Interface between anti-dumping policy and competition policy: A case study

In this paper we illustrate some issues concerning the interface between anti-dumping and competition policy by performing what amounts to a 'thought experiment' on a recent case. It consists of reappraising the 'Personal fax machines' case by supposing that a mechanism proposed by Hoekman and Mavroidis (1996) for handling anti-dumping complaints were available in reality. The proposal of the above-mentioned authors is meant to enhance the role of competition policy disciplines in the anti-dumping policy application in a world where harmonisation of competition regulations is not yet achieved. Section 2 of the paper explains the background of the study and the framework of analysis. Section 3 sums up the main elements of the anti-dumping determination of the European Commission in the 'Personal fax machines' case. Sections 4, 5 and 6 test the feasibility of applying the three options put forward by Hoekman and Mavroidis (1996) to the present case and attempt some second-guessing about possible outcomes. Section 7 states the general conclusions that can be drawn from the exercise.