In brief
On 2 November 2026 the GCC Permanent Committee on Anti‑Harmful Practices in International Trade announced it would probe uncoated paper imports from India, China and Thailand under the GCC Common Law and WTO rules. The move follows a preliminary finding by the Technical Secretariat and reflects Brussels‑style concerns over dumping and market harm. The investigation will allow parties to defend their positions at every stage, while analysts seek to gauge the impact on GCC supply chains and pricing.
On 2 November 2026, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) announced that its Permanent Committee on Anti‑Harmful Practices in International Trade has opened an anti‑dumping investigation into imports of uncoated writing, printing and graphic paper originating from the Republic of India, the People’s Republic of China and the Kingdom of Thailand.
The companies and producers of paper in the three exporting countries supply a range of products in rolls or rectangular (including square) sheets that are used extensively for writing, printing and graphic design within GCC member states. The investigation was triggered by a preliminary report issued by the Technical Secretariat of Anti‑Harmful Practices in International Trade, which operates under the GCC General Secretariat.
According to the technical secretariat’s bulletin, Issue No. 59 dated 2 November 2026, the full details of the product under review and the procedural steps have been published on the GCC General Secretariat’s website. The announcement signals the decision’s foundation in the GCC Common Law on Anti‑Dumping, Countervailing Measures and Safeguards and its implementing regulations, alongside the World Trade Organization’s Anti‑Dumping Agreement.
Director General of the Technical Secretariat Mahfoudh Al‑Raqadi noted that the measures are being taken under the legal framework and that the investigation “gives all interested parties the opportunity to defend their interests at every stage.”
“The measures are being taken under the GCC Common Law on Anti‑Dumping, Countervailing Measures and Safeguards and its implementing regulations, and the World Trade Organization’s Anti‑Dumping Agreement. He added that announcing the investigation gives all interested parties the opportunity to defend their interests at every stage.”
The GCC’s action follows a broader regional trend of scrutinizing imports that appear to undermine local producers. While the preliminary report does not detail the alleged dumping margins, industry analysts suggest the investigation may target charges of lower pricing, higher volume or subsidized production that could threaten GCC paper suppliers.
Open questions persist about how the investigation will unfold. The technical secretariat has not yet published targeted, provisional measures, nor defined the criteria that will be used to assess dumping margins. Analysts anticipate that the GCC may impose provisional tariffs or amnesty schemes if evidence supports a dumping claim, but the outcome will hinge on the evidence collected during the observation period.
Trade associations within the GCC, including manufacturers of construction and packaging materials that consume paper, have expressed concerns over potential price volatility. Likewise, exporters from India, China and Thailand are watching closely, as the investigation could alter the competitive dynamics of one of the most traded paper categories in the region.
The investigation also highlights the integration of WTO rules into GCC trade policy. By invoking the WTO Anti‑Dumping Agreement, the GCC signals its intent to adhere to international standards while protecting regional industries. Regulators have indicated that the investigation will be conducted transparently, providing stakeholders with ample opportunity to present evidence and arguments.
For now, the GCC has declared its commitment to a thorough review. Market participants and policymakers will be monitoring the forthcoming phases closely, as the investigation may set a precedent for future anti‑dumping actions within the Gulf economic bloc.
