The Ministry of Trade and Export Promotion has launched a trade defense mechanism to protect Tunisia’s industrial fabric from imports,” announced Dorra Borgi, Director General of Foreign Trade, in a recent interview with AfricanManager on the occasion of a workshop on trade defense instruments.
How would you define the trade defense instrument (TDI)?
Since its creation, the TDI has been working to protect and defend Tunisian exports against investigations by third countries and to monitor the evolution of imports, particularly of products with similar characteristics manufactured in Tunisia.
In addition, Tunisia is committed to protecting its national industry and ensuring its long-term survival by setting up a system of anti-dumping measures in the event that certain countries decide to boost their exports and increase their competitiveness at the expense of the national product.
Trade defense mechanisms are one of the main instruments recognized by the WTO, allowing member countries to protect their national industries against competition from imported products without compromising or violating their international commitments under WTO agreements.
What are its main tasks?
One of the tasks assigned to trade defense is to help deal with anticipated protectionist policies and illegal practices and their negative impact on national industry.
This mechanism helps to limit the country’s trade deficit by rationalizing the import of products with local similarities.
So this approach, which is recognized and sometimes tolerated by the World Trade Organization, cannot be equated with what the WTO prohibits.
It is a form of protectionism in which the state intervenes to protect its domestic economy from competition from other states.
I should also note that the main aim of this economic policy is to rebalance a country’s trade when its imports are too high and threaten to damage local production.
It can be a one-off measure to protect a developing industry that could be overtaken by international competition without government intervention.
What is the purpose of this event?
This media day is part of the campaign to introduce trade defense instruments, which are the tools available to World Trade Organization (WTO) member countries to protect their national industries from competition from imported products, without compromising their international obligations and in accordance with the organization’s agreements.
This event marks the start of similar days to be organized at regional level, as they will be held in Bizerte on 16 May 2025 and in Gabes and Sfax during the month of June.
Where does Tunisia stand in terms of the adoption of commercial defense?
Tunisia was the first Arab country to join the WTO.
I would also like to remind you that the mission of this new body includes the study, research and verification of all information received from importers, traders, producers, foreign exporters, associations and interested parties.
It will also carry out investigations to identify the alleged dumping or subsidy and to predict its extent and effects, in accordance with the Law of February 13, 1999 on protection against unfair import practices (…).
