Indeed, some observers advocate their complete elimination, raising the question whether dumping itself is a problem sufficiently serious to warrant retention of the antidumping regime provided for under the GATT. For example, the United States passed its first antidumping statutes in 1921.ĭespite their longevity, antidumping measures are frequently subject to sharp criticism, especially from academic economists. 1 National antidumping legislation dates from well before the GATT. Since its inception, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) has authorized signatories to apply duties to offset dumping when it causes, or threatens to cause, material injury to an industry in the territory of a GATT member. Dumping is the export of products at less than 'normal value,' often defined as the price at which those products are sold in the home market.
