In recent years, many countries and regions have strengthened their trade remedy measures in order to protect their own industries and local markets, and trade protectionism has become increasingly serious. More and more international trade frictions have made the role of trade associations (commercial associations) increasingly prominent. Industry associations can undertake many international trade activities that should not be undertaken by the government and companies, and play a buffering role in trade disputes.
According to statistics, one out of every seven anti-dumping cases in the world is aimed at China. This situation calls for industry associations to come forward and play an active role in coordinating markets, prices, and organizing anti-dumping, countervailing, and responding actions. effect.
In the two years following China’s entry into the WTO, industry associations have gradually grown into “leaders†in resolving trade frictions. In recent years, in response to anti-dumping complaints, some importers and exporters have played an important role in coordinating export volume and export prices and organizing enterprises to respond to anti-dumping.
According to the China Minmetals Chemicals Import and Export Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber of Commerce has established nine coordination groups to supervise the export of Minmetals chemical products in relation to the national economy and the people’s livelihood, bulk exports, and disorderly export commodities. Since 1992, China Minmetals Chemicals Import & Export Chamber of Commerce has organized more than 50 counter-acceptance actions in nearly 90 anti-dumping cases, of which half of the cases have obtained the outcome of the successful lawsuit, either by suspending the agreement or lowering the anti-dumping tax rate. The settlement of the case protected the legitimate rights and interests of the company and restricted the export of some non-compliant companies. In the process, the chamber of commerce also played a role in raising the export prices of Chinese products and optimizing the export order.
Since 1992, the China Chamber of Commerce for Mechanical and Electrical Import and Export has accumulatively coordinated the export of more than 1,000 large-scale complete sets of equipment, amounting to US$30 billion. The Chamber of Commerce also set up a department specializing in anti-dumping and responding. In anti-dumping and responding cases, it not only mobilized its affiliated branch and import, export, and foreign trade companies to actively participate, but also established a good cooperation relationship with domestic production enterprises and industry associations, thereby enhancing the The influence of the Chamber of Commerce in the industry and enterprises.
The bottleneck of the development of the Association needs to be broken
In seeking to locate its own role, industry associations still have some problems that need to be resolved.
At present, industry associations generally have three kinds of living conditions: one-third of the associations are difficult to maintain, one-third of the associations are barely maintained, and only one-third of the associations develop better. Difficult to maintain industry associations have no information function, let alone coordination of collective action among members; barely maintain the function of the association is relatively simple, to provide simple information services, while contracting some of the work commissioned by the government; and development compared Good associations, either extending the functions of the government or through innovations in their own functions, have won the trust of member companies in the provision of information and coordinated organization, and are moving in the direction of autonomous organizations.
In general, in addition to the unified registration of the civil affairs departments in China’s industry associations, some of the association’s businesses are still directly managed by various ministries and commissions. This kind of management system makes it difficult for these associations to send out different voices from the competent authorities and cannot really serve the enterprise.
In an interview with reporters, the leaders of the State Council's SASAC Industry Office analyzed that, first of all, the association must resolve its own problems. At present, the majority of associations have limited coverage and are unable to perform comprehensive coordination functions. Non-mainstream member companies lack the motivation to rely on the association; the association still has flaws in organization and function, and it is difficult to truly become a representative of the interests of member companies, and it is even more difficult under the WTO system. The provision of effective information and coordination services; In addition, many associations have a shortage of talents, particularly professionals lacking in legal, international trade and international exchanges, which have seriously affected the participation of enterprises in anti-dumping duties.
Seeking a role in deepening reforms
He Liming, vice president and secretary-general of the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing, believes that the current problems in the industry associations cannot be ignored and further reforms must be deepened.
He Liming suggested: First, the national trade associations should be cleaned up and rectified, and industry associations that do not have the conditions, do nothing or seriously violate regulations should be adjusted and handled. Second, we must gradually change the direction of entrepreneurs. In doing so, it is conducive to the separation of government and government, and it is beneficial to companies and members. Third, industry associations must adhere to the purpose of service. Serve business, serve the industry, serve the government, and play a role as a bridge and a link. Fourth, there must be only one national association in the same industry. It is not appropriate for multiple competitions. If there are multiple competitions, companies will be at a loss.
Jiao Fengshan, secretary-general of the China Metallurgical Construction Association, was most concerned about when the state would legislate for the association. He believes that the orientation of the industry association is "serving the member units, serving the industry, and serving the government." However, this position has not yet been confirmed by national legislation.
Jiao Fengshan believes that after joining the WTO, industry associations should be in line with international standards, and national legislation must also clearly define the status and role of industry associations. By accelerating the legislation, it is clear what the government does and what it does not, what associations should not do, and where the association can play a role. Basic and previous work such as industry information statistics, technical standards formulation, production licenses, and business qualifications and individual qualifications should be entrusted to the industry associations and be institutionalized. This is internationally accepted and proved to be successful. way of doing.