China has succeeded in holding the European Union and its anti-dumping measures liable before the WTO. The decision has since been upheld by the European Court. Four footwear manufacturers have thereby obtained a few days ago the reimbursement of customs duties paid at the entrance to the European Union, in a move that has prompted the U.S., too, to rise against the dumping in Chinese industry.

It is indeed a standoff that ensued between Uncle Sam and the Chinese Empire. The first fingers were pointed at the massive subsidies provided by China to its corporate enterprises, including taking over an investigation on the field of solar cells. These are criticisms to which Beijing has responded by accusing Washington of seeking pretexts to justify its tendency towards protectionism. For now, the status quo seems to have settled, with, the U.S. announcing the introduction of anti-dumping measures being considered.



Meanwhile, on the other side of the Atlantic, European lawmakers are looking towards the WTO ruling. The decision made by the organization opens the door to a massive refund for companies who had to pay anti-dumping duties. Some 500 manufacturers may be affected. And seeing as the first measures date as far back as 2006, the total bill may turn out to be particularly high. And to make matters worse, China plans to link its aid in the debt crisis with the regulation of these anti-dumping issues.