Article 20 of the Saudi Trade Remedies Law

This article separates two matters: the technical findings of the investigation and public interest considerations.

Paragraph 1 - the Authority's role:

• The Authority submits to the President the public interest information it received during the investigation, the final review or the review of extending safeguard measures, together with the final findings, in accordance with the Implementing Regulations.
• The Authority does not evaluate this information.
• This information does not affect the final findings of the investigations and reviews.

Paragraph 2 - the President's power: when deciding to impose or extend final measures, the President may decide matters relating to the public interest, and on that basis may:

• Impose or extend the measures.
• Reduce their level or duration.
• Not impose them or not extend them.

He may request more information from any body he considers appropriate, and takes a reasoned decision at his discretion and based on the information available, to determine the decision that is most beneficial to the public interest.

So even if dumping and injury are established, the President may still balance protecting the domestic industry against other interests such as consumers.

It comes after Article 19, which regulates persons with a public interest declaring themselves and submitting their information, and is followed by Article 21, which sets out the effects of the President's decision: re-determining the measures when they are reduced, and the domestic industry having no right to file a complaint on the same product from the same exporter for at least 6 months if he decides not to impose or extend them. Anyone affected by a decision based on the public interest may consult a lawyer specialized in administrative matters.