South African import probes targeting China prompt call for free-trade zone

Study finds more than 17 per cent of South Africa’s anti-dumping measures aimed at Beijing, with Chinese steel products the biggest targets

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In the past 26 years, South Africa has targeted China, its top trade partner, in 44 anti-dumping investigations, according to a Beijing-based researcher. Photo: Bloomberg

Published: 5:00pm, 2 Aug 2024

China and South Africa should establish a free-trade zone “as soon as possible”, a Renmin University academic has suggested as Beijing has been the top target of the country’s anti-dumping actions.

In an article published on Wednesday, Song Lifang, vice-president of the university’s Belt and Road Economic Research Institute, suggested that Beijing set up an economic integration organisation in the region to counter anti-dumping measures.

Despite being South Africa’s biggest trade partner, Beijing faced 44 anti-dumping investigations and 25 anti-dumping measures from its fellow Brics member between 1995 and 2021, according to Song, referring to data from the World Trade Organization and China’s Ministry of Commerce.

The action accounts for 17.53 of South Africa’s anti-dumping investigations and 17.36 per cent of its anti-dumping measures in the 26-year period.

In comparison, South Africa launched 23 anti-dumping investigations against India, 16 against South Korea and 13 against Taipei in the same period.

Chinese companies signed deals to buy US$2.2 billion worth of South African products at the Brics Summit in Johannesburg in August 2023. Photo: Xinhua

Anti-dumping duties are protectionist tariffs that a government imposes on imports.