Overview
MLex quoted partner Eva Monard in an article titled "Calls grow for bigger EU trade-defense team as investigators’ workload soars," published on July 10, 2025. The article discusses the increasing pressure on the European Commission to expand staffing and funding for trade-defense enforcement as the number of investigations continues to climb.
In 2024, the Commission opened 33 new trade-defense probes, compared to 12 in 2023 and five in 2022. Industry groups and legal specialists are urging the Commission to add at least 20 full-time employees to Directorate G, the department responsible for handling these investigations. The growing complexity and volume of cases, particularly those involving Chinese overcapacity, have raised concerns about the Commission’s ability to maintain high standards and timely responses.
Speaking to MLex, Monard said, “The commission faces mounting pressure to carry out more investigations and to meet increasingly stringent timelines. To uphold the quality, fairness and integrity of its investigations, additional resources must be allocated to Directorate G.”
Read the full article at MLex (subscription required).
