels, August 2025: AEGIS Europe welcomes the release of the 2024 Report on the Trade Defence Instruments (TDI) by the Commission, which confirms the EU’s continued commitment to tackling unfair trade practices and defending European industry. The report highlights a record 33 new investigations launched in 2024 – the highest number since 2006 – and an increase in the total number of definitive and provisional measures in force, rising from 186 at the end of 2023 to 199 at the end of 2024.
However, AEGIS Europe remains concerned about the Commission’s ability to sustain this level of activity without additional resources in Directorate G of DG TRADE. Already, staffing shortages have contributed to delays in launching new investigations. AEGIS Europe calls for the urgent reinforcement of human resources to ensure timely and effective investigations and enforcement of TDIs.
A significant share of the new cases shows evidence of overcapacities putting unfair pressure on European industries in the EU and in export markets. This phenomenon must serve as a wake-up call: Europe’s manufacturing base is at risk. An EU instrument to address systemic overcapacities across all sectors – not just steel – is urgently needed. This instrument must be independent of the Safeguards instrument. AEGIS Europe welcomes the Commission’s commitment to take social and environmental costs into consideration when assessing injuries sustained by European producers. However, poor social and environmental standards in countries where dumped imports originate also exert significant distorting effects on export prices, which should be further reflected when calculating the dumping margins.
The basic Anti-Dumping Regulation should be amended to remove the Lesser Duty Rule, a WTO+ provision which weakens the deterrent effect of TDI measures by capping duties at the lower of the dumping or injury margins. AEGIS Europe supports its removal and calls for broader use of the Commission’s discretion to apply full dumping duties where warranted.
Finally, we commend the Commission’s constructive dialogue with the European industry, including its recognition of AEGIS Europe’s contribution to the Brussels trade policy debate. Such engagement must now translate into concrete measures that strengthen Europe’s industrial resilience.