The EU Defends its Anti-Dumping Measures

In relation to anti-dumping duties it imposed on Chinese screws and bolts, the European Commission says:

"We reject strongly the implication from various sources quoted in the press that any anti-dumping measures in this case would be protectionist and not based on fact," the Commission said in a statement to Reuters.

It may be true that the measures are based on fact -- the fact that imported goods were sold below normal value.  But there are many people who would argue that regardless of whether anti-dumping measures are based on this fact, they are still protectionist.