Do regional anti- dumping regimes make a difference?

The conclusion of regional trade agreements (RTAs) that liberalize trade is often accompanied by the negotiation of rules and disciplines safeguarding the ability of the parties to take defensive measures temporarily restricting access by other RTA parties to their markets, thus temporarily stepping back from opening markets. Accordingly, in special circumstances and under specific conditions, certain defence mechanisms can be used by governments, for instance when facing what is described as a situation of “unfair trade”, if penetration by foreign products into domestic markets causes damage or injury to the domestic industry.