Brussels, 22/11/2007 (Agence Europe) - According to diplomatic sources, Reuters reports that a compromise is in sight over the draft Council regulation of 9 November 2007 establishing a definitive dumping duty on imports of silicomanganese (a mineral mainly used as an alloying and anti-oxidizing agent in steel furnaces and casting ladles) from China and Kazakhstan. To resolve the latest trade dispute between the EU27 member states, France is reported to have suggested that anti-dumping duties be introduced but then immediately suspended under Article 14(4) of the Anti-Dumping Regulation (386/96/EC) because market conditions have temporarily changed (the volatile price of silicomanganese is currently very high). The duty could be rapidly re-applied if global prices suddenly fell. Such a suspension might last 9 months. The Commission has to submit its proposal to the Council by 5 December 2007, when the process expires. (E.H.)