The Argentine Production Ministry announced new anti-dumping measures on tablewares, polyester and textile thread imported from China. The measures came after an anti-dumping investigation conducted by the Ministry into negative effects of low-price Chinese tableware’s on Argentine enterprises.

According to the measure, which is applicable for five years, the minimum custom value of the tableware’s imported from China is set at US $4.65.

In addition, the Argentine Production Ministry decided to impose four-month temporary anti-dumping measures on polyester and textile threads imported from Taiwan, India and Indonesia, as well as China.

Against the current backdrop of the global financial crisis, the Argentine government has reinforced restrictions on imported products. In the first eight months this year, Argentina registered a trade surplus of US$ 12.33 billion, up 45%, while imports decreased by 39%, far bigger than the 24% drop of exports.

The Argentine government has adopted a series of measures to restrict imports since October 2008. Some Argentine entrepreneurs believe the protectionism will harm Argentina's economic development in the long term.