Solar Panels, Telecommunication Equipment – and the “Modernisation” of EU Trade Defence Policy

Can trade defence instruments like anti-dumping and anti-subsidy/countervailing duties be smartly used to counter government subsidies distorting the world economy? Can it be Europe’s strategy to fight noxious state capitalism? The European Union is now in the process of reforming its trade defence policy. However, two highly controversial cases – on solar panels and (potentially) telecommunication equipment – and the way they have evolved show how a critical element of the reform package easily could backfire and create big problems for the EU.