Annual Report on EU Trade Defence: Activities reach record high in 2024

On 28 July 2025, the European Commission published its 43rd annual report on EU Trade Defence activities.

What you need to know

• The European Commission launched 33 new trade defence investigations in 2024 (nearly triple the annual average) with a particular focus on the chemical sector and Chinese imports.
• The most high-profile case of 2024 was the EU's anti-subsidy investigation on battery electric vehicles from China where significant definitive anti-subsidy duties (7.8%–35.3%) were imposed.
• The European Commission streamlined procedures by introducing automatic import registration for all new anti-dumping and anti-subsidy cases, thereby enabling the retroactive application of duties. Enforcement against circumvention was strengthened, with duties being extended beyond the original target countries to include additional jurisdictions involved in evasion schemes.
• The Court of Justice of the European Union has largely upheld the European Commission’s trade defence practices and applied methodologies.
• Retaliatory trade defence actions against EU exports, particularly from China, increased sharply, while the US remains the top country imposing measures on EU imports.

The European Commission has published its 43rd Annual Report on EU Trade Defence Activities, marking 2024 as a landmark year in the bloc’s efforts to protect its industries from unfair international competition. This surge in activity aligns with the new Political Guidelines released by President von der Leyen in July 2024. The report highlights a significant increase in anti-dumping, anti-subsidy, and safeguard investigations, with a record 33 new cases initiated (nearly triple the annual average), driven largely by concerns over imports from China.

Key developments and figures

• Record number of investigations: in 2024, the European Commission launched 33 new trade defence investigations (29 anti-dumping, three anti-subsidy and one safeguard): this is the highest number since 2006. Given the annual average is around 12 new cases, this represents a substantial increase. Over a third of these investigations targeted the chemical sector, which is twice as many as in the previous year and notably no chemical cases were initiated in 2022. Iron and steel ranked second in terms of targeted sectors. Overall, there was a notable focus on Chinese imports, with 20 cases involving China.
• High-profile case: the year was dominated by the EU’s high-profile anti-subsidy investigation into battery electric vehicles (BEVs) from China. The European Commission found extensive subsidisation across China’s BEV value chain, resulting in the imposition of definitive duties ranging from 7.8% to 35.3% from October 2024. Negotiations on price undertakings to reach a mutually acceptable solution are ongoing, as are the court cases challenging the measures which have been filed by several electric vehicle manufacturers and the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME). Additionally, the review of the steel safeguard measure at the end of last year (triggered by a request from several EU Member States) highlighted the rapidly deteriorating situation in the EU steel industry since the previous review was concluded in July 2024.
• Countries most targeted: China remains the country with the highest number of anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures in place (85), followed by Türkiye (12), and India and Russia (11 each).
• Automatic import registration: in a significant procedural change, the European Commission decided to automatically register imports in all anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations from October 2024. Previously, imports were registered only upon receipt of a justified request from the industry. This move is intended to streamline procedures and enable retroactive duty collection where justified.
• Job protection: the number of trade defence measures in force, both definitive and provisional, rose to 199 by the end of 2024, up from 186 the previous year. The European Commission argues that these measures protect over 625,000 direct jobs in the EU, with the BEV case alone safeguarding more than 115,000 positions.
• Enforcement and circumvention: the European Commission intensified efforts to combat circumvention of trade defence measures, extending duties to additional countries in two cases: from Russia to Türkiye and Kazakhstan in the case of birch plywood, and from Indonesia to Taiwan, Türkiye and Vietnam for stainless-steel cold-rolled flat products. Monitoring and cooperation with customs and enforcement agencies were enhanced to ensure the effectiveness of these measures.
• Judicial endorsement: the Court of Justice of the European Union has largely upheld the European Commission’s trade defence practices, including its methodology for calculating normal value in cases of significant market distortion.
• Retaliatory actions and global tensions: the report highlights a sharp increase in retaliatory trade defence cases against EU exports, particularly from China, which initiated investigations into EU brandy, pork, and dairy products. The European Commission condemned these actions as unjustified and retaliatory, actively defending EU interests through WTO Dispute Settlement channels. However, it is the US which has the highest number of measures in force affecting EU imports (41), followed by Türkiye (23) and China (18).

Implications and outlook

The surge in trade defence activity reflects growing concerns over unfair trading practices and global overcapacity, particularly from China, as also reiterated last week by President von der Leyen at the EU-China Summit. The European Commission’s assertive stance signals a strong commitment to defending EU industry and jobs while promoting fair trade.

The report observes a trend of trade defence measures being used as tools of economic and political leverage worldwide. The procedural changes introduced in 2024 are expected to have lasting impacts on the EU trade policy. As the EU continues to navigate the increasing complexity and politicisation of global trade defence, the report underscores the importance of robust enforcement and support for affected industries and SMEs.

In conclusion, the EU is expected to maintain or even increase its use of trade defence instruments, particularly in response to ongoing global market distortions and subsidisation practices. Strategic sectors, especially those linked to the green and digital transition and critical supply chains, are likely to remain a priority for future trade defence actions.