   
  
WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
10 July 2020 
(20-4742)  Page: 1/228 
Trade Policy Review Body  
    
 
  
REPORT OF THE TPRB FROM THE DIRECTOR -GENERAL ON  
TRADE -RELATED DEVELOPMENTS  
(MID-OCTOBER  2019 TO MID -MAY 2020) 
TABLE OF CONTENTS  
KEY FINDINGS  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  2 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 7 
1   INTRODUCTION  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  10 
2   RECENT ECONOMIC AND TRADE DEVELOPMEN TS ................................ ......................  14 
2.1   Overview  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................... 14 
2.2   Economic Development s ................................ ................................ .............................. 15 
2.3   Merchandise trade  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......16 
2.4   Trade in commercial services  ................................ ................................ ....................... 20 
2.5   Trade forecast and economic outlook  ................................ ................................ ............ 22 
3   TRADE AND TRADE -RELATED POLICY DEVEL OPMENTS  ................................ ..............  25 
3.1   Overview of Trends Identified during the Review Period  ................................ .................. 25 
3.1.1    COVID -19 Trade and trade -related measures  ................................ .............................. 31 
3.2   Trade -Remedies  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 37 
3.3   Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures  ................................ ................................ ..46 
3.4   Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT)  ................................ ................................ ................. 54 
3.5   Trade Concerns Raised in Other WTO Bodies  ................................ ................................ ..61 
3.6   Policy Developments in Agriculture  ................................ ................................ ............... 67 
3.7   General Economic Support  ................................ ................................ ........................... 78 
3.8   Other Selected Trade Policy Developments  ................................ ................................ ....81 
4   POLICY DEVELOPME NT IN TRADE IN SERVI CES ................................ ........................  94 
5   POLICY DEVELOPME NTS IN TRADE IN INTE LLECTUAL PROPERTY  ...........................  109  
ANNEX 1 - MEASURES F ACILITATING TRADE  ................................ ...............................  117  
ANNEX 2 - TRADE REME DIES  ................................ ................................ ........................  123  
ANNEX 3 - OTHER TRAD E-RELATED MEASURES  ................................ ............................  135  
ANNEX 4 – MEASURES A FFECTING TRADE IN SE RVICES  ................................ ..............  144  
ANNEX 5 - COVID -19 TRADE AND TRADE -RELAT ED MEASURES (GOODS)  .....................  176  
ANNEX 6 – COVID -19 TRADE AND TRADE -RELATED MEASURES (SERVI CES)  ................  210  
 WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  KEY FINDINGS  
• This Report  covers  new trade and trade -related  measures  implemented  by WTO Members  
between  16 October  2019 and 15 May 2020.  This period included the start of  the COVID -19 
pandemic, which has already delivered an almost unprecedented shock to the global eco nomy 
and caused  significant  social disruption. Although the full impact of the pandemic is not yet 
reflected fully in trade statistics, it is expected to be very substantial.  
• In its trade forecast of 8 April  2020, the WTO considered two scenarios for the crisis, one 
relatively optimistic and the other more pessimistic. Under the optimistic scenario, the volume 
of world merchandise trade would fall by 12.9% and world GDP would decline by 2.5%. Under 
the pessimistic scenario, trade would contract by 31.9% an d GDP would shrink by 8.8%. As 
at mid-June, p reliminary trade data and trade -related indicators for the first half of 2020 were 
more consistent with the optimistic scenario than the pessimistic one, but actual outcomes 
could easily fall within or even outside of the forecast range, depending on how the crisis 
unfolds.  
• World trade was already slowing before the pandemic  struck, weighed down by hei ghtened 
trade tensions and slowing global economic growth. Merchandise trade was down 0.1% in 
volume terms in 2019, marking the first decline since 2009. Trade growth also slowed in 
nominal terms in 2019, as the dollar value of merchandise exports fell by 3% to US D 18.89 
trillion. Although commercial services exports increased by 2% to US D 6.03 trillion in 2019, 
the pace of growth was down sharply from 9% in the previous year.  
• Overall, WTO Members and Observers implemented 36 3 new trade and trade -related 
measures during the review period , of which 198 were of a trade -facilitating nature and 16 5 
were trade -restrictive. Seventy per cent of these measures (256 in total ) were linked to the 
COVID -19 pandemic. Of these  256 measures , 147 facilitated trade and 109 r estricted trade.  
In the early stages of the pandemic, several of the measures introduced by WTO Members 
and Observers restrict ed the free flow of trade , principally for exports. B ut as at mid-May 
2020, 57% of all COVID -19-related measures were trade -facilitating.  Around 28% of the 
COVID -19-specific trade restricti ons implemented by WTO Members and Obs ervers had been 
repealed by mid -May. 
• Excluding COVID -19-related measures, WTO Members and Observers implemented 107 trade 
and trade -related measures during the review period . These included 51 new measures aimed 
at facilitating trade. The trade coverage of the se non-COVID -19-related import -facilitating 
measures implemented during the review period was estimated at USD 739.4 billion, the 
second highest figure for such measures since October 2012. WTO Members and Observers 
also put in place 5 6 new trade -restrictive measures  unrelated to the pandemic . The trade 
coverage for the se new import -restrictive measures was estimated at USD 423.1 b illion, the 
third highest value recorded since October 2012. The trade  coverage  of import  restrictive  
measures  implemented  since 2009,  and still in force,  continues  to increase . It is estimated  
that 8.7% of world imports (USD 1.7 trillion)  is affected by import -restricti ve measures 
implemented since 2009 and still in force.  
• All WTO issues regularly covered by this Report saw significant activity both before and after 
the outbreak of the pandemic. During the review period, 239 trade remedy actions were 
recorded for WTO Members. The monthly average of trade remedy actions initiat ed was 
slightly higher than the average for the last eight years , while the monthly average of trade 
remedy terminations was the lowest over the same time span . During the review perio d, 
initiations of anti -dumping investigations accounted for around 80% of all trade remedy 
initiations , which also includes safeguards and countervailing actions .  
• In services, most of the new measures introduced by WTO Members and Observers between 
mid-October 2019 and mid -May 2020 were trade -facilitating, but a number  of new policies 
appear ed to be trade -restrictive, including in areas related to foreign investment  and in areas 
considered strategic or linked to national security. Most of the 99 services measures adopted 
by WTO Members and Observers in response to the pandemic appeared to be  
trade -facilitating.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 3 - 
 
  • WTO Members  continued to implement general economic supp ort measures as part of their 
overall trade policy, a fact confirmed by Secretariat analysis despite governments' low 
response rate with respect to these measures. In addition, WTO Members  and Observers also 
implemented a large number of emergency support measures in response to the economic 
and social turmoil caused by the COVID -19 pandemic. Most of the 468 COVID -19-related 
general economic support measures identified, including monetary, fiscal and financial 
measures as well as preferential loans, credit guarantees, and stimulus packages, collectively 
worth several trillion US dollars, appeared to be temporary in nature. These emergency 
support measures are central to governments’ strategies to address the pandemic -induced 
economic downturn and to prepare the ground for a strong recovery. Regular monitoring of 
support measures introduced in the context of the pandemic will be important for Members , 
to be able to track their evolution and effects as the world exits the health cris is and enters a 
recovery per iod. 
• WTO Members were very active in the SPS and TBT Committees during the review period , and 
notified a higher volume of SPS and TBT measures compared to the previous period . Most of 
new notifications were submitted by developing Members. From 1 February to 15 May 2020, 
19 Members notified 29 SPS measures taken in response  to the pandemic. The nature of most 
of these measures shifted, from i nitial restrictions on animal imports and/or transit from 
affected areas and additional certification requirements , to, from April, trade -facilitating 
measures such as the use of electronic certificates  for checks . As at 15 May 2020, 14 WTO 
Members had submitted 53 TBT notifications/communications on standards and regulations in 
response to the COVID -19 pa ndemic, covering a wide range of products including personal 
protective  equipment, medical equipment, medical supplies, medicines and food . 
• WTO Members continued to extensively use the Committee on Agriculture Review Process , 
and raised a total of 298 ques tions in relation to Members' individual notifications and on 
specific implementation matters. In relation to the COVID -19 pandemic, three WTO Members 
informed the Committee of four temporary measures to respond to food security threats.  
• The Report also co vers developments in WTO Members in Trade -Related Aspects of Intellectual 
Property Rights (TRIPS). Several Members implemented specific IP -related measures aimed 
at facilitating the development and dissemination of COVID -19-related health technologies, 
as well as at relaxing procedural requirements and extending deadlines for administrative IP 
matters.  
• Work continued in the first months of 2020 to advance negotiations, particularly on fisheries 
subsidies , building on the decision taken by Members at MC11. Groups of Members also 
continued to pursue their discussions on other issues, including electronic commerce, 
investment facilitation, women's economic empowerment, domestic regulation in services , 
and, mi cro, small and medium -sized enterprises (MSMEs). However, the delegations ' ability 
to engage in detailed negotiations has been constrained by restrictions on movement and the 
refocusing of priorities to address the COVID -19 pandemic.  
Trade -facilitating and trade -restrictive measures by WTO Members and Observers, mid -
October 2019 to mid -May 2020  
(By number)  
 
Note:  Including COVID -19 trade and trade -related measures.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat .  
198 165 
Measures facilitating trade Measures restricting trade363COVID -19 trade and trade -related measures, by mid -May 2020
Source:  WTO Secretariat(By number)WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  COVID -19 tra de and trade -related measures, by mid -May 2020  
(By number)  
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
Trade and trade -related measures , mid -October 2019 to mid -May 2020  
(By number)  
 
Note:  COVID -19 trade and trade -related measures are not included.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
Trade coverage of trade and trade -related measures, mid -October 2019 to mid -May 
2020  
(USD billion)  
 
Note:  COVID -19 trade and trade -related measures are not included.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
  
147 109 
Measures facilitating trade Measures restricting trade256COVID -19 trade and trade -related measures, by mid -May 2020
Source:  WTO Secretariat(By number)
177 62 51 56 
Trade remedy initiations Trade remedy terminations
Measures facilitating trade Measures restricting trade346Trade measures, mid -October 2019 to mid -May 2020
Source:  WTO Secretariat(By number)
35 3 
739 423 
Trade remedy initiations Trade remedy terminations
Import-facilitating measures Import-restrictive measures1,200Trade coverage of import measures, mid -October 2019 to May 2020
Source: WTO Secretariat.(USD billion)WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  Trade coverage of new import -facilitating measures in each reporting period (not 
cumulative)  
(USD billion)  
 
Note:  These figures are estimates , and represent the trade coverage of the measures (i.e. annual imports 
of the products concerned from economies affected by the measure s) and not the cumulative impact 
of the trade measures. Liberalization associated with the 2015 Expansion of the WTO's Information 
Technology Agreement is not included in the figures. COVID -19 trade and trade -related measures are 
not included.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
Trade coverage of new import -restrictive measures in each reporting period (not 
cumulative)  
(USD billion)  
 
Note:  These figures are estimates , and represent the trade coverage of the measures (i.e. annual imports 
of the products concerned from economies affected by the measures) introduced during each reporting 
period, and not the cumulative impact of the trade measures. COVID -19 trade and trade -related 
measures are not included.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
2581,183
170249
169296545739
02004006008001,0001,2001,400
mid-Oct12 -
mid-Oct13mid-Oct13 -
mid-Oct14mid-Oct14 -
mid-Oct15mid-Oct15 -
mid-Oct16mid-Oct16 -
mid-Oct17mid-Oct17 -
mid-Oct18mid-Oct18 -
mid-Oct19mid-Oct19 -
mid-May20Trade coverage of new import -facilitating measures in each reported period (not cumulative)
(USD billion)
Note:  [See text in report].
201214228
101
79588747
423
0100200300400500600700800
mid-Oct12 -
mid-Oct13mid-Oct13 -
mid-Oct14mid-Oct14 -
mid-Oct15mid-Oct15 -
mid-Oct16mid-Oct16 -
mid-Oct17mid-Oct17 -
mid-Oct18mid-Oct18 -
mid-Oct19mid-Oct19 -
mid-May20Trade coverage of new import -restrictive measures in each reported period (not cumulative)
(USD billion)
Note:  [See text in report].WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  Cumulative trade coverage of WTO import -restrictive measures in force since 2009  
(USD billion and % of world merchandise imports)  
 
Note:  The cumulative trade coverage estimated by the Secretariat is based on information available in the 
Trade Monitoring Database (TMDB) on import measures recorded since 2009 and considered to have 
a trade -restrictive effect. The estimates include import meas ures for which HS codes were available. 
The figures do not include trade remedy measures. COVID -19 trade and trade -related measures are 
not included.  The import values were sourced from the UNSD Comtrade database.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
 
73126234306407467598 5708141,4571,696
0.60.81.31.72.22.53.7 3.64.77.58.7
012345678910
02004006008001,0001,2001,4001,6001,800
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Import restrictions in force (left axis) % of world imports (right axis)Cumulative trade coverage of import -restrictive measures in force since 2009
(USD billion)
Source:  WTO Secretariat.(%)
Note:  [See text in report].WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY  
This WTO Trade Monitoring Report covers new trade and trade -related measures implemented by 
WTO Members between 16 October 201 9 and 15 May 2020.1 
This Report was prepared against the backdrop of the COVID -19 pandemic, which delivered an 
almost unprecedented shock to the global economy and caused exceptional social disruption around 
the world.2 The full impact of the pandemic is not yet reflected in trade statistics but is expected to 
be very substantial. In its trade forecast of 8 April  2020, the WTO considered two scenarios for the 
crisis, one relatively optimistic and the other more pessimistic. Under the optimistic scenario, the 
volume of world merchandise trade would fall by 12.9% and world GDP would decline by 2.5%. 
Under the pessimis tic scenario, trade would contract by 31.9% and GDP would shrink by 8.8%. 
Trade is expected to rebound in 2021 under both scenarios, but only the optimistic one would see 
trade return to its pre -pandemic trend. The forecast only covers merchandise trade, b ut commercial 
services trade is also expected to be severely hit as a result of comprehensive travel restrictions and 
social distancing measures. Preliminary trade data and trade -related indicators for the first half of 
2020 are thus far more consistent wi th the optimistic scenario than the pessimistic one, but actual 
outcomes could easily fall within or even outside of the forecast range, depending on how the crisis 
unfolds.  
World trade was already slowing before the virus struck, weighed down by heightene d trade tensions 
and slowing global economic growth. Merchandise trade was down 0.1% in volume terms in 2019, 
marking the first decline since 2009. Trade growth also slowed in nominal terms in 2019, as the 
dollar value of merchandise exports fell by 3% to USD 18.89 trillion. Although commercial services 
exports increased by 2% to USD 6.03 trillion in 2019, the pace of growth was down sharply from 
9% in the previous year.  
This Report shows  that, by mid -May 2020, WTO Members had implemented 256 trade and trad e-
related measures explicitly linked to the COVID -19 pandemic. The implementation of these measures 
appeared to have come in two clearly identifiable waves. In the early stages of the pandemic, several 
of the measures introduced by WTO Members and Observer s restricted the free flow of trade, 
principally for exports.  However, as at mid-May 2020 , 147 ( 57%) of all measures were of a trade -
facilitating nature, and 109 measures (43%) could be considered to have a trade -restrictive effect.  
Export bans account ed for the totality of the pandemic -related export restrictions recorded . In early 
May, some Members beg an to phase out export constraints , targeting products such as surgical 
masks, gloves, medicine, and disinfectant. There is further evidence that a roll -back of other trade 
and trade -related measures taken in the early stages of the pandemic is also taking place. For 
instance, a round 28% of the COVID -19-specific trade -restrictive measures implemented by WTO 
Members and Observers had been repealed by mid -May. 
WTO Members and Observers also implemented 51 new measures aimed at facilitating trade during 
the review period, mainly through the elimination or reduction of import tariffs, the elimination of 
import taxes, the simplification of customs procedures  and the reduction of export duties. The trade 
coverage of the non-COVID -19-related import -facilitating measures implemented during the review 
period was estimated at USD 739.4 billion, which is significantly higher than that recorded in the 
previous Report (USD 544.7 billion). This the second highest trade coverage of import -facilitating 
measures recorded since October 2012. 
This Report also shows that , during the review period , WTO Members and Observers implemented 
56 new trade -restrictive measu res unrelated to the pandemic , mainly through tariff increases, import 
bans, export duties and stricter customs procedures for exports. The trade coverage for the new 
non COVID -19 related import -restrictive measures was estimated at USD  423.1 billion. This 
represents  the third highest  value  recorded  since October 2012.  
WTO Secretariat estimates of the stockpile of import restrictions implemented by WTO Members and 
Observers since 2009, and still in force, suggest that 8.7% of world imports are affected by these 
restrictions. At the end of 2019, USD 1.7 trillion out of a total USD 19.5 trillion of world imports were 
 
1 Unless otherwise indicated in the relevant Section.  
2 A dedicated webpage on the WTO website  
(https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/covid19_e/covid19_e.htm) provides detailed information on COVID -19 
trade and trade -related measures and is updated regularly .  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 8 - 
 
  estimated to be affected by import restrictions put in place by WTO Members and Observers over 
the last decade. The stockpile of import restrictions by WTO Members and Observers in force has 
grown steadily since 2009 – in value terms and as a percentage of world imports – and a significant 
increase in both took place from 2017 to 2018. This specific jump was largely explained by measures 
introduced on steel and aluminium, and by tariff increases introduced as part of bilateral trade 
tensions . 
During the review period, 239 trade remedy actions were recorded for WTO Members . The monthly 
average of trade remedy actions initiat ed by WTO Members was slightly higher than the average 
recorded over the last eight years , while the monthly average of trade remedy terminations was the 
lowest over the same time span . During the review period , initiations of anti -dumping investigations 
continue d to be the most frequent trade remedy action, accounting for around 80% of all trade 
remedy initiations , including safeguards and countervailing actions . The trade coverage of trade 
remedy initiations recorded in this Report was estimated at USD  34.7 bill ion (lower than the 
USD 46.2 billion recorded in the last Report) and that of terminations at USD  2.9 billion  (lower than 
the USD 24.8 billion recorded in the last Report ). As at 15 May 2020, only two Members ha d notified 
anti-dumping actions referring to the COVID -19 pandemic.   
With respect to general economic support measures, only 21% of the WTO Membership shared 
regular support measures in response to the Director -General’s request for information. As a result, 
the Secretariat has unfortunately again be en unable to justify the inclusion of a separate annex on 
these measures in the Report. From the limited information received, and from the research 
undertaken by the Secretariat, the current review period confirmed that WTO Members appeared to 
continue to  implement such measures as part of their overall trade policy . Many support measures 
with potentially important ramifications for trade were not reported by Members for this review 
period. It is appropriate to draw a line between these longstanding polici es and the large number of 
new emergency  support measures that WTO Members  have put in place in response to  the economic 
and social turmoil caused by the COVID -19 pandemic. Discussions at the TPRB meeting in December 
2019 reinforced the notion that  clearer guidance as to how the Secretariat should cover general 
economic support measures in the trade monitoring reports  was needed . Similar views were 
expressed at the informal m eeting of the General Council on COVID -19 measures on 15 May 2020.   
The review period saw an unprecedented number of general economic support measures put in place 
by governments as emergency responses to address the economic and social disruption caused b y 
the COVID -19 pandemic. These measures, taken in response to the global health emergency, 
sought , above all , to support sectors of the economy heavily affected by the crisis , as economies 
around the world ha d largely shut down to curb the spread of the vi rus. Twenty -nine percent of the 
Membership  volunteered COVID -19-related support measures to the Secretariat. Most of the 468 
COVID -19-related general economic support measures identified, appeared to be of a temporary 
nature. These measures included grants , monetary measures, fiscal measures, financial measures, 
measures specifically targeting SMEs, loans, credit guarantees, and stimulus packages. Several 
measures were one -off grants, while others included disbursements staggered over a few months 
up to thr ee years. Some of these measures form part of emergency rescue program mes worth 
several trillion US dollars.  
A range of other subjects are also covered by this Report . During the review period, in the Sanitary 
and Phytosanitary (SPS) and the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committees , WTO Members 
notified , a higher volume of measures compared to the previous period . Most of the new notifications 
were submitted by developing Members. The SPS and TBT notification obligations are meant  to 
promo te enhanced  predictability  and transparency  regarding measures  taken  to address  legitimate  
policy  objectives.  As in previous  reports,  the majority  of regular  SPS notifications  related  to food 
safety,  whereas  the bulk of emergency  SPS measures related to an imal health. The majority of TBT 
measures indicated the protection of human health or safety as their main objective. From 1 
February to 15 May 2020, 19 Members notified 29 SPS measures taken in relation to the COVID -19 
pandemic. Although , initially , these measures mainly related to  restrictions on animal  imports and/or 
transit from affected areas and increased certification requirements  since the beginning of April, 
most of the COVID -19-related SPS notifications and communications related to measures taken to 
facilitate trade by allowing temporary flexibility for control authorities to use electronic versions of 
veterinary and/or phytosanitary  certificates, since the COVID -19 situation ha d made the 
transmission of original  paper certificates problematic.  As at 15 May 2020, 14 WTO Members  also 
submitted 53 TBT notifications/communications on standards and regulations in response to the 
COVID -19 pandemic, covering a wide range o f products including personal protective equipment, 
medical equipment, medical supplies, medicines and food.  In both the SPS and TBT Committees, WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  WTO Members have dedicated considerable time to discussing specific trade concerns (STCs), 
suggesting an increa sing use of the Committees as forums in which trade concerns may be resolved 
non-litigiously.  None of the STCs discussed directly referred to measures taken in response to the 
pandemic.  
In the area of agriculture, WTO Members continued to extensively use t he Committee on Agriculture  
Review Process and raised a total of 298 questions in relation to Members' individual notifications 
and on specific implementation matters (SIMs). Questions on SIMs followed the same upward trend 
as previous years, making 2019 the year with the highest number of questions raised si nce the 
Committee's inception. Most SIMs targeted domestic support policies including those put in place in 
response to the potential impact of bilateral trade deals and/or increased tariffs implemented by 
third parties. In relation to the COVID -19 pandemi c, four notification s by three WTO Members 
regarding  export restrictions and prohibitions related to food security threats  were submitted to the 
Committee on Agriculture ( CoA). These measures, of a tempora ry nature, covered staple foods (i.e., 
eggs, pasta,  wheat, wheat flour, rice and sugar) and feed. On 22 April 2020, a group of 23 WTO 
Members who collectively account for 63% and 55% of global exports and imports of agriculture and 
agro-food products, respectively, issued a joint statement pledging their s upport to open and 
predictable agri -food trade while responding to the p andemic.  
The Report also outlines the numerous trade issues and concerns raised by WTO Members in the 
various WTO bodies between mid -October 2019 and mid -May 2020 . Several of these trade concerns 
raised during the review period had already been raised in previous periods, indicating persistent 
and unresolved issues. Some trade concerns were raised in more than one WTO body, suggesting 
that these concerns involve cross -cuttin g and technically complex issues and that WTO Members are 
continuing to use multiple platforms to address various aspects of such concerns.  
Work on the implementation of the WTO's Trade Facilitation Agreement advanced. Many Members 
concluded their domesti c ratification processes, raising the total number of acceptances to about 
92% of the entire WTO Membership.  
On trade in services, most of the new measures introduced by WTO Members and Observers between 
mid-October 2019 and mid -May 2020 were trade -facilit ating. However, a significant number of new 
policies appeared to be trade -restrictive. A large proportion of the measures adopted during the 
review period related to telecommunication services, electronic commerce, and services supplied 
online, including d ifferent types of tax measures. As in the previous Report, various governments 
introduced new measures in relation to foreign investment in areas considered strategic or linked to 
national security. Up to mid -May 2020, most of the 99 measures affecting tra de in services were 
adopted by WTO Members in response to the COVID -19 pandemic, and appeared to be trade -
facilitating. The pandemic has had a strong overall impact on services sectors and services trade, 
and governments adopted a wide array of measures re lated to specific services ' sectors and modes 
of supply in response to the crisis, including those to alleviate the impact of social distancing 
measures adopted for public health reasons.   
The Report also draws attention to developments in Trade -Related Aspects of Intellectual Property 
Rights (TRIPS) as, during the review period WTO Members continu ed to fine -tune their intellectual 
property (IP) domestic frameworks. Several Members implement ed specific IP measures aimed at 
facilitating the development and dissemination of COVID -19-related health technologies, as well as 
at relaxing procedural requirements and extending deadlines for administrative IP matters. Those 
government measures were complemented by voluntary action by IP right holders, in particular the 
sharing of IPRs, in order to support research and development and equal access to relevant health 
technologies.  
Work continued in the first months of 2020 to advance negotiations, partic ularly on fisheries 
subsidies , building on the decision taken by Members at MC11.  Groups of Members also continued 
to pursue their discussions on other issues, including electronic commerce, investment facilitation, 
women's economic empowerment, domestic r egulation in services , and micro, small and medium -
sized enterprises . However, delegations ' ability to engage in detailed negotiations was constrained 
by restrictions on movement and the refocusing of priorities regarding the COVID -19 pandemic.  
 WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  1  INTRODUCTION  
1.1.  This Monitoring Report1 reviews trade and trade -related developments during the period from 
16 October 201 9 to 15 May 2020.2 It is a mid -year preparatory contribution to the annual report by 
the Director -General provided for in  paragraph (g) of the Trade Policies Review Mechanism (TPRM) 
mandate which aims to assist the TPRB in undertaking an annual overview of developments in the 
international trading environment that are having an impact on the multilateral trading system.  
1.2.  This Report is issued under the sole responsibility of the Director -General of the WTO. It is a 
factual transparency exercise and has no legal effect on the rights and obligations of WTO  Members. 
It is without prejudice to the negotiating positions of Members and has no legal implication with 
respect to the conformity of any measure noted in the Report with any WTO agreement or any 
provision thereof. It does not seek to pronounce itself on whether a trade measure is protectionist 
and it does not question the ri ght of Members to take certain trade measures  (see Box 1.2 below).  
1.3.  The Report aims to shed light on the very latest trends in the implementation of a broad range 
of policy measures that restrict as well as facilitate the flow of trade. It provides an update on the 
main indicators of the world economy and on the state of g lobal trade. The Reports have continued 
to evolve in terms of coverage and analysis of trade -related issues, reflecting discussions among 
and inputs from WTO Members . 
1.4.  The present Report has been produced in a drastically different and unprecedented context  
than the previous ones. The outbreak of the COVID -19 pandemic in the second half of the review 
period, which triggered a global health crisis with major social and economic ramifications, is covered 
extensively in this Report. On 24 March 2020, recognizin g the unprecedented health crisis presented 
by the pandemic and noting that Members understandably were responding by introducing 
legislation and policies to seek to combat this health emergency, the Director -General made a formal 
request to WTO Members an d Observers to provide the WTO Secretariat with information on trade 
and trade -related measures taken in the context of the crisis. The Director -General stressed that 
the request for such information was for transparency purposes only, so as to allow deleg ations to 
gain a global understanding of the trade -related responses to the crisis. He noted that a similar 
approach was adopted in the context of the H1N1 health emergency in 2009 -10. This Report contains 
two separate ad hoc Annexes (Annexes 5 and 6) whic h provide information on recorded trade and 
trade -related measures taken by Members in the area of goods and services in response to the 
COVID -19 pandemic up to 15 May 2020. These Annexes are provided for transparency purposes and 
do not question or pass j udgement on Members' right to implement any of the measures contained 
therein. Neither of the Annexes are exhaustive.  
1.5.  On 15 May 2020 , a Special Virtual Meeting of the General Council was held to allow WTO 
Members to share information and exchange views on COVID -19 trade -related measures.  
1.6.  From a practical and methodological point of view, and in accordance with the long -standing 
practice of the WTO Trade Monitoring Exercise of verifying information and measures with Members, 
the WTO Secretariat implemented an ad hoc verification process of COVID -19-related measures with 
Members. In recognition of the fact that some measures did not initially have official government 
sources, the daily up -date of these measures was listed only on the WTO Members website, pend ing 
verification by the relevant delegation. For those trade and trade -related goods and services 
measures submitted by delegations, or where official sources were found, a separate list was made 
available on the WTO public website.3 The cooperation of WTO Members in confirming measures, 
providing official sources and additional information to increase transparency, was constructive and 
 
1 The previous WTO Trade Monitoring Report presented to the TPRB (WTO document WT/TPR/OV/22, 29 
November 2019) covered measures taken over the period from mid -October 2018 to mid -October 2019. The 
WTO trade monitoring reports have been prepared by the W TO Secretariat since 2009. On 29 June 2020, the 
WTO Secretariat, together with the Secretariats of the OECD and UNCTAD, issued a report on trade and 
investment measures implemented by G20 economies during the period mid -October 2019 to mid -May 2020 
(availa ble on the WTO website) . 
2 Unless otherwise indicated in the relevant section . In addition to the trade policy measures 
implemented during the period under review and captured by this Report, other actions which impact trade 
flows may have been taken by WT O Members.  
3 Viewed at: https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/covid19_e/covid19_e.htm. This dedicated webpage 
on the WTO website provides detailed information on COVID -19 trade and trade -related measures and is 
updated regularly.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 11 - 
 
  efficient, especially considering the challenges caused by remote working conditions. This was 
particularly evident in the  constant decrease in the number of measures where official sources were 
lacking. WTO Members deserve credit for their active cooperation in assisting the Secretariat in this 
transparency exercise, including through the notification process to the relevant  WTO committees. 
Finally, the measures listed in Annexes 5 and 6 provide a situation report up to 15 May  2020. A 
consistent feature of the trade and trade -related measures taken in response to the COVID -19 crisis 
has been the frequent changes, adjustments and occasional roll -back of such measures to reflect 
the evolving situation. The updated lists of measures implemented in the context of the pandemic 
are available on the COVID -19 page of the WTO website .4 The full list of notifications received by 
the WTO  Secretariat in context of the COVID -19 pandemic is also available on the WTO website .5 
1.7.  The organization of this Report is different compared to previous editions. Each Section , except 
Section 2 , will first cover the regular monitoring of trade and trade -related measures implemented 
during the review period. Subsequently, each Section will address , where relevant,  developments in 
the context of the COVID -19 pandemic.  
1.8.  Section 2 of the Report provides an overview of recent economic and trade developments and 
will include the most recent forecasts for world trade growth taking into account the global pandemic. 
Section 3 presents an overview of selected trade and trade -related policy trends , including s pecific 
developments related to Sanitary and Phytosanitary ( SPS) measures and Technical Barriers to Trade 
(TBT) . Overviews of policy developments in trade in services and trade -related aspects of intellectual 
property rights  (TRIPS) are included in Sections 4 and 5, respectively.  
1.9.  Annexes 1  - 4 to this Report include new measures recorded for WTO Members and Observers  
during the review period. Measures implemented outside this period are not included in these 
Annexes . The compilation of all measures recorded by the trade -monitoring reports sinc e 
October  2008 is available in the Trade Monitoring Database.6 Annexes 5 and 6 include measures 
implemented in the context of the COVID -19 pandemic in the area of goods and services, 
respectively .  
1.10.   Information on the measures included in this Report was collected from inputs submitted by 
WTO Members and Observers, as well as from other official and public sources. Replies to the 
Director General's initial request for information on measures taken during the period under review 
and replies to the requests fo r verification were received from 87 Members7 (Box 1.1), which 
represents 53% of the membership, and covers around 96% of world imports.8 Four Observers also 
replied to the request for information. Overall, 99 Members were covered in the Secretariat's 
requests for verification of measures. Participation in the verification process was uneven, and in 
many cases the Secretariat received only partial responses and often after the indicated deadline. 
Where it has not been possible to confirm the information, th is is noted in the Annexes.  
1.11.   The OECD has contributed three topical box es to this Report. The first box provides an 
overview of evidence and policy lessons from the face mask global value chain during the  
COVID -19 pandemic. The second box looks at impacts a nd policy responses to the pandemic in the 
food and agriculture sector. The third box focuses on the issue of government support and the 
COVID -19 pandemic.  
 
4 WTO. Viewed at: https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/covid19_e/covid19_e.htm . 
5 WTO. Viewed at: https://www.wto.org/engli sh/tratop_e/covid19_e/notifications_e.htm . 
6 Measures listed in Annexes 1, 2 and 3 to this Report will feature in the TMDB after the informal 
meeting of the TPRB on 2 4 July 20 20. Viewed at: http://tmdb.wto.org . 
7 The Eur opean Union and its member States counted separately.  
8 This figure includes intra -EU trade.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 12 - 
 
  Box 1.1 Participation in the Preparation of this Report  
Argentina  
Australia  
Azerbaijana 
Bangladesh  
Belarusa 
Brazil  
Canada  
Chile 
China  
Colombia  
Costa Rica  
Dominican Republic  
Ecuador  
Egypt  
Guatemala  
El Salvador  
European Union  
Honduras  
Hong Kong, China  
India 
Indonesia  Israel  
Japan  
Kazakhstan  
Kyrgyz Republic  
Korea , Republic of  
Macao , China  
Malaysia  
Maldives  
Mauritius  
Mexico  
Nigeria  
Moldova , Republic of  
Montenegro  
Morocco  
Myanmar  
Nepal  
New Zealand  
Norway  
Pakistan  
Paraguay  
Peru Philippines  
Qatar  
Russian Federation  
Saudi Arabia , Kingdom of  
Serbiaa 
Singapore  
South Africa  
Sri Lanka  
Switzerland  
Chinese Taipei  
Thailand  
The Gambia  
Turkey  
UAE 
United Kindgdomb 
Ukraine  
Uruguay  
United States 
Venezuela , Bolivarian  Republic  of 
Viet Nam  
Uzbekistana 
Zimbabwe  
a Observer.  
b The United Kingdom withdrew from the European Union as of 1 February 2020. During the transition 
period, which ends on 31 December 2020, European Union law, with a few limited exceptions, 
continues to be applicable to and in the United Kingdom. During the transition period, the information 
provided by the European Union which is relevant to this document continues to cover  
the United Kingdom.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
 
WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 13 - 
 
  Box 1.2 About the WTO Trade Monitoring report  
The Trade Monitoring Report is first and foremost a transparency exercise. It is intended to be purely factual 
and has no legal effect on the rights and obligations of WTO Members. It is without prejudice to Members' 
negotiating positions and has no legal implication with respect to the conformity of any measure noted in the 
Report with any WTO Agreement or any provision thereof.  
The Report aims to shed light on the latest trends in the implementation of a broad range  of policy measures 
that facilitate as well as restrict the flow of trade and provide an update on the state of global trade. The 
Report neither seeks to pronounce itself on whether a trade measure is protectionist, nor does it question the 
right of Member s to take certain trade measures. The Reports continue to evolve in terms of the coverage 
and analysis of trade -related issues and take into account discussions among WTO Members in the Trade 
Policy Review Body (TPRB).  
Regarding trade remedy actions, it ha s been highlighted in discussions among WTO Members that some of 
these measures are taken to address what is perceived by some as a market distortion resulting from trade 
practices of entities in another trading partner. The WTO Anti -dumping and Subsidies Agreements permit 
WTO Members to impose anti -dumping (AD) or countervailing (CVD) duties to offset what is perceived to be 
injurious dumping or subsidization of products exported from one Member to another. The Reports are not in 
a position to establish if , where or when such perceived distortive practices have taken place. The Reports 
have never categorized the use of trade remedies as protectionist, or WTO -inconsistent, or criticized 
governments for utilizing them. The main objective of monitoring these m easures is to provide additional 
transparency and to identify emerging trends in the application of trade policy measures.  
With respect to Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) measures covered in 
the Report, it is importan t to emphasize that they are neither classified nor counted as trade -restrictive or 
trade -facilitating, and the increasing trend with respect to the number of notifications of such measures is 
carefully linked to the transparency provisions of the Agreemen ts only. The Reports have consistently 
underlined the basic premise that an increased number of SPS and TBT notifications does not automatically 
imply greater use of protectionist or unnecessarily trade -restrictive measures, but rather enhanced 
transparenc y regarding these measures. Finally, the Reports clearly emphasize that the SPS and 
TBT Agreements specifically allow Members to take measures in the pursuit of a number of legitimate policy 
objectives.  
The WTO Secretariat strives to ensure that the Trade  Monitoring Reports are factual and objective. Since 
2009, the Reports have sought to provide a nuanced perspective to developments in the area of international 
trade. For example,  the Reports  have consistently  emphasized  that although  the number  of specif ic and often 
long-term restrictive  trade measures  remains  a source  of serious  concern,  other  key factors  may influence  
trade developments.  During discussions of the Trade Monitoring Reports at the TPRB, Members have also 
drawn attention to this point and t o the fact that, with respect to both, vigilance remains imperative.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  2  RECENT ECONOMIC AND TRADE DEVELOPMENTS  
2.1  Overview  
2.1.  The COVID -19 pandemic has delivered an unprecedented shock to the global economy, with 
millions of confirmed cases worldwide. In the absence of a vaccine or other effective medical 
treatment, governments around the world have adopted social distancing meas ures to slow the 
spread of the disease. These require people to remain indoors and work from home if possible while 
minimizing travel and social contact. Entire sectors of national economies have been forced to shut 
down, leading to sharp declines in outpu t and employment. The full impact of the pandemic is not 
yet reflected in most trade data but it is expected to be very significant. Several Sections of this 
Report  outline the trade and trade -related measures adopted around the world in response to the 
COVID-19 pandemic.  
2.2.  In its trade forecast of 8 April 2020, the WTO estimated that the volume of world merchandise 
trade would fall between 13% and 32% in 2020, depending on the duration of the outbreak and the 
effectiveness of policy responses. Available GDP projections during the latest forecasting exercise 
did not reflect the changed circumstances in the global economy since March 2020. As a result, the 
WTO Secretariat found it necessary to generate its own estimates based on plausible assumptions 
about the course of the pandemic. If these assumptions are realized, world GDP growth could decline 
by between 2.5% and 8.8% in 2020.1 
2.3.  The forecast considered two distinct scenarios: ( i) a relatively optimistic scenario, with a sharp 
drop in trade and output followed by a strong recovery starting in the second half of 2020 ; and ( ii) 
a more pessimistic scenario with a steeper initial decline and a prolonged, incomplete recovery. 
Under both scenarios, the decline in world trade was expected to exceed the trade s lump during the 
financial crisis of 2008 ‑09. These scenarios were presented as explorations of different possible 
trajectories for the crisis rather than as precise predictions. Preliminary trade data and trade -related 
indicators for the first half of 2020  are thus far more consistent with the optimistic scenario than the 
pessimistic one, but actual outcomes could easily fall within or even outside of the forecast range, 
depending on how the crisis unfolds.   
2.4.  Sectors with complex value chain linkages are lik ely to be among the hardest hit by the crisis. 
The forecast only covers merchandise trade, but commercial services trade is also likely to see strong 
declines since several categories of services are directly affected by world -wide transport and travel 
restrictions. One exception is IT services, demand for which has boomed during the crisis as 
companies seek technological solutions to facilitate employees working from home.  
2.5.  Trade was already slowing before the virus struck, weighed down by heightened trade tensions 
and slowing global economic growth as outlined in previous reports. The volume of world 
merchandise trade was down 0.7% year -on-year in the second half of 2019 after rising 0.6% in the 
first half. The pace of decline accelerated in the fourth quar ter, with merchandise trade dropping 
1.2% compared to the previous period, i.e. equivalent to a 4.6% decline on an annualized basis. For 
the whole of 2019, merchandise trade volume was down 0.1%, marking the first decline since 2009.  
2.6.  Trade growth also slo wed in nominal US dollar terms in 2019. World merchandise exports fell 
3% to USD 18.89 trillion for the year. World commercial services exports increased by 2% over the 
same period to USD 6.03 trillion, but the pace of growth was down sharply from 9% in 20 18. The 
slowdown was broad -based, affecting most major economies and regions on both the export and 
import sides.  
2.7.  Economic growth eased in major economies in 2019, particularly towards the end of the year. 
There are no readily available quarterly statistic s for gross domestic product (GDP) at the global  
level, but OECD estimates for the G20 group of economies provide a reasonable approximation. 
Annualized quarterly GDP growth for the G20 remained at or above 3% in the first three quarters of 
2019 before dro pping to 2.4% in the fourth quarter.  
 
1 Viewed at: https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/pres20_e/pr855_e.htm . WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 15 - 
 
  2.2  Economic Developments  
2.8.  Several factors contributed  to the sluggish pace of economic growth in 2019, including 
persistent trade tensions. Trade deals between the United States and China, on the one hand, and 
the United S tates and Japan, on the other, may have eased tensions somewhat, but any positive 
impact from this relaxation is likely to be overwhelmed in 2020 by the COVID -19 pandemic. Other 
factors contributing to economic uncertainty during the review period include the political impasse 
over Brexit in the United Kingdom, and changes in monetary policy from the US Federal Reserve 
and the European Central Bank.  
2.9.  The United States saw quarterly GDP growth slow from an average rate of 0.6% in the first 
half of 2019 to 0. 5% in the second half. Meanwhile, euro area growth fell from 0.3% to 0.2% and 
China’s growth remained stable at 1.5% over the same period. GDP growth  turned negative in the 
first quarter of 2020 in the United States ( -1.3%), the euro area ( -3.8%) and China  (-9.8%). Further 
declines are expected in Q2.   
2.10.   Commodity prices and exchange rates strongly influence nominal trade statistics, which are  
usually presented  in US dollars. This is illustrated by Chart 2.1,  which shows recent price trends for  
primary commod ities, and Chart 2.2 , which shows effective exchange rates for major currencies .  
Chart 2.1 Prices of primary commodities, January 2014 - April  2020  
(Index, January 2014=100 ) 
 
Source:  IMF Primary Commodity Prices.  
2.11.   Price fluctuations in the second half of 2019 were dominated by fuels, which fell 22% year -
on-year (Chart 2.1).  Food prices were flat over the same period (0%), while prices for agricultural 
raw materials dropped 6%. In contrast, prices f or metals rose 14%. Since the start of 2020 , 
commodity prices have fallen across the board due to weak demand stemming from the COVID -19 
pandemic. Strong declines were recorded between January and April for food ( -11%), agricultural 
raw materials ( -10%), m etals ( -14%) and fuels ( -59%). 
2.12.   Exchange rates were relatively stable in the second half of 2019 ( Chart 2.2).  The US dollar 
appreciated 1.5% against a broad basket of currencies, while the renminbi and euro declined by 
1.3% and 1.9%, respectively. The UK po und maintained its value with a decline of just 0.3% over 
the same period. In contrast, the Japanese yen appreciated 5.4% in the second half of the year.  
2.13.   The US dollar has appreciated even more since the start of the COVID -19 pandemic, reflecting 
the curr ency’s traditional safe haven role. It rose 7.1% in nominal effective terms between January 
20406080100120
Food Agricultural raw materials Metals FuelsPrices of primary commodities, January 2014 -April 2020
Indices, January 2014=100
Source:  IMF Primary Commodity Prices.WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 16 - 
 
  and April of 2020 as the virus spread globally. Further strengthening could increase financial strain 
on net foreign borrowers with large dollar -denominated debts.  
Chart 2.2 Exchange rate indices for selected economies, January 2014 - April  2020a 
(Index, January 2014=100 ) 
 
a Nominal effective exchange rate indices against a broad basket of currencies . 
Source:  Bank for International Settlements (BIS).  
2.3  Merchandise trade 
2.14.   Chart 2.3 shows growth in the US dollar value of world merchandise trade (red line) together 
with contributions to trade growth by income level (stacked bars). World export and import growth 
may diverge slightly due to differences in the recording of transactions. Year -on-year growth was 
negative in all four quarters in 2019, with declines of between 2.4% and 3.3%. High -income 
countries contributed more to the slowdown than low -and-middle -income countries on both the 
export and import sides. Although the first cases of COVID -19 appeared in December 2019, they 
are unlikely to have had any measurable impact on trade flows since the number of cases was 
relatively small at the time an d policies to combat the disease were not yet in place.  
2.15.   Chart 2.4 shows merchandise export and import volume indices for selected economies. 
Exports stalled for most countries in 2019 as the uncertainty associated with trade tensions remained 
high. The vol ume of China’s exports dropped 4% in Q4 after rising 3% in Q3, leaving year -on-year 
growth stable at -1%. Shipments from the United States and the European Union to the rest of the 
world were also nearly unchanged in Q4 compared to the previous year, while  intra-EU trade was 
down 1%.  On the import side, the United States and India recorded quarterly declines of 5% and 
11%, respectively , in Q4 while China’s imports increased by 6%. Extra -EU imports recorded a 
modest decline of 2% in Q4.  
2.16.   Monthly merchandise t rade statistics in nominal US dollar terms are more timely than 
quarterly statistics in volume terms. These are shown in Chart 2.5 for selected economies through 
March or April depending on data availability. The United States and China both recorded large  year-
on-year declines in imports in April, -21% and -14% respectively. Extra -imports of the European 
Union were down 14% in March, but a stronger contraction is expected for April fully reflecting 
transport and travel restrictions due to the COVID -19 pand emic. Chinese exports were up 3% in 
April after falling 7% in March.  Meanwhile, shipments from the United States were down 29%. Extra -
exports of the European Union were already down 12% March, with a larger contraction anticipated 
for April.  
8090100110120130140
United States Japan China Euro area United KingdomExchange rate indices for selected economies, January 2014 -April 2020a
Index, January 2014=100
Source:  Bank for International Settlements (BIS).a   Nominal effective exchange rate indices against a broad basket of currencies.WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 17 - 
 
  2.17.   Trade figures  for other countries with reported data for April were  strongly negative. India’s 
exports and imports for the month were both down 60% compared to the previous year. Shipments 
to and from the Republic of Korea were also down sharply, with exports dropping 25% and imports 
falling 16%. South Africa’s exports and  imports were down 61% and 37%, respectively, in April. 
Nominal trade statistics should be interpreted with caution since they can be strongly influenced by 
prices and exchange rates, but these declines clearly reflect large changes in quantities as well a s 
prices.  
Chart 2.3 Contributions to year -on-year growth in world merchandise exports and 
imports, 2016Q1 - 2019Q4  
(% change in US D values)  
 
Note Due to scarce data availability, Africa and the Middle East a re under -represented in world totals.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat estimates based on data jointly compiled by the WTO and UNCTAD.  
-4.3-0.9 -0.5 1.86.6
3.76.88.09.58.2
4.4
1.7
-2.1 -2.5 -2.3 -1.7
-4.6-2.7-1.40.75.0
3.84.25.05.1
5.1
4.8
2.3
-0.3-0.6 -1.0-0.8
-8.9-3.6-1.92.511.6
7.511.012.914.6
13.3
9.2
3.9
-2.4-3.2 -3.3-2.5
-20-15-10-505101520
2016Q1
2016Q2
2016Q3
2016Q4
2017Q1
2017Q2
2017Q3
2017Q4
2018Q1
2018Q2
2018Q3
2018Q4
2019Q1
2019Q2
2019Q3
2019Q4Contributions to year -on-year growth in world merchandise exports and imports, 2016Q1 -
2019Q4
Source:(Percentage change in USD values)
Note Due to scarce data availability, Africa and Middle East are under -represented in world totals.
WTO Secretariat estimates based on data jointly compiled by WTO and UNCTAD.High income economies Low and middle income economies
World, year -on-year percentage change-4.0-1.2-0.6
0.85.9
4.16.58.99.78.0
5.0
3.0
-1.6 -1.8 -1.6-3.0
-4.1-2.1-1.50.95.3
3.84.54.85.0
5.0
4.6
1.4
-1.0 -0.8 -1.4
-0.2
-8.1-3.3-2.01.711.2
7.911.013.614.7
13.0
9.6
4.4
-2.6 -2.6 -3.0-3.2
-20-15-10-505101520
2016Q1
2016Q2
2016Q3
2016Q4
2017Q1
2017Q2
2017Q3
2017Q4
2018Q1
2018Q2
2018Q3
2018Q4
2019Q1
2019Q2
2019Q3
2019Q4Exports
ImportsWT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 18 - 
 
  Chart 2.4 Volume of exports and imports of selected economies, 2012Q1 - 2019Q4  
(Seasonally adjusted volume indices, 2012Q1 = 100)  
 
Note:  Data for the United States, Japan and the E uropean Union were obtained from national statistical 
sources while figures for China and India are seasonally adjusted Secretariat estimates.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat and UNCTAD.  
8090100110120130140150
2012Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2013Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2014Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2015Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2016Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2017Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2018Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2019Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4Volume of exports and imports of selected economies, 2012Q1 -2019Q4
8090100110120130140150
2012Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2013Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2014Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2015Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2016Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2017Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2018Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2019Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4(Seasonally adjusted volume indices, 2012Q1 = 100)
Exports
Imports
Source: WTO Secretariat and UNCTAD.Note: Data for the United States, Japan and the EU were obtained from national statistical sources while figures 
for China and India are seasonally adjusted Secretariat estimates.JapanEU-extra trade EU-intra trade United States
China IndiaWT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 19 - 
 
  Chart 2.5 Merchandise exports and imports o f selected economies, January 2014 – April  
2020  
(USD billion ) 
 
 
Merchandise exports and imports of selected economies, January 2014 -April 2020
United States Japan(USD billion)
European Union (extra -trade) China
Canada Turkey050100150200250300
Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16 Jan-17 Jan-18 Jan-19 Jan-200102030405060708090
Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16 Jan-17 Jan-18 Jan-19 Jan-20
050100150200250
Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16 Jan-17 Jan-18 Jan-19 Jan-20050100150200250300
Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16 Jan-17 Jan-18 Jan-19 Jan-20
0102030405060
Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16 Jan-17 Jan-18 Jan-19 Jan-20051015202530
Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16 Jan-17 Jan-18 Jan-19 Jan-20Australia Republic of Korea
051015202530354045
Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16 Jan-17 Jan-18 Jan-19 Jan-200510152025
Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16 Jan-17 Jan-18 Jan-19 Jan-20
05101520
Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16 Jan-17 Jan-18 Jan-19 Jan-20Indonesia
0510152025
Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16 Jan-17 Jan-18 Jan-19 Jan-20BrazilWT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 20 - 
 
   
Source:  IMF International Financial Statistics, Global Trade Information Services, the Global Trade Atlas 
database, and national statistics.   
2.4  Trade in commercial services  
2.18.   Recent developments in commercial services trade are shown in  Chart 2.6  for selected 
countries from  2018Q4 to 201 9Q4. Services exports of major economies diverged in 2019, with 
high-income countries  such as the United States  and the Euro Area recording modest year -on-year 
growth in US dollar value s, and Asian economies such as China, Japan and India recording faster 
growth . India and China both saw their export growth  weaken over the course of 2019. By the fourth 
quarter India’s expor t growth had slowed to nea r 0% from 10% in 2018. China’s export growth 
Russian Federation India
MalaysiaViet Nam
Mexico Argentina
Source:  IMF International Financial Statistics, Global Trade Information Services, the Global Trade 
Atlas database, and national statistics.Imports ExportsWTO_ECO.5 (continued)
01020304050
Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16 Jan-17 Jan-18 Jan-19 Jan-2005101520253035404550
Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16 Jan-17 Jan-18 Jan-19 Jan-20
024681012
Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16 Jan-17 Jan-18 Jan-19 Jan-20South Africa
01020304050
Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16 Jan-17 Jan-18 Jan-19 Jan-20Singapore
0510152025
Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16 Jan-17 Jan-18 Jan-19 Jan-20051015202530
Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16 Jan-17 Jan-18 Jan-19 Jan-20
01020304050
Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16 Jan-17 Jan-18 Jan-19 Jan-20012345678
Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16 Jan-17 Jan-18 Jan-19 Jan-20WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 21 - 
 
  slowed to 6% from 14% over the same period.  Other developments in trade in services are covered 
in Section  4. 
Chart 2.6 Commercial service s exports and imports of selected economies,  
2018Q4 -2019Q4  
(Year-on-year % change in current USD values ) 
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat and UNCTAD.  
2.19.   There were no systematic trends on the import side. The United States recorded moderate 
growth between 4% and 6% in all four quarters . Growth fluctuated between -2% and 8% in the 
European Union, while China’s imports contracted  in the second, third and fou rth quarters.  
-15-10-5051015202530
United States European
Union (extra)United
KingdomJapan China India Brazil Russian
FederationCommercial services exports and imports of selected economies, 2018Q4 -2019Q4
-15-10-5051015202530
United States European
Union (extra)United
KingdomJapan China India Brazil Russian
Federation(Year -on-year % change in current USD values)
Exports
Imports
Source: WTO Secretariat and UNCTAD.2019Q3 2018Q4 2019Q1 2019Q2 2019Q4WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 22 - 
 
  2.20.   Global services trade is likely to see a strong negative impact from the COVID -19 pandemic 
since travel restrictions prevent the delivery and consumption of services abroad . One category of 
services trade that may see an upturn in activity as  a result of the pandemic is IT services, demand 
for which has risen to accommodate  more people working remotely . 
2.5  Trade forecast and economic outlook  
2.21.   The WTO’s trade projections for 2020 and 2021 from last April are presented in Table 2.1 and 
illustrated b y Chart 2.7 below. The forecast considered two scenarios for how the COVID -19 crisis 
might unfold: ( i) an optimistic scenario where the pandemic is short -lived and social distancing 
policies are withdrawn fairly quickly ; and (ii) a pessimistic scenario whe re the outbreak is prolonged 
and social distancing remains in place for much longer. The volume of world merchandise trade 
would contract by 12.9% in 2020 in the first scenario and by 31.9% in the second. World real GDP 
at market exchange rates would also shrink by 2.5% in the first case and 8.8% in the second 
(Table  2.1). Preliminary trade data and trade -related indicators for Q1 and Q2 are thus far more 
consistent with the optimistic scenario than the pessimistic one. However, adverse developments 
includi ng a second wave of C OVID -19 cases could still lead to more negative outcomes.  
Chart 2.7 World merchandise trade volume, 2000 -2022  
Index, 2015=100  
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
2.22.   Under the more optimistic scenario, there would be a 21.3% rebound in 2021, strong enough 
to bring trade back to its pre -pandemic trend represented by the orange  dotted line in Chart 2.7. 
Under a more pessimistic set of assumptions the recovery in 2021 wou ld be larger in percentage 
terms (24%) but still insufficient to bring about a reversion to the pre -pandemic trend. Is it worth 
recalling that trade never reverted to trend following the global financial crisis just over a decade 
ago. A slower -than-expecte d economic recovery in 2021 could also see trade expansion fall short or 
these projections.   
2.23.   There is a very high degree of uncertainty associated with the current forecast  due to the 
unprecedented nature of the shock to the global economy as a result of t he COVID -19 pandemic. 
Projections will need to be regularly checked against incoming data going forward. Trade -related 
indicators provide some clues a s to the extent of the downturn in 2020 and how it compares to 
earlier crises. For instance, a utomobile sa les were down 78% in the European Union and 47% in the 
United States in April compared to the previous year, signalling weak consumer demand. An index 
of new export orders derived from purchasing managers’ indices also plunged to a record low of 
27.3 in Ap ril, below the previous minimum of  30.6 from December 2008 ( Chart 2.8 ). Together, these 
405060708090100110120130140
Merchandise trade Optimistic scenario Pessimistic scenario
Trend 1990-2008 Trend 2011-2018World merchandise trade volume, 2000 -2022
Index, 2015=100
Source:  IHS Markit, JP Morgan Global PMI.WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 23 - 
 
  statistics suggest a severe slump  for merchandise trade extending into the second quarter at least , 
and likely beyond.  
Chart 2.8 New export orders from purchasing managers’ indices, January 2008 – April 
2020  
(Index, base =50)  
 
Source:  IHS Markit, JP Morgan Global PMI.  
Table 2.1 Merchandise trade volume and real GDP growth, 2018 -21 
(Annual % change)   
Historical  Optimistic 
scenario  Pessimistic 
scenario  
2018  2019  2020a  2021a  2020a 2021a 
Volume of world merchandise tradeb 2.9 -0.1 -12.9 21.3 -31.9 24.0 
Exports  
North America  3.8 1.0 -17.1 23.7 -40.9 19.3 
South and Central America  0.1 -2.2 -12.9 18.6 -31.3 14.3 
Europe  2.0 0.1 -12.2 20.5 -32.8 22.7 
Asia 3.7 0.9 -13.5 24.9 -36.2 36.1 
Other regionsc 0.7 -2.9 -8.0 8.6 -8.0 9.3 
Imports  
North America  5.2 -0.4 -14.5 27.3 -33.8 29.5 
South and Central America  5.3 -2.1 -22.2 23.2 -43.8 19.5 
Europe  1.5 0.5 -10.3 19.9 -28.9 24.5 
Asia 4.9 -0.6 -11.8 23.1 -31.5 25.1 
Other regionsc 0.3 1.5 -10.0 13.6 -22.6 18.0 
Real GDP at market exchange rates  2.9 2.3 -2.5 7.4 -8.8 5.9 
North America  2.8 2.2 -3.3 7.2 -9.0 5.1 
South and Central America  0.6 0.1 -4.3 6.5 -11.0 4.8 
Europe  2.1 1.3 -3.5 6.6 -10.8 5.4 
Asia 4.2 3.9 -0.7 8.7 -7.1 7.4 
Other regionsc 2.1 1.7 -1.5 6.0 -6.7 5.2 
a Figures for 2020 and 2021 are projections.  
b Average of exports and imports.  
c Comprise Africa, the Middle East and the Commonwealth Independent States (CIS) including 
associate and former member States.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat for trade, consensus estimates for GDP.  
2.24.   The box below prov ides the latest trends in world merchandise trade as captured by the WTO's 
Goods Trade Barometer.  
30.627.3
2530354045505560New export orders from purchasing managers' indices, January 2008 -April 2020
Source:  IHS Markit, JP Morgan Global PMI.Index, base=50WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 24 - 
 
  Box 2.1 The WTO Goods Trade Barometer  
The WTO’s most recent Goods Trade barometer of 20 May 2020 was the first to fully reflect the initial stages 
of the COVID -19 pandemic. The indicator is designed to provide "real -time" information on the trajectory of 
world merchandise trade relative to recent trends a few months ahead of conventional trade statistics. 
Information on several trade -related variables is combined to produce a single composite leading index for 
world trade, with values greater than 100 indicating above -trend growth and values less than 100 indicating 
the opposite. The Goods Trade Barometer fell  precipitously to 87.6 in May, well below the index's baseline 
value of 100, suggesting a sharp contraction in merchandise trade extending into the second quarter. (See 
chart below. Note that the barometer for May is mostly based on data through the month of March).  
The Barometer's component indices include the following:  
 
• New Export Orders derived from Purchasing Managers’ Indices (PMIs),  
• Automobile production and sales in major economies,  
• Container port throughput in twenty food equivalent units (TEU),  
• An air freight index from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).  
• Customs data on trade in electronic components in physical units  
• Customs data on agricultural raw materials trade in physical units.  
All component indices wer e below trend in May. The automotive products index was weakest (79.7), reflecting 
sharply lower car sales and production in leading economies. A decline in the forward -looking export orders 
index (83.3) suggested weak trade growth in the near term. Declin es in container shipping (88.5) and air 
freight (88.0) would seem to reflect weak demand for traded goods as well as supply -side constraints arising 
from efforts to prevent the spread of COVID -19. Only electronic components (94.0) and agricultural raw 
materials (95.7) showed signs of stabilizing, although they too remained below trend.  
Trade was already been slowing in 2019 before the COVID -19 pandemic as persistent trade tensions weighed 
on the global economy. WTO trade statistics show that the volume of w orld merchandise trade shrank by 
0.1% in 2019, marking the first contraction since 2009.  
 
Note:  The WTO Services Trade Barometer will be updated later this year.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
 
 
Goods trade barometer 
Index value, Mar 2020 Index history, trend = 100
859095100105110
2011M01
2011M07
2012M01
2012M07
2013M01
2013M07
2014M01
2014M07
2015M01
2015M07
2016M01
2016M07
2017M01
2017M07
2018M01
2018M07
2019M01
2019M07
2020M01Goods trade barometer
World merchandise trade volume
WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 25 - 
 
  3  TRADE AND TRADE -RELA TED POLICY DEVELOPME NTS 
3.1  Overview of Trends Identified during the Review  Period  
Introduction  
3.1.  This Section seeks to provide analysis of selected trade and trade -related policy developments 
during the period from mid -October 201 9 to mid -May 2020. It is divided into two parts. The first 
part deals with regular, i.e. non -COVID -related measures implemented during the review period, 
including the usual calculation on trade coverage.1 The second part , in Section 3.1.2, covers 
measures taken in the cont ext of the COVID -19 pandemic. Measures in the second part are not 
included in the trade coverage calculations and are not counted towards the aggregate number in 
part one.  
3.2.  A total of 34 6 trade measures were recorded for WTO Members and Observers during the  
review period (Chart 3.1).2 This figure includes measures facilitating trade, trade remedy measures 
and other trade and trade -related measures . Chart 3.2 illustrates the trade coverage of the measures 
recorded for WTO Members and Observers during the revi ew period. These measures are covered 
in detail below.  
Chart 3.1 Overview of measures taken by WTO Members and Observers, mid -
October  2019 to mid -May 2020  
(By number)  
 
Note:  COVID -19 trade and trade -related m easures are not included.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
Chart 3.2 Trade coverage of measures, mid -October 2019 to mid -May 2020  
(USD billion)  
 
Note:  COVID -19 trade and trade -related measures are not included.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
 
1 COVID -19 trade and trade -related measures are not included. Those measures are covered in 
Section  3.1.2 and in Annex 5.  
2 See Annexes 1 -3. These Annexes do not include SPS and TBT measures which ar e covered in 
Sections  3.3 and 3.4. Services measures are analysed in Section 4 and are listed in Annex 4.  
177 62 51 56 
Trade remedy initiations Trade remedy terminations
Measures facilitating trade Measures restricting trade346Overview of measures taken by WTO Members and Observers, mid -October 2019 
to mid -May 2020
(By number)
Note: COVID -19 trade and trade -related measures are not included.
35 3 
739 423 
Trade remedy initiations Trade remedy terminations
Import-facilitating measures Import-restricting measures1,200Trade coverage of measures, mid -October 2019 to mid -May 2020
(USD billion)
Note:  COVID -19 trade and trade -related measures are not included.WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 26 - 
 
  Measures facilitating trade  
3.3.  Annex 1 to this Report list measures which are clearly trade -facilitating.  
3.4.  During the review period, 51 new measures aimed at facilitating trade were recorded for WTO 
Members and Observers (Tab le 3.1), including 24 of a temporary nature. This represent 15% of the 
total number of measures recorded. Despite showing the second highest trade coverage of import -
facilitating measures since 2012, the monthly average of 7.3 trade -facilitating measures r ecorded 
for the period is the lowest since 2012 . 
3.5.  Table 3.1 shows that, as for the previous periods, the reduction or elimination of import tariffs 
continue to make up the bulk of trade -facilitating measures, followed by the elimination of import 
taxes3, and the simplification of customs procedures. On the export side, reduction of export duties 
was recorded.4 
Table 3.1 Measures facilitating trade (Annex 1)  
Type of measure  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  2017  2018  2019  
Mid-Oct 18 to  
mid-Oct 19  
(WT/TPR/OV/22)  
Mid-Oct 19 to  
mi-May 20  
(7 months)  
Import  176 140 176 208 151 115 135 100 104 48 
- Tariff 154 109 147 165 116 94 111 85 93 43 
- Customs procedures  12 26 17 32 28 18 14 2 4 2 
- Tax 2 4 2 6 4 3 7 5 6 3 
- QRs 7 1 10 5 1 0 3 1 1 0 
- Other  1 0 0 0 2 0 0 7 0 0 
Export  17 8 9 40 32 24 18 14 16 2 
- Duties  7 3 3 18 5 1 6 10 10 2 
- QRs 8 4 3 3 1 2 0 1 1 0 
- Other  2 1 3 19 26 21 12 3 5 0 
Other  6 1 1 4 3 0 0 1 0 1 
Total  199 149 186 252 186 139 153 115 120 51 
Average per month  16.6 12.4 15.5 21.0 15.5 11.6 12.8 9.6 10.0 7.3 
Note:  Revisions of the data reflect changes undertaken in the TMDB to fine -tune and update the available 
information.  COVID -19 trade and trade -related measures are not included. Those measures are 
covered in Section 3.1.2 and in Annex 5.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3.6.  The trade coverage of the import -facilitating measures introduced during the review period was 
estimated at US D 739.4 billion, i.e. 3.79% of the value of world merchandise imports.5 This share 
is the second highest reported for these types of measures since October 201 2 (Table  3.2 and 
Chart  3.3). The  HS Chapters within which most of the trade -facilitating measures  were taken include 
electrical machinery and parts thereof (HS  85) 28.2%, machinery and mechanical appliances 
(HS 84) 10.2%, plastics and articles thereof (HS  39) 6.3%, and mineral fuels and oils (HS  27) 5.9%.  
 
3 For example, imports of certain products exempted from the Special Welfare Surcharge and the Health 
Cess by India.  
4 For example , reduction of expor t duties on leather, raw hides and skins; and increased on the VAT 
rebate rate on 1,084 products . 
5 These figures include one measure by China (interim import tariffs resulting in the temporary 
reduction of import tariffs on certain products), amounting fo r 61.6% of the total; and one measure by the 
United States (reduction of ad valorem  additional duties on products from China), amounting for 20.2% of the 
total. WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 27 - 
 
  Table 3.2 Shares of trade covered by trade -facilitating measures   
Mid-Oct 13 to 
mid-Oct 14 
Mid-Oct 14  to 
mid-Oct 15 
Mid-Oct 15  to 
mid-Oct 16 
Mid-Oct 16  to 
mid-Oct 17 
Mid-Oct 17  to 
mid-Oct 18 
Mid-Oct 18  to 
mid-Oct 19 
Mid-Oct 19 
to 
mid-May 20  
Share in total world imports  6.4%  0.91%  1.51%  1.07%  1.68%  2.80%  3.79%  
Note:  Estimates are based on data for the previous full calendar year. For example, data for 
mid-October  2018 to mid -October 2019 are based on data from calendar year 2018. For some 
countries, 2019 import data were not yet available. The data for the previous full calendar year were 
used for those counties.  COVID -19 trade and trade -related measures are not included.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat and UNSD Comtrade database.  
3.7.  Contrary to previous Reports which reported on the very significant trade coverage of measures 
resulting from the implementation of the ITA Expansion Agreement, the present review period 
includes only one such measure, i.e. by Colombia.  
Chart 3.3 Trade coverage of new import -facilitating measures in each reporting period 
(not cumulative)  
(USD billion)  
 
Note:  These figures are estimates , and represent the trade coverage of the measures (i.e. annual imports 
of the products concerned from economies affected by the measures) and not the cumulative impact 
of the trade measures. Liberalization associated with the 2015 Expansion of the WTO's Information 
Technology Agreement is not included in the figures.  COVID -19 tra de and trade -related measures are 
not included.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
Trade remedy actions  
3.8.  During the review period, 239 trade remedy actions were recorded for WTO Members and 
Observers, i.e.  69% of all non-COVID related trade measures recorded in this Report.6 An overview 
of these measures can be found in Annex 2. The monthly average of trade remedy initiations during 
the review period was 25.3 (Table 3.3  and Chart 3.4 ), slightly higher than the average over the last 
 
6 A single methodology for the counting of AD and CVD investigations is being applied across th e 
Report, i.e. based on the number of exporting countries or customs territories affected by an investigation or 
by a termination. Thus, one AD or CVD investigation involving imports from n countries/customs territories is 
counted as n investigations. Simi larly, the termination of an AD or CVD action is counted as n terminations.  
2581,183
170249
169296545739
02004006008001,0001,2001,400
mid-Oct12 -
mid-Oct13mid-Oct13 -
mid-Oct14mid-Oct14 -
mid-Oct15mid-Oct15 -
mid-Oct16mid-Oct16 -
mid-Oct17mid-Oct17 -
mid-Oct18mid-Oct18 -
mid-Oct19mid-Oct19 -
mid-May20Trade coverage of new import -facilitating measures in each reported period (not cumulative)
(USD billion)
Note:  [See text in report].WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 28 - 
 
  eight years ( 24.5). Anti -dumpin g initiations, continue to be the most frequent trade remedy action, 
accounting for around 80%  of all initiations during the review period. The monthly average of trade 
remedy terminations recorded is the lowest since 2012.  
Table 3.3 Trade remedy actions (Annex 2)  
Type of measure  
2012 
2013 
2014 
2015 
2016 
2017 
2018 
2019  
Mid-Oct 18 to  
mid-Oct 19  
(WT/TPR/OV/22)  
Mid-Oct 19 to  
mid-May 20  
(7 months)  
Initiations  255 338 304 277 343 298 273 267 270 177 
- AD 208 287 236 229 298 249 202 201 212 140 
- CVD 23 33 45 31 34 41 55 36 32 28 
- SG 24 18 23 17 11 8 16 30 26 9 
Average per month  21.3 28.2 25.3 23.1 28.6 24.8 22.8 22.3 22.5 25.3 
Terminations  208 186 220 212 171 157 221 167 193 62 
- AD 177 160 185 167 141 128 197 149 172 55 
- CVD 21 17 23 25 15 12 24 8 12 1 
- SGa 10 9 12 20 15 17 0 10 9 6 
Average per month  17.3 15.5 18.3 17.7  14.3 13.1 18.4 13.9 16.1 8.9 
a The figure for a specific year is the sum of the following: (i) investigations terminated during the 
course of that specific year without a ny measure; and (ii) all imposed measures expired during the 
course of that specific year.  The figures are normally t aken as at October of each year.  
Note:  The information on trade remedy actions for 2012 to 201 9 is based on the semi -annual notifications. 
For the present review period, the information is also based on the responses and the verification s 
received directl y from Members.  COVID -19 trade and trade -related measures are not included. Those 
measures are covered in Section 3.1.2 and in Annex 5.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
Chart 3.4 WTO trade remedies initiations and terminations  
(Average per month)  
 
Note:  Values are rounded.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3.9.  In terms of products, trade remedy actions taken during the review period included initiations 
of investigations  on iron and steel (H S 72) 11.3%, motor vehicles ( HS 87) 14.1%, articles of iron 
and steel (HS  73) 1 3.1%, and aluminium and articles thereof (HS  76) 1 1.1%. 
21 28 
25 
23 29 
25 
23 
22 23 25 
17 
16 18 18 
14 
13 18 
14 16 
9 
05101520253035
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 mid-O ct18 to 
mid-O ct19mid-O ct19 to 
mid-May20WTO Trade remedies intitiations and terminations 
Initiations avg per month Terminations avg per month
Source:   WTO Secretariat.Note:   Values are rounded.WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 29 - 
 
  3.10.   The trade coverage of all trade remedy investigations initiated during the review period was 
USD 34.7 billion, i.e. 0.1 8% of the value  of world  merchandise imports (Table  3.4). For terminations, 
the trade coverage was valued at USD  2.9 billion (0.01% of the value of world  merchandise imports).  
Table 3.4 Share of trade covered by trade remedy initiations   
Mid-Oct 13 
to mid -
Oct 14 
Mid-Oct 
14 to mid -
Oct 15 
Mid-Oct 
15 to mid -
Oct 16 
Mid-Oct 
16 to mid -
Oct 17 
Mid-Oct 
17 to mid -
Oct 18 
Mid-Oct 
18 to mid -
Oct 19 
Mid-Oct 19 
to 
mid-May 
20 
Share in total world imports  0.20%  0.17%  0.55%  0.48%  0.53%  0.24%  0.18%  
Note:  Estimates are  based on data for the previous full calendar year. For example, data for 
mid-October  2018 to mid -October 201 9 are based on data from calendar year 201 8. For some 
countries, 201 9 import data were not yet available. The data for the previous full calendar year were 
used for those counties.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat and UNSD Comtrade database.  
Other trade and trade -relate d measures  
3.11.   Annex 3 to this Report  lists measures which may be considered to have a trade -restrictive 
effect.  
3.12.   A total of 56 new trade -restrictive measures were recorded for WTO Members and Observers  
collectively. Tariff increases account for more than  half of all import -restrictive measures recorded, 
followed by bans.7 On the export side  imposition of duties and stricter  administrative customs 
procedures  were recorded (Table 3.5) ..8 
3.13.   The measures recorded in Annex 3 cover a wide range of products. The main se ctors affected 
(HS Chapters) were electrical machinery and parts thereof (HS  85) 24.1%, machinery and 
mechanical appliances (HS  84) 15%, and precious metals and stones (HS 71) 9. 3%.  
Table 3.5 Other trade and trade -related measures (Annex 3)  
Type of measure  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  2017  2018  2019  
Mid-Oct 18 to  
mid-Oct 19  
(WT/TPR/OV/22)  
Mid-Oct 19 to  
mid-May 20  
(7 months ) 
Import  135 147 133 167 99 85 113 78 81 46 
- Tariff 75 86 83 107 64 47 70 46 47 24 
- Customs procedures  31 28 19 32 16 19 6 6 7 2 
- Tax 6 5 8 10 6 10 12 7 6 5 
- QRs 16 17 8 12 12 7 16 14 12 10 
- Other  7 11 15 6 1 2 9 5 9 5 
Export  23 31 26 44 20 18 18 19 19 9 
- Duties  3 5 12 13 6 4 9 7 6 5 
- QRs 12 10 8 7 10 8 4 3 4 3 
- Other  8 16 6 24 4 6 5 9 9 1 
Other  12 7 12 15 12 14 0 2 2 1 
- Othera 7 1 1 0 4 2 0 1 1 1 
- Local content  5 6 11 15 8 12 0 1 1 0 
Total  170 185 171 226 131 117 131 99 102 56 
Average per month  14.2 15.4 14.3 18.8 10.9 9.8 10.9 8.3 8.5 8.0 
a Other than local content measures.  
 
7 For example, QRs on PET flakes, gold, silver, peas, palm oil, coconuts, onions, eggs, buckwheat, and 
e-cigarettes.  
8 For example, export licensing requirements, and prior export authorization . WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 30 - 
 
  Note:  Revisions o f the data reflect changes undertaken in the TMDB to fine -tune and update the available 
information. COVID -19 trade and trade -related measures are not included. Those measures are 
covered in Section 3.1.2 and in Annex 5.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3.14.   The trade coverage of the trade -restrictive measures affecting imports implemented during 
the review period was estimated at USD  423.1 billion, i.e. 2. 2% of the value of world  merchandise 
imports (Table 3.6).9 This represents  the third highest  value  recorded  since October  2012 
(Chart  3.5).  
Table 3.6 Share of trade covered by import -restrictive measures (Annex 3)   
Mid-Oct 13 to 
mid-Oct 14 
Mid-Oct 14  to 
mid-Oct 15 
Mid-Oct 15  to 
mid-Oct 16 
Mid-Oct 16  to 
mid-Oct 17 
Mid-Oct 17  to 
mid-Oct 18 
Mid-Oct 18  to 
mid-Oct 19 
Mid-Oct 19 
to  
mid-May 20  
Share in total world imports  1.17%  1.23%  0.62%  0.50%  3.33%  3.84%  2.17%  
Note:  All data are based on data for the previous full calendar year. For example, data for mid -October  2018 
to mid -October 201 9 are based on data from calendar year 201 8. For some countries, 201 9 import 
data were not yet available. The data for the previous full calendar y ear were used for those counties.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat and UNSD Comtrade database.  
Chart 3.5 Trade coverage of new import -restrictive measures in each reporting period 
(not cumulative)  
(USD billion)  
 
Note:  These figures are estimates , and represent the trade coverage of the measures (i.e. annual imports 
of the products concerned from economies a ffected by the measures) introduced during each reporting 
period, and not the cumulative impact of the trade measures. COVID -19 trade and trade -related 
measures are not included.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
 
9 These figures include one measure by the United States (imposition of an additional duty of 15% on 
certain products from China), accounting for 50.8.% of the total; one measure by India (increase of import 
tariffs on certain products), acc ounting for 16.8% of the total; and one measure by Argentina (further increase 
of the statistical fee), accounting for 15.7% of the total.  
201214228
101
79588747
423
0100200300400500600700800
mid-Oct12 -
mid-Oct13mid-Oct13 -
mid-Oct14mid-Oct14 -
mid-Oct15mid-Oct15 -
mid-Oct16mid-Oct16 -
mid-Oct17mid-Oct17 -
mid-Oct18mid-Oct18 -
mid-Oct19mid-Oct19 -
mid-May20Trade coverage of new import -restrictive measures in each reported period (not cumulative)
(USD billion)
Note:  [See text in report].WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 31 - 
 
  The stockpile of import -restrictive measures  
3.15.   Accurat ely estimating the roll -back of import -restrictive measures, and eventually the overall 
stockpile, is made more complex by the fact that a large number of temporary measures remain in 
place far beyond the envisaged expiry date. Moreover, the Secretariat do es not always get 
information on changes to reported measures. As a result, the figures below are estimates based on 
the information recorded in the Trade Monitoring Database since 2009. These estimates are also 
conditioned by the availability of terminati on dates of the import -restrictive measures and of the 
HS codes of products covered.10 
3.16.   Table 3.7 shows that the stockpile of WTO Members and Observers import restrictions in force 
has grown steadily since 2009 – in value terms and as a percentage of world imports – and that a 
significant increase in both took place from 2017 to 2018. This sp ecific jump is largely explained by 
measures introduced on steel and aluminium, and by tariff increases introduced as part of bilateral 
trade tensions (but excluding those that have been terminated). It is estimated that, at the end of 
2019, some 8.7% of w orld imports  were affected by import restrictions implemented since 2009 and 
still in force. This is the equivalent of USD  1.7 trillion out of a total USD 19.5 trillion of world imports.  
3.17.   Table 3.7 also shows the trade coverage for terminations of import r estrictions represents 
0.07% of world  imports, suggesting that the roll -back of such measures remains negligible.   
Table 3.7 Cumulative trade coverage of import -restrictive measures since 2009  
(USD billion, unless otherwise indicated)   
2009  2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  2017  2018  2019  
Total imports (world)  12,486  15,163  18,109  18,193  18,483  18,654  16,360  15,812  17,500  19,483 19,523 
Total import restrictions 
in force  73.07  125.75  234.42  305.91  407.26  467.39  598.43  570.24 814.45  1,457.15  1,696.11  
Share in world imports (%)  0.59 0.83 1.29 1.68 2.20 2.51 3.66 3.61 4.65 7.48 8.69 
Total import restrictions  
terminated   1.68 15.43  59.41  37.15  34.05  1.51 38.09  3.88 5.45 13.12  
Share in world imports (%)   0.01 0.09 0.33 0.20 0.18 0.01 0.24 0.02 0.03 0.07 
Note:  For some countries, 2019 import data w as not yet available. The data for the previous full calendar 
year was used for those count ries. 
Source:  WTO calculations, based on UNSD Comtrade database.  
3.1.1   COVID -19 Trade and trade -related measures  
3.18.   Annex 5 to this Report list s trade and trade -related measures in the area of goods which have 
been implemented specifically  in relation or with reference to the COVID -19 pandemic. The measures 
contained in Annex 5 were implemented between the end of February and the middle of May 2020. 
The below as well as Annex 5 is an attempt to provide transparency with respect the measures taken 
by WTO Members and Observers in the face of the multiple challeng es caused by the COVID -19 
pandemic.  
3.19.   As at mid-May 2020, 2 56 COVID -19 trade and trade -related measures had been  recorded for 
87 WTO Members  and Observers11, mostly adopted on a temporary basis . The recorded but non -
confirmed measures represent 1 4% of the total number of measures. Although at the early stages 
of the pandemic a majority of measures restricted the free flow of trade, the overall picture as of 
mid-May shows that 1 47 (57%) of all measures were of a trade facilitating nature. A total of 109 
measures (4 3%) could be considered to have a trade-restrictive effect. Export bans account for the 
totality of export restrictive measures recorded.   
3.20.   The implementation of the trade and  trade -related measures listed in Annex 5 appears to 
have come in two clearly identifiable waves. First, in the early stages of the trade response to the 
COVID -19 pandemic, WTO Members and Observers put in place stricter export regulations on 
personal prot ective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and masks, on drugs and medicine utilized in 
the treatment of the virus, on certain medical equipment such as ventilators  or other respiratory 
support equipment , and on disinfectant such as hand sanitizers. Export regu lations came in the 
shape of new requirements f or authorization to export, specific quotas and , in some case s, outright 
 
10 Only import measures where HS codes were available are included in the calculation.  
11 The European Union and its me mber States are counted as one.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 32 - 
 
  export bans. Second, subsequent restrictive trade measures targeted mainly basic food products 
such as sugar, cereals, buckwheat, meslin , rice, vegetables, soya beans, sunflower seeds, prepared 
food and oils in order to guarantee local food supplies.  
3.21.   As for imports, some Members increased tariffs and taxes on for example petrol and oils 
primarily, it seems, to generate revenue to help fina nce a variety of emergency economic support 
measures and programmes. These programmes were implemented to respond to widespread 
economic and social crises as a result of the pandemic (Section 3.7).  
3.22.   Annex 5 shows that the reduction or elimination of import tariffs make up around two -thirds 
of import trade facilitating measures, followed by the simplification of customs procedures (20%) 
and reduction/exemption of import duties and charges (11%). Certain Members and Observers 
(mainly net importers), reduced th eir tariffs on a variety of goods such as PPE, sanitizers, 
disinfectants, medical equipment and medicine/drugs. In many cases, tariff reductions were also 
accompanied by exemptions from VAT and other taxes. Less burdensome administrative customs 
procedures  have also been implemented worldwide.  
3.23.   In early May, a gradual phase -out of export constrains targeting products such as surgical 
masks, gloves, medicine, disinfectant, and certain food products had begun. There is further 
evidence that a roll back of oth er trade and trade related measures taken in the early stages of the 
pandemic is also taking place . For instance, around 28%  of the COVID -19 specific restrictive 
measures implemented ha d been repealed  by mid -May. 
3.24.   As of mid -May, 99 COVID -19 measures affecti ng trade in services were compiled with most 
of them be ing trade -facilitating in nature. The measures listed related to 45 WTO Members and are 
covered separately in Section 4 and Annex 6.12  
3.25.   By late May 2020, some 152 formal notifications and communications  on COVID -19 trade -
related measures had been received by the Secretariat from WTO Members and Observers. Some 
WTO Members notified multiple times under the same subject area. Notifications focused largely on 
SPS, TBT and QRs.  About two thirds of the overall notifications were related to SPS and TBT 
measures, such as trade in PPE, food, live animals and medical equipment. Many of these measures 
aimed at streamlining certification procedures, and moving towards more electronic/digital 
procedures, includ ing electronic certification, to facilitate access to PPE and other medical equipment 
necessary to combat the Pandemic, and to food. Some also focused on COVID -19 risks from 
international trade in live animals. In the case of the QR notifications, Members notified prohibitions 
and restrictions on the export of PPE, sanitizers and disinfectants, and pharmaceuticals were 
recorded. Some Members also restricted the export of foodstuffs and notified them to the Committee 
on Agriculture. Around half of the export  restrictive measures were notified as temporary. These 
notifications are described in more detail in subsequent Sections of this Report.  
3.26.   Some 28 COVID -19 related measures regarding trade -related intellectual property rights were 
compiled for WTO Members - and verified by the respective Members - until mid -May 2020, of which 
13 were substantive measures from 11 different Members and 15 administrative measures also from 
11 different Members. A number of these measures were aimed at facilitating innovation or  access 
with respect to COVID -19-related health technologies, while others ease d certain procedural 
requirements or deadlines for administrative matters. These measures are further covered in 
Section  5. 
3.27.   The below box provides a non -exhaustive overview of C OVID -19 related export restrictions.  
Box 3.1 COVID -19 export restrictions  
How many countries have introduced export prohibitions and restrictions?  
As at 18 May 2020, 85 countries and separate customs territorie s had introduced export prohibitions and 
restrictions to combat the COVID -19 pandemic (EU Members are counted separately). They include 76 WTO 
Members (counting the EU member States individually) and nine non -WTO members from all regions.  
These measures t ook different forms, including export bans and non -automatic export licensing procedures, 
but have in common that they mostly prevented exports of these products. While there is considerable 
diversity with respect to the types of products affected by expor t restrictions, the majority of the measures 
 
12 73% of the measures listed in the Annex have been expressly verified by Members.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 33 - 
 
  have limited the exportation of face and eye protection, protecti ve garment s, and gloves, sometimes referred 
to as Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) or Personal Protection Products (PPP). Sanitizers, pharmaceu ticals 
and foodstuff have also been subject to export limitations, but to a lesser extent.  
Figure 1 Export prohibitions and restrictions introduced to combat the COVID -19 pandemic, by 
type of product.  
(Number)  
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat based on data available in the Trade Monitoring Report.  
For how long will these measures be in place?  
While it is not possible to determine the duration of all measures that have been recently introduced, and 
these could eventually be rene wed, it is possible to analyse whether the measures have a known end -date 
and, if they do, what is the expected duration. The information available to the WTO Secretariat suggests that 
roughly half of these measures have included a specific duration (47%),  while the other half did not provided 
a clear indication of the time -frame for which they are meant to remain in place (53%). For those measures 
with a known end -date, the average duration is expected to be 98.4 days , with a median of 77 days. While 
appro ximately 70% of those measures are intended to be in force for less than three months, three measures 
indicate that they will remain in force for one year. See Figure 2.  
Figure 2 Duration in weeks of export measures, number of measures  
 
* Percentage of m easures with a known date.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat based on data in the Trade Monitoring Report.  
How much trade is affected by these export restrictions?  
While it is not technically feasible to have an exact measurement of the value of exports that is bei ng 
affected by the export prohibitions and restrictions (i.e. because most products covered by the measures do 
not have a specific tariff line or HS sub -heading that fully identifies them, and the available export data is 
77
52
49
30
22
20
12
11
7
2
3Face and eye protection
Protective garments
Gloves
Sanitizers/ Disinfectants
Pharmaceuticals
Foodstuffs
Medical devices, incl. Ventilators
Other medical supplies
COVID-19 Test kits
Toilet paper
SoapCategories of products
Members Non-Members
Source:  WTO Secretariat.Box ER.1
051015202530
≤30 (30, 97] (97, 164] (164, 231] (231, 298] (298, 365]Number of measures
Number of days (range)53%
do not have a known end -date
98.4 days
(Average duration)70%*
have an expected duration
of less than 3 monthsWT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 34 - 
 
  only at the HS sub -heading level),  it is possible to calculate rough estimates of the share of world exports 
affected by them. One possible way of making this rough estimate for a narrow group of products is by 
matching the export restrictions with the HS codes covered by the joint World C ustoms Organization’s and 
World Health Organization's list of COVID -19-related products.  Since only part of a given HS sub -heading is 
related to the relevant products, these estimates have to be considered as upper limits of the affected trade 
flow (i.e. t hey may overestimate the actual value of the exports). Notwithstanding this methodological and 
data limitation, it would appear that the export prohibitions and restrictions affect, in particular, protective 
garments and disinfectants and sterilization pro ducts, where up to 21.5% and 17%, respectively, of world 
trade may be affected by these measures. See Table 1 . 
Table 1. Export prohibitions and restrictions introduced to combat the COVID -19 pandemic, by 
type of product  
(Number)  
Section ( category of products)  Share of world exports (%)  
COVID -19 test kits  0.1 
Protective garments and the like  21.5 
Disinfectants and sterili zation products  17.0 
Oxygen therapy equipment and pulse oximeters  4.8 
Other medical devices and equipment  3.0 
Other medical consumables  12.0 
Vehicles  0.0 
Other  0.5 
Source:  WTO Secretariat based on data in the Trade Monitoring Report and UN COMTRADE.  
Have these measures been notified to the WTO?  
In addition to the information provided by Members pursuant to the trade monitoring exercise, Members are 
required by the 2012 Decision on Notification Procedures for Quantitative Restrictions (G/L/59/Rev.1) to notify 
every two years all prohibitions and r estrictions that they maintain, including on exports. In principle, new 
measures should be notified no later than 6 months after their entry into force.  
As at 18 May 2020, 16 Members (counting the EU member States and the United Kingdom as one) had notifi ed 
the introduction of export prohibitions or restrictions in light of the COVID -19 pandemic to the Committee on 
Market Access as part of the QR notifications. Most of the notified measures relate to medical products and, 
in particular, PPE. Finally, three  Members also notified the introduction of export prohibitions or restrictions 
on foodstuffs, which were also notified to the Committee on Agriculture.  
Thus far, two Members (Bangladesh, Ukraine) have notified the elimination of the measures and one Member  
(European Union) notified the reduction of products covered by the measures. In terms of transparency and 
maintaining updated information in the midst of the current crisis, these notifications have clearly increased 
the predictability around these trade policies.  
However, it should be noted that compliance with the notification requirements remains incomplete. The 
confirmed information in the trade monitoring exercise shows that 22 additional Members have imposed export 
prohibitions and restrictions, and  that an additional 11 Members may be imposing them (unconfirmed). Thus, 
the notification gap appears to include between 22 and 33 Members that have yet to submit a QR notification 
to the Committee on Market Access. Similarly, information suggests that oth er Members that have lifted export 
restrictions have also not notified these.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3.28.   The following box on the face mask Global Value Chain in the COVID -19 pandemic was 
contributed by the OECD.  
Box 3.2 The face mask global value chain in the COVID -19 pandemic  
The COVID -19 pandemic has caused a dramatic shortage in the supply of face masks, which is mainly 
explained by a sudden surge in demand well beyond pre -crisis global pro duction capacity. For example, China 
was the main manufacturer of surgical masks at the onset of the crisis, with a production of 20 million masks 
per day. Yet this was not enough to meet domestic demand, which was estimated at 240 million masks per 
day to  equip health, manufacturing and transport workers - more than 10 times its production capacity. Since 
no country can meet the demand for masks alone, trade is essential.  
This surge in demand due to the pandemic resulted in bottlenecks in the face mask sup ply chain, as specialised 
inputs proved to be hard to manufacture quickly. Non -woven fabric manufactured with polypropylene, a critical 
component of face masks, proved to be in particularly short supply. The face mask value chain is illustrated 
below.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 35 - 
 
  The face mask value chain and its main bottlenecks during COVID -19 
 
Source:  OECD, 2020.  
Downstream bottlenecks have also appeared. While varying across countries, including due to the extent of 
preparedness of health infrastructure, masks have sometimes been in short supply not because of 
international production chains but because domestic transport, logistics and distribution have been disrupted.  
To address domestic shortages of masks, many countries put in place restrictions on exports or equivalent 
measur es such as the compulsory purchase by government of all available stocks. These export bans and 
compulsory purchases are generally temporary, with some already removed. Countries banning exports are 
not all producers or exporters of masks; non -producers, f or example, may have been motivated by a desire 
to prevent hoarding or to avoid the export of masks already imported to be sold at a higher price abroad.  
Export restrictions have several consequences. Bans are harmful for countries without production capac ity but 
can also backfire on the country imposing them when they need to import inputs, additional masks or other 
essential goods. Tariffs or export licenses can delay trade, in addition to increasing prices. Export restrictions 
can also create uncertainty  that impacts firms’ investment strategies and, over time, reduce confidence in 
international markets.  
Other countries have facilitated trade in masks and other protective equipment by removing tariffs or by 
suspending licensing and certification requirem ents. Several countries affirmed their commitment to ensuring 
supply chain connectivity amidst the COVID -19 pandemic, and many countries temporarily eliminated import 
tariffs on face masks.  
However, free trade and trade facilitation were not enough to addr ess the shortage; an important increase in 
supply was needed, requiring government planning and incentives for firms to convert existing assembly lines 
and create additional capacity. Production was ramped up by the main exporters of face masks, in particu lar 
China. Ultimately, the shortage has been progressively addressed through global supply chains, with 
certification procedures expedited to allow masks produced by new companies to be traded.  
The case of face masks in the COVID -19 context demonstrates t he importance of robust and resilient supply 
chains. These can be achieved through strategies that prioritize risk assessment and planning, information 
sharing, supply redundancy, agility and reactivity. Barriers to trade can limit options available for fi rms to 
maintain operations, whereas a stable trade and investment environment offers the transparency and 
predictability needed to manage risks. Looking ahead, it would be excessively costly for every country to 
develop production capacity that matches cri sis demand and encompasses the whole value chain. An 
alternative, more effective and cost -efficient solution in the long -term may involve the combination of strategic 
stocks; upstream agreements with companies for rapid conversion of assembly lines during crises (with 
possible government incentives and co -ordination); and supportive international trade measures.  
Source:  OECD, 2020.  
3.29.   The following box provides a non -exhaustive overview of recent collective and individual 
declarations or statements by WTO Members on trade -related measures affecting value chains in 
the context of the COVID -19 pandemic.  
Box 3.3 Recent collective and individual declarations or statements by WTO M embers on 
trade -related measures affe cting value chains in the context of the COVID -19 pandemic  
In the context of the COVID -19 pandemic, several voluntary and collective declarations or statements by WTO 
Members have been announced or tabled. They mostly contain pledges to ensure that supply chains remain 
open and connected, to reduce or eliminate tariffs for essential goods needed for the COVID -19 response, and 
to refrain from imposing export restrictions on such essential goods or on agricultural products. Below is a 
brief non -exhaustive ove rview of these initiatives.  
Raw 
materialsProcessed
inputs 1Processed
inputs 2Assembly
lineSterilisationTesting and 
packagingDistribution
Petroleum oil
Metal
Paper pulp
(Cotton)Polypropylene
Nylon spandex
Aluminium
Galvanised iron
or steel
CardboardNonwoven fabric
Metal strips
Earloops
Boxes for packaging
(Other fabric )
There isa shortage of melt-blown
polypropylene manufactured by a
limited number of companies .[Ultrasonic
welding ]
While ultrasonic welding isused in
a variety of industries, assembly
lines for face masks are very
specific and in shortage. Other
machines can be used but requiring
some adjustments.Most countries 
manufacturing face 
masks have put in place
export bans or equivalent
measures . Distribution is
more complicated in the 
context of a shortage .WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 36 - 
 
  On 20 March 2020, New Zealand and Singapore issued a Joint Ministerial Statement affirming their 
commitment to ensuring supply chain connectivity amidst the COVID -19 situationa. On 25 March 2020, 
Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile and Myanmar joined this Ministerial Statementb, followed , on 6 
April, by Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Uruguayc. On 15 April 2020, New Zealand and Singapore 
launched a Declaration on trade in essential goods for combating t he COVID -19 pandemicd. Following this 
Declaration, New Zealande and Singaporef both pledged individually to eliminate tariffs on products needed 
for the COVID -19 response and to refrain from imposing export prohibitions or restrictions on essential goods. 
On 22 April 2020, 23 WTO Members (29 as of 29 May 2020)g issued a Joint Statement titled " Responding to 
the COVID -19 pandemic with open and predictable trade in agricultural and food products "h.  
On 1 May 2020, the members of the Association of Southeast A sian Nations (ASEAN) issued a Declaration and 
two statements on COVID -19i. On 4 May 2020, the LDC Group issued a communication titled " Securing LDCs 
emergency access to essential medical and food products to combat the COVID -19 pandemic "j. On 5 May 
2020, t he Asia -Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers responsible for trade issued a Statement on 
COVID -19k. Also on 5 May 2020, 42 WTO Members (46 as of 29 May 2020)L issued a Joint Ministerial Statement 
on COVID -19 and the multilateral trading systemm. On 12 May 2020, Australia, Canada, the  Republic of Korea, 
New Zealand and Singapore issued a Joint Ministerial Statement on action plans to facilitate the flow of goods 
and services, as well as the essential movement of peoplen. On 14 May 2020, the G20 Trad e and Investment 
Ministers issued a Statement endorsing the G20 Actions to support world trade and investment in response 
to COVID -19o. Finally, also on 14 May 2020, 49 WTO Members (52 as of 26 May 2020)p issued a Statement 
on highlighting the importance of MSMEs in the time of COVID -19q.  
Some WTO Members have expressed their further intentions to pursue initiatives on trade -related measures 
affecting value chains in the context of the COVID -19 pandemic. On 16 April 2020, the EU Commission refe rred 
to possible action by the European Union towards temporary suspension of tariffs on medical equipment, a nd 
a call for an international undertaking to suspend tariffs on COVID -19 related products and facilitate access 
to medicinesr.  
a Viewed at: https://www.mti.gov.sg/ -/media/MTI/Newsroom/Press -Releases/2020/03/Joint -Ministerial -
Statement -by-SG-and-NZ-Affirming -Commitment -to-Ensuring -Supply -Chain -Connectivity.pdf .  
b Viewed at: https://www.sgpc.gov.sg/sgpcmedia/media_releases/mti/press_release/P -20200325 -
2/attachment/JOINT%20MINISTERIAL%20STATEMENT%20AFFIRMING%20COMMITMEN T%20TO%20ENSURIN
G%20SUPPLY%20CHAIN%20CONNECTIVITY%20AMIDST%20THE%20COVID -19%20SITUATION.pdf .  
c Viewed at: https://www.mti.gov.sg/ -/media/MTI/Newsroom/Press -Releases/2020/03/Updated -Joint-Ministerial -
Statement -on-supply -chain -connectivity -as-of-6-april.pdf .  
d WTO document G/C/W/777, 16 April 2020.  
e WTO document G/C/W/778; G/MA/W/150, 16 Apri l 2020.  
f WTO document G/C/W/779; G/MA/W/151, 16 April 2020.  
g Australia; Brazil; Canada; Chile; Colombia; Costa Rica; Ecuador; European Union; Georgia; Hong Kong, China; 
Japan; Republic of Korea; Malawi; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Nicaragua; Paraguay ; Peru; Qatar; Kingdom 
of Saudi Arabia; Singapore; Switzerland; Chinese Taipei; Ukraine; United Arab Emirates; United Kingdom; United 
States; and Uruguay.  
h Viewed at: 
https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/FE_Search/FE_S_S006.aspx?MetaCollection=WTO&SymbolList=%22WT%2f
GC%2f208%22+OR+%22WT%2fGC%2f208%2f*%22&Serial=&IssuingDateFrom=&IssuingDateTo=&CATTITLE
=&ConcernedCountryList=&OtherCountryList=&SubjectList=&TypeList =&FullTextHash=371857150&ProductList
=&BodyList=&OrganizationList=&ArticleList=&Contents=&CollectionList=&RestrictionTypeName=&PostingDateF
rom=&PostingDateTo=&DerestrictionDateFrom=&DerestrictionDateTo=&ReferenceList=&Language=ENGLISH&
SearchPage=FE_S_S001&A ctiveTabIndex=0&HSClassificationList=&ServicesClassificationList=&EnvironmentCla
ssificationList=&ICSClassificationList=&ICSClassificationDescList:EnvironmentClassificationDescList:ServicesClas
sificationDescList:HSClassificationDescList=&languageUIChanged=t rue. 
i WTO document WT/GC/210, 1 May 2020.  
j WTO document WT/GC/211, 4 May 2020.  
k WTO document WT/GC/213, 8 May 2020.  
l Afghanistan; Australia; Barbados; Benin; Cambodia; Canada; Chile; Colombia; Costa Rica; Ecuador; El Salvador; 
Guatemala; Guyana; Hong K ong, China; Iceland; Israel; Jamaica; Japan; Kenya; Republic of Korea; Kuwait; 
Liechtenstein; Madagascar; Mauritania; Mauritius; Mexico; the Republic of Moldova; Montenegro; Nepal; New 
Zealand; Nigeria; North Macedonia; Norway; Papua New Guinea; Peru; Qata r; Saint Lucia; Kingdom of Saudi 
Arabia; Seychelles; Singapore; Solomon Islands; Switzerland; Ukraine; United Arab Emirates; United Kingdom 
and Uruguay.  
m Viewed at: 
https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/FE_Search/FE_S_S006.aspx?MetaCollection=WTO&S ymbolList=%22WT%2f
GC%2f212%22+OR+%22WT%2fGC%2f212%2f*%22&Serial=&IssuingDateFrom=&IssuingDateTo=&CATTITLE
=&ConcernedCountryList=&OtherCountryList=&SubjectList=&TypeList=&FullTextHash=371857150&ProductList
=&BodyList=&OrganizationList=&ArticleList=&Contents= &CollectionList=&RestrictionTypeName=&PostingDateF
rom=&PostingDateTo=&DerestrictionDateFrom=&DerestrictionDateTo=&ReferenceList=&Language=ENGLISH&
SearchPage=FE_S_S001&ActiveTabIndex=0&HSClassificationList=&ServicesClassificationList=&EnvironmentCla
ssificat ionList=&ICSClassificationList=&ICSClassificationDescList:EnvironmentClassificationDescList:ServicesClas
sificationDescList:HSClassificationDescList=&languageUIChanged=true . 
n WTO document WT/GC/214, 13 May 2020.  
o WTO document WT/GC/216, 20 May 2020.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 37 - 
 
  p Afghanistan; Albania; Argentina; Australia; Brazil; Canada; Chile; China; Colombia; Costa Rica; Côte d'Ivoire; 
Ecuador; El Salvador; European Union; Guatemala; Guyana; Honduras; Hong Kong, China; Iceland; Israel; 
Japan; Kazakhstan; Kenya; Republic of Korea; Lao People’s Democratic Republic; Liechtenstein; Malaysia; 
Maldives; Mexico; Republic of Moldova; Mongolia; Montenegro; Myanmar; New Zealand; North Macedonia; 
Norway; Paraguay; Philippines; Qatar; Russian Federation; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Kingd om of Saudi 
Arabia; Singapore; Switzerland; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; Turkey; Ukraine; United Kingdom; Uruguay; Vanuatu 
and Viet  Nam.  
q Viewed at: 
https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/FE_Search/FE_S_S006.aspx?MetaCollection=WTO&SymbolList=%22WT%2f
GC%2f215%22+OR+%22WT%2fGC%2f215%2f*%22&Serial=&IssuingDateFrom=&IssuingDateTo=&CATTITLE
=&ConcernedCountryList=&OtherCountryList=&SubjectList=&TypeList=&FullTextHash=371857150&ProductList
=&BodyList=&OrganizationList=&ArticleList=&Contents=&CollectionList=&Re strictionTypeName=&PostingDateF
rom=&PostingDateTo=&DerestrictionDateFrom=&DerestrictionDateTo=&ReferenceList=&Language=ENGLISH&
SearchPage=FE_S_S001&ActiveTabIndex=0&HSClassificationList=&ServicesClassificationList=&EnvironmentCla
ssificationList=&ICSClassif icationList=&ICSClassificationDescList:EnvironmentClassificationDescList:ServicesClas
sificationDescList:HSClassificationDescList=&languageUIChanged=true .  
r Viewed at: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/commissioners/2019 -2024/hogan/announcements/introductory -
statement -commissioner -phil-hogan -informal -meeting -eu-trade -ministers_en.   
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3.2  Trade -Remedies13 
3.30.   This Section provides an assessment of trends in trade -remedy actions in the periods 
January -December 2017, January -December 2018 and January -December 2019.14 Concerning 
anti-dumping, the data indicate a slight increase in the number of new investigations initiated in 
2019 compared to 2018. While the number of countervailing investigations significantly decreased 
in 2019 , those of safegua rd initiations increased. The total number of initiations for the latter two 
types of trade -remedy investigations remained considerably lower than for anti -dumping.  
Anti-dumping measures15 
3.31.   Global anti -dumping initiations decreased by 19% to 202 in 2018 from  249 in the 2017 , and 
increased, by 2.5%, to 207 in 2019 (Table  3.8). The table provides information on which Members 
initiated anti -dumping  investigations over the last three years.  
Table 3.8 Initiations of anti-dumping investigations, 2017 -19 
Reporting Member  2017  2018  2019  
Argentina  8 19 17 
Australia  16 12 7 
Bahrain, Kingdom of; 
Kuwait, State of; Oman; 
Qatar; Saudi Arabia, 
Kingdom of; United Arab 
Emiratesa 4 3 2 
Brazil  7 7 1 
Canada  14 14 6 
Chile 1 2 0 
China  24 16 14 
Colombia  8 3 0 
Dominican Republic  0 1 0 
Egypt  0 1 6 
El Salvador  1 0 0 
European Union  9 8 11 
India 49 32 52 
Indonesia  1 0 6 
Israel  3 0 0 
Japan  2 0 1 
Korea, Republic of  7 5 5 
Madagascar  0 0 1 
Malaysia  4 2 7 
 
13 This Section is without prejudice to the right of Members to take trade remedy actions under the 
WTO.  
14 These periods coincide with the Member's semi -annual reporting periods.  
15 Anti-dumping and countervailing investigations are counted on the basis of the number of exporting 
countries or customs territories affected by an investigation. Thus, one anti -dumping or countervailing 
investigati on involving imports from n countries/customs territories is counted as n investigations.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 38 - 
 
  Reporting Member  2017  2018  2019  
Mexico  8 3 6 
Morocco  1 0 0 
New Zealand  2 2 0 
Pakistan  3 8 6 
Peru 3 0 1 
Russian Federationb 1 6 4 
South Africac 0 3 0 
Chinese Taipei  0 2 0 
Thailand  3 1 2 
Turkey  8 6 2 
Ukraine  7 10 8 
United States  55 34 33 
Viet Nam  0 2 9 
Total  249 202 207 
a Notified by all GCC member States collectively as investigations are initiated by the GCC regional 
investigating authority on behalf of all GCC member States.  
b Notified by the Russian Federation, but investigations are initiated by the Eurasian Economic Union 
on beha lf of all its members, i.e. Armenia, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan (which became a WTO 
Member on 30 November 2015), and Belarus (non -WTO Member) collectively.  
c Notified by South Africa, but investigations are initiated at the level of the Southern African C ustoms 
Union (Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, and Namibia).  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3.32.   Chart 3. 6 shows that the number of initiations of anti -dumping investigations increased from 
165 in 2011 to 287 in 2013, decreased to 236 and 229 initiations in 2014 and 20 15, respectively, 
and increased in 2016 to 298 investigations . This is the highest number of initiations since the 311 
of 2002, but still off the all -time high of 372 in 2001. A downward trend was observed in 2017 and 
2018. In 2019, on the other hand, a sl ight increase of the number of initiations of anti -dumping 
investigations was observed (207).  
Chart 3.6 Total anti -dumping investigation initiations, 2008 -19 
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3.33.   While anti -dumping investigations do not necessarily lead to the imposition of measures, a 
decrease in the number  of investigations initiated is an early indicator suggesting a likely decrease 
in the number of measures imposed.  
218 217
173165208287
236229298
249
202207
050100150200250300350
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019Total anti -dumping investigation initiations, 2008 -19
Source:    WTO Secretariat.WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 39 - 
 
  3.34.   Over the three periods, a to tal of 541 anti -dumping measures were imposed (Table 3. 9). 
However, as it can take up to 18 months for an anti -dumping investigation to be concluded once 
initiated, these measures may not necessarily be the result of initiations in the same period.  
Table 3.9 Number of anti -dumping measures imposed, 2017 -19 
Reporting Member  2017  2018  2019  
Argentina  2 13 13 
Australia  14 5 12 
Bahrain, Kingdom of; 
Kuwait, State of; Oman; 
Qatar; Saudi Arabia, 
Kingdom of; United Arab 
Emiratesa 1 0 2 
Brazil  10 9 6 
Canada  10 7 8 
Chile 2 0 1 
China  5 23 12 
Colombia  1 8 0 
Costa Rica  1 0 0 
Dominican Republic  1 0 0 
Egypt  6 0 1 
El Salvador  0 1 0 
European Union  11 3 4 
India 47 37 13 
Indonesia  3 1 1 
Israel  0 0 3 
Japan  1 2 0 
Korea, Republic of  4 7 2 
Malaysia  0 4 6 
Mexico  2 7 8 
Morocco  2 3 1 
Pakistan  12 19 4 
Peru 0 1 0 
Philippines  1 0 0 
Russian Federationb 1 0 2 
Chinese  Taipei  0 0 2 
Thailand  7 0 0 
Turkey  10 10 0 
Ukraine  2 2 9 
United States  33 41 33 
Viet Nam  3 0 3 
Total  192 203 146 
a Notified by all GCC member States collectively as investigations are initiated by the GCC regional 
investigating authority on behalf of all GCC member States.  
b Notified by the Russian Federation, but investigations are initiated by the Eurasian Economic Union 
on behalf of all its members, i.e. Armenia, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan (which became a 
WTO Member on 30 November 2015), and Belarus (non -WTO Member) collectively.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3.35.   Chart 3.7 shows that there was little change in terms of the products affected by anti -dumping 
investigations initiated during the three periods examined, with the majority of initiations focused 
on products in the metals, chemicals , and plastics and rubber sect ors.  
3.36.   Metal products were subject to the most initiations in each period, accounting for 33% of all 
initiations in 2017, 40% in 2018 and 38% in 2019. In each period, at least 78 initiations targeted 
metals, of which 81 %-85% focused on steel products (Chapt ers 72 and 73 of the HS classification). 
Over the three  periods combined, the United States (61), India (26), Australia (18), Canada (16) 
and the European Union (14) accounted for more than half of the 240 initiations on metals. A 
decrease in the number of  initiations on metal products was seen in 2019 , with 22 investigations 
initiated by India, 17 by the United States, 6 by Malaysia, 4 each by the European Union, the Russian 
Federation, Indonesia and Argentina, 3  each by Ukraine, Canada and Mexico and 2 each by Viet  Nam 
and, Australia, Thailand and Pakistan. Initiations against metals across the three periods affected 
mostly products from China (74, of which 56 involved steel products); Republic of Korea, (19, of 
which  18 involved steel); Viet Nam (16, of which 14 involved steel); the Separate Customs Territory 
of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu  (Chinese Taipei)  (11, of which 10 involved steel); Turkey (9, WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 40 - 
 
  of which 8 involved steel) and India (9, of which 8 involved st eel). In many instances, investigations 
were launched on the same product from several exporting countries. For instance, eight steel 
products were the focus of 92 investigations.  
Chart 3.7 Initiations of ant i-dumping investigations, by product  
 
 
 
Note:  Values are rounded.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3.37.   Chemical products accounted for the second largest share of initiations over the three 
reporting periods, with a 26% share of initiations in 2017, a 16% share in 2 018, and a 15% share 
in 2019. China accounted for 33 of the 127 new investigations on products in this sector over the 
three reporting periods, followed by India (30) and the United States (22). These initiations involved 
mostly chemical products from Chin a (16); Korea, Republic of (10); Japan (9); Thailand (8); Russian 
Federation (7) and the United States (7). Similar to metals  sector investigations, investigations into 
chemicals frequently involved the same product from different countries – 16 products a ccounted 
for 72 of the investigations in this area.  
3.38.   Plastics and rubber ranked third over the three periods examined, accounting for 11% of all 
initiations in 2017, 15% in 2018, and 19% in 2019. India (29), the United States (14) and China 
Initiations of anti -dumping investigations initiations, by product
2017 2018
Chemicals
26%Paper 
4%
Metals
33%Metals
40%
Chemicals
16%Plastics
15%Other
8%Machinery
5%
Textiles
6%Stone / Plaster
4%
Textiles
10%Stone/ Plaster
3%Machinery
3%
Other
10%
Plastics
11%Paper
6%
Source: WTO Secretariat.2019
Plastics
19%Textiles
7% Metals
38%Machinery
6%
Chemicals
15%Other
9%Paper
2%Stone / 
Plaster
5%
Note: Values are rounded.WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 41 - 
 
  (12) accounted for more than half of the 97 plastics and rubber investigations. China was once again 
the main subject of investigations in this sector (19), followed by Korea, Republic of (12); Thailand 
(9); and the United States and Chinese Taipei  (6 each). 
3.39.   In terms of countries affected by new anti -dumping investigations, 49 exporting Members 
wew affected in 2017, 46 in 2018 , and 35 in 2019. China remained, by far, the Member most affected 
by anti -dumping initiations during the three periods – investigations into Chines e products accounted 
for 27% of all investigations during these periods. The second most affected Member during the 
three periods – Korea, Republic of – accounted for 7% of the total initiations, followed by Chinese 
Taipei , Thailand, Malaysia, and India at  4% each.  
3.40.   As at 15 May 2020 , only two Members had anti-dumping actions referring to the COVID -19 
pandemic.  In March 2020 , Brazil suspended anti -dumping duties on syringes and vacuum plastic 
tubes for blood collection, and Argentina suspended anti -dumping duties on syringes and parenteral 
solutions.  
Countervailing measures  
3.41.   As shown in Table  3.10, the number of global initiati ons of countervailing duty investigations 
decreased significantly to 36 in 2019, compared to 55 in 2018, after having increased from 41 in 
2017.  
3.42.   Among the 13 Members using countervailing measures during the three  periods examined, 
the United States initiat ed the largest number of new investigations (65), accounting  for 49% of all 
initiations throughout the review period. India, the second largest user (19), accounted for 14% of 
all initiations, followed by Canada (18) for 14%. The remaining investigations w ere conducted by 
ten other Members.  
Table 3.10 Initiations of countervailing duty investigations, 2017 -19 
Reporting Member  2017  2018  2019  
Australia  0 3 0 
Brazil  1 0 0 
Canada  11 4 3 
China  1 3 1 
Colombia  0 0 1 
European Union  2 2 5 
India 0 10 9 
New Zealand  1 1 0 
Peru 1 1 0 
Chinese  Taipei  0 5 0 
Turkey  0 1 0 
Ukraine  0 1 0 
United States  24 24 17 
Total  41 55 36 
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3.43.   Chart 3. 8, reflecting annual figures, shows an upward trend in countervailing initiations from 
2010 to 2014, notwithstanding some fluctuation in 2012. Following a decrease in 2015, the number 
of countervailing initiations increased until 2018 , reaching to the peak of initiations observed in 1999 
with 55 new investigations. The number of new initiations, however, decreased significantly in 2019.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 42 - 
 
  Chart 3.8 Initiations of countervailing investigations, 2008 -19 
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat . 
3.44.   As with anti -dumping, countervailing duty investigations do not necessarily lead to the 
imposition of measures. However, a rise in the number of investigations initiated may be an early 
indicator of a likely rise in the number of measures i mposed. Over the three periods, a total of 
81 countervailing measures were imposed (Table 3. 11). However, as it can take up to 18 months 
for an investigation to be concluded, these measures may not necessarily be the result of initiations 
in the same perio d. This lag may account for the substantial increase in the number of measures 
applied in 2019 compared with 2018, despite the drop recorded in the number of investigations 
initiated.  
Table 3.11 Number of coun tervailing measures imposed, 2017 -19 
Reporting Member  2017  2018  2019  
Australia  3 0 1 
Brazil  0 1 1 
Canada  1 6 0 
China  1 1 0 
European Union  1 1 3 
India 1 0 5 
Peru 0 1 0 
Chinese Taipei  0 0 5 
United States  11 18 20 
Total  18 28 35 
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3.45.   Concerning the products affected by countervailing investigations, Chart 3. 9 shows that 
metals accounted for most of the initiations reported over the three reporting periods, with for 37% 
of all initiations in 2017 and 44% in both 2018 a nd 2019. For the three periods combined, 55 of the 
132 total initiations recorded covered metals , and 33 of these targeted steel products. The United 
States initiated 24 of the 65 investigations on steel products. Of the 43 steel -related initiations over 
the three periods, 21 involved products from China.  
1628
925
233345
31344155
36
0102030405060
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019Initiations of countervailing investigation, 2008 -19
Source:      WTO Secretariat.WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 43 - 
 
  Chart 3.9 Initiations of countervailing investigations, by product  
 
 
 
 
Note:  Values are rounded.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3.46.   Over the three reporting periods, chemicals and plastics were the second and third most -
investigated sectors, with 20 and 14 initiations, respectively, followed by vehicles and stone/plaster 
products , with 6 initiations each.   
3.47.   In terms of Members affected by new countervailing inv estigations, 18  exporting Members 
were affected in 2017 and 14 in both 2018 and 2019. China was the most frequent target of 
investigations, accounting for 39% of all investigations during the three periods. India, the second 
most frequent target during the  three periods, accounted for 11% of all initiations, followed by 
Viet Nam with 6%.  
3.48.   As at 15 May 2020 , no countervailing duty action that refer red to the COVID 19 -pandemic 
had been notified by WTO Members.  
Initiations of countervailing investigations, by product
2017 2018
Metals
37%
Metals
44%
Chemicals
13%Others
13%Vehicles
7%
Plastics
15%Others
10%
Chemicals
29%Vehicles
5%
Plastics
13%Textiles
5% Textiles
5%Minerals
5%
Source: WTO Secretariat.2019
Plastics
3%
Metals
44%Others
14%Minerals
6%Chemicals
3%
Note: Values are rounded.Stone/Plaster
17%Wood
14%WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 44 - 
 
  Safeguard measures  
3.49.   Safeguard measures are tempora ry measures imposed in response to increased imports of 
goods that are causing serious injury and are imposed on products from all sources, i.e. all exporting 
countries.16 Thus, safeguards are subject to different  rules and timelines than anti -dumping and 
countervailing measures and are, therefore, not directly comparable to these other types of trade 
remedies.  
3.50.   Chart 3. 10 shows the trend of initiations of safeguard investigations side by side with the 
trend of impositions on a calendar -year basis. 2019 saw the second largest  number of initiations 
(30) and the third largest number of impositions (12) since 1995.  The largest  number of initiations 
was recorded in 2002 (34). The largest and second largest number of impositions were recorded in 
2003 (15) and in 2002 (14), respectively .  
Chart 3.10 Initiation and imposition of safegu ard measures, 2008 -19 
 
Note:  Some notifications are ambiguous about the timing when the measure takes effect. For those 
notifications, Members sometimes subsequently file an additional notification clarifying, ex post, the 
timing of the taking effect. For  this reason, the number of impositions indicated in past reports can 
differ from the figures indicated in th is Report.  Since impositions, if any, take place when the 
investigations are concluded, and investigations usually take more than 1 -2 months, impos ed 
measures may not necessarily be the result of initiations in the same period/year.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.   
3.51.   Table s 3.12 and Table 3. 13 show the number of safeguard initiations and impositions between 
2017 and 2019, by reporting Member. As can be seen, since 2018, major trading partners such as 
the United States, the European  Union and Canada have imposed safeguard measures. These 
Members were not major users in the past. The last time the United States imposed a safeguard 
measure was in 2002, and the Eu ropean Union in 2005. For Canada, 2018 saw the very first 
imposition of a safeguard measure.  
 
16 With the exception of special and differential treatment provide d for developing countries in Article 
9.1 of the Safeguards Agreement.  
1025
20
1224
1823
17
11
81630
610
411
6811 11
69
712
05101520253035
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Initiations ImpositionsInitiation and imposition of safeguard measures, 2008 -19
Source:    WTO Secretariat.WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 45 - 
 
  Table 3.12 Initiations of safeguard investigations, 2017 -19 
(Number)  
Reporting Member  2017  2018  2019  
Bahrain, Kingdom of; Kuwait, State of; 
Oman; Qatar; Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of; 
United Arab Emiratesa 1 0 1 
Canada  0 1 0 
Chile 0 1 0 
Colombia  0 0 1 
Costa Rica  0 1 1 
Ecuador  0 0 1 
Egypt  0 0 1 
European Union  0 1 0 
Guatemala  0 0 1 
India 1 0 3 
Indonesia  0 2 5 
Jordan  0 0 1 
Madagascar  0 3 4 
Morocco  0 1 2 
Panama  0 0 1 
Philippines  0 2 2 
Russian Federationb 0 1 2 
South Africac 0 1 1 
Turkey  2 2 0 
Ukraine  1 0 3 
United States  2 0 0 
Viet Nam  1 0 0 
Total  8 16 30 
a Investigations are initiated at the level of the GCC.  
b Indicated as the Russian Federation for the purpose of this table, but investigations are initiated by 
the Eurasian Economic Union on behalf of all its members, i.e. Armenia, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan 
(which became a WTO  Member on 30 November 2015), and Belarus (non -WTO Member) collectively.  
c Notified by South Africa, but investigations are initiated by the Southern African Customs Union on 
behalf of all its members collectively.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
Table 3.13 Imposition of safeguard measures, 2017 -19 
(Number)  
Reporting Member  2017  2018  2019  
Bahrain, Kingdom of; Kuwait, State of; 
Oman; Qatar; Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of; 
United Ara b Emiratesa 0 1 1 
Canada  0 0 1 
China  1 0 0 
Egypt  0 0 1 
European Union  0 0 1 
India 0 1 0 
Indonesia  0 1 1 
Jordan  1 0 0 
Madagascar  0 0 2 
Malaysia  2 0 0 
Morocco  1 0 1 
Philippines  0 0 1 
Russian Federationb 0 0 1 
South Africac 1 0 1 
Thailand  1 0 0 
Turkey  1 0 1 
Ukraine  0 1 0 
United States  0 2 0 
Viet Nam  1 1 0 
Total  9 7 12 
a Investigations are initiated at the level of the GCC.  
b Indicated as the Russian Federation for the purpose of this table but investigations are initiated by the 
Eurasian Economic Union on behalf of all its members, i.e. Armenia, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan  
(which became a WTO Member on 30 November 2015), and Belarus (non -WTO Member) collectively.  
c Notified by South Africa, but investigations are initiated by the Southern African Customs Union on 
behalf of all  its members collectively.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 46 - 
 
  3.52.   Chart 3. 11 shows the products covered by safeguard investigations. The share of 
investigations initiated in the metals sector (the vast majority of which involve steel products) was 
exceptionally low (0%) in 2017 after the extremely high share of 91% in 2016. This share increased 
to 44% in 2018 and declined to 23% in 2019.  Up until mid -May 2020, there has been no safeguard 
action notified to  the WTO that referred to the COVID 19 -pandemic.   
Chart 3.11 Initiation of safeguard investigations, by product  
 
 
 
Note:  Values are rounded.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  Up until 30 April 2020, no safeguard action notified to the WTO that refer red to the 
COVID 19 -pandemic  was notified to the WTO .  
3.3  Sanitary and phytosanitary  (SPS)  measures17 
3.53.   The Section below covers SPS transparency -related matters, including specific trade concerns 
(STCs) discussed i n SPS Committee meetings, for the period 1 October 2019 to 31 March 2020. In 
 
17 Information presented in this Section was retrieved from the SPS Information Management System 
(SPS IMS: http://spsims.wto.org ). For more information, see also annual reports G/SPS/GEN/804/Rev.12  and 
G/SPS/GEN/204/Rev.20 . 
Initiations of safeguard investigations, by product
2017 2018
Chemicals
38%
Textiles
13%Metals
44%Chemicals
6%
Animal 
products
6%Minerals
6%
Stone / plaster
13%Prepared foodstuff
6%
Machinery
38%Misc. manuf.
products
13%
Plastics
13%Wood
6%
Source: WTO Secretariat.2019
Prepared 
foodstuff
13%Textiles
10%Metals
23%Machinery
7%
Chemicals
17%
Other
17%Stone / Plaster
7%
Note: Values are rounded.Instruments
7%WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 47 - 
 
  addition, new SPS measures taken in response to the COVID -19 pandemic are reported in a separate 
sub-section covering the period from 1 February to 30 April 2020.  
SPS activities/developments (1 October 2019 -31 March 2020)  
3.54.   Under the SPS Agreement, WTO Members are obliged to provide an advance noti fication  of 
intention to introduce new or modified SPS measures18, or to notify immediately when emergency 
measures are imposed. The main objective of complying with the SPS notification obligations is to 
inform other Members about new or changed regulations that may significantly affect international 
trade. Therefore, an increase in the number of notifications does not automatically imply greater 
protectionis m but can be due to  enhanced transparency and/or a greater number of legitimate 
health -protection  measures.  
3.55.   From 1 October 201 9 to 31 March 20 20, 972 SPS notificati ons (regular and emergency, 
including addenda) were submitted to the WTO. Notifications from developing -country Members 
accounted for 67% of the total. In the previous six -month period, from April through September 
2019, a total of 8 06 notifications were s ubmitted, of which 64% were by developing -country 
Members  (Chart 3.1 2).  
3.56.   With respect to regular notifications (including addenda) during the period under review, 
WTO Members submitted 802 notifications , 63% of which were submitted by developing -country 
Members. In the previous six -month period, from April through September 2019, a total of 
747 regular notifications were submitted, of which 64% were by developing -country Members. 
Overall, during the period under review, there was a 7% increase in the total number of regular 
notifications compared to the previous reporting period.  
3.57.   The total number of notifications of emergency measures submitted by WTO Members 
increased compared with the previous period. Moreover, the share of emergency notifications 
submitte d by developing -country Members increased as compared to the previous period. In the 
review period, 86% of the 170 notifications of emergency measures were submitted by developing -
country Members. During the previous six -month period, 73% of the 59 emergen cy notifications 
were submitted by developing -country Members. This high proportion of emergency measures 
notified by developing -country Members might stem from the fact that they do not have as extensive 
SPS regulatory frameworks as developed -country Memb ers. Consequently, when facing emergency 
challenges, they are relatively more likely to have to introduce new regulations or change existing 
ones.  
 
18 Transparency obligations are contained in Article 7 and Annex B of the SPS Agreement. Annex B 
requires that Members notify measures whose content is not substantially t he same as that of an international 
standard, guideline or recommendation, and when the measure may have a significant effect on trade.  
However, the Recommended Procedures for Implementing the Transparency Provisions of the SPS Agreement, 
last updated in 2 018 (WTO document G/SPS/7/Rev.4 , 4 June 2018 ), recommend that Members also notify 
measures which are based on the relevant international standards, and provide  a broad interpretation of 
effects on trade.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 48 - 
 
  Chart 3.12 Number of SPS notifications, including regular, eme rgency and addenda  
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3.58.   Many Members are following the recommendation to notify SPS measures even when these 
are based on a relevant international standard, as this increases transparency. Of the 578 regular 
notifications (excluding addenda) submitted during the review period , 47% indicated that an 
international standard, guideline or recommendation  was relevant  to the notified measure. Of these,  
54% referred to Codex, 2 3% to the OIE and 23% to the IPPC (Chart  3.13). Furthermore, the 
notification formats include an entry enquiring  whether the proposed regulation conforms to the 
relevant international standard. Of the notifications that have identified a relevant international 
standard, 69% indicated that the measure was in conformity with, or substantially the same as, the 
existing  international standard, guideline or recommendation.  
Chart 3.13 Regular SPS notifications (excluding addenda) and international standards  
 
Note:  Codex Alimentarius (Codex), World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and International Plant 
Protection Convention (IPPC).  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3.59.   International standards often provide useful guidance regarding measures to address disease 
outbreaks and other emergency situations. For example, 89% of the  133 emergency notifications 
(excluding addenda) submitted in the review period indicated that an international standard, 
747
475802
50859
43170
147
02004006008001,0001,200
All Members Developing-country
MembersAll Members Developing-country
MembersNumber of SPS notifications, including regular, emergency and addenda
Source: WTO Secretariat.Regular notifications Emergency notificationsApr. 2019 -Sep. 2019 Oct. 2019 -Mar. 2020
Codex
54%
OIE
23%
IPPC
23%
Source: WTO Secretariat.Regular SPS notifications (excluding addenda) and international standards
None
53%Relevant 
international 
standard
47%
Note: Codex Alimentarius (Codex), World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and International Plant Protection 
Convention (IPPC).WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 49 - 
 
  guideline or recommendation was relevant  to the notified measure ; in many cases this was an OIE 
animal health standard  (Chart 3.1 4). 93% of these indicated that the measure was in conformity 
with the existing international standard.  
Chart 3.14 Emergency SPS notifications (excluding addenda) and international 
standards  
 
Note:  World Organisat ion for Animal Health (OIE) and International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3.60.   Of the 5 78 regular notifications (excluding addenda) submitted during the review period, the 
majority  (59%)  related to food safety.19 The remaining notifications related to animal health  (13%),  
plant protection  (12%) , the protection of humans from animal diseases or plant pests  (9%) and the 
protection of the Member's territory from other damage from pests  (7%). Several of the regular 
notific ations identified more than one objective per measure.  
3.61.   Of the 133 emergency measures (excluding addenda), 49% related to animal health, followed 
by food safety  (24%) , measures related to  the protection of humans from animal diseases or plant 
pests  (19%) , plant protection (5%) and the protection of the Member's territory from other damage 
from pests  (3%). Most of the notified emergency measures identified more than one objective per 
measure.  
3.62.  While there is no formal provision for "counter notification", concerns regarding the failure to 
notify an SPS measure, or on a notified SPS measure, can be raised as a specific trade concern 
(STC) at any of the three regular meetings of the SPS Committee each year. In the Committee 
meeting of 7-8 November 201 920, five new STCs were raised.21 One of these related to food safety, 
one to animal health, another one to plant health, and two to other types of concerns  (one regarding 
undue delays in approval proced ures and another regarding lack of transparency in such procedures 
for the importation of animal products)  (Table  3.14).  
 
19 The objective of an SPS measu re falls under one or more of the following categories:  (i) food safety ; 
(ii) animal health ; (iii) plant protection ; (iv) protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease ; and (v)  protect 
territory from other damages from pests. Members are required to ide ntify the purpose of the measure in their 
notifications. It is not uncommon for more than one objective to be identified for a measure. The percentages 
represent the share of each objective as cited in regular and emergency notifications.  
20 WTO document G/SPS/R/97/Rev.1 . 
21 The 19 -20 March 2020 SPS Committee meeting was suspended due to the COVID -19 pandemic 
(JOB/SPS/5/Rev.1/Corr.1 ). 
OIE
91%
IPPC
9%
Source: WTO Secretariat.Emergency SPS notifications (exluding addenda) and international standards
None
11%Relevant 
international 
standard
89%
Note: World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 50 - 
 
  Table 3.14 New STCs raised in the November 2019 SPS Committee meeting  
STC Document title  Members 
maintaining 
the measure  Members 
raising the 
concern  Members 
supporting 
the concern  Date raised  Primary 
objective  
465 Thailand's 
approval 
procedures for 
imports of pork 
and other animal 
products  Thailand  Brazil , 
European 
Union   07/11/2019  Other 
concerns  
466 The Philippines' 
trade restrictions 
on imports of 
meat Philippines  European 
Union   07/11/2019  Animal 
health 
467 EU sanitary 
requirement for 
importation of 
hoof and horn  European 
Union  Indonesia   07/11/2019  Other 
concerns  
468 The Russian 
Federation's 
maximum limit of 
3-
monochloropropa
nediol (3MCPD) 
and glycidyl ester 
(GE) in palm oil 
products  Russian 
Federation  Indonesia  Colombia , 
Malaysia  07/11/2019  Food safety  
469 EU Regulation on 
high risk plants 
(Regulation (EU) 
2016/2031)  European 
Union  Israel  Canada , 
Kenya , United 
States  07/11/2019  Plant health 
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3.63.   Twelve  previously raised STCs were discussed at the November 201 9 SPS Committee 
meeting. Of these, three  addressed persistent problems that have been discussed 1 0, 15 and 3 7 
times respectively ( Table  3.15).  
Table 3.15 Previously  raised STCs discussed again in the November 2019 SPS Committee 
meeting  
STC Document title  Members 
maintaining 
the measure  Members 
raising the 
concern  Members 
supporting 
the concern  First date 
raised  Primary 
objective  Times 
subsequently  
raised  
193 General import 
restrictions due to 
Bovine Spongiform 
Encephalopathy 
(BSE)  Certain 
Members  European 
Union; 
United 
States  Canada; 
Switzerland; 
Uruguay  01/06/2004  Animal 
health 37 
382 European Union 
legislation on 
endocrine 
disruptors  European 
Union  Argentina; 
China; 
Ecuador; 
Guatemala; 
India; 
Panama; 
Paraguay; 
United 
States  Australia; 
Benin; Brazil; 
Burkina Faso; 
Burundi; 
Canada; 
Central African 
Republic; 
Chile; 
Colombia; 
Costa Rica; 
Dominican 
Republic; 
Egypt; El 
Salvador; The 
Gambia; 
Ghana; 
Guinea;  
Honduras; 
Indonesia; 
Jamaica; 
Kenya; Korea, 
Republic of; 
Madagascar; 
Malaysia; 25/03/2014  Food safety  15 WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 51 - 
 
  STC Document title  Members 
maintaining 
the measure  Members 
raising the 
concern  Members 
supporting 
the concern  First date 
raised  Primary 
objective  Times 
subsequently  
raised  
Mexico; New 
Zealand; 
Nigeria; 
Pakistan; 
Peru; 
Philippines; 
Senegal; 
Sierra Leone; 
South Africa; 
Chinese 
Taipei; 
Thailand; 
Togo; 
Uruguay; Viet 
Nam; Zambia  
386 Measures on 
imports of hibiscus 
flowers  Mexico  Nigeria; 
Senegal  Burkina Faso  26/03/2015  Plant health 2 
406 China's import 
restrictions due to 
highly pathogenic 
avian influenza  China  European 
Union; 
United 
States   16/03/2016  Animal 
health 10 
431 South Africa's 
import restrictions 
on poultry due to 
highly pathogenic 
avian influenza  South Africa  European 
Union   02/11/2017  Animal 
health 6 
439 US import 
restrictions on 
apples and pears  United States  European 
Union   01/03/2018  Plant health 5 
441 Indonesia's 
approval 
procedures for 
animal and plant 
products  Indonesia  European 
Union  Brazil  12/07/2018  Other 
concerns  4 
447 New EU definition 
of the fungicide 
folpet  European 
Union  China   12/07/2018  Food safety  4 
448 EU MRLs for 
buprofezin, 
chlorothalonil, 
diflubenzuron, 
ethoxysulfuron, 
glufosinate, 
imazalil, ioxynil, 
iprodione, 
molinate, 
picoxystrobin and 
tepraloxydim  European 
Union  Colombia; 
Costa Rica; 
Côte 
d'Ivoire; 
Ecuador; 
Guatemala; 
India; 
Panama; 
Paraguay; 
United 
States  Argentina; 
Brazil; 
Canada; Chile; 
Dominican 
Republic; El 
Salvador; 
Honduras; 
Nicaragua; 
Peru; Turkey; 
Uruguay  01/11/2018  Food safety  3 
459 New EU MRLs for 
lambda -cyhalothrin  European 
Union  China  Paraguay  18/07/2019  Food safety  1 
461 Turkey's FMD -
related import 
restrictions on live 
cattle  Turkey  Argentina   18/07/2019  Animal 
health 1 
463 Ukraine's 
restrictions on 
swine products  Ukraine  Brazil   18/07/2019  Animal 
health 1 
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3.64.   Out of the 17 STCs discussed during the review period, 5 related  to measures implemented 
by Members on food safety, 6 on animal health , 3 on plant health, and 3 related to other types of 
concerns (i.e. control, inspection and approval procedures).  
COVID -19 related SPS measures (1 February – 15 May  2020)  
3.65.   The SPS Agreement requires Members to base SPS -related trade measures  on international 
standards, guidelines and recommendations, specifically those developed by the FAO/WHO Codex WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  Alimentarius Commission (Codex) for food safety; the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) 
for animal health and zoonoses; and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) for plant 
health. The three standard -setting bodies and the WHO are monitoring the COVID -19 situation, and , 
so far , have not recommended any trade restrictions. In the absence of relevant international 
standards, SPS measures must be based on a risk assessment. However, it may take some time 
before sufficient scientific evidence becomes available. In the wake of the pandemic, some Members 
felt they h ad to act quickly to ensure health protection. Under the SPS Agreement, Members have 
the right to adopt provisional measures based on the available information. As more scientific 
evidence emerges and a risk assessment can be carried out, the se measures mu st be reviewed 
within a reasonable period of time.  
3.66.   From 1 February until 15 May 2020, 14 Members (counting the European Union as one) 
notified SPS measures taken in relation to the COVID -19 pandemic. Ten measures were notified as 
regular notifications (in cluding one addendum22) and 12 measures23 were notified as emergency 
measures. Besides, five Members submitted their measures through an information communication 
(GEN document); one additional GEN document was submitted by several Members. Submitted 
documen ts are displayed by Member in Chart 3.1 5, and by month in Chart 3.1 6. 
Chart 3.15 Number of SPS notifications (regular, emergency and addenda) and GEN 
documents related to COVID -19 by Member  
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
 
22 Addendum to a 2019 regular notification to extend the final date for comments due to the COVID -19 
pandemic.  
23 Two subsequent addenda were notified, one to withdraw one of the emergency measures and a 
second to extend the period of application of another emergency measure . 
0123456
Regular Add Reg Emergency Add Emr GEN documentsNumber of SPS notifications (regular, emergency and addenda) and GEN documents related 
to COVID -19 by selected economies
Source:   WTO Secretariat.WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 53 - 
 
  Chart 3.16 Number of SPS notifications (regular, emergency and addenda) and GEN 
documents related to COVID -19 by month  
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3.67.   Initially , these measures mainly related to  restrictions on animal  imports and/or transit from 
affected areas (some of these measures were subsequently lifted) and increased certific ation 
requirements. Since  the beginning of April, most notifications and communications relate to 
measures taken to facilitate trade by allowing temporary flexibility for control authorities to use 
electronic versions of veterinary and/or phytosanitary  certificates, since the COVID -19 situation has 
made transmission of original paper certificates problematic. Overall, two thirds  of the 2 9 
notifications and communications submitted were measures considered  as trade facilitating.  
Box 3.4 Enhancing monitoring and transparency in SPS and TBT  
Accessing relevant information on SPS or TBT product requirements in export markets can represent a 
significant challenge, in particular for SMEs. The WTO helps address this potential trade barrier through a 
combination of transparency requirements included in the SPS and TBT Agreements , and online tools that 
make information easily accessible: the SPS and TBT Information Management Systems (SPS/TBT IMSs) and 
ePing.  
WTO Member s are required to notify proposed SPS and TBT measures if they may significantly affect 
international trade. Each year, the WTO receives more than 3,500 such notifications.  
Publicly  available online tools assist stakeholders in finding notifications of re levance to their trade:  
 - SPS IMS : www.spsims.wto.org ,  
 - TBT IMS : www.tbtims.wto.org , and  
 - ePing : www.epingalert.org .  
The SPS/TBT IMSs  are search -platforms that, among other things, help identify SPS or TBT notifications by 
using parameters such as product, notifying Member or objective. ePing  is an online alert system allowing 
users (governments, economic operators, and civil society) t o receive daily or weekly email alerts about SPS 
and TBT notifications covering products and markets of interest to them.  
Timely access to notifications is crucial, given the 60 -day period that should normally be provided for 
submitting comments on regula tions, usually still in draft form. The ePing platform also facilitates dialogue 
among the public and private sectors to discuss and share information on notifications of concern, allowing 
stakeholders to address potential trade problems at an early stage of the regulatory lifecycle . 
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
0510152025
February March April May
Regular (including Add) Emergency (including Add) GEN documentsNumber of SPS notifications (regular, emergency and addenda) and GEN documents related 
to COVID -19 by month
Source:   WTO Secretariat.WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  3.4  Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT)24 
Notifications submitted to the TBT Committee during the review period  
3.68.   Under the TBT Agreement, WTO Members are required to notify their intention to introduce 
new or modified TBT measures, or to notify adopted emergency measures immediately. The principal 
objective of complying with the TBT notification obligations is to inf orm other Members about new 
or changed regulations that may  significantly affect trade.25 Therefore, an increased number of 
notifications does not necessarily imply greater use of trade -restrictive  measures. Rather, 
TBT notification obligations are meant to  promote enhanced transparency regarding measures taken 
to address legitimate policy objectives, e.g. the protection of human, animal or plant life or health, 
or the environment.26 
3.69.   From 1 October 2019 to 1 5 May 2020 (the "review period"), WTO  Members submit ted 1,329  
new "regular " notifications of TBT measures,27 slightly  higher  than the volume of  regular notifications 
registered in the preceding seven -month period.28 The majority  (around 85%) of regular TBT 
notifications submitted during the review period cont inue to come from developing countries.  The 
Members which notified the most measures during the review period  - covering around 60% of all 
new regular notifications  – were Tanzania (152), Kenya (101), Uganda (93), Brazil (91), the United 
States (90), Israe l (66), Rwanda (58), China (54), the European Union ( 52)29 and India (39). 
3.70.   Of the 1,329  new regular TBT notifications received during the review  period, the majority  
indicated the protection of human health or safety as their main objective,30 including, as further 
explained  below , various measures related  to the COVID -19 pandemic. The remaining notifications 
related to consumer information, labelling, prevention of deceptive practices and consumer 
protection, and quality requirements.  
3.71.   A total of 989 "follow  up-notifications"31 were submitted during the review  period, a  43% 
increase over those submitted during the preceding seven -month  period  (693). The continuing and 
 
24 For the TBT Section, the review period covers 1 October 2019 to 1 5 May 2020.  
25 Under the TBT Agreement, WTO Members are not required  to notify all  proposed TBT  measures 
(technical  regulations or conformity assessment procedures). Rather, as a minimum, they are only required to 
notify those measures that may have a "significant effect on trade " of other Members and are not "in 
accordance with " any pre -existing " relevant international standards " (in the case of technical regulations), or 
any "relevant guides or recommendations issued by an international standardizing body"  (in the case of 
conform ity assessment procedures). However, the TBT Committee, in its Sixth Triennial Review, encouraged 
Members, "for the purpose of enhancing predictability and transparency in situations where it is difficult to 
establish or foresee whether a draft technical r egulation or conformity assessment procedure may  have a 
'significant effect on trade of other Members', to notify such measures" . This recommendation was reiterated 
by the TBT Committee at its Eighth , and last,  Triennial Review (November 2018).  
26 TBT Agreement obligations are also subject to 25 separate technical assistance and s pecial and 
differential treatment (S&D) pr ovisions, conferring developing -country Members, and LDC Members in 
particular, with certain flexibilities. The TBT  Agreement contains  more S&D provisions than any other WTO 
agreement apart from the GATT  1994.  For more information see WT/CMTD/W/239  (October 2018), Section 2.5 
(TBT), and also the comparative table on pages 5 -6. 
27 Viewed at: http://tbt ims.wto.org . These numbers only concern "regular" notifications (in which the 
original  draft measure is submitted) and do not include "follow -up" notifications.  
28 From 1 March to 30 September 201 9, the overall number of new regular notifications  was 1,284 . 
29 Forty EU-wide regular notifications plus 12 notifications from certain individual EU member States: 
the Czech Republic ( 4); Sweden (3); Spain (2); Lithuania (2) and France (1).  
30 A TBT measure may  pursue a variety of legitimate objectives, although hist orically the majority fall 
under one of the following categories: the protection of human, animal or plant life or health, or the 
environment. Members are required to identify the purpose of the measure in their notifications. It is not 
uncommon that more than one objective is identified for a measure.  
31 "Follow -up" notifications can take the form of "addenda", "corrigenda", or "supplements". They can 
also be in the form of "revisions" when the original measure has been substantially re -drafted prior to its  
adoption or entry into force. "Follow -up" notifications are meant to indicate any pertinent new information 
available after the original measure was notified. Such new information may include, for instance: the 
extension of a notification comment period ( addenda); the withdrawal or revocation of a measure (addenda); 
when a measure is substantially redrafted prior to adoption or entry into force (revision); or when the adopted 
final text of a measure becomes available (addenda). See G/TBT/35/Rev.1 for furth er information on different 
types of TBT notifications.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  frequent use by Members of this type of notification  is a positive development, as it increases 
transparency and predictability across the measures' regulatory lifecycle.  
Measures discussed in the TBT Committee (STCs)  
3.72.   WTO Members use the TBT Committee as a forum for discussing trade issues related to 
specific TBT measures (technical regulations , standards or conformity assessment procedures) 
maintained by other Members. These STCs normally relate to proposed draft measu res notified to 
the TBT  Committee or to the implementation of existing  measures. Issues can range from simple 
requests for additional information and clarification to questions on the consistency of measures with 
TBT Agreement disciplines.  
3.73.   A total of 198 (45 new and 153 previously -raised ) STCs were discussed during the three 
Committee meetings that fell within the review period: 62 (12  new and 50 previously  raised)  at the 
November  2019 meeting , 64 (12  new and 52 previously  raised) at the February  2020 meet ing and 
72 (21 new and 51 previously  raised) at the May 2020 meeting.  
3.74.   As depicted in Table  3.16, these 45 new STCs concerned TBT measures by India (8), the 
European Union (6), the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (4), Colombia (3), Russian Federation (3), the 
Unite d States (3), Brazil (2), and Mexico, China, Mongolia, France, Peru, Ecuador, Ghana, Qatar, 
Turkey, the Republic of Korea, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Viet  Nam,  Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, 
Armenia,  New Zealand, Australia and Myanmar  (1 each). These new STCs covered regulations on a 
range of products  (cheese, grape and wine products, pre -packed food, cosmetic and hygiene 
products, motor vehicles, electrical and electronic equipment, medical devices, alcoholic beverages, 
etc.), dealing wi th a variety of issues  (labelling and packaging, conformity assessment procedures, 
harmonization, product quality, halal certification, health and safety, environmental protection, 
energy efficiency, etc.).  
Table 3.16 New STCs raised in the TBT Committee  meetings of November 2019, February 
2020 and May 2020  
New STCs  
European Union : Revised Draft EU Regulation on Ecological Design Requirements for External Power Supply (ID 
596) (raised by China)  
Brazil: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply – MAPA Ordinance 79 of 13 May 2019 establishing a public 
consultation to amend Technical Regulation 67, 5 November 2018 , regarding the procedures and requirements for 
export and import certificatio n of beverages, fermented acetic, wines and wine and grapes derived products (ID 597) 
(raised by United States, South Africa and New Zealand)  
India : Air conditioner s and their related parts (Quality Control) Order, 2018 (ID 598) (raised by Republic of Kor ea 
and United States)  
Ecuador: Energy Efficiency Requirements for Clothes Dryers for Domestic Use (ID 599) (raised by Republic of Korea)  
Ghana:  Administrative Process for Homologation of Model of Motor Vehicle and its Variants (ID 600) (raised by United 
States and Canada)  
United States: Modernization of the Labelling and Advertising Regulations for Wine, Distilled Spirits, and Malt 
Beverages (ID  601) (raised by European Union)  
Qatar: Ministry of Public Health Circular regarding shelf life for cheese (ID 602)  (raised by United States and European 
Union)  
Turkey: Draft Amendment of the Regulation on Cosmetics (ID 603)  (raised by United States)  
Brazil: Ordinance 259, o f 27 May 2019, which makes corrections and updates to the Conformity Assessment 
Requirements for Medical Devices Subject to the Health Surveillance System in Ordinance 54, of 1 February 2016 (ID 
604) (raised by United States)  
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Electrical Clothes Dryers Energy Performance Requirements and Labelling (ID 605)  
(raised by Republic of Korea)  
Republic of Korea:  Ballast Water Management Act (ID 606) (raised by European Union)  
Pakistan: Amendment to Pakistan's Imports and Exports (Control) Act, 1950: Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) 237 
on labelling, shelf -life, and halal certification (ID 607) (raised by United States and European Union)  
Mexico: Draft Amendment to Mexican Official Standard NOM-051-SCFI/SSA1 -2010: General specifications for the 
labelling of pre -packed food and non -alcoholic beverages (ID 608) (raised by European Union, United  States, 
Switzerland, Costa Rica and Guatemala)  
Colombia: Food Prioritized for its Sodium Content, Ce rtification Requirements (ID 609)  (raised by United  States and 
Guatemala)  
United States: Act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to regulation of toxic chemicals in 
children's products (State of New York - Senate Bill 501B/Assembly Bill 6296A) (ID 610)  (raised by European  Union)  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 56 - 
 
  New STCs  
China: Draft Administrative Measures for Registration of Overseas Producers of Imported Foods (ID 611)  (raised by 
Mexico, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, United States, Japan, European Union an d Chinese  Taipei)  
Russian Federation: Law No. 425 - on Amending Article 4 of Russian Federation Law on Protecting Consumer Rights 
(ID 612)  (raised by United States, Japan and European Union)  
India: Draft Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations (ID 613)  (raised by United States and 
European Union)  
European Union: Regulation (EU) 2018/848 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 on 
organic production and labelling of organic products (ID 614)  (raised by Dominican Republic, Canada, Panama, 
Paraguay, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Chile)  
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Saber Conformity Assessment Online Platform / Saleem Product Safety Program (ID 
615) (raised by the European Union)  
Mongolia: Mandatory Requirement for Enrichment of Agricultural Products with Vitamins (ID 616)  (raised by Russian 
Federation)  
France: Mandatory Labelling of SAR Radio Equipment (ID 617)  (raised by China)  
Peru: Supreme Decree No. 015 -2019-SA, which amends the Manual of Advertising Warnings approved by Supreme 
Decree No. 012 -2018-SA (ID 618)  (raised by Costa Rica, Chile, United States, Brazil, Colombia, European Union and 
Guatemala)  
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Electrical Clothes Washing Machines – Energy and Water  performance Requirements 
and Labelling (ID 619)  (raised by Republic of Korea)  
Bangladesh: Hazardous Waste (E -waste) Management Rules, 2019 (ID 620)  (raised by Canada, United States, 
Russian Federation and European Union)  
Viet Nam: Draft Circular replacing the Circular No.05/2019/TT -BTTTT dated 9 July 2019 specifying the list of products 
and goods with unsafe capability under management responsibility of Ministry of Information and Communications 
(ID 621)  (raised by United States)  
India: Draft Che micals (Management and Safety) Rules, 2020 (ID 622)  (raised by United States)  
Colombia: Issuing the Technical Regulation on rational energy -use labelling for certain types of electrical and gas 
end-use equipment, for marketing in Colombia (ID 623)  (raised by Republic of Korea and United States)  
Russian Federation; Kazakhstan; Kyrgyz Republic; Armenia: Requirements for energy efficiency of energy 
related devices (ID 624)  (raised by Republic of Korea)  
United States: Guidance on Federal Conformity Assessment Activities (ID 625)  (raised by European Union)  
European Union: Revision of the Batteries Directive (ID 626)  (raised by Japan)  
European Union: Non-renewal of the approval of the active substance mancozeb (ID 627)  (raised by Colombia, 
Brazil, Costa Rica, United States, Ecuador, Paraguay, Guatemala, Indonesia and Nicaragua)  
European Union: Draft Commission Regulation amending Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 of the 
European Parliament and of the Council as regards botanical species containing hydroxyanthracene derivatives (ID 
628) (raised by Mexico)  
New Zealand: Consumer Information Standards (Origin of Food) Regulations 2019 (ID 629)  (raised by Canada)  
India: Quality Control Orders for Chemical and Petroc hemical Substances (ID 630)  (raised by Canada, European 
Union  and Chinese Taipei)  
India: Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 dated 27 January 2020 regarding operationalization of Food Safety and 
Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Amendment Regulations, 2020 (ID 631)  (raised by United 
States)  
India: Toys (Quality Control) Order, 2020 (IND/131); Amendment in Policy Condition No. 2(iii) to Chapter 95 of ITC 
(HS), 2017 - Schedule -I (Import Policy) (IND/143) (ID 632)  (raised by United States, European Union and Canada)  
India: FSSAI’s Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 and the 
new implementing veterinary certificate for dairy products (ID 633)  (raised by European Union)  
European Union: EU Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/2013 for Energy Labelling of Electronic Displays (ID 634)  
(raised by China)  
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: SASO 2663 Air Conditioner Minimum Energy Performance, labelling and testing 
requirements for low capacity window type and single -slit, and related certifications (ID 635)  (raised by China)  
Australia: Maturation requirements for imported alcohol (ID 636)  (raised by Brazil)  
Russian Federation: Regulation on safety of alcoholic beverages, Technical Regulation TR EAEU 047/2018 (ID 637)  
(raised by Mexico)  
Colombia: SIC External Circular 002 on Notices for Mobile Device Packaging (ID 638)  (raised by United  States)  
India: Expansion of BIS certification to plugs, socket ou tlets and power cords (ID 639)  (raised by China)  
Myanmar: Regulation on importation of alcoholic beverages (ID 640)  (raised by Mexico)  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3.75.   As indicated in Chart 3.17, STCs are frequently discussed in the regular meetings of the 
TBT Committee, with around 60  discussed per  meeting in recent years. Depending on the extent of 
the trade-restrictiveness  and the importance of the issue to the Member(s) raising the STC, the 
same measure may come  up at one or more meetings of the TBT Committee. For example, an STC WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 57 - 
 
  may be discussed at only one meeting as a new STC, and subsequently a resolution to the trade 
concern may be found. Alternatively, an STC may be discussed at subseque nt meetings, as a 
previously  raised STC. Previously  raised STCs, in particular long -standing ("persist ent") ones, 
generally involve more serious and/or complex concerns. Since 1995, Members have raised 638 new 
STCs.  
Chart 3.17 STCs raised per committee meeting from 2009 to May 2020  
(Number)  
 
Note:  The methodology of counting previously  raised STCs has been revised. The new methodology counts 
an STC each time it is raised: if raised for the first time, it is counted as a new STC, and if it is raised 
again, it is counted as a previously  raised STC.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3.76.   Overall, the number of new and previously  raised  STCs has been increasing every year. During 
the three Committee meetings held in 2019 , for example, 185  STCs were discussed, which 
represents a 137% increase compared to 2007, when only 78 STCs were raised. The 185 STCs  
reviewed by Members in 2019 constitutes  a new peak in the Committee ’s discussions and , in 
addition, the number of new STCs increased to 35, 13 more than in 2018 ( Chart 3.18). This breaks 
the declining trend in the number of new concerns raised in the Committee since 2014 (47). On the 
other hand, the number of previously  raised STC s dropped to 150, 12 fewer than 2018.32 The overall  
trend suggests an increasing use of the TBT Committee as a forum for Members to raise and resolve 
trade concerns non -litigiously.  
 
32 See Twenty -Fifth Annual Review of the Implementation and Operation of the TBT Agreement , 
G/TBT/44 (19  February 2020 ), para.  4.2. 
44354465
40515560 58 59 596447
365160
39465056 5962 647240
465535
515156576263 62
131
117150160
130148161173179184 185
136
020406080100120140160180200
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Feb/March Meeting May/June Meeting November MeetingSTCs raised per Committee meeting, 2009 to May 2020
Source:  WTO Secretariat.Note: [See document](Number)WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 58 - 
 
  Chart 3.18 STCs raised from 1995 to May 2020  
(Number)  
 
Note:  The methodology of counting previously  raised STCs has been revised. The new methodology counts 
an STC each time it is raised: if raised for the first time, it is counted as a new STC, and if it is raised 
again, it is counted as a previously  raised STC.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3.77.   The number of times that an STC is raised may be related to the importance Members attach 
to the concern or may provide insight into whether progress was made in addressing concerns. STCs 
which are raised at only one or two meetings m ay represent concerns for which some progress was 
found. On the other hand, longstanding STCs raised at five or more meetings may represent 
concerns for which less progress has been made. As mentioned above, STCs frequently discussed 
at subsequent meetings  as previously  raised STCs usually represent more serious concerns. From 
1995 to 2019, for instance, the majority of STCs (56%)  have been raised at one or two Committee 
meetings, while 25% were raised three  to five times. Only 19% of STCs were raised more than five 
times ( Chart  3.19).  
Chart 3.19 STCs raised in the TBT Committee, 1995 -19 
(Number of times  raised ) 
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
4
6
11
13
5
13
15
20
15
14
12
24
27
32
46
29
43
35
42
47
37
31
27
22
35
334
6
12
12
32
20
34
22
35
20
41
51
74
85
88
107
125
88
101
124
142
152
162
150
1034
10
17
25
17
45
35
54
37
49
32
65
78
106
131
117
150
160
130
148
161
173
179
184
185
136
020406080100120140160180200
New STCs Previously raised STCsSTCs raised per year, 1995 to May 2020
(Number)
Source:  WTO Secretariat.Note: [See text].
1-2 Meetings
56%
3-5 Meetings
25%>5 Meetings
19%STCs raised in the TBT Committee, 1995 -2019
Source: WTO Secretariat.(Number of times raised)WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 59 - 
 
  3.78.   During the three  Committee  meetings covered by the review period , seven "persistent " STCs 
– i.e. those previously  raised STCs raised more than 16 times in Committee meetings – were 
discussed (Table  3.17). All of these persistent STCs concerned measures by G20 economies . 
Table 3.17 Persistent STCs raised between 1 October 2019 and 15 May 2020  
Persistent STCs  
India:  New Telecommunications related Rules (Department of Telecommunications, No. 842 -725/2005 -
VAS/Vol.III (3 December  2009); No. 10 -15/2009 -AS-III/193 (18 March 2010); and Nos. 10 -15/2009 -
AS.III/Vol.II/(Pt.)/(25 -29) (28 July 2010); Department of Telecommunications, No. 10 -15/2009 -
AS.III/Vol.II/(Pt.)/(30) (28 July 2010) and accompanying template, "Security and Business Co ntinuity 
Agreement") (ID 274) – raised 29 times  since 2010  
China: Requirements for information security products, including, inter alia , the Office of State Commercial 
Cryptography Administration (OSCCA) 1999 Regulation on commercial encryption products a nd its on -going 
revision and the Multi -Level Protection Scheme (MLPS) (ID 294) – raised 28 times  since 2011  
Russian Federation: Draft Technical Regulation on Alcohol Drinks Safety (published on 24 October 2011) 
(ID 332) – raised 25 times  since 2012  
European Union:  Draft Implementing Regulations amending Regulation (EC) No. 607/2009 laying down 
detailed rules for the application of  Council Regulation (EC) No 479/2008 as regards protected designations 
of origin and geographical indications, traditional terms, labelling and presentation of certain wine sector 
products (ID 345) – raised 23 times  since 2012  
India:  Electronics and Infor mation Technology Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 
2012 (ID 367) – raised 22 times  since 2013  
European Union: Hazard -based approach to plant protection products and setting of import tolerances (ID 
393) – raised 21 times  since 2013  
China:  Regulations for the Supervision and Administration of Medical Devices (Order No. 650 of the State 
Council) (ID 428) – raised 18 times  since 2014  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.   
COVID -19 related TBT notifications during the review period33  
3.79.   During the review period, WTO Members submitted 53 TBT notifications/communications on 
standards and regulations in response specifically to the COVID -19 pandemic.34 Most of the se were 
submitted under the emergency/urgent notification provisions of the TBT Agreement.35 Under these 
provisions, WTO Members can adopt measures  directly and immediately notify them to the WTO, 
without providing the usual 60 -day comment period (or six -month transition period prior to entry 
into force).  
3.80.   As indicated in Chart 3. 20, TB T notifications in relation to the COVID -19 pandemic were 
submitted by 14 WTO Members . Around half of the notified measures were reported as temporary, 
often applying for a period of six -months.  
 
33 For further information  see also the Information Note " Standards, Regulations and COVID -19 – what 
actions taken by WTO Members? " (WTO, 2020).  
34 TBT Notifications are classified as COVID -19 related if they contain the terms "coronavirus", "COVID", 
"SARS -COV-2" or "nCoV". This includes not only regular notifications but also eight follow -up notifications (in 
the form of revisions  or addenda  to prev ious regular notifications).  
35 Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement),  Articles 2.10, 2.12, 5.7, and 5.9.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 60 - 
 
  Chart 3.20 COVID-19-related TBT notifications , by Member  
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3.81.   TBT notifications in relation to the COVID -19 pandemic cover a wide range of products 
including personal protective  equipment (PPE), medical equipment, medical supplies, medicines, 
food and general coverage (Chart 3. 21).36,37  
Chart 3.21 Product coverage of COVID -19 related TBT notifications  (as of 15 May 2020)  
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
 
36 With respect to medical goods, this  Report  adopts the product categories developed in the 
Information Note " Trade in Medical Goods in the Context of Tackling COIVD -19" (WTO, 2020), pg 2 and 
Annex  1. 
37 The category of "General" includes notifications without a specific product scope. The "Other" 
category in cludes, for instance, clothing, textiles and tobacco products.  
15
14
7
3 3
2 2
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0246810121416
Source:  WTO Secretariat.COVID -19 related TBT notifications by WTO MemberNumber of COVID -19 related TBT notifications
25
11
8
6 6
4 4
051015202530
PPE Medical Equipment Medical Supplies Medicines
(Pharmaceuticals)Food Other General
Source:  WTO Secretariat.Product coverage of COVID -19 related TBT notificationsNumber of COVID -19 related TBT notificationsWT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 61 - 
 
  3.82.   The notified measures broadly fall into three main categories: streamlining certification 
procedures; ensuring the safety of medical  goods; and making food available by relaxing technical 
regulations.  
TBT Committee discussions during the COVID -19 pandemic  
3.83.   The TBT Committee continued its regular work on STCs during the COVID -19 pandemic. The 
Committee held , on an exceptional basis, its 13 -14 May 2020 meeting by a written procedure made 
possible by the new online "eAgenda platform". Members exchanged statements on 72 STCs, of 
which 21 were new. Using the platform facilitated broad participation.  
3.84.   Although non e of the STCs discussed during the written procedure related to COVID -19 
measures (see above), Members made various points related to COVID -19 in their statements. For 
instance, some Members mentioned the challenges faced by developing countries, in partic ular, in 
addressing the pandemic due to the lack of financial and health resources - a challenge exacerbated 
by the implementation of measures on agricultural products which creates additional burdens in 
international trade.  
3.85.   Several Members called for ext ended transition periods, as well as flexibility in production and 
labelling requirements in order to allow Members to maintain critical resources needed during the 
crisis, which would otherwise be diverted to comply with such additional requirements. WTO 
Members also cited the global health emergency when announcing logistical issues resulting in 
implementation delays of certain measures.  
3.86.   Finally, Members urged the need for international cooperation in all areas to face the 
COVID -19 pandemic, including by the promotion of measures that facilitate trade rather than create 
additional obstacles to trade which would hinder the process of global economic recovery.  
3.5  Trade Concerns Raised in Other WTO Bodies38 
3.87.   During the review period, a number of trade  issues and concerns were raised by Members in 
formal meetings of various WTO bodies. This Section provides a factual overview of such concerns 
raised between mid -October 2019 and mid -May 20 20. 39 The trade concerns covered in this Section 
have neither the status nor the procedural framework of the STCs raised in the SPS and TBT 
Committees. Nevertheless, they provide an up -to-date insight into which trade issues are being 
discussed by Members across the WTO and, as such, add important transparency. This Sect ion does 
not reproduce the full substantive description of the trade concerns outlined by WTO Members, but 
provides a reference to the formal meeting(s) where a particular issue featured. A full account and 
context of the concerns is provided in the formal  meeting records of the respective WTO bodies. The 
list of concerns and issues mentioned in this Section is not exhaustiv e. 
3.88.   At the 3 March 2020  meeting of the General Council40 concerns were raised on Kazakhstan’s 
border restrictions of goods in transit41 (raised by Kyrgyz Republic).  
3.89.   At the Council for Trade in Goods  (CTG) meeting  on 14 and 15 November 201942, new 
concerns were raised on the use by the European Union of trade remedy instruments and, in 
particular, the amendments introduced by EU Regulations  2017/2321 and 2018/825  as to the 
calculation of the "normal value" of products subject to anti -dumping investigations and the right of 
the European Union  not to apply the "lesser duty rule" in calculating the amount of anti -dumping 
duty (raised by Russian Fe deration) .  
3.90.   At the same  meeting, concerns were again raised on: (i) the European Union's proposed 
modification of EU TRQ commitments  in response to B rexit (raised by Australia, Brazil, Canada, 
 
38 This Section does not include the SPS and TBT Committees (covered separately) . Issues raised in this 
Section may subsequently have become the subject of a dispute.  
39 Members and Observers are  encouraged to communicate to the Trade Monitoring Section of the 
WTO's Trade Policy Review Division trade issues which they have raised in WTO bodies and which they believe 
are relevant to the monitoring exercise.  
40 WTO document WT/GC/M/182.  
41 WTO documen ts G/C/W/774, and G/TFA/W/20.  
42 WTO document G/C/M/136.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  Chile, China, New Zealand, Russian Federation, United States, and Uruguay); (ii) the EU 
enlargement to include Croatia (raised by Russian  Federation ); (iii) the EU implementation of non -
tariff barriers on agricultural products (raised by Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, 
Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoir e, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Malaysia, 
Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, United States, and Uruguay); (iv) a selective tax by the 
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates on certain imp orted 
products (raised by European Union, Switzerland, and United States); (v) Indonesia's import and 
export restricting policies and practices (raised by European Union, Japan, Chinese Taipei, and 
United States); (vi) India's customs duties on ICT product s (raised by Canada and United States); 
(vii) European Union's quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs – the registration of 
certain terms of cheese as geographical indications (raised by Argentina, United States, and 
Uruguay); (viii) Egyp t's manufacturer registration system (raised by European Union and Russian 
Federation); (ix) Mongolia's quantitative restrictions and prohibitions on importations of certain 
agricultural products (raised by Russian Federation); and (x) Viet Nam's decree on  the regulation 
on conditions for automobile manufacturing, assembl y, and import, and automotive warranty and 
maintenance services (raised by Russian Federation and United States).  
3.91.   Additional concerns were repeated on: (xi) China's measures restricting the  import of scrap 
materials (raised by United States) ; (xii) India's quantitative restrictions on imports of certain pulses 
(raised by Australia, Canada, European Union, Russian Federation, and United States); (xiii) China's 
customs duties on certain integr ated circuits (raised by European Union, Japan, and Chinese Taipei); 
(xiv) EU draft implementing regulations regarding protected designations of origin and geographical 
indications, traditional terms, labelling and presentation of certain wine sector produ cts (raised by  
United States); (xv) China's draft new export control law (raised by Japan); (xvi) US proposal on 
communication equipment or services released  by the FCC (raised by China); (xvii) Australia's 
discriminatory market access prohibition on 5G eq uipment (raised by China); (xviii) US measures 
regarding market access prohibition for ICT products (raised by China); (xix) US export control 
measures for ICT products (raised by China); (xx) EU Regulation EC No. 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation) 
(raised by Russ ian Federation and United States); (xxi) US measures on aviation security equipment 
(raised by China); (xxii) Russian Federation trade -restricting practices (raised by European Union 
and United States); (xxiii) EU amendments to Directive 2009/28/EC, Renewa ble Energy Directive 
(raised by Colombia and Malaysia); (xxiv) EU Medical Device Regulation and In Vitro  Diagnostic 
Medical Devices Regulation (raised by United States); and (xxv) Angola's import restricting practices 
(raised by Russian Federation).  
3.92.   At the  11 November 201943 meeting of the Committee on Market Access (CMA)44 new and 
persistent trade concerns were raised as per Table 3.1 8.  
Table 3.18 Concerns raised at the Committee on Market Access  
Measure implemented by  Raised by  
Angola – Import Restriction Practices  United States  
China - Customs Duties on Certain Integrated Circuits  European Union and Chinese Taipei  
Croatia – Regulation of Import and Sale of Certain Oil 
Products  Russian Federation  
Enlargement of the European Union to include Croatia 
- Negotiations under Article XXIV:6 of the GATT 1994  Russian Federation  
European Union – Renegotiation of Tariff Rate Quotas 
under Article  XXVIII of the GATT 1994  Russian Federation  
India – Customs Duties on Telecommunication and 
Other Products  China and United States  
India – Quantitative Restrictions on Certain Pulses  Australia ; Canada ; European Union ; 
Russian  Federation ; and United States  
Indonesia - Customs Duties on Certain 
Telecommunication Products  United States  
 
43 WTO document G/MA/M/71 (forthcoming).  
44 The Committee on Market Access was meant to have another meeting on 2 April 2020, but it had to 
be postponed due to the COVID -19 pandemic.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  Measure implemented by  Raised by  
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Digital Stamp Tax  Switzerland  
Mongolia – Quantitative Restrictions and Prohibitions 
on Importations of Certain Agricultural Products  Russian Federat ion 
Russian Federation – Quantitative Restrictions on 
Exports of Scrap and Waste of Ferrous Metals  European Union  
United Kingdom - Renegotiation of Tariff Rate Quotas 
under Article XXVIII of the GATT 1994  Russian Federation  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.   
3.93.   At the same meeting, Members also raised concerns in the context of the review of 
notifications under the 2012 Decision on notification procedures for quantitative restrictions .45 
3.94.   At the meeting of the Committee on Import Licensing  (CIL) on 4 October 201946, persistent 
trade concerns were raised on: (i) Indonesia's import licensing regime for cell phones, handheld 
computers and tablets (raised by United States); (ii) Ghana's import procedures and permits for 
poultry (raised by  United  States);  (iii) India's import licensing requirements for boric acid (raised by 
the United States); (iv) India's quantitative restrictions on certain pulses (raised by Australia and  
Canada); (v) China's importation of waste , and changes to import licensing  for certain recoverable 
materials (raised by European Union  and United States); (vi) Thailand's import procedures on feed 
wheat (raised by European Union); (vii) Brazil's import licensing on industrial nitrocellulose (raised 
by European Union); and (viii)  Myanmar's import licensing requirement for agricultural products 
(raised by United States ). 
3.95.   At the meeting of the Committee on Customs Valuation on 25 October 202047, concerns were 
repeated on Pakistan's determination of the customs value of uncoated offse t paper for writing, 
printing and photocopying imported from Thailand (raised by Thailand).   
3.96.   At the meeting of the Trade Facilitation Committee  on 11 February 202048, concerns were 
raised on Kazakhstan’s border restrictions of goods in transit49 (raised by Kyrgyz Republic).  
3.97.   At the meetings of the Committee on Agriculture (CoA) , a total of 298 questions were raised,  
on individual notifications (159 questions), on Specific I mplementation Matters  (SIMs) under 
Article  18.6 (123 questions on 72  SIMs) and on overdue notifications (16 questions). These 
questions were raised in the context of the 92nd and 93rd CoA meeting s.50 The 92nd CoA meeting 
took place on 30 -31 October 2019, while the 93rd CoA meeting, initially scheduled to take place on 
24-25 March 2020 was postponed as a result of  the COVID -19 pandemic. The questions already 
raised for the 93rd meeting were included in Section 3.6  of the R eport for reference only, as Members 
may still add or remove questions until the actual convening of the 93rd CoA meeting.  
3.98.   At the meeting of the Committee on Anti -Dumping Practices (ADP)51 on 20 November 2019, 
concerns were raised as per Table 3.19. 
 
45 WTO document G/L/59/Rev.1.  
46 WTO document G/LIC/M/50.  
47 WTO document G/VAL/M/69.  
48 WTO document G/TFA/M/10.  
49 WTO document G/TFA/W/20 . 
50 The content of the questions raised under the review process for the 92nd and 93rd CoA meetings are 
available in WTO docume nts G/AG/W/202, issued on 17 October 2019 and G/AG/W/205, issued on 13 March 
2020, respectively. The questions, responses and follow -up comments are available through the Q&A section of 
the Agriculture Information Management System . Viewed at: http://agims.wto.org/ . 
51 WTO document G/ADP/M/57.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  Table 3.19 Concerns raised on anti -dumping practices  
Measure impleme nted by  Member(s)  
raising the concern  
Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic and Russian Federation    
Investigation on zinc plated or coated flat -rolled steel products  Ukraine  
Ukraine  Measures on forged work -rolls 
Brazil   
Measures on tyres for passenger cars  Ukraine  
Canada   
Normal value review on certain carbon and alloy steel line pipes  Korea, Republic of  
Korea, Republic of  
Korea, Republic of  Final determination on certain hot -rolled steel plate   
Final determination on oil country tubular goods ( OCTG ) 
Investigation on certain OCTG  Turkey  
China   
Investigation on phenol  Korea, Republic of  
Final determination on methylisobut yl ketone  Korea, Republic of  
Final determination on styrene monomer  Korea, Republic of  
Final determination on acrylonitrile butadiene rubber  Korea, Republic of  
Preliminary determination on stainless billets, hot -rolled plates and coils  Japan  
European Union   
Initiation of expiry review of measures on ammonium nitrate  Russian Federation  
Russian Federation  Measures on mixtures of urea and ammonium nitrate  
India   
Investigation on coated/plated tin mill flat rolled steel products   Japan  
Malaysia   
Investigation on steel concrete reinforcing bar products  Turkey  
Mexico   
Continued application of measures on cold -rolled sheets (since June 
1999)  Kazakhstan  
Turkey   
Measures on unbleached kraft liner paper  Brazil  
Ukraine   
Investigation on rolling bearings  Kazakhstan  
Measure on cement  Russian Federation  
United States   
Annual review of measures on OCTG  Korea, Republic of  
Annual review of measures on circular welded non -alloy steel pipe  Korea, Republic of  
Annual review  on measures on welded line pipe  Korea, Republic of  
Annual review on measures on heavy -walled rectangular welded carbon 
steel pipes and tubes  Korea, Republic of  
Annual review on measures on large -diameter welded pipe  Korea, Republic of  
Annual review on measures on corrosion -resistant steel  Korea, Republic of  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3.99.   Additional issues and concerns raised at the 20 November 2019 ADP meeting on: (i) the non -
notification by some Members of their legislative status in the ADP Commi ttee, albeit doing so in the 
context of the TPRB forum (raised by  United States ); (ii) the EU amendments to its anti-dumping 
regulation pertaining to the non -application of the lesser duty rule in the case of the price distortions 
of raw materials in the exporting country , and the European Union's use of the cost adjustment 
methodology in its investigations ( raised by  Russian Federation ); (iii) the United States' application 
of adverse facts available  and the determination of particular market situation  in investigations  
(raised by Korea, Republic  of); and ( iv) Mexico's non -market economy methodologies applied in an 
anti-dumping investigation and in reviews pertaining to certain products from Kazakhstan ( raised by  
Kazakhstan).   
3.100.   At the meeting of the  Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures52 on 19 
November 2019 c oncerns were raised  on China's certain alleged subsid y programmes in the steel 
sector (raised by European Union, and United  States ).  
3.101.   Additional concerns were raised on: (i) the elimination of export subsidies by the Members 
that received extensions under Article 27.4 of the SCM Agreement; (ii) the low and declining level 
of compliance with the notification  and transparency obligations i n the SCM Agreement; (iii) requests 
 
52 WTO document G/SCM/M/111.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  for information pursuant to Article s 25.8 and 25.9 (raised by United States); (iv) subsidies and 
overcapacity (raised by Canada, European Union, Japan, and United States); and (v) the 
implementation of paragraph 2 of the  Ministerial Decision on Fisheries Subsidies (raised by 
Argentina, Australia, Canada, European Union, Iceland, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, 
Norway, Chinese Taipei, and United States).  
3.102.   At the meetings of the  Trade -Related Investment Measures  (TRIM s) Committee on 6 June 
and 13 November 201953 new or persistent issues were raised, as per Table 3. 20: 
Table 3.20 Concerns raised at the TRIMs Committee  
Measure implemented by  Member(s) raising the concern  
Argentina   
Argentina – Act 27,263 on the development and 
strengthening regime of the Argentine autopartism54 Mexico  
China   
Local content provisions in cybersecurity measures 
(including provisions on insurance system 
informatization)55 United States  
Indonesia   
Comprehensive review of localization measures  European Union, Japan, United States  
Local content requirements for pharmaceutical 
products and medical devices56  European Union, Japan, United States  
Russian Federation   
Measures implementing Russia's import substitution 
policy57 European Union, United States  
Measures to support the automotive industry to 
replace the automotive investment incentive 
program mes United States  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3.103.   At the meeting of the Committee on Safeguards58, on 18 November 2019, concerns were 
raised on specific safeguard  actions as per Table 3. 21. 
Table 3.21 Concerns raised at the Committee on Safeguards  
Measure implemented by  Member(s) raising the concern  
Canada   
Investigation on certain steel products  Japan  
Colombia   
Investigation on sheets of paperboard and polyethylene  Brazil  
Egypt   
Investigation on semi -finished products of iron or non -alloy steel and 
steel rebar for construction purposes  Ukraine  
Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic and Russian Federationa  
Investigation on certain flat -rolled steel products  Japan  
European Union   
Investigation on certain steel products  Japan; Korea, Republic of; 
Russian  Federation; Switzerland; 
Turkey  
Guatemala   
Investigation on flat -rolled products of other alloy steel  Korea, Republic of  
Bahrain , Kingdom of ; Kuwait , State of ; Oman; Qatar; Saudi 
Arabia , Kingdom of ; and United Arab Emiratesb  
 
53 WTO documents G/TRIMS/M/46 and G/TRIMS/M/47.  
54 WTO documents  G/TRIMS/Q/ARG/1, 1 May 2017; G/TRIMS/Q/ARG/2, 22 May 2017; 
G/TRIMS/Q/ARG/3, 11 October 20 17; G/TRIMS/Q/ARG/4, 5 February 2018; G/TRIMS/Q/ARG/5, 3 May 2018; 
G/TRIMS/Q/ARG/6, 7 June 2018; G/TRIMS/Q/ARG/7, 25 September 2018; G/TRIMS/Q/ARG/8, 22 October 
2018; G/TRIMS/Q/ARG/9, 24 April 2019; and G/TRIMS/Q/ARG/10, 28 October 2019.  
55 WTO document  G/TRIMS/Q/CHN/1, 3 June 2016.  
56 WTO document s G/TRIMS/Q/IDN/3, 21 September 2018; G/TRIMS/Q/IDN/4, 28 February 2019; and 
G/TRIMS/Q/IDN/5, 14 May 2019.  
57 WTO document s G/TRIMS/Q/RUS/4, 26 May 2016 ; G/TRIMS/Q/RUS/5, 27 September 2016 ; 
G/TRIMS/Q/RUS/6, 27 April 2017; G/TRIMS/Q/RUS/8, 24 January 2018 ; G/TRIMS/Q/RUS/7, 8 November 2017  
and G/TRIMS/Q/RUS/9, 22 March 2018.  
58 WTO document G/SG/M/56.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  Measure implemented by  Member(s) raising the concern  
Certain steel products  European Union; Japan; Korea, 
Republic of; Norway; Switzerland; 
Ukraine  
India   
Investigation on single mode optical fibre  Japan  
Investigation on phenol  Japan; Korea, Republic of  
Indonesia   
Investigation on fabrics  Chinese Taipei  
Investigation on yarn of synthetic and artificial staple fibres  United States  
Madagascar   
Investigation on soap  United States  
Investigation on lubricating oils  United States  
Investigation on edible vegetable oils and margarines  United States  
Investigation on pasta  Mauritius, United States, Egypt  
Morocco   
Investigation on welded pipes and tubes of iron or steel  European Union, Ukraine, United 
States  
Philippines   
Investigation on ceramic floor and wall tiles  Chinese Taipei, European Union  
Turkey   
Investigation on yarn of nylon or other polyamides  Chinese Taipei, European Union; 
United States  
Ukraine   
Investigation on complex fertilizers  European Union, Kazakhstan, 
Ukraine  
Investigation on flexible porous plates, blocks and sheets of 
polyurethane foams  European Union  
United States   
Measures taken following Section 232 investigations  Turkey  
Viet Nam   
Investigation on certain semi -finished and finished products of alloy 
and non -alloy steel  Japan  
a Investigations are initiated at the level of the Eurasian Economic Union.  
b Investigations are initiated at the level of the GCC.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3.104.   At the meeting of Working Party on State Trade Enterprises (STEs) on 1 November 201959, 
trade concerns were raised on: (i) India’s decision not to identify certain entities as STEs in its 2018 
and 2019 notifications (raised by United States and European Union); (ii) Brazil's notification of no 
STEs (raised by United States); (iii) the contin ued non -notification of STEs by the Russian Federation 
(raised by United States , European Union and Ukraine); (iv) the continued non -notification of STEs 
by the United Arab Emirates (raised by United States and European Union); and (v) the low level of 
compliance with the notification obligations relating to STEs (raised by United States).  
3.105.   At the meeting of the Council for Trade in Services (CTS) held on 30 October 2019, concerns 
were reiterated about cybersecurity  measures by China and Viet Nam (raised by Japan and 
United  States).60  
3.106.   At the meeting of the Committee on Trade and Development  (CTD) on 22 November 2019,61 
the LDC Group expressed concerns regarding  the under -utilization of LDCs' export potential and 
highlighted the need to determine the barriers to preference  utilization, and how these barriers could 
be removed. Members were also informed that the LDC Group had recently circulated a 
communication contain ing some of the LDCs’ concerns in the e -commerce area. At the meeting of 
the CTD's Dedicated Session on Small Economies on 1 November 201962, trade concerns about the 
vulnerability of small economies to natural disasters were reiterated. Concerns were addit ionally 
expressed regarding the challenges faced by small economies in attracting investments.  
 
59 WTO document G/STR/M/36.  
60 WTO document S/C/M/141.  
61 WTO document WT/COMTD/M/110.  
62 WTO document WT/COMTD/SE/M/39.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  3.107.   The above Section provides evidence of the numerous trade concerns raised in the various 
WTO bodies between mid -October 2019 and mid -May 2020. During the review period , several 
meetings of WTO Committees and Councils were postponed as a result of  the COVID -19 pandemic.  
Although fewer  meetings took place during the review period , several conclusions presented in 
previous Reports remain valid.  For example, several  trade concerns raised during the review period 
had already been  raised in previous periods, indicating persistent and unresolved issues. Also, during 
the review period, some trade concerns were raised in more than one WTO body , suggesting that  
these concerns involve cross -cutting and technically complex  issues . It suggests that WTO Members 
are continuing to use  multiple platforms within the WTO committee structure to address various 
aspects of such concerns. Systemically, this is significant because  of the increased transparency 
which it brings, but also because it demonstrates that Members are actively using the WTO 
committees to engage trading partners on real or potential areas of trade friction.  At the same time, 
however, the repetition and non -resolution of the same trade concerns and issues in various 
WTO bodies may also be a source of concern. The Secretariat will continue to closely monitor 
developments in this area.  
3.6  Policy Developments in Agriculture  
3.108.   The Committee on Agriculture (CoA) provid es a forum for Members to discuss matters 
related to agriculture trade , and to consult on matters relating to Members' implementation of 
commitments under the Agreement on Agriculture  (AoA). The review work by the CoA is based on 
notifications Members make  in relation to  their commitments. There is also a provision in Article 
18.6 of the AoA that allows Members to raise any matter relevant to the implementation of the 
commitments under the AoA.  
3.109.   During the period under review (mid -October 2019 to mid -May 20 20) the CoA was scheduled 
to meet for the 92nd and 93rd time. While the 92nd meeting took place on 30 -31 October 2019, the 
93rd CoA meeting scheduled to take place on 24 -25 March 2020 was postponed as a result of  the 
COVID -19 pandemic. Although that meeting was postponed, Members, following Committee meeting 
procedures, submitted questions and concerns for the scheduled 93rd meeting.63 This report covers 
the questions and concerns raised for the 93rd meeting for reference only , as Members may still add  
or remove questions until the actual convening of the 93rd CoA meeting.  
3.110.   Members posed a total of 298 questions  for the 92nd and 93rd CoA meetings64, including 
questions both on individual notifications and on Specific Implementation Matters (SIMs) under 
Article 18.6 . The majority of questions concerning  individual notifications were related to domestic 
support notifications (over 65%). Half of the SIMs related to domestic support policies, 33% related 
to policies affecting market access and the remaining 1 7% to policies in the area of export 
competition and other types of policies.  
3.111.   In total, 15 Members raised 123 questions on 72 SIMs (Article  18.6) for the 92nd (30-31 
October 2019) and 93rd (postponed)  CoA meetings.65 As can be seen in  Chart 3.22, the average 
number of questions raised under Article 18.6 per meeting  has been on the rise since 2011 , reaching 
an average of 51 questions in 2019 . These numbers include questions that were repeated from one 
meeting to the next because responses were not  provided within the relevant timeframes.  
 
63 WTO document WTO/AIR/AG/41, 20 February 2020.  
64 Under the review process of the CoA, Members may raise questions and concerns with respect to 
Members' individual notifications , and on Specific I mplementation Matters  under Article  18.6. These questions 
are to be raised at least 11 days in advance of the CoA meetings and the related responses are to be provided 
by the relevant Member(s) during the formal meetings of the CoA.  
65 Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, European Union, Ind ia, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, 
Paraguay, Russian Federation, Thailand, Ukraine and United States.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  Chart 3.22 Average number of questions per meeting raised under Article 18.6 
1995 -2020a 
 
a 2020 data cover questions raised for the 93rd CoA meeting scheduled to take  place on 24 -25 March 
2020 and postponed due to the COVID -19 pandemic. These questions are shown as reference only 
and may change up to the actual convening of the 93rd CoA meeting.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3.112.   Out of the 72 SIMs raised in the CoA during the period under review, 43 were discussed for 
the first time. The remaining matters  had been discussed at least once  in previous Committee 
meetings in the context of  matters raised under Article 18.6.  
3.113.   Domestic Support: More than half of the new SIMs raised related to domestic support policies 
aimed at producers of alcoholic beverages ( Russian Federation's excise duties on wine and 
champagne), cereals (Turkey's Turkish Grain Board), coffee (Colombia's co ffee price stabilization 
fund), corn (Japan's corn policies and US biofuels policies), meat and live animals (China's state 
reserves programmes) and rice and palm oil (Thailand's support to rice and palm oil). Members also 
raised questions concerning domes tic support policies with a wider scope , such as Angola's fuel 
subsidies, Brazil's subsidized loans, China's agricultural  insurance, E uropean Union's European Court 
of Auditors report, Russian Federation's state programme for rural territories development,  
Switzerland's financing of security stocks in agricultural sectors , and US farm support. A number of 
matters raised sought to obtain additional information on policies targeting environmental or SPS -
related objectives (EU environmental policies, EU produc tion subsidies resulting from the 
implementation of SPS measures , and EU eco schemes payments); other matters raised related to 
policies put in place in response to the potential impact of new trade deals or increased tariffs 
implemented by other Members ( China's exemptions to retaliatory tariffs, Japan's supplementary 
budget to address the impact of a new trade deal, E uropean Union's compensation to farmers to 
adjust to new trade deals , and E uropean Union's planned policy measures against US tariffs). Two 
SIMs related to information on US domestic support policies and notification practices. Finally, one 
SIM raised sought an update from the United Kingdom regarding its agricultural policy resulting from 
Brexit.   
3.114.   Market Access: Around  33% of the SIMs raised related to measures that restricted, or had 
the potential to restrict, trade of agricultural products, including eggs (Thailand's "license" charge 
on eggs) , beef and pork (Japan 's beef special safeguard and pork safeguard), rice (Chinese Taipei's 
rice TRQ tender system) , and dairy products (Nigeria's foreign currency exchange restrictions for 
dairy imports) . SIMs relating to more than one specific commodity were also raised (Angola's 
potential import restrictions, Canada's review of the TRQ system, Egypt's import licensing regime, 
the European Union's deforestation and forest degradation strategy, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's 
new system for issuing import licen ces, and Viet Nam's potential tariff reductions on certain 
010203040506070Average number of questions per meeting raised under Article 18.6 , 1995 -2020a
Source:  WTO Secretariat.a    2020 data cover questions raised for the 93rd CoA meeting scheduled to take place on 24 -25 March 2020 
and postponed due to the COVID -19 pandemic. These questions are shown as reference only and may change up 
to the actual convening of the 93rd CoA meeting.WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 69 - 
 
  agricultural products). Some matters we re raised in relation to potential new trade agreements 
(China -US economic and trade agreement and Japan -US trade  agreement).  
3.115.   Export Competition and other areas: A total of three SIMs were  raised to seek  clarification 
on policies that potentially subsidized exports of  agricultural products (India's export 
subsidies/export credits, Russian Federation's export subsidies and China's state trading 
enterprises ). Two additional SIMs were raised by Colombia seeking to obtain general information on 
agricultural policies being implemented by the European Union (EU "From Farm to Fork" (F2F) 
strategy and EU border adjustment mechanism for carbon emissions).  
3.116.   Table  3.22 lists the SIMs that were discussed for the first  time during the two CoA meetings 
covered by the Report . The complete list of questions and answers can be accessed through the 
Agriculture Information Management System  (AG IMS) by using the ID numbers provided in 
Table 3.22.66 
Table 3.22 SIM (Article 18.6) - new issues  
Specific Implementation 
Matter  (SIM)  Question 
raised by  Products  N° of 
questions  CoA 
Meetings  ID number  
United States - China -US 
Economic and Trade 
Agreement  Australia, 
Canada, 
Ukraine    3 93 93078, 93080, 
93082  
Canada's review of the TRQ 
system  Australia, New 
Zealand  Poultry, dairy, 
milk, milk 
powders, 
butter, cheese, 
other, eggs 3 92, 93  93045, 93046, 
92088  
China - China -US Economic 
and Trade Agreement  Australia, 
Canada    2 93 93049, 93050  
EU environmental policies  New Zealand, 
Paraguay    2 93 93057, 93059,  
Nigeria's foreign currency 
exchange restrictions for 
dairy imports  European 
Union, New 
Zealand  dairy, milk, 
milk powders, 
butter, cheese, 
other 2 93 93073, 93016  
Turkey's Turkish Grain 
Board (TMO)  United States  Cereals, wheat, 
corn, rice, 
malt, coarse 
grains  2 93 93019, 93021  
Thailand's support to rice 
and palm oil  United States  Rice, vegetable 
oils and fats  2 92 92014, 92015  
US farm support  Canada, 
European 
Union    2 92 92020, 92050  
Brazil's subsidized loans  India   1 93 93044  
China's  exemptions to 
retaliatory tariffs  Canada    1 93 93052  
China's agricultural 
insurance  Canada    1 93 93051  
Chinese Taipei's rice TRQ 
tender system   Australia  Rice 1 93 93053  
Colombia's coffee price 
stabilization fund  United States  Coffee  1 93 93006  
Egypt's import licen ce 
regime  Brazil  Live animals, 
bovine, swine, 
sheep and 
goat, poultry, 
horses, other, 
bovine, poultry  1 93 93054  
EU "From farm to fork" 
(F2F) strategy  Colombia    1 93 93127  
EU border adjustment 
mechanism for carbon 
emissions  Colombia    1 93 93143  
EU production subsidies 
resulting from 
implementation of SPS 
measures  Paraguay    1 93 93060  
 
66 In the AG IMS ( http://agims.wto.org/ ), select the function "Search Q&A Submitted Since 1995 " and 
input the ID number of the question concerned.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  Specific Implementation 
Matter  (SIM)  Question 
raised by  Products  N° of 
questions  CoA 
Meetings  ID number  
India's export subsidies 
/export credits  United States    1 93 93007  
Japan - Japan -US Trade 
Agreement  Canada    1 93 93071  
Japan's supplementary 
budget to address impact 
of new trade deal  Australia    1 93 93069  
Japan's beef special 
safeguard (SSG) and pork 
safeguard (SG)  Canada  Bovine, swine 1 93 93070  
Russian Federation's export 
subsidies  European 
Union    1 93 93017  
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's 
new system for issuing 
import licen ces Brazil    1 93 93074  
Thailand's "licence" charge 
on eggs  New Zealand  Eggs 1 93 93075  
EU deforestation and forest 
degradation strategy  Colombia    1 93 93128  
US domestic support 
policies and notifications  India   1 93 93085  
United Kingdom's policy 
update result ing from 
Brexit  Canada    1 93 93077  
United States - Japan -US 
Trade Agreement  Canada    1 93 93081  
Viet Nam's potential tariff 
reductions  on certain 
agricultural products  Ukraine  Swine, poultry, 
fresh 
vegetables, 
wheat 1 93 93083  
China's state trading 
enterprises  United States  Seeds  1 92 92004  
Angola's fuel subsidies  Ukraine    1 92 92087  
Angola's potential import 
restrictions  Canada    1 92 92045  
China's state reserves 
programmes  Canada  Meat, bovine, 
swine, sheep 
and goat, 
poultry, 
horses, other 1 92 92047  
EU compensation for 
farmers to adjust to new 
trade deals  Australia    1 92 92089  
EU planned policy 
measures against U.S. 
tariffs  Australia    1 92 92090  
EU European Court of 
Auditors report  Brazil    1 92 92093  
EU Eco schemes payments  Brazil    1 92 92092  
Japan's corn policies  Australia  Corn 1 92 92097  
Russian Federation's state 
programme for rural 
territories development  European 
Union    1 92 92017  
Russian Federation's excise 
duties on wine and 
champagne  European 
Union  Alcoholic  1 92 92121  
Switzerland's financing of 
security stocks in 
agricultural sectors  European 
Union  Sugar, fats and 
oils, cereals 
and animal 
feed products  1 92 92019  
US biofuel policies  Ukraine  Corn, seeds 1 92 92103  
US practices of D ispute 
Settlement  notifications  China    1 92 92086  
Note:  The 93rd CoA meeting , initially scheduled to take place on 24 -25 March 2020 , was postponed due to 
the COVID -19 pandemic. SIMs pertaining to the 93rd meeting are for reference only as Members may 
still add or remove questions until the actual convening of the  meeti ng.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3.117.   Other SIMs that were discussed during the period under review related to follow -up 
questions on outstanding  areas of concern (Table 3.23). A number of these issues  have been raised WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 71 - 
 
  in the CoA multiple times. Two issues  were raised in 15 CoA meetings , attracting 56 and 27 questions 
each (i.e. Canada's new milk ingredient class and Canada's  wine sale policy) . Questions related to 
India's pulse policies , Philippine's rice waiver and Mon golia's quota regime for importation were 
raised in 10, 8 and 7 CoA meetings , respectively. The US proposed domestic support measures and 
India's sugar policies were both discussed in six CoA meetings , attracting 25 and 12 questions , 
respectively. Other p olicies from Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, the European Union, India, Indonesia, 
Nigeria, Switzerland Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States were also the subject of 
repeated concerns under Article 18.6. The complete set of questions and answers can be accessed 
through the AG IMS by using the ID numbers provided in Table 3.23.67 
Table 3.23 SIM (Arti cle 18.6) - questions previously raised  
Specific 
Implementation 
Matter (SIM)  Question 
raised by  Products  N° of 
questions  N° of 
meetings 
the issue 
was 
discussed  CoA 
meetings  ID number  
Canada's New Milk 
Ingredient Class  Australia, 
India, New 
Zealand, 
United 
States  Dairy, 
milk, milk 
powders, 
butter, 
cheese, 
other 56 15 79, 80, 
81, 82, 
83, 84, 
85, 86, 
87, 88, 
89, 90, 
91, 92, 
93 93048, 93002,93003, 
92076, 92078, 92002, 
91132, 90018, 90120, 
90039, 89020, 89053, 
89055, 88120, 88121, 
88065, 88064, 8 8061, 
87015, 87063, 87064, 
87065, 87159, 87160, 
86002, 86030, 86033, 
85002, 85003, 85004, 
85005, 85006, 85008, 
85011, 85051, 85052, 
85053, 85054, 85055, 
85056, 84012, 84018, 
84020, 84021, 84022, 
84023, 84025, 84027, 
84029, 84030, 84035, 
84111, 84107, 84031 , 
83054, 83039, 82012, 
82059, 82013, 82001, 
81001, 81009, 81049, 
81054, 81055, 81056, 
80003, 80005, 80006, 
80025, 79035  
Canada's wine sale 
policy  Australia, 
European 
Union, New 
Zealand, 
United 
States  Alcoholic  27 15 79, 80, 
81, 82, 
83, 84, 
85, 86, 
87, 88, 
89, 90, 
91, 92, 
93 93004, 93005, 92003, 
91137, 90040, 89021, 
89054, 88096, 87016, 
87066, 86034, 85012, 
85057, 84017, 84106, 
84033, 84112, 84105, 
83007, 83041, 83104, 
83135, 82057, 82002, 
81003, 81011, 81024, 
81046, 81047, 81097, 
80008, 80009, 80094, 
80095, 79003  
India's pulses 
policies  Australia, 
Canada, 
Russian 
Federation, 
Ukraine, 
United 
States  Processed 
vegetables  47 10 84, 85, 
86, 87, 
88, 89, 
90, 91, 
92, 93  93058, 93066, 93067, 
92096, 92008, 92094, 
92049, 91005, 91008, 
91075, 91076, 91077, 
91140, 9 0032, 90088, 
90029, 90004, 90043, 
89004, 89007, 89024, 
89057, 88060, 88066, 
88092, 88095, 88109, 
87001, 87017, 87073, 
87074, 87087, 87088, 
87077, 87070, 87071, 
87072, 87075, 87076, 
86061, 86062, 86063, 
86065, 86039, 86035, 
85064, 84044  
 
67 In the AG IMS ( http://agims.wto.org/ ), select the function "Search Q&A Submitted Since 1995 " and 
input the ID number of the question concerned.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  Specific 
Implementation 
Matter (SIM)  Question 
raised by  Products  N° of 
questions  N° of 
meetings 
the issue 
was 
discussed  CoA 
meetings  ID number  
Philippines' rice 
waiver  Australia, 
Japan, 
Thailand, 
United 
States  Rice 11 8 84, 85, 
86, 87, 
88, 89, 
91, 92  92100, 92099, 91012, 
89063, 88032, 87082, 
86008, 85071, 84057, 
84015, 84079  
Mongolia's quota 
regime for 
importation  Russian 
Federation  Milk, cereal 7 7 86, 87, 
88, 90, 
91, 92, 
93 93072, 92098, 91011, 
90027, 88104, 87094, 
86001  
US proposed 
domestic support 
measures  Australia, 
Canada, 
China, 
Colombia, 
European 
Union, India, 
Japan, 
Mexico, New 
Zealand, 
Ukraine  Swine, 
milk, fresh 
vegetables, 
wheat, 
corn, 
coarse 
grains  25 6 88 ,89, 
90, 91, 
92, 93  93079, 93084, 93144, 
93086, 93087, 92082, 
92072, 92102, 91013, 
91014, 91016, 91023, 
91024, 91027, 91063, 
91080, 90035, 89047, 
89066, 88030, 88048, 
88028, 88047, 88029, 
88098  
India's sugar 
policies  Australia, 
Brazil, 
Canada, 
European 
Union, 
Russian 
Federation  Sugar, 
cane or 
beet sugar, 
other 12 6 87, 88, 
89, 90, 
92, 93  93001, 92007, 92048, 
90033, 89058, 89090, 
88046, 88130, 88129, 
88128, 88127, 88039, 
88042, 88043, 87002, 
87079  
India's skim milk 
powder export 
subsidies  Australia, 
European 
Union, New 
Zealand, 
United 
States  Dairy, 
milk, milk 
powders, 
butter, 
cheese, 
other 7 5 88, 89, 
90, 91, 
93 93008, 91151, 90002, 
89026, 88070, 88037, 
88122, 88040  
India's support to 
rice exports  Japan, 
Thailand, 
United 
States  Rice 4 4 90, 91, 
92, 93  93009, 92013, 91153, 
90111, 90130  
European Union - 
Modification of 
agricultural 
schedule of 
commitments  Canada, 
New 
Zealand, 
Thailand, 
Australia    6 4 89, 90, 
91, 92  92101, 92091, 91015, 
90087, 90028, 90128, 
90129, 89001  
India's dairy loans  United 
States  Dairy, 
milk, milk 
powders, 
butter, 
cheese, 
other 4 4 89, 91, 
92, 93  93011, 92011, 91149, 
89027  
US support to the 
cotton sector  Brazil, 
European 
Union, India  Cotton  4 4 86, 87, 
90, 92  92073, 90036, 87103, 
86069  
Brazil's wheat 
quota  Ukraine, 
Canada  Wheat  3 3 91, 92, 
93 93043, 92046, 91001  
Canada's 
compensation for 
farmers after trade 
concessions  Australia, 
European 
Union, New 
Zealand, 
United 
States  Dairy, 
milk, milk 
powders, 
butter, 
cheese, 
other, 
poultry, 
dairy, milk, 
milk 
powders, 
butter, 
cheese, 
other, eggs  5 3 91, 92, 
93 93047, 92075, 92077, 
92001, 91002, 91018  
India's short -term 
crop loans  United 
States  Dairy, 
milk, milk 
powders, 
butter, 3 3 91, 92, 
93 93012, 92010, 91147  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  Specific 
Implementation 
Matter (SIM)  Question 
raised by  Products  N° of 
questions  N° of 
meetings 
the issue 
was 
discussed  CoA 
meetings  ID number  
cheese, 
other 
India's Transport 
and Marketing 
Assistance (TMA)  Australia, 
United 
States  Dairy, 
milk, milk 
powders, 
butter, 
cheese, 
other 5 3 91, 92, 
93 93065, 93010, 92095, 
91006, 91154  
India's wheat public 
stockpiling  United 
States  Wheat  3 3 91, 92, 
93 93014, 92009, 91141  
Indonesia's 
Measure 18 in 
DS477 and DS478  New 
Zealand    3 3 91, 92, 
93 93068, 92081, 91010  
EU coupled 
payments  Brazil, India    3 3 91, 92, 
93 93055, 92071, 91061  
United Kingdom's 
modification of 
agricultural 
schedule of 
commitments  Indonesia, 
India   3 3 83, 88, 
93 93076, 88011, 83069  
Nigeria's import 
prohibitions on 
certain agricultural 
products and use of 
reference prices for 
customs valuation 
purposes  United 
States  Swine, 
poultry, 
fruit, 
cereals, 
wheat, 
corn, rice, 
malt, 
coarse 
grains, 
waters 4 3 48, 51, 
93 93015 48012, 51004, 
51005  
India's wheat 
policies  United 
States, 
Ukraine  Wheat  2 2 91, 93  93013, 91009  
China's rice policies  United 
States  Rice 5 2 91, 92  92005, 91133, 91134, 
91135, 91136  
Egypt's export 
subsidy and Arrears 
Program  United 
States    2 2 91, 93  93042, 91138  
India's National 
Dairy Plan Phase I  United 
States  Dairy, 
milk, milk 
powders, 
butter, 
cheese, 
other 2 2 91, 92  92012, 91152  
EU support package 
to Irish beef 
farmers  Australia  Bovine  2 2 91, 92  92079, 91004  
Turkey's flour 
export and Turkish 
Grain Board  European 
Union, 
United 
States  Wheat  2 2 90, 93  93018, 90009  
EU intervention 
policy  New 
Zealand, 
United 
States  Milk 
powders  2 2 90, 92  92080, 92006, 90026  
Switzerland's "Loi 
Chocolati ère" and 
implementation of 
the Nairobi 
Decision on Export 
competition  European 
Union  Cocoa 
(other)  2 2 90, 92  92018, 90020  
Note:  The 93rd CoA meeting , initially scheduled to take place on 24 -25 March 2020 , was postponed due to 
the COVID -19 pandemic. SIMs pertaining to the  meeting are for reference only, as Members may 
still add or remove questions until the actual convening of the meeting.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  3.118.   Members continued taking steps towards the implementation of the  December 2015 Nairobi 
Ministerial Decision on Export Competition . Out of the 16 Members with positive export subsid y 
commitment  levels in their schedules at the time of adoption of the Decision , 11 have had their 
revised export subsidy schedules certified (Australia, Colombia, Iceland, Israel, Mexico, Norway, 
South Africa, Switzerl and, Turkey, United States and Uruguay); 2 Members (Canada and 
European  Union) circulated their draft revised schedules which are still pending for certification; and 
3 Members still have to circulate their revised draft export subsidy schedules (Brazil, I ndonesia and 
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela).  
3.119.   In addition to the Committee's annual dedicated discussion on the implementation of the 
Nairobi Ministerial Decision on export  competition, Members have the possibility to ask questions in 
connection with thi s Decision at any CoA meeting. During the two meetings covered by this Report, 
nine questions were raised regarding policies in the area of export subsidies, export credits, export 
credit guarantees or insurance programmes and international food aid ( Table  3.24). The complete 
set of questions and answers can be accessed through the AG IMS by using the ID numbers provided 
in Table 3.24.68 
Table 3.24 Questions asked at the 92nd and 93rd CoA meetings in connection with the 
Nairobi Ministerial Decision on export competition  
ID 
number  CoA 
meeting  Question 
raised by  Question 
answered by  Areas  
93024  93 United States  China  Export credits, export credit guarantees or 
insurance programmes  
93142  93 United States  Viet Nam  Export credits, export credit guarantees or 
insurance programmes  
93173  93 United States  Japan  Export subsidies  
93174  93 Australia  Myanmar  Export subsidies  
93175  93 United States  Russian Federation  Export credits, export credit guarantees or 
insurance programmes  
93176  93 United States  Thailand  Export credits, export credit guarantees or 
insurance programmes  
92031  92 United States  China  Export credits, export credit guarantees or 
insurance programmes; state trading 
enterprises; international food aid  
92032  92 United States  Russian Federation  Export subsidies  
92044  92 European Union  Russian Federation  Export credits, export credit guarantees or 
insurance programmes  
Note:  The 93rd CoA meeting , initially scheduled to take place on 24 -25 March 2020 , was postponed due to 
the COVID -19 pandemic. SIMs pertaining to the meeting are for reference only, as Members may 
still add or remove questions until the actual convening of the meeting.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3.120.   The CoA continued its review of the implementation of Members' commitments under the 
Agreement.  This review is largely carried out based on th e notifications submitted by Members. 
There are 12  distinct notification requirements applicable in the domain of agriculture , covering the 
following areas: market access, domestic support, export subsidies, export prohibitions or 
restrictions and the foll ow-up to the Marrakesh Net Food -Importing Developing Countries (NFIDC) 
Decision. The applicability of a notification requirement to a Member is largely dependent on its 
specific commitments under the AoA. Out of the 12 notification requirements, the follow ing 5 are 
"regular" or "annual" notification requirements: (i) imports under tariff and other quotas (MA:2) ; (ii) 
special SGs (MA:5) ; (iii) domestic support (DS:1) ; (iv) export subsidies (ES:1) ; and (v)  total exports 
(ES:2). Annual notifications are requir ed to be submitted no later than a certain number of days 
following the end of the year in question, in accordance with the deadlines set out in  
WTO document G/AG/2.  
3.121.   More than 5,570 questions have been raised in connection with individual notifications under 
the CoA's review process from 1995 -2020 (including information pertaining to t he 93rd CoA meeting 
originally scheduled to take place on 24 -25 March 2020 and postponed due to the C OVID -19 
pandemic) . Throughout the years, the majority  of these questions focused on domestic support 
 
68 In the AG IMS ( http://agims.wto.org/ ), select the function "Search Q&A Submitted Since 1995 " and 
input the ID number of the question concerned.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 75 - 
 
  notifications (DS:1 and DS:2) , followed by questions concerning market access, in particular TRQs 
(MA:1 and MA:2) ( Chart 3.23). Specifically, since 2010 , the prevalence of questions concerning 
domestic support notifications has been considerably high, representing between 70 % and 80% of 
all the questions raised in the CoA concerning individual notifications.   
Chart 3.23 Questions raised on individual notifications per topic per year, 1995 -2020a 
 
a 2020 data cover questions raised for the 93rd CoA meeting initially scheduled to take place on 24 -25 
March 2020 and postponed due to COVID -19 pa ndemic. These questions are shown as reference 
only and may change up to the actual convening of the  meeting.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3.122.   From 15 October 201 9 to 15 May  2020, WTO Members submitted 212 notifications, 
(including addenda and corrigenda). A tota l of 159 questions  were posed concerning individual 
notifications during the CoA meetings that took place during th is period. As seen in  Chart 3.24, and 
in line with the historical trend, most of the questions raised related to domestic support notificatio ns 
(67%). A total of 16 questions were asked of China, Egypt, European Union, India, Kazakhstan, 
Republic of Korea, Morocco, South Africa, Turkey and Viet Nam concerning overdue notifications.  
Chart 3.24 Number of questions raised per topic, mid -October 2019 – mid-May 2020a 
 
a This chart includes q uestion s raised for the 92nd (October 2019) and 93rd CoA meetings . The 93rd CoA 
meeting , initially scheduled to take place on 24 -25 March 2020 , was postponed i n response to the 
COVID -19 pandemic. These questions are covered for reference only , as Members may still add or 
remove questions until the actual convening of the 93rd meeting.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
050100150200250300
Domestic Support Market Access Export Restrictions
Export Competition NFIDC DecisionQuestions raised on individual notifications per topic per year, 1995 -2020a
Source:  WTO Secretariat.a   2020 data cover questions raised for the 93rd CoA meeting initially scheduled to take place on 24 -25 March 
2020 and postponed due to COVID -19 pandemic. These questions are shown as reference only and may change up 
to the actual convening of the 93rd CoA meeting.
Overdue 
notifications
16
Market access
41
Export competition
12
Article 
18.6
123Individual 
notifications
159
Domestic support
106Number of questions raised per topic, mid -October 2019 -mid-May 2020a
Source:  WTO Secretariat.a   This chart includes questions raised for the 92nd (October 2019) and 93rd CoA meetings. The 93rd CoA meeting 
initially scheduled to take place on 24 -25 March 2020 was postponed in response to the COVID -19 pandemic. 
These questions are covered for reference only as Members may still add or remove questions until the actual 
convening of the 93rd CoA meeting.WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  Policy developments in agriculture in response to the  COVID -19 pandemic  
3.123.   On 22 April 2020, a group of 23 Members who collectively account for 63% and 55% of 
global exports and imports of agriculture and agro -food products, respectively, circulated a joint 
statement entitled "Responding to the COVID -19 pandemi c with open and predictable trade in 
agricultural and food products".69 This statement, presented to the General Council and to the CoA, 
pledges support to open and predictable agri -food trade while responding to the COVID -19 
pandemic. Among other things, the communication encourage d Members to implement temporary 
working solutions to facilitate trade , and noted that export restrictions and similar trade -restrictive 
measures on agriculture and agri -food products  could  poten tially create an unpredictable trading 
environment that would adversely affect food availability and result in price spikes, increased price 
volatility, and lead to shortages of important food products.  
3.124.   In their communication, the co -sponsors made a number  of commitments to ensure the 
well-functioning of global agriculture and agri -food supply chains , including ensuring the WTO -
consistency of emergency measures related to agriculture and agri -food products and designed to 
tackle the COVID -19 pandemic . They asked that those measures be targeted, proportionate, 
transparent, and temporary, and not create unnecessary barriers to trade or disruption to global 
supply chains for agriculture and agri -food products. The co -sponsors also committed to ensur ing 
the tran sparency and predictability of those measures and to provide an opportunity for Members 
to review them.  
3.125.   The Agreement on Agriculture establishes disciplines for cases where  Member s institut e 
export prohibition s or restriction s in order to prevent or relie ve critical shortages of foodstuffs (Article 
12 of the AoA). Transparency is at the heart of these disciplines. The AoA states that ( i) Members 
are to give due consideration to the effects of such prohibition  or restriction on importing Members’ 
food secur ity; and (ii) before any Member institutes an export prohibition or restriction, it shall give 
notice in writing, as far in advance as practicable, to the Committee on Agriculture , comprising such 
information as the nature and the duration of such measure,  and shall consult, upon request, with 
any other Member having a substantial interest as an importer with respect to any matter related 
to the measure in question.  These written notices are referred to as Table ER:1 notifications. The 
AoA includes a specia l and differential treatment provision whereby the above requirements do not 
apply to developing country Members unless the measure is taken by a developing country Member 
which is a net -food exporter of the specific foodstuff concerned.  
3.126.   A total of four no tification s informing of export restrictions and prohibitions in connection to 
the COVID -19pandemic  were submitted to the CoA during the period under review . The first was 
received on 31 March 2020. The products covered by these restrictions are eggs, feed, pasta, rice, 
sugar, wheat and wheat flour . The durations of these restrictions and the symbol of the notifications 
can be found in Table 3.25. All these notifications can be accessed through the AG IMS 
(http://agims.wto.org/ ). 
Table 3.25 Notified export restrictions (Table ER:1) in connection with the COVID -19 
pandemic  
Issue date  Member  Notification number  Duration of 
restriction  Relevant products subject 
to measures  
31/03/2020  Thailand  G/AG/N/THA/107  One week  Eggs 
2/04/2020  Thailand  G/AG/N/THA/107/Add.1  Extension of the 
measure by 1 
month  Eggs  
31/03/2020  Kyrgyz 
Republic  G/AG/N/KGZ/8  6 months  Wheat, wheat flour, rice, 
pasta, sugar, eggs, feed  
2/04/2020  North 
Macedonia  G/AG/N/MKD/26  40 days  Wheat and wh eat flour  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.   
 
69 WTO documents G/AG/30 and WT/GC/208.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  Box 3.5 COVID -19 and the food and agriculture sector: Impacts and policy responses  
The impacts of the COVID -19 pandemic are being felt by the agriculture and food sector, both directly and as 
a result of necessary measures put in place to contain the spread of the virus.  
Production. Agricultural sectors in many countries are experiencing seasonal labour shortages. Looking 
ahead, farmers may also face further difficulties in sourcing agricultural inputs due to restrictions on the 
movement of people and goods. In some cases, disruptions  downstream from farms are causing surpluses to 
accumulate, straining storage and processing facilities, and increasing food losses.  
Shifts in consumer demand. The collapse in consumption of food away from home and the economic shock 
related to the pandemi c are affecting demand for higher value premium products and those with more service 
addition. Lower oil prices are also reducing demand for biofuel crops.  
Food supply chains disruption.  Production and distribution costs have increased and the available 
workforce has also been reduced. Transport and logistics services are causing disruptions, while border 
closures and additional procedures have led to congestion and delays, affecting the transit of perishable 
products.  
Livelihoods. Finally, and potentially  most important of all, the impacts on livelihoods and food security in 
developing countries may be more severe, because food systems are more labour -intensive, food supply 
chains are less well developed, and the macroeconomic shock of the pandemic risks p lunging large numbers 
of people into poverty. A high incidence of sickness among farmers and farm workers could have a substantial 
negative impact on agricultural production. How damaging these impacts turn out to be will depend on national 
and internation al policy responses in the short, medium and long term. The OECD has tracked domestic and 
trade policy responses across 54 countries, with more than 400 recorded policy interventions.  
At the domestic level , governments have implemented sector -wide and ins titutional measures, such as 
exempting key agriculture and food production and marketing activities from lockdown restrictions. Many 
governments have also introduced measures to safeguard the health of their workforce in agriculture and food 
and to ensure the availability of seasonal labour. Most have also taken a wide set of measures to support the 
sector through expanded direct financial aid, although some provided support via input and output measures 
for specific food chains. Many governments have also provided additional food assistance to vulnerable 
populations and acted to ensure affordability of consumer food. A number of governments have taken steps 
to deter panic buying and hoarding by ensuring the release of timely information about the availabili ty and 
safety of food stocks.  
Governments have also taken specific steps to address disruptions in food chains and agricultural trade . 
In many cases, these measures have effectively addressed bottlenecks and allowed food products to move 
within and across borders. Governments in many countries adopted logistics and transportation measures to 
facilitate the transportation of food and agriculture products, such as setting up priority lanes for transportation 
of agriculture commodities, speeding transportation , exempting truck drivers from quarantine, simplifying 
procedures and easing access to essential agricultural inputs such as pesticides and veterinary medicines. 
Exporting countries have taken diverse measures to ease agricultural trade flows, including up dating the 
manual of importer requirements for exporters; setting up funds to support the additional freight costs of 
aviation -based exporters of specific products with established markets; and providing flexibility around 
packaging and labelling requireme nts. A number of i mporters have reduced tariffs or expanded, or introduced 
additional flexibilities to, TRQs. Governments have also made greater use of digital tools to facilitate border 
procedures and reduce delays, for example, by allowing electronic cop ies of SPS certificates.  
Many countries have also engaged in international co -operation efforts . G20 Agriculture Ministers have 
discouraged trade restrictions,  stressed the need to take the necessary actions to improve the functioning of 
food chains, supp ort affected populations and advance towards more resilient and sustainable food systemsa. 
G20 Trade and Investment Ministers also stressed the importance of refraining from export restrictions on 
agricultural products and avoiding unnecessary stockpilingb. At the initiative of Canada, 23  WTO Members 
have committed to keep supply chains open and remove any existing trade restrictive measures on agricultural 
productsc. Agricultural ministers of 25  Latin American countries also committed to a series of action s, including 
assisting vulnerable producers and consumers, and ensuring the well -functioning of markets and limiting 
disruption of international traded. G20 members and major grain trading countries are also using the 
Agriculture Market Information Systems  (AMIS) to share information and improve global market transparency.  
At the same time, several countries have imposed trade restrictions, including for food staples. Mostly these 
have taken the form of temporary export bans or export quotas.  These measure s are particularly harmful. 
There is a need to keep domestic, regional and international agro -food markets open, transparent and 
predictable. Well -functioning domestic markets, regional co -operation and an open international trading 
system are important to  connect producers to market opportunities, and help food get to where it is needed.  
Co-operative global solutions may also be needed to address the needs of the poorest countries and ensure 
that COVID -19 pandemic does not result in a food crisis and that the food and nutrition security needs of 
vulnerable populations are met.   
Finally, looking beyond the immediate impacts of the pandemic, there is an opportunity to enhance the 
resilience, sustainability, and productivity of the agriculture and food se ctor. Governments, international WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 78 - 
 
  organisations and other stakeholders can work together to learn from the crisis and accelerate investments 
and reforms to strengthen the resilience of food systems to a range of risks, including those associated with 
climat e changee. 
a Viewed at: https://g20.org/en/media/Documents/G20_Agriculture%20Ministers%20Meeting_Statement  
EN.pdf . 
b Viewed at: 
https://g20.org/ en/media/Documents/G20SS_Statement_G20%20Second%20Trade%20&%20Investme
nt%20Ministerial%20Meeting_EN.pdf . 
c Viewed at: https://t.co/bmRPVVBPDn?amp=1 .  
d Viewed at: 
http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/rlc/docs/covid19/statement_ministers_agriculture_26countri
es.pdf .  
e OECD(2020), COVID -19 and the Food and Agriculture Sector: Issues and Po licy Responses, OECD 
publishing, Paris, viewed at https://read.oecd -ilibrary.org/view/?ref=130_130816 -
9uut45lj4q&title=Covid -19-and-the-food-and-agriculture -sector -Issues -and-policy -response s. 
Source:  OECD (2020), Agricultural Policy Monitoring and Evalua tion 2020, OECD Publishing, Paris .  
3.7  General Economic Support  
3.127.   At the December 2019 TPRB meeting dedicated to discussing the Director -General's 
Overview of Developments in the International Trading System, several WTO Members expressed 
concern about the poor  response rate to the Director -General’s request for information on general 
economic support measures, and about the absence of an annex on such measures. In addition, 
introducing his Report to the meeting, the Director -General repeated his call to the WTO  Membership 
to provide the Secretariat with guidance on how such measures should be reflected in future Trade 
Monitoring Reports.  
3.128.   Since July 2017, the Secretariat has been unable to justify the inclusion of a separate annex 
on general economic support meas ures in the Trade Monitoring Reports. This has been  partly due 
to the low participation and response rate of WTO Members to the request for information, and partly 
because such an annex would have been biased against those Members that traditionally share and 
publish detailed information of such measures and programmes. Compounding th e lack of  
information volunteered by Members, some delegations have often insisted on excluding general 
economic support measures identified by the Secretariat from public sour ces and for which 
verification was sought. The December 2019 TPRB meeting generated an exchange of views on how 
to address this issue, with several Members emphasizing the need to preserve and strengthen 
transparency through the trade monitoring exercise a nd expressing their strong support for the 
independent reporting of the Secretariat.  
3.129.   In response to the Director -General's March 2020 request for information for this Trade 
Monitoring Report, 34 WTO Members70 (European Union71; Hong Kong, China; Peru; Switzerland; 
Thailand; and Turkey ) volunteered information on general economic support measures . Although 
many Members may not have introduced support measures during the review period, the 
participation rate remains low with 21% of the Membership having s hared regular support measures. 
The Secretariat's own research  suggests that many support measures with potentially important 
ramifications for trade were implemented  by Members during the  review period.   
3.130.   Overall, 57 general economic support measures not e xplicitly linked to the COVID -19 
pandemic were received from WTO Members.  These measures, as well as those identified by the 
Secretariat, showed that the s ectors which received significant financial disbursements include d 
agriculture, food, transport and e nergy. Several support measures targeted investment in 
technology , industrial support, support to research and development and innovation programmes . 
Fiscal measures, s oft loans , export incentive  measures and loan guarantees for SMEs  were also put 
in place . Several of these measures were multi-year programmes, with financial disbursements 
staggered over the lifetime of a project, while other measures were one -off grants or aid schemes.  
 
70 Counting the EU(27) and its members and the United  Kingdom separately.  
71 The United Kingdom withdrew from the European Union on 1 February 2020. During the transition 
period, which ends on 31 December 2020, European Union law, with a few limited exceptions, continues to be 
applicable to and in the United Kingdom. During the transition period, the information provided by the 
European Union which is relevant to this document continues to cover the United Kingdom.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 79 - 
 
  COVID -19 related economic support measures  
3.131.   In response to the Director -General's March 2020 request for information for this Trade 
Monitoring Report , 47 Members72 (Argentina; Australia; Canada; Chile; Costa Rica; European Union; 
Hong Kong, China; India; Indonesia; Macao, China; Maldives; Moldova , Republic of ; Norway; Peru; 
Qatar; Kingdom of  Saudi  Arabia; South Africa; Switzerland; Turkey ) and one Observer (Azerbaijan) 
volunteered information on COVID -19 related general economic support measures. This represents 
a low participation rate as, only 29% of the mem bership have shared COVID -19 related support 
measures with the Secretariat.  
3.132.   The review period saw an unprecedented number of general economic support measures put 
in place by governments as emergency response s to address the economic and social impacts of the 
COVID -19 pandemic. The number  of COVID -19 related support measures and the scope  of their 
coverage to some extent resemble measures put in place during the 2008 -09 global financial crisis 
(GFC). However, as the pandemic has accelerated it has become cl ear that responses to the COVID -
19 pandemic are different  and more comprehensive compared to what was implemented in the 
context of the GFC . Above all, these measures have been taken in response to a global health 
emergency  and they seek to address the pro found social and economic disruption caused by it. To 
curb the spread of the virus , economies  around the world  have l argely  shut down  and governments 
have adopt ed massive rescue packages  with great urgency. These have included support measures 
to sectors o f the economy heavily affected by the crisis ; funds to increase the capacity of national 
healthcare systems and to provide incentives to research into vaccines, diagnostics and treatments 
for COVID -19; aid schemes to support SMEs and larger companies ; compensation schemes for the 
loss of revenue or additional costs related to the financial impacts of the pandemic  outbreak ; financial 
support to households, self -employed workers  and employees ; and wage subsidies to help cover 
payrolls of compan ies affected by the crisis. Specific sectors targeted so far have included health, 
aviation, tourism, catering, cleaning and security, agriculture, fisheries , childcare, creative industries 
and sport.  
3.133.   Another set of support measures put in place by governments in response to the COVID -19 
pandemic have included measures implemented by central banks to ease monetary policies; reduce 
policy rates, statutory reserve ratios and repo rates; issu e and purch ase governmental bonds; and 
ease debt terms and reschedul e deferrals on credit instalments to lower funding costs across the 
economy. Government responses have also included financial and fiscal measures to ensure 
economic stability, including strengthening the supply of credit to households and businesses; 
providing the banking system with additional liquidities; easing lending and borrowing terms; 
granting moratoriums; granting credit guarantees; and reducing taxes and fees. High -income 
economies ' responses have been significantly  more generous in terms of the number and variety of 
measures implemented and funds allocated, compared to low -income economies. Poorer economies’ 
responses have been less numerous and have relied, to a large extent, on funding or other assistance 
obtained  from international organi zations and/or donors.  
3.134.   From the Secretariat's own research and from Members submissions, 468 support measures 
were put in place by 79 WTO Members73 and 3 Observers74 in response to the COVID -19 pandemic 
from the beginning of March 2020 up to 15 May 2020 . Several of these measures have been revised 
and expanded over time by governments to adjust to the increasing severity of the pandemic. The 
Secretariat based  its research on COVID -19-related support measures primarily on official  
government  and central banks' websites. Some 7% of the measures were sourced from media 
reports . Given the exten t of the crisis, the number  of measures identified by the Secretariat or 
communicated by Members is not exhaustive. In addition, financial support programmes provided 
by the IMF, the World  Bank and regional banks (such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, 
the Asian Developme nt Bank or the African Development Bank) were not covered by the Secretariat’s 
research.  
3.135.   Of the 468 COVID -19 related economic support measures identified  during the review period , 
301 (64%) were submitted to the Secre tariat by 47 WTO Members75 (Argentina; Australia; Canada;  
 
72 Counting the EU(27) and its members and the United Kingdom separately.  
73 Counting the EU(27), its member  State s and the United Kingdom separately.  
74 Azerbaijan, Ethiopia and Serbia.  
75 Counting the EU(27), its member  State s and the United Kingdom separately.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  Chile;  Costa Rica; European Union76; Hong Kong, China; India; Indonesia; Macao, China; Maldives; 
Republic of Moldova; Norway; Peru; Qatar; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; South  Africa; Switzerland77; 
and Turkey) and one Observer (Azerbaijan) . During the review period, the COVID -19-related support 
measures gathered by the Secretariat  and submitted by Members fell into the following categories: 
40% of measures were grants, 13% monetary measures, 11% fiscal measures, 9% financial 
measures, 9% specifi cally targeting SMEs, 8% loans, 6% credit guarantees, and 4% stimulus 
packages ( Chart 3.25 ). The COVID -19-related general economic support measures appeared, on the 
face of it, to be of a temporary nature . Several were one -off grants, and others included 
disbursements staggered  over a few months up to three years. Some of these measures form part 
of rescue plans and stimulus packages worth several trillion  US dollars . 
Chart 3.25 COVID -19 related economic support measures, by type  
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3.136.   The above has captured activities in the area of general economic support between mid -
October 2019 and mid -May 2020. In the context of responses to the COVID -19 pandemic it is, 
however, clear that the introduction of new and/or modified measures to reflect changing 
circumstances has continued with considerable regularity. This is particularly the case for many 
central banks which have been particularly explici t about the need to maintain flexibility in terms of 
the tools, lending program mes and interest rate decisions required to deal with new challenges as 
they emerge.  
3.137.   The Trade Monitoring exercise does not make any judgement as to the WTO compatibility of 
any of the measures referred to in this Section. While it is possible that these measures, whether 
taken as part of a Member's overall commercial strategy or as part of a Member's emergency 
response to the COVID -19 pandemic, may affect trade in some way, it i s not always straightforward 
to conclude that they restrict or facilitate trade (and by how much), or that they distort competition. 
Nevertheless, and recognising that other international organizations are often better placed to report 
on and analyse many of these measures, providing a brief overview of such measures taken during 
the review period represents an important element of transparency of developments in the 
international trading system. The Secretariat will continue to monitor and report on genera l 
economic support measures within the resources available to it. An important element of this will be 
to monitor time -limited support measures introduced in the context of the COVID -19 pandemic so 
that Members can track their evolution and effects as the world exits the health crisis and enters  a 
recovery period.  
 
76 The United Kingdom withdrew from the European Union on 1 February 2020. During the transition 
period, which ends on 31 December 2020, European Union law, with a few limited exceptions, continues to be 
applicable to and in the United Kingdom. During the transition period, the information provided by the 
Europe an Union which is relevant to this document continues to cover the United Kingdom.  
77 Through the MSMEs Informal Group information exchange platform.  
Grants
40%
Monetary measures
13%Fiscal measures
11%Financial measures
9%SMEs
9%Loans
8%Guarantees
6%Stimulus 
4%Other
0%COVID -19 related economic support measures, by type
Source:  WTO Secretariat.WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  3.138.   The following box on Government support and the COVID -19 pandemic was contributed by 
the OECD . 
Box 3.6 Government support and the COVID -19 pandemic  
The economic consequences of the COVID -19 pandemic call for urgent action to support households and firms 
alike, but the design of this support will be critical in ensuring that it does not result in enduring g lobal market 
distortions. While the prime concern of governments at present is to reinvigorate economic activity, experience 
from the 2008 -09 crisis suggests that poorly designed stimulus packages can have negative, long -lasting 
consequences for both globa l trade and national welfare. While there is an urgent need to deploy measures 
quickly, care should be taken to ensure that today’s stimulus does not sow the seeds of enduring trade 
distortions that prove politically difficult and economically costly to un wind. Experience tells us that support 
could more effectively be focused on measures that benefit smaller businesses (which are generally the least 
capable of coping  with shocks and less likely to distort global trade, while offering the biggest ‘bang for the 
buck’ in terms of employment and social stability), as well as on investments to strengthen broader health 
and social safety nets that help people and ultimately help kick -start demand after the immediate crisis.  
Support packages that are time -limited , targeted, cash -based, and consistent with longer -term objectives are 
the basis for ensuring a sustainable recovery. One way to ensure that necessary economic stimulus does not 
end up distorting trade and global competition is to make support measures tim e-limited, e.g. through sunset 
clauses. This will help mitigate the risk that temporary support becomes entrenched and outlives its purpose. 
Another is to favour measures that are targeted at those companies and sectors that experience the most 
disruption as a direct result of the pandemic, with a view to avoiding windfall benefits or rescuing firms that 
would have failed absent the pandemic. This will help minimise the risk that stimulus spawns a new cohort of 
corporate zombies that restrict competition, d ampen domestic productivity growth, distort international 
markets, impede the economic recovery and, in some cases, aggravate economic disparities.  
Where support targets households directly, governments should favour measures that leave consumers free 
to decide how to spend the cash they receive. This contrasts with measures that tie support to the consumption 
of specific goods or services (e.g. fossil -fuel subsidies or subsidised purchases of locally made products), which 
can distort relative prices, send  inaccurate signals to producers, and reduce consumer choice. Additionally, 
governments could reap additional benefits by aiming for support measures that achieve ‘double dividends’ 
and help ensure that longer -term policy objectives (e.g. climate -change mi tigation) are not sacrificed for 
short-term economic stimulus.  
Support provided through the financial system will play a critical role but needs scrutiny. Many responses to 
date appear to include financing on preferential terms. Crisis conditions can dram atically reduce the availability 
of private finance, starving firms of operating capital when it is needed most, especially MSMEs. Government 
intervention is essential to fill in the gaps left by private financial institutions, but care should be exercised  to 
ensure that firm -specific credit risks are distinguished from more systemic risks that stem from the crisis. This 
is important to prevent capital from being misallocated. Governments may also have to inject equity into 
heavily indebted firms. This form  of support can be particularly disruptive to competition and effective resource 
allocation, underscoring the need for transparency and a clear exit strategy.  
Policy transparency is fundamental at all stages of the crisis response. Transparency is valuabl e ex ante to 
help manage business expectations and co -ordination, foster public support domestically, as well as enable 
countries to exchange information on what each is doing to stimulate the economy. It is a key ingredient in 
building the trust that gove rnments need at home and abroad in troubled times. As countries emerge from 
the COVID -19 pandemic, there will be a need for governments to evaluate the measures they introduced; 
policy transparency will enable greater accountability and oversight , and hel p countries to learn from current 
experience to better prepare for the future.  
Source:  OECD.  
3.8  Other Selected Trade Policy Developments  
3.139.   The following Section provides a brief overview of the other selected trade policy issues 
where important developments took place during the review period. It also includes follow -up to a 
number of issues which saw outcomes at MC11.  
Trade and environment  
3.140.   Discussions  at the 26-27 November 2019 meeting of the Committee on Trade and 
Environment (CTE)  continued to raise important global issues at the intersection between trade and 
environmental policies. WTO Members held dedicated discussions at the CTE, and at  side-events – 
in what was labelled  "Environment Week " – on trade 's potential role in facilitating the "circular 
economy " and on plastics pollution . Delegations shared their experience  on measures adopted to 
promote a circular economy and resource efficiency , and address plastics, e -waste and marine WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  pollution.  Relevant international organizations also briefed delegations on their work on these 
issues.78 Several Member -driven workshops on the topic were held back -to-back with the CTE 
meeting79, providi ng Members with the opportunity to report on these events at the formal meeting 
of the CTE. Most Members have used this setting to reiterate more strongly the importance of trade 
and environment matters, including in the lead -up to MC12.  
3.141.   Delegations  were also briefed on the relevant outcomes of the latest Conference of the 
Parties (COP) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and 
Flora (CITES)80, where Canada shared its recent trade  measures adopted to combat the practic e of 
shark finning.81 Delegations were further briefed on ongoing work related to, inter alia , areas of 
potential interest in relation to market access  for environmental services,  a symposium on the links 
between trade and natural disasters, an initiative l aunched by New Zealand,  Norway, Iceland, Costa 
Rica and Fiji to negotiate an  Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS) , and 
relevant work on trade and the environment by observer organizations.82 
3.142.   Given the strong interest in the topic of  circular economy, the Chairperson of the CTE 
informed Members that the next meeting , scheduled for March 2020, would continue to focus on the 
issue.83 Several Members had also announced  their intention to organize workshops on circular 
economy and on plast ic pollution back -to-back with the CTE. However, due to contingency measures 
adopted in relation to the COVID -19 outbreak, the meeting of the CTE was postponed to a later 
date.  
Trade facilitation  
3.143.   The Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) entered into force o n 22 February 2017, when two 
thirds of WTO Members presented their corresponding  instruments of acceptance. At the conclusion 
of the review period, the data registered  for 151 ratifications, which represents 92% of the 
Membership. Six additional instruments of acceptance were received by the Secretariat after 
1 October 2019.  
3.144.   Members also remained active in the presentation of implementation notifications. The 
notificat ions of 37 Members comprised 9 category A commitments, 42 category B commitments and 
26 category C commitments  (Chart  3.26). Among the 37 Members, 6 made a category shift from B 
to C and 5 made a category  shift from C to B. One Member notified , and was gra nted, a request for 
additional time to implement a provision.  Under Article 16.2 (b) of the TFA, nine least-developed 
country Members requested, and were granted, an extension of the deadline of 22 February 2020 
in order to submit the definitive dates for notifying their category B provisions.  
3.145.   Notifications were also made on the transparency side. Twenty -eight Members presented 
notifications under Articles 1.4, 10.4.3, 10.6.2 and 12.2.2 , of which three  Members made 
transparency notifications in relation to  COVID -19 measures.  Furthermore, two Members notified 
their technical assistance and capacity building activities, in accordance to Article 22 of the TFA. 
With regard to notifications under Article 22.3, 11 Members made notifications relating to contact 
points for coordinating capacity -building support.  Four Members notified their arrangements and 
progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity -building support.  
 
78 Annual Report 201 9, WTO documents WT/CTE/2 6 and WT/CTE/M/6 8, 17 March  2020. 
79 WTO document WT/CTE/M/68, 1 7 March  2020, paras. 2.40-46. 
80 Annual Report 201 9, WTO document WT/CTE/2 6, 9 December  2019, para. 2.1.  
81 WTO document WT/CTE/M/6 8, 17 March  2020, paras. 3.11 -18. 
82 WTO document WT/CTE/M/6 8, 17 March  2020, paras. 1.17 -24, 2.24 and 4.2 -5. 
83 Annual Report 20 19, WTO document WT/CTE/2 6, para. 4.8  and WT/CTE/M/6 8, para. 6.10, 
17 March  2020.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 83 - 
 
  Chart 3.26 Number of WTO Members that presented TFA notifications, 1 October 2019 to 
15 May 2020  
 
Source:  WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement Database. Viewed at: https://tfadatabase.org . 
3.146.   During the review period, the WTO's Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility (the F acility, or 
TFAF) organized or participated in nine demand -driven activities contributing to the full 
implementation of the WTO  Trade Facilitation Agreement in WTO  Members. Training and 
presentations by WTO  officials were delivered  to over 350  participants , representing around 90 WTO 
Members, of which 33  were LDCs. These activities led to 31 notifications being submitted to the WTO 
Trade Facilitation Committee by Members that had participated in TFAF training, within a period of 
eight weeks. In addition, th e TFAF also supported 14 Members to submit an expression of interest 
as a first step to apply ing for a TFAF grant, i.e. assistance available for Members that have been 
unable to identify support from "traditional" donors and development partners.  
3.147.   Since the  emergence of the COVID -19 pandemic  in March , the TFAF has been acting on its 
mandate to coordinate other international organizations working to implement the TFA. The Facility 
immediately gathered together relevant  resources and tools from partners at the World Customs 
Organization, the World Bank Group, UNCTAD , the Global Alliance/World Economic Forum, the 
International Air Transport Association, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the United Nations Economic 
Commission for Europe, the International Railway Uni on and others , to provid e links and a brief 
explanation of each , and published these on the Facility website .84  
Regional trade agreements  (RTAs)  
3.148.   Between October 20 19 and May 20 20, five new RTAs  were notified to the WTO. Of these, 
two were notified under GATT Article XXIV and GATS V (covering trade in goods and services),  two 
under GATT Article  XXIV and one under the Enabling Clause (covering only trade in goods). These 
bring the total to 303 RTAs notified and in force (corresponding to 490 notificat ions in goods, services 
and accessions).  
3.149.   Among the RTAs notified during this period, six involved WTO Members in Asia, and one 
each in Latin America, the Middle East, the CIS region and Europe. While most RTAs notified to the 
WTO are bilateral, some RTA ne gotiations involve several parties. Such plurilateral RTAs include the 
United States -Mexico -Canada Agreement (USMCA), which is due to enter into force later in 2020; 
the agreement between the European Union and MERCOSUR (completed but not signed); the 
Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) between ten parties (due to be 
signed at the end of 2020); and the African Continental Free Trade Area between 54 African 
economies (ratified by 28 so far), which is expected to be implemented on 1 J uly 2020 . 
 
84 WTO TFAF. Viewed at: https://www.tfafacility.org/covid -19-resources  
9
42
26
6
5
1
28
3
2
11Category A
Category B
Category C
Category shift from B to C
Category shift from C to B
Extension of time to implement
Transparency notifications
COVID-19 related transparency
notifications
Arts. 22.1 and 22.2
Art. 22.3Number of WTO Members that presented TFA notifications, 1 October 2019 to 15 May 2020
Source:  https://www.tfadatabase.orgWT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 84 - 
 
  3.150.   RTAs benefit their parties by reducing tariffs and other restrictions, both at, and behind, the 
border. In the current period of supply shortages due to the COVID -19 pandemic, such close 
cooperation between RTA partners can help meet domestic dem and. In fact, all the world's top ten 
exporters of medical products85 are party to between 14 and 44 RTAs.86 Germany and the United 
States, which account together for over a quarter of exports of medical products, export 67% and 
28%, respectively , to their R TA partners , while China exports around 28% of its exports of such 
products to its RTA partners.  The share of exports of personal protective  products to RTA partners 
is higher than for the other categories for all the traders except China.87 
3.151.   With regard to RTAs that have been notified to the WTO, almost 84% of the tariffs for medical 
products were scheduled to have been eliminated by 2020, with 99.5% eliminated by developed 
Members, and 84.3% and 68.4% by developing and least -developed Members , respectively .88 Once 
these RTAs are fully implemented, only 0.5% of medical products will remain subject to duties in 
developed Members, while 11% and almost 19% of medical product imports will remain dutiable 
from RTA partners in developing and least -developed Members , respectively.  
3.152.   In comparison with the average applied MFN tariff for the sample of countries analysed of 
3.8%, the current preferential tariff is half that at 1.6% (Chart 3.27). The average for developed 
Members is 0.2%, compared to an MFN average of 0.9%, while  for deve loping and least -developed 
Members the preferential average is 1.7% and 1.8% , respectively  (compared to a corresponding 
MFN average of 4.3% and 3.3% , respectively). While average preferential rates are considerably 
lower than MFN rates for all the four cat egories of medical products, liberalization is more marked 
in medical supplies and personal protection  products for all Members. Average preferential tariffs 
nevertheless remain highest in these categories for developing and least -developed Members.  
Chart 3.27 Average MFN rates vs Commitments in RTAs for medical products, 2020  
 
 
 
85 The list of medical products under four  categories (medical equipment; medical supplies; medicines; 
and personal protective products) has been compiled by the WTO Secretariat, as contained in the I nformation 
Note "Trade in Medical Goods in the Context of Tackling COVID -19". Viewed at: 
https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news20_e/rese_03apr20_e.pdf . 
86 With the exception of China, Switzerland and the United States, all the others, including the United 
Kingdom, are currently party to the European Union's customs union. While the United Kingdom withdrew from 
the European Union on 1 February 2020, it remain s part of the customs union up to 31 December 2020 . 
87 Figures on trade with RTA partners represent total trade and not necessarily trade under preferences 
which are not systematically reported by Members. For example, products may not qualify as originatin g and 
thus not benefit from the preferential tariff, or exporters/imports may decide not to claim preferential 
treatment for various reasons.  
88 The data includes RTAs notified to the WTO under Article XXIV of the GATT 1994 as well as 
paragraph  2c of the En abling Clause (the latter for the most part covering only a small number of tariff lines). 
Calculations of MFN average  tariffs include ad valorem  equivalents (AVEs) for tariffs including specific duties; 
for the preferential tariff only the ad valorem  part of the tariff has been taken into account and specific duties 
have been excluded. While the MFN rates reflect current applied tariffs, the preferential rates are those that 
the parties committed to apply in their RTAs. Thus, actual applied preferential ra tes may be different.  
0.00.51.01.52.02.53.03.54.04.5
All Developed Developing LDCs0.00.51.01.52.02.53.03.5
All Developed Developing LDCsRTA.1 -Average MFN and preferential rates in RTAs by product groups, 2020
(a)All categories (b)Medical equipmentWT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 85 - 
 
   
 
 
Source:  WTO RTA Database and WTO IDB. 
3.153.   While the data reported here refers to tariffs eliminated by RTAs, there may be reasons why 
imports do not enter under preferences but instead under the applied MFN rate of duty. One key 
reason for this is the rules of origin. For  pharmaceuticals, for example, alternative rules of origin are 
used to facilitate compliance. These could be based on the  production process (such as  a chemical 
reaction rule, or a change in particle size rule ), or a change in tariff classification. As the complexity 
of these rules increase s (for example , the combination  of several such requirements), the likelihood 
of the use of preferences diminishes.  
3.154.   Other provisions in RTAs may simplify trade in medical products. For example, a number of 
RTAs have sector -specific provisions , including  regarding  pharmaceuticals and me dical devices. Such 
sector -specific provisions currently involve mainly Members in Asia, the United States, the E uropean 
Union, Canada and some countries in Latin America.  Most of these RTAs focus mainly on cooperation, 
transparency, and/or procedures to o btain a product registration certificate. Some recent RTAs have 
gone further by including protocols on the acceptance of good manufacturing practices (GMP) for 
pharmaceutical products and acceptance of GMP certificates issued by authorities they recognize as 
equivalent. These RTAs also usually agree to discuss further provisions on standards, regulations 
and conformity assessment procedures through Committees o r sub-Committees set up by the RTA. 
More generally, several WTO Members have negotiated and signed  bilateral mutual recognition 
agreements (MRAs) recognizing conformity assessment done by regulatory authorities in the other 
countries. Such MRAs can speed up the provision of critical supplies and reduce the cost of 
conducting inspections of sites in oth er countries.  
0.01.02.03.04.05.06.0
All Developed Developing LDCs0.00.51.01.52.02.53.0
All Developed Developing LDCs(c)Medical supplies (d)Medicines
0.02.04.06.08.010.012.0
All Developed Developing LDCs
MFN By year 2020 EOI(e)Personal protective products
Note:   EOI: end of implementation.
Source:   WTO RTA Database and WTO IDB Database.WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  3.155.   Finally, as  countries attempt to tackle the pandemic, some have imposed restrictions or bans 
on exports of medical products. While around a third of notified RTAs contain explicit bans on the 
use of export restrictions89, they do permit them if they are in conformity  with WTO rules.  
Government procurement  
3.156.   The WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) continues to gain importance as 
an instrument for promoting trade and good governance in government procurement markets. 
Currently, the Agree ment has 20 Parties, covering 48 WTO Members90,91. Thirty -five WTO 
Members/Observers participate as Observers in the GPA Committee, with Ecuador and the 
Philippines having been granted Observer status in June 2019  and the United Kingdom in February 
2020. Swi tzerland indicated that its domestic procedures  to ratify the revised GPA have been 
concluded, which will allow it to deposit its instrument of ratification of the revised GPA in December 
2020. Subsequently, the revised GPA is expected to be applicable to all its Parties as of the beginning 
of 2021.  
3.157.   Important progress was made on several accessions to the Agreement.92 China circulated a 
further revised market access offer in October 2019 and has indicated that it is at the final stage of 
internal approval pr ocedures to circulate revised replies to the Checklist of Issues that will update 
the GPA Committee on recent developments in relation to China's government procurement 
legislation and regime. Tajikistan circulated a further revised market  access offer in February 2020. 
In line with a previous decision of the Committee on the United Kingdom's accession to the GPA in 
its own right, the United Kingdom circulated its revised replies to the Checklist of Issues in April 
2020 and reconfirmed its intention to beco me a Party in its own right after the expiry of the 
withdrawal agreement with the European Union. North Macedonia, the Kyrgyz Republic and the 
Russian Federation also actively pursued accession to the GPA. Kazakhstan initiated its GPA 
accession process by submitting its letter of application in November 2019 in keeping with the 
provisions included in its  WTO accession protocol. The accessions of four other WTO  Members – 
Albania, Georgia, Jordan and Oman – are pending. An additional four Members have provisi ons 
regarding accession to the Agreement in their respective Protocols of Accession to the WTO, namely 
Afghanistan, Mongolia, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Seychelles.  
3.158.   The GPA Committee continued to advance its Work Programmes  , concerning notably (i) 
sustainable procurement; (ii) the collection and reporting of statistical data; and (iii) SMEs .93 
Discussions were also carried out with regard to the restriction and derestriction of Committee 
documents and enhancing information sharing in the Committee .  
3.159.   In response to the COVID -19 pandemic, various WTO Members have adopted policies and/or 
guidance on government procurement during the outbreak in emergency situations. These measures 
aim, for example, at achieving enhanced efficiency of procurem ent activities to ensure timely access 
to health -related  goods and services. Guidance was issued to draw government procurement 
authorities' and suppliers' attention  to the availability of emergency procurement provisions in 
existing government procurement  legislation. Such provisions allow procuring entities to deviate 
from standard procurement procedures to address difficulties and challenges arising in situations of 
extreme urgency, like the COVID -19 pandemic. A number of GPA Parties provided information  on 
their measures to the WTO, for transparency purposes.94 
 
89 Based on a survey of 287 RTAs for which information is available.  
90 Counting the European Union and its 27 member States and the United Kingdom, all of which are 
covered by the Agreement, as one Party. 
91 In line with  the decision of  the GPA Committee of 27 February 2019 (GPA/CD/2) and the Withdrawal 
Agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom  that provides for a transition period during 
which European Union law would apply to and in the United Kingdom, the United King dom is covered by the 
GPA until the date of expiry of that transition period.  During such a transition period, the United Kingdom is 
treated as a member State of the European Union.  
92 WTO document GPA/AR/2.  
93 WTO document GPA/AR/2.  
94 WTO document RD/GPA/10 3. WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  Aid for Trade  
3.160.   Global Aid-for-Trade (AfT) disbursements provided in the period 2006 -18 totalled USD 451.6 
billion.95 From a baseline of USD 20.3 billion for the year 2006 to USD 45.1 billion in 2018 , 
disbursements increased by 122% overall. Spending on AfT support in 2018 was broadly equivalent 
to 2017 (a record year, during which disbursements reached a high of USD 45.2 billion). In 2018, 
56% of support  went to economic infrastructure, 41% to buildi ng productive capacity and 3% to 
trade policy and regulations. In terms of geographic distribution, the two largest recipients were 
Africa (38% of disbursements) and Asia (36%), followed by Europe (8%), the Americas (7%) and 
Oceania (1%). Ten percent of di sbursements supported projects implemented at a global level . 
3.161.   LDCs, a particular focus group  of the AfT initiative, received USD 13.5 billion in AfT funding 
(30% of the total in 2018). The 2018 total represents an increase of USD  0.7 billion on the 2017 
funding figure. Lower -middle income countries received 38% of the total ; upper -middle income 
countries , 14%.  
3.162.   The top ten AfT donors in 2018 were EU institutions (USD 7.5 billion), Japan (USD 7.3 
billion), the World Bank Group (USD 6.4 billion), Germany (USD 4.7 billion), France (USD 2.5 billion), 
the United Kingdom (USD 2.4 billion), the United States (USD 2.2 billion), the State of Kuwait 
(USD  1.4 bil lion), the Asian Development Bank (USD 1.2 billion) and the African Development Bank 
(USD 1.0 billion).  The top ten recipients for 2018 were India (USD 3.5 billion), Bangladesh (USD 2.1 
billion), Egypt (USD 1.9 billion), Ethiopia (USD 1.7 billion), Indones ia (USD 1.4 billion), Turkey (1.4 
billion), Viet Nam (USD 1.4 billion), Kenya (USD 925.6 million) and Tanzania ( USD 845.4 million). 
USD 4.4 billion were disbursed for projects at a global level, USD 1.2 billion for Sub -Saharan -wide 
projects and USD 1 .0 billion for African -wide projects.  Global commitments of AfT reached a total of 
USD 602.7 billion in the period 2006 -18. At USD 57.7 billion for the year 2018, they were slightly 
lower than their record high registered in 2017 (USD 60.0 billion).  
3.163.   In the curre nt biennial, work taking place within the framework of the WTO -led AfT initiative 
is planned around the 2020 -21 Work Programme , themed "Empowering Connected, Sustainable 
Trade"  (WT/COMTD/AFT/W/81). The focus of the programme lies in the opportunities that digital 
connectivity and sustainability offer for economic and export diversification – and how AfT can help 
empower different economic actors to realize these opportunities. The centrepiece of the Work 
Programme is expected to be the 8th Global Review of Aid for Trade. Understanding the opportunities 
that green growth and digital connectivity offer to meet multiple targets in the 2030 Agenda whil e 
promoting economic and export  diversification will be a particular focus of the monitoring and 
evaluation (M&E ) exercise underpinning the 8th Global Review.   
3.164.   Box 3.7 summarizes trade and development support mobilized until mid -May 2020 by the 
IMF and multilateral development banks in emergency response to address the economic impacts of 
the COVID -19 pandemic. The information covered in the box is not exhaustive.   
Box 3.7 Emergency trade and development support in emergency response to address 
the economic impacts of the COVID -19 pandemic  
The IMF announced that its response to the COVID -19 pandemic and economic crisis would be fivefold:  
• Providing emergency financing to meet the expected demand of USD 100 billion by 102 of its 
member countries to date ; 
• Approving immediate debt service relief to 25 countries under the IMF's revamped Catastrophe 
Containment and Relief Trust which the Fund is working to triple from USD 500 billion to 
USD 1.4 trillion to cover and extend the duration of relief ; 
• Calling for b ilateral debt relief, which the G20 responded to on April 15 by suspending 
repayment of official bilateral credit from the poorest countriesa; 
• Enhancing liquidity by approving the establishment of a Short -term Liquidity Line (SLL) to 
further strengthen glo bal financial safety; and  
 
95 AfT figures were collected and compiled from the Organisation for Economic Co -operation and 
Development (OECD) through the Creditor Reporting System. As at 1 May 2020, figures available 
encompass ed the period 2006 -18 (i.e. from inception of the Af T initiative to the latest year for which figures 
were compiled ). WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  • Adjusting existing lending arrangements as well as augmenting existing lending program mes 
to accommodate urgent new needs arising from the COVID -19 pandemic.  
The World Bank Group (WBG) announced a USD 14 billion package , addressin g the immediate health and 
social consequences of the outbreak. Furthermore, it looks to allocate as much as USD 160 billion in financial 
support to aid in economic recovery efforts over the next 15 months. In April 2020, along with the IMF, the 
WBG addres sing the G20 called for debt suspension for the poorest and most fragile countries.  
Among regional developments, the Asian Development Bank (AsDB) tripled its initial response package to 
USD 20 billion to support its Developing Member Countries to aid in p andemic response effortsb. 
In early April 2020, the African Development Bank (AfDB) unveiled the creation of a USD 10 billion package . 
The COVID -19 Response Facility, which entails USD 5.5 billion for sovereign operation in AfDB counties and 
USD 3.1 billion for sovereign and regional operations for countries under the African Development Fund for 
the most fragile countries. An additional USD 1.35 will be devoted to private sector operationsc. 
The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) set up a comprehensive USD 2 billion package, dedicating a significant 
portion of it to support and empower the MSME sector in member countriesd. 
The European Bank for Recons truction and Development (EBRD) unveiled an emergency EUR 1 billion 
"Solidarity Package " of measures to help companies across its regions deal with the impact of the COVID -19 
pandemic.  
The Inter-American Development Bank (IaDB) injected an additional USD 3 .2 billion in view of the COVID -19 
pandemic. Therefore, approximately USD 12 billion is available for members to aid in relief and support efforts.  
The BRICS Bank/New Development Bank approved emergency assistance of RMB  7 billion (approximately 
USD 985 m illion) to aid in Chinese relief efforts. Notably, this is the Bank’s first assistance program mes for 
outbreaks within its member cohort.  
a IMF. Viewed at: https://www.imf.org/en/Abo ut/FAQ/imf -response -to-covid-19.  
b AsDB. Viewed at: https://www.adb.org/news/adb -triples -covid-19-response -package -20-billion .  
c AfDB. Viewed at: https://www.afdb.org/en/news -and-events/press -releases/african -development -bank-
group -unveils -10-billion -response -facility -curb-covid-19-35174  
d ISDB. Viewed at: https://www.isdb.org/fr/node/44432 .  
Source:  IMF. 
3.165.   The following box provides a non -exhaustive overview of the challenges faced by LDCs in 
the context of the COVID -19 pandemic.  
Box 3.8 COVID -19 and LDCs  
The COVID -19 pandemic has created very serious challenges to the trade and economic growth of the least -
developed countries (LDCs). These challenges come against the backdrop of a greater decline of their exports 
of goods and services in 2019 (1.6%) as compared to the decline of world exports (1.2%).  
Trade -related measures have been one of the important policy instruments adopted by LDC governments to 
cushion the a dverse consequences of the pandemic. Over a quarter of LDCs have put in place measures to 
simplify import procedures along with temporary waivers of customs duties on essential medical supplies as 
well as on food products.  
For example, Bangladesh formally notified to the WTO its temporary elimination of import tariffs on protective 
garment, disinfectant and COVID -19 test kits (G/MA/W/156). Official sources from Chad have confirmed 
similar measures, while Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lao PDR and Zambia have autonomously liberalized 
tariffs on medical goods and food products. Liberia is an illustration of an LDC removing non -tariff measures 
to expedite imports, by lifting the pre -shipment inspection requirements.  
In order to ensure food security during th e pandemic period, some LDCs had introduced export restricting 
measures but withdrew them within a month, such as Myanmar (temporary deferral of issuing of new export 
licensing on rice). Temporary export bans have also been noted for Cambodia (rice), Mali (sugar, meat, wheat 
and rice), Sudan (maize) and The Gambia (essential commodities and petroleum).   
The LDC Group issued communication (WT/GC/211) in which they called on WTO Members to refrain from 
imposing export prohibitions or restrictions on medical g oods and food, and to facilitate flows of these goods 
to LDCs for their domestic use. Some LDCs have also joined other members to support open and predictable 
trade in agricultural and food products (WT/GC/208/Rev.2) as well as in stressing the importance of 
transparent and rules -based global trading system (WT/GC/212/Rev.1).  
Following the outbreak of the COVID -19 pandemic, two thirds of LDCs have put in place containment 
measures. Since LDCs are spread across the globe, they have been affected to different  degrees and at 
different times as the epicenter of the pandemic has shifted between continents. Despite significant resource 
constrains, LDC governments had to roll out stimulus packages to strengthen the capacity of the health sector 
and expand social sa fety nets, cushioning SMEs, export -oriented industries and affected businesses. Most of WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  the measures aim at providing liquidity, invoking moratoria on loan payments, alleviating tax burden, ensuring 
workers' salaries and supporting the most vulnerable comm unities. Food distribution, direct cash transfers 
and cuts on utility bills form an integral part of social relief packages taken by LDCs, and some include targeted 
support to women and youth, such as "Youth Entrepreneurship Fund" in Chad.  
SMEs feature in the stimulus packages of several LDCs, with the measures ranging from low interest loans, 
to salary support, to VAT exemptions. In Bangladesh, SMEs can access working capital loan program at 
concessional interest rates where the Government shares the inter est payment with these enterprises. In 
Nepal, SMEs stand to benefit from refinancing facilities and tax exemptions ranging from 25 to 75% for the 
fiscal year budget 2020 -2021. SME -focused measures across LDCs in Africa vary from rent subsidies in 
Lesotho t o emergency cash transfer programs in Malawi to VAT suspension in Rwanda. In addition, affected 
businesses in Rwanda can benefit from bailout funding under the Economic Recovery Fund (ERF) amounting 
to USD 200 million managed by the Central Bank.96 In the P acific, the Government of Vanuatu announced to 
provide VT60,000 to SMEs  with annual turnover of less than VT200 million, according to the national 
authority.97  
Businesses operating in the tourism sector – one of the badly hit sectors from COVID -19 – are al so included 
in the stimulus packages of LDCs. For instance, the Government of Bhutan waived rent bills for tourism -
related businesses leasing government buildings. The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism in Myanmar waived the 
license fee for hotels and tourism -operators for a period of one year. Hotels and catering sectors in Togo have 
been granted a VAT reduction, while tax deferrals have been offered to hotels and restaurants in Mali.  
The international community provided a timely response in supporting the LD Cs during the COVID -19 
pandemic. Consistent with the G20 Leaders' statement, the G20 Finance Ministers launched the "Debt Service 
Suspension Initiative for Poorest Countries" on 15 April 2020.98 This initiative allows for a suspension of 
principal repayment s and interest payments by LDCs and other countries eligible to benefit from the 
International Development Association (IDA) from 1 May 2020 until the end of 2020.  
The international financial institutions have come forward with rapid facilities to ease th e liquidity crisis in the 
poorest countries, as well as to strengthen national systems for public health emergencies. Over 60% of LDCs 
have already received emergency financing support from the IMF, with the total amount reaching USD 5 billion 
(USD 3.7 bil lion in special drawing rights).99 Around 90% of the IMF's emergency financing to LDCs has been 
channeled through the rapid credit facility and the rapid financing instrument aimed at providing liquidity.100 
The World Bank's support in addressing the COVID -19 pandemic amounts to USD 160 billion, with grants and 
concessional financing to IDA -eligible countries accounting for nearly one -third of the total amount.101 As of 8 
June 2020, 30 LDCs have already started the implementation of the COVID -19 preparedness and  response 
projects amounting to nearly USD 700 million under the COVID -19 Fast Track Facility. 102  
International Financial Corporation has also announced COVID -19 support of USD 14 billion, with nearly 60% 
of which (USD 8 billion) focusing on providing trad e finance, working -capital support and medium -term 
financing to private companies. Businesses across LDCs and other IDA -eligible countries stand to benefit from 
at least 40% of the USD 8 billion package. In addition, several IFC projects also contribute to  the COVID -19 
pandemic response. IFC is providing USD 11 million loan to expand a network of clinical diagnostic laboratories 
across nine countries in Sub -Saharan Africa, including five LDCs: Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda 
and Zambia.103  
The duration of the pandemic remains uncertain, and its economic impact threatens to be more severe than 
the current projections. With drastic fall of export earnings, looming protracted recession at global level, and 
dwindling resources of LDC governments, co ncerted support from international community remains key for 
LDCs to rebound from the crisis.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat . 
 
96 Viewed at: https://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/covid -19-businesses -invited -apply -bailout -govt-rolls-
out-rwf100bn -fund accessed on 9 June 2020.  
97 Government of Vanuatu, Finance and Treasury . Viewed at:  https://doft.gov.vu/index.php/covid -19 , 
accessed on 9 June 2020.  
98 G20 Fi nance Ministers' Communiqué . Viewed at:  
https://g20.org/en/media/Documents/G20_FMCBG_Communiqué_EN%20(2).pdf  , accessed on 15 May 2020.  
99 Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Benin, B urkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic 
Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea -Bissau, Haiti, Liberia, Madagascar, 
Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Se negal, Sierra Leone, 
Solomon Islands, Togo, Uganda, Yemen.  
100 IMF COVID -19 Lending Tracker, https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf -and-covid19/COVID -Lending -
Tracker, accessed on 05 June 2020.  
101 See: https://ida.worldbank.org/about/borrowing -countries , accessed on 20 May 2020.  
102 See: https://ida.worldbank.org/financing/responding -covid-19, accessed on 7 June 2020.  
103 See https://disclosures.ifc.org/#/projectDetail/SII/40794  , accessed on 7 June 2020.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  Trade finance  
3.166.   During the review period, importers as well as exporters experienc ed major difficulties  as 
result of the  COVID -19 pandemic  in terms of cost and availability of short -term trade financ ing. 
According to the expert group on trade finance , which met on 30 March,104 an increase d perception 
of risk by financial institutions , and liquidity issues experienced either b y financial institutions or by 
other providers of trade finance, are the main reasons for these difficulties. G lobal banks have been 
cutting down their lines of credit or confirmation of letters of credit for economies assessed as high - 
risk – mostly devel oping  and least -developed economies. Indeed , the perception of the risk of non -
payment is high, as banks anticipate  an increasing  number of  failures among their  clients. Liquidity 
issues  exacerbate the COVID -19 measures put in place by governments by reducing economic 
activity  and delaying or extending  the terms of payments. Developed countries are also facing 
serious trade finance challenges, despite banks providing massive payment advan ces to core 
customers. "Force Majeure " payment clauses105 in trade finance contracts  have been activated  in 
selected sect ors, such as air transport, tourism, automobile  and machinery  industries.  
3.167.   As during the 2008 -09 financial crisis, many governments have i ntroduced schemes to 
support companies involved in international trade, in the form of guarantees, working capital, pre -
shipment finance, import guarantees or reinsurance capacity by public insurers ( export  credit 
agencies).  The Berne Union, the Internatio nal Union of Credit and Investment Insurers, is keeping 
a record of the measures announced. The E uropean Union has temporarily waived some rules on 
state aid, to allow export credit agencies of member States to provide support to traders.  Multilateral 
Development Banks (MDBs) have also implemented emergency support program mes and facilities 
dedicated to trade finance and working capital for companies impacted by the collapse of trade as a 
result of the pandemic. The demand for trade finance facilities has t raditionally been an indicator of 
market gaps. This demand has increased by 40% for the International Finance Corporation (IFC), 
80% for the A sDB, and 100% for the EBRD, the AfDB and Afreximbank. This demand either comes 
directly from the companies, for ex ample as working capital for the purchase of inputs, or from food 
producers to access advanced cash for their exports, or from banks in developing countries facing 
withdrawal in the confirmation of their letter s of credit by global bank s. Requests for mult ilateral 
bank facilities have come from over 80 countries, showing the global extent of the crisis. The US 
Federal Reserve reactivated US dollar swaps with several central banks, a positive development  for 
international trade and trade finance , 80% of whic h still relies on the US currency. The ECB and 
Chinese central banks have also stepped in , to ensure enough liquidity in inter -bank markets.  
3.168.   The WTO is closely monitoring the situation, as reduced support by the banking system and 
declines in inter -firm t rade credit can have significant knock -on effects on traders’ solvency within 
the value chains, and therefore harm recovery. Trade finance is an area in which international 
statistics are scarce. The WTO is in contact with MDBs and representatives of the p rivate sector as 
part of its monitoring effort. Since the outbreak of the COVID -19 pandemic , the expert group on 
trade finance has met virtually. In other developments, the B20 issued a Statement on Finance and 
Trade , including a call to "enable continued trade during the crisis via trade finance ".  
Fisheries subsidies  
3.169.   Although end -2019 had been seen as the deadline for an agreement on WTO disciplines on 
fisheries subsidies it was not possible to achieve this objective. However, in a series of mee tings of 
the Negotiating Group on Rules in late 2019, Members stated that they were fully committed to 
reaching an agreement at the next WTO Ministerial Conference that was to take place in June 2020 
in Nur -Sultan in Kazakhstan. They also affirmed that the y were looking for an ambitious outcome 
based on the mandate from target 14.6 of the Sustainable Development Goals and the MC11 
Ministerial Decision, to reach an agreement on disciplines that prohibit certain forms of fisheries 
subsidies that contribute to  overcapacity and overfishing, and eliminate subsidies that contribute to 
illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing, with appropriate and effective special and 
differential treatment for developing country Members and LDC Members being an integral part of 
these negotiations.  
 
104 WTO docume nt WT/WGTDF/W/95.  
105 "Force Majeure" clauses seek to delay, postpone, suspend or even cancel contract obligations. In the 
case of trade finance, clauses have been invoked to cancel orders, delay payments, or postpone deliveries.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  3.170.   Considerable progress was made in late 2019 , and in the first months of 2020 , as the Chair 
and facilitators engaged with delegations, the facilitators prepared new drafts of their working 
documents and the Chair was asked to pre pare a draft consolidated text on which Members could 
focus as they prepared for senior -level involvement and the June Ministerial Conference where a 
final decision would be made.  
3.171.   However, as a result of the COVID -19 pandemic , MC12 , scheduled for June 2020 , was 
postponed without a new date being set. The ability of delegations to engage in detailed negotiations 
has been severely curtailed by restrictions on movement and the refocusing of priorities to address 
the pandemic. Furthermore, the complex legal, te chnical and political issues must be addressed and 
the logistical challenges that many delegations have with remote technologies and with long -distance 
coordination have meant that it has not been possible to use virtual meetings to continue negotiating 
discussions. Despite these difficulties, delegations have continued to engage in exchanges about 
proposals using written procedures, and Members indicate that they remain committed to a 
meaningful outcome in line with the mandate.  
Electronic commerce  
3.172.   Discus sions on electronic commerce in the WTO are continuing under two parallel tracks – 
multilaterally , under the General Council and its relevant subsidiary bodies, and under the Joint 
Statement on Electronic Commerce initiative. At the multilateral level, eff orts are ongoing to 
reinvigorate the 1998 Work Programme on Electronic Commerce. Since MC11, WTO Members have 
been focusing on the impact and scope of the decision not to impose customs duties on electronic 
transmissions (the Moratorium). In October 2019, the General Council Chair began consultations 
with Members on the way forward on the Work Programme and the Moratorium. This resulted in a 
decision by the General Council in December 2019 to reinvigorate the Work Programme and to 
extend the Moratorium unti l MC12. Members also agreed to conduct structured discussions in early 
2020 based on all trade -related topics of interest brought forward by Members, including on the 
scope, definition and impact of the Moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissi ons.  
3.173.   In March 2020, two submissions by Members on the impact of the Moratorium were 
circulated.106 A workshop to look at different aspects concerning the imposition of customs duties 
on electronic transmissions scheduled for March 2020, as well as all other  meetings, including an 
informal open -ended meeting to discuss Members' submissions, were suspended due to the COVID -
19 pandemic.  Under the Joint Statement on Electronic Commerce initiative, 76 WTO Members issued 
a Joint Statement in January 2019 launching  WTO negotiations on trade -related aspects of electronic 
commerce. Since then, eight additional Members have joined, bringing the total number of 
participants to 84. Negotiations are organized around six focus groups: enabling digital trade/e -
commerce; ope nness and digital trade/e -commerce; trust and digital trade/e -commerce; cross -
cutting issues, such as transparency, domestic regulation, and cooperation; telecommunications; 
and market access and customs duties on electronic transmissions. To ensure that t he development 
dimension remains integral to the discussions, delegations are also encouraged to consider the 
unique opportunities and challenges faced by developing countries and LDCs, as well as by MSMEs, 
in relation to each issue under discussion.  
3.174.   To date, seven negotiating clusters have been held and over 30 proposals have been 
submitted. Negotiations are based on streamlined texts of Members' proposals. In 2020, more time 
had been allocated for small -group and informal meetings to assist delegations i n further 
streamlining the text and reducing the number of different textual options. However, due to the 
COVID -19 pandemic, the March and April clusters of meetings were postponed. The co -conveners 
of the discussions encourage all WTO Members to participa te in order to further enhance the benefits 
of e-commerce for businesses, consumers and the global economy. Some Members expressed 
opposition to these negotiations on the grounds that they are not part of the current negotiating 
mandate.  
Investment facilit ation  
3.175.   Discussions on investment facilitation for development continued during the review period. 
In November 2019, in the aftermath of the informal Shanghai WTO Ministerial meeting, 98 WTO 
Members issued a Joint Ministerial Statement, committing  to work towards a concrete outcome on 
 
106 WTO d ocuments WT/GC/W/798 and WT/GC/W/799.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  Investment Facilitation for Development at MC12, and encouraging all WTO  Members to actively 
participate in this process .107 Other Members oppose discussions on investment facilitation in the 
WTO, mostly on the grounds that they are not part of the current negotiating mandate.  
3.176.   In December 2019, participating WTO Members agreed to move into negotiating mode in 
March 2020, and requested the Coordinator to prepare a "streamlined text ", aimed at assisting 
Members to  further develop the elements and specific provisions of a multilateral framework on 
investment facilitation for development.108 At an organizational meeting open to all WTO Members 
held in February 2020, participating delegations adopted a calendar of meetings and a  methodology 
of work for the period March -May 2020.109 The meetings due to be held in March and April 2020 
were cancelled due to the COVID -19 pandemic. By mid -May 2020, negotiating proposals had been 
submitted by China110, the European Union111, Japan112 and Turke y.113 As agreed at the 
organizational meeting , the Coordinator prepared an "informal consolidated text ", on the basis of 
the "streamlined text" and written proposals and text contributions submitted by Members thus far. 
The informal consolidated text is inte nded to help Members further develop the elements and specific 
provisions of a multilateral framework on investment facilitation for development in the current 
negotiating phase of the Structured Discussions , as well as to assist delegations  in conducting 
consultations in their respective capitals and in outreach efforts. The structure, content and wording 
of this text do not, in any way, prejudge the position or views of any delegation on the issues under 
negotiation.  
Micro, small and medium -sized  enterpri ses (MSMEs)  
3.177.   During the reporting period, the Informal Working Group on MSMEs held four open-ended 
meetings  to discuss group proposals for MC12. Additionally, the Group held two  workshop s on MSME -
related topics, including a checklist for MC12 submitted by D IHK, the Association of German 
Chambers of Industry and Commerce; and on Trade Enablement of MSMEs through the Use of 
Technology from South -African based Global Trade Solution . An annual report, detailing the activities 
of the Group in 201 9, was adopted at  the end -of-year wrap -up session in December  2019.114 The 
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia  joined the Group in November 201 9, bringing the number of WTO Members 
participating in the initiative to 91. Outreach efforts focused on the horizontal nature of MSMEs, 
including their presence in every economy and in a variety of trade topics. S ome Members  oppose, 
or do not support, discussions on this issue, noting that it is not part of the original Doha Round 
discussions and that focusing on DDA issues should be the p riority.  
3.178.   The Group's planned series of meetings and discussions in the lead -up to MC12, continued 
on an informal basis after the COVID -19 outbreak. Issues currently under consideration by t he Group 
include support for the ITC Global Trade Helpdesk; suppor t for initiatives in other formal WTO 
Committees including the full implementation of the TFA and the Market Access Decision to 
voluntarily provide information to the Integrated Database115; Members'  voluntary inclusion of 
MSME -related information in WTO TPRs; MSME  inclusion in the development of trade regulations; 
and support for MSME access to trade finance . The Group is also developing a web platform for 
MSMEs and policymakers that links to relevant MSME trade information for small businesses and 
policymak ers, including links to customs’ requirements for MSMEs, and studies and best practices 
for policymakers. Recognizing the cross -cutting nature of MSMEs, the Group continues to regularly 
invite Chairs and secretaries of WTO committees and bodies to brief th e Group on MSME -related 
developments in their respective bodies. The Group works closely with various other 
 
107 WTO document WT/L/1072/Rev.1 , 22 November 2019.  This joint ministerial statement follows upon 
the one issued by 70 WTO Members in December 2017 in the margins of MC11, which called for beginning 
"structured discussions with the aim of developing a multilat eral framework on investment facilitation" 
(document WT/MIN(17)/59, 13 December 2017) . 
108 WTO document INF/IFD/R/10, 17 January 2020, provides an informal summary of the meeting held 
on 12 December 2019. The streamlined text was issued as document INF/IFD/R D/45 on 17 January 2020.  
109 WTO document INF/IFD/R/11 (dated 9 March 2020), provides an informal summary of the meeting 
held on 27 February 2020. The working methodology is contained in the Annex to document INF/IFD/W/16 
(Annotated agenda for the meeting on  27 February 2020). The schedule of meetings for the period up until 
May 2020 is contained in document INF/IFD/W/15/Rev.1  
110 WTO document INF/IFD/RD/48, 27 March 2020.  
111 WTO document INF/IFD/RD/46, 27 February 2020.  
112 WTO document INF/IFD/RD/47, 25 March 20 20. 
113 WTO document INF/IFD/RD/49, 31 March 2020.  
114 WTO document INF/MSME/R/ 13, 9 December  2019.  
115 WTO document G/MA//367, 28 May 2019.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  intergovernmental organizations , including the I nternational Trade Center (ITC)  and the 
International Chamber of Commerce ( ICC).  
3.179.   The importance of MSMEs to the global economy has become even more evident in the 
current COVID -19 crisis. The Group issued a joint declaration of support for MSMEs noting the 
unprecedented impact of the crisis on them and the need to build their resilience. The Group 
under scored the need to enhance MSME access to regulatory and market information , affordable 
trade finance , and streamlined customs procedures and requirements. Many governments have put 
in place urgent stimulus and backstop measures to support their MSMEs , and the Group invited its 
members to provide information on the COVID -19 crisis -linked MSME support measures put in place. 
The Group continued discussions on the way forward following the crisis, including for the finalization 
of the MC12 package.  
Women's economic empowerment  
3.180.   Launched in December  2017, in the margins of the MC11 , the Buenos  Aires Declaration on 
Trade and Women's Economic Empowerment provides a platform for WTO  Members to share 
information and best practices on how they have been integrating gender into their trade policies 
and strategies . The Declaration, signed by 127  WTO Members and Observers, representing 75 % of 
world trade, seeks to ensure that the WTO works to make trade more inclusive and to increase the 
participation of wom en in trade. However , some other Members are of the view that the 
empowerment of women is not a trade issue.   
3.181.   The Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPR M) was identified by the proponents  of the 
Declaration as one of the WTO instruments which could support Members in gathering and sharing 
information on their trade policies in support of women's economic empowerment. Indeed, some 
governments have included in their recent TPR reports inform ation on this issue. Members are using 
various and complementary trade instruments to integrate gender into their trade policy. Some 
Members have reviewed and updated their aid -for-trade strategies , including a stronger focus on 
women’s empowerment. Others  are integrating gender chapters in their bilateral trade agreements 
and in their preferential trade agreements. As part of their work on regional integration, they have 
also focussed on trade and gender issues. At the domestic level, m any Members continue  to integrate 
gender issues in their national development strategies and as part of their trade policy objectives.  
 
 WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  4  POLICY DEVELOPMENT I N TRADE IN SERVICES  
4.1.  This Section on policy developments in trade in services is composed of three part s. The first, 
as in past reports, discusses new measures affecting trade in services introduced by WTO Members 
and Observers between mid -October 2019 and mid -May 2020. The second part outlines measures 
affecting trade in services that have been adopted by governments in response to the COVID -19 
pandemic, up to mid -May 2020. The third part of this Section examines the early impact of the 
COVID -19 pandemic on trade in services in different sectors and modes of supply.  
REGULAR MONITORING OF MEASURES AFFECTING TRADE IN SERVICES  
4.2.  Many new measures affecting trade in services were introduced by WTO Members and 
Observers between mid -October 2019 and mid -May 2020. While most of the new measures are 
trade facilitating, a significant number of new policies appear to be  trade restrictive. A large 
proportion of the measures adopted during the period under review relate to telecommunication 
services, e -commerce, and services supplied online, including different types of tax measures. Like 
in the previous Report, various go vernments have introduced new measures in relation to foreign 
investment in areas considered strategic or linked to national security. Annex 4 provides additional 
information on 101 entries for new measures, which concern 41 WTO Members and 2 Observers.1 
Measures Affecting Supply Through Commercial Presence  Across Various Sectors  
4.3.  WTO Members adopted a number of new measures in relation to their foreign investment 
regimes that affect supply through commercial presence (mode 3). For example, Japan  amended its  
Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act and now requires overseas investors to seek prior 
notification from the Government before obtaining a 1% or higher stake in a listed Japanese firm 
engaged in business related to weapons, nuclear energy, semiconductor s, railroads and other areas. 
Prior to the amendments, the threshold was set at 10%.  
4.4.  The German  Government adopted amendments to the Foreign Trade and Payments Act that 
tighten the screening of foreign investment by specifying that all proposed foreign in vestments will 
be examined for any "likely adverse impact"  on public order, safety or security. Before the 
modifications, the criterion related to the "actual and serious threat" posed. In France , new measures 
expand and clarify authorizations for foreign investment in the country. On 1 April  2020, the 
thresholds for foreign investments by non -EU investors that are subject to prior authori zation were 
lowered from 33.33% to 25% of voting rights in a French entity. The new measures also provide for 
additional  sectors of activities that fall under the  foreign  investment regulations, including print and 
digital media, and critical technologies.  
4.5.  In the United States , new regulations broadened the jurisdiction of the Committee on Foreign 
Investment in the US (CFI US) by expanding its review powers over foreign investments in United 
States businesses. The new regulations implement the  Foreign  investment Risk Review 
Modernization Act of 2018 (FIRRMA), which ai ms to allow the CFIUS to better address national 
security concerns. Under the new regime, the CFIUS has express jurisdiction to review non -
controlling investments in critical technology, critical infrastructure and sensitive personal data 
businesses.  
4.6.  The Security Cabinet of Israel  established an advisory committee that will assess national 
security implications of foreign investment in finance, communications, infrastructures, 
transportation and the energy sector. In Algeria , a WTO Observer, the 2020 Finance Law, enacted 
on 1 Janua ry 2020, abolished the rule that limited foreign capital ownership in companies to a 
maximum of 49% in non -strategic sectors. On 25 December 2019, the Government of Uzbekistan , 
another Observer, adopted a new Investment Law, which provides that foreign inv ested companies 
shall be treated to the same as  domestic companies.   
 
1 The inclusion of any measure in the Annex implies no judgement by the WTO Secretariat on whether a 
measure, or its inte nt, is protectionist in nature. Moreover, nothing in the Annex implies any judgement, either 
direct or indirect, on the consistency of any measure with the provisions of any WTO agreement.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  Measures in relation to communication services, e -commerce, and digitally enabled 
services  
4.7.  A number of governments adopted digital services taxes, extended their domestic sales or 
value -added taxes to services supplied online, including from abroad, or adopted other types of tax 
measures in relation to communication and other services.2  
4.8.  In October 2019, Austria  adopted a new law introducing a 5% tax on online advertising for 
companies wit h global annual revenues of over EUR 750 million and advertising revenues of over 
EUR 25 million in the country . In Turkey , the Government adopted, in December 2019, a digital 
services tax (DST) in the form of a 7.5% tax on revenue gained from digital adve rtising and the sale 
of any audio, visual or digital content services through digital platforms. Related social media 
platforms and digital intermediary services are also subject to the DST. The Tax applies to services 
deemed to have been provided in Turke y. Companies are subject to the Tax if their revenues from 
the relevant services are at least EUR 750 million globally and TRY 20 million in Turkey.  
4.9.  In Italy, the Budget Law for 2020 introduced a 3% digital service tax on revenues derived from 
certain dig ital services provided to users located  in the country . The tax applies to entities that meet 
certain revenue thresholds, namely a total amount of worldwide revenues equal to or exceeding 
EUR 750 million  and an amount of revenues from qualified digital  services in Italy equal to or 
exceeding EUR 5.5 million. Digital  services  subject to the tax fall in to three categories: digital  
targeted  advertising,  intermediation services, and data transmission services.  In the  United 
Kingdom , the Government introduced the digital services tax, a new 2% tax on the revenues of 
search engines, social media services and online marketplaces that derive value from UK use rs. 
These businesses will be liable to the tax when the group 's worldwide revenues from these digital 
activities exceed GBP 500 million and  when  more than GBP 25 million of these revenues are derived 
from UK users.  
4.10.   On 23 March 2020, the Parliament of India passed an amended national budget, which 
expands the scope of India's equalization levy to include a new 2% tax on the sale of all goods and 
services by non -Indian companies over the Internet into India. The tax is levied on non -resident e -
commerce opera tors.  
4.11.   On 2 March 2020, the President of Chile signed into law a bill that require s non-resident 
suppliers of digital services to register and collect the value -added tax of 19%. In Singapore , since 
1 January 2020, the goods and services tax (GST) to busin ess-to-consumer (B2C) digital services 
imported into Singapore  was imposed . Foreign suppliers of digital services and electronic 
marketplace operators must register under the Overseas Vendor Registration regime and account 
for the GST if their annual globa l turnover and B2C digital services provided to customers in 
Singapore exceeds certain thresholds. Previously, only services procured from local businesses were 
subject to the GST.  
4.12.   In Malaysia , from 1 January 2020, foreign -based service suppliers that prov ide digital services 
to consumers in Malaysia are required to charge the 6% service tax, like domestic suppliers. The 
law applies only to foreign suppliers with an annual turnover of at least MYR 500,000 in relation to 
the provision of digital services to consumers in country . A new law adopted in Ecuador  introduces 
a special consumption tax on paid television services and certain fixed and mobile voice and data 
services , with rates between 10% and 15% . 
4.13.   In Kenya , the Finance Act 2019 broadened the coverage of the Income Tax Act to include 
income accruing from the digital marketplace, and a change to the VAT Act subjected digital market 
services to the value -added tax. The law defines a digital marketplace as a pl atform that enables 
direct interactions between buyers and sellers of goods and services through electronic means. In 
Chad, the Government exempted fixed communications and Internet services from the 18% tax on 
monthly turnover imposed on mobile operators.   
4.14.   In Argentina , the Government adopted new measures to tax certain transactions involving 
the acquisition of foreign currency. The tax applies since 23 December 2019 to a number of 
transactions, including: purchases by Argentine residents abroad through cr edit, debit or purchase, 
 
2 Some laws introducing digital services taxes indicated that the t axes would be repealed once an 
international solution was achieved on the topic.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  including cash withdrawals  made outside Argentina, purchases made online through portals or virtual 
websites in foreign currency, purchases of services rendered abroad through Argentine travel 
agencies, and purchases of ground, air  and maritime passenger services for foreign destinations 
(except ground passenger services to neighbouring countries). The tax rate is 30%, except for the 
purchase of digital services, which are subject to a n 8% rate.  
4.15.   Aside from tax measures, various oth er policy changes took place in relation to the 
communication sector, e -commerce, or digitally -enabled services. For example, in Indonesia , the 
Government issued a new regulation (GR 80), effective since 25 November 2019, that aims to 
regulate e -commerce a ctivities in the country. The regulation requires all e -commerce businesses to 
obtain a business licence to carry out these activities. The regulation also applies to entities 
incorporated and located outside of Indonesia that conduct e -commerce business a ctivities in  the 
country . Foreign suppliers meeting certain thresholds relating to their business activities in Indonesia 
are required to appoint an Indonesian representative to act on their behalf. GR 80 stipulates that 
personal  data collected by e -commer ce companies cannot be transferred offshore, unless the 
receiving jurisdiction is deemed to have the same level of protection of personal data as Indonesia. 
Further, e -commerce operators must prioritize the use of an Indonesian domain name, and assist 
government policies, such as those in relation to local content.   
4.16.   The Government of Indonesia  also issued, in October 2019, a new regulation (GR 71) on 
electronic systems and transactions, which allows private sector electronic system operators to 
transfer, process, and store data outside of the country . Public electronic system operators must sti ll 
keep their electronic systems and  data in Indonesia, unless otherwise provided. In Kenya , the 
Government adopted the Data Protection Act, which sets out requirements on how personally 
identifiable data  obtained by firms and government entities can be ha ndled, stored and shared.  The 
Act requires proof that personal data will be secure as a condition for transferring the data outside 
Kenya. The Act also requires the consent of the data subject as a condition for the cross -border 
transfer of sensitive perso nal data.   
4.17.   In Pakistan , the Government adopted a new law regulating social media platforms. It requires 
platforms to block or remove posts that are considered  objectionable. The law also requires social 
media companies to set up a physical presence in the country.  On 7 April 2020, the President of the 
Russian Federation  signed  a new law aimed at  improving the  system of  universal communication 
services in  the country . Under this law, at  least one Internet access point should be created in  areas 
with a  population of  100 to 500 peo ple that do not have data transmission services and  Internet 
access.   
4.18.   In Thailand , the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Comm ission published new 
criteria and procedures for granting licences to foreign satellites providing services in the country . 
In Uganda , the Communications Commission modified its licensing framework for the telecom sector, 
introducing various licence catego ries and requiring all national telecom operators to float at least 
20% of their shares on the Uganda Securities Exchange within two years of acquiring the new 
licence.  
4.19.   In the United States , an Executive Order issued on 4 April 2020 formalize d, through the  
establishment of a Committee, the  ad hoc  working group known as "Team Telecom " which will assist 
the Federal Communications Commission in the review of foreign participation in U.S. 
telecommunication services, with the objective of enhancing national secu rity. Team Telecom now 
has 120 days to conduct national security reviews of licence applications.   
4.20.   In December 2019, the Government of France  issued a decree to assist the implementation 
of a law that aims to preserve national security interests in the con text of the launch of the 5G 
network.  Operators will be required to obtain prior approval from the French Prime Minister to 
operate 5G  technology. In Italy, a new law adopted in November 2019 establishe d a "National Cyber 
Security Perimeter " and modifie d the foreign direct investment ( FDI) regime in relation to "special 
powers ", which allow the Government to impose conditions on, or veto, certain transactions in 
strategic sectors. Among other things, the new law specifies the criteria used to assess whete r a 
foreign investment is likely to affect national security or public order. The law provides that the 
assessment should now also consider whether foreign contracts and acquisitions could compromise 
the integrity and security of networks and data passing through these networks.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  Financial Services  
4.21.   Governments adopted a number of new measures in relation to financial services during the 
period under review. Th ese include instances where governments removed or relaxed foreign equity 
limits, or introduced new discriminatory measures.  
4.22.   For example, in India, the 49% foreign equity limitation for insurance intermediaries (e.g. 
brokers  or agents) was eliminated on 1 January 2020. In China , the restriction on foreign ownership 
in joint -venture life insurance compa nies was removed on 1 January 2020, and foreign ownership 
can now reach 100%. China also removed the 51% foreign ownership limit in fund management 
companies, in securities companies, in foreign -invested futures companies.  
4.23.   In Indonesia , the Government ado pted a new regulation relaxing foreign equity limits in 
insurance services.  Since 2018, foreign equity ownership in insurance companies has been capped 
at 80%. Further capital increases had to respect the 80:20 ratio between foreign and domestic 
shareholde rs. The new regulation, effective from 20 January 2020, relaxed this rule and clarified the 
ability of insurers to conduct capital increases and manage their Sharia operations.  
4.24.   The Bank of Ghana  extended by six months, until 31 December 2020, the deadline  for meeting 
new minimum capital requirements applicable to all existing payment service providers, electronic 
money issuers, banks, and specialized deposit -taking institutions. It increased the minimum capital 
requirements for payment service providers fr om GH S 5 million to GH S 20 million. The new minimum 
capital requirements serve to operationalize the Payment Systems and Services Act, adopted in 
2019.  Among other things, the Act requires payment service companies to have at least 30% 
domestic equity part icipation, to maintain minimum capital in Ghana, and to process all  retail 
electronic payment transactions within the country . 
4.25.   In Uganda , the Government adopted a new measure requiring the purchase of marine 
insurance from local suppliers from 1 June 2020.  All imports must have a valid marine insurance 
cover underwritten by a Ugandan -registered insurance company before clearance by the Uganda 
Revenue Authority. In Nigeria , the Central Bank issued new regulations on the operations of indirect 
participants in  the payment system, thereby allowing mobile network operators, among others, to 
provide mobile money services for the first time.  
4.26.   The Central Bank of Malaysia  issued new rules that, since 11 November 2019, require 
electronic trading platforms and networks to obtain prior approval from the Central Bank before 
offering services in  the country . In the Philippines , a new measure allows foreign banks to open 
Islamic bank branches. Conventional banks, whether domestic or foreign, will be allowed to open 
Islamic banking unit or to establish a subsidiary Islamic bank.  
4.27.   The Government of Viet Nam  adopted new measures to regulate the cross -border supply of 
auxiliary insurance services. Offshore servi ce providers are required to be from countries with which 
Viet Nam has contracted market access commitments on the cross -border supply of such services. 
In addition, in the case of cross -border supply to insurance companies or insurance brokerage 
companies , the supplier must also meet specific requirements, such as having been lawfully 
operating for at least ten years. For cross -border  supply to individuals and to other organizations, 
the foreign supplier must cooperate with a supplier of auxiliary insuranc e services that is legally 
established in Viet Nam.  
Transport services  
4.28.   In the European Union , as regards maritime transport, the European Commission prolonged 
for another four years the regulation outlining the conditions under which liner shipping consort ia 
can provide joint services without infringing EU antitrust rules that prohibit anti -competitive 
agreements between companies. The  Consortia Block Exemption Regulation  allows, under certain 
conditions, liner shipping operators with a combined market shar e of below 30% to enter into 
cooperation agreements to provide joint liner shipping services. The current Consortia Block 
Exemption Regulation was due to expire on 25 April 2020.  
4.29.   In Costa Rica , a new measure removes limits on maximum foreign equity for int ernational 
land transport services of passengers. Previously, companies providing these services were required WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  to have at least 60% of their equity owned by investors that were citizens of Central America.  On 
18 November 2019 , the Government of Viet Nam  issued a decree that increases from 30% to 34% , 
the maximum foreign equity in airlines.  
Other services sectors  
4.30.   With respect to health services, telemedicine in India is now regulated by practical guidelines 
released by the Medical Council of India, through i ts Board of Governors. They permit the practice 
of Registered Medical Practitioners (RMP s) through telemedicine. In Indonesia , the Ministry of Health 
issued a new regulation on telemedicine services that provides official directions on the scope of 
telemedicine, requirements, rights and obligations, cost, funding and supervision. In addition, the 
Minister of Health issued a new regulation on the classification and licensing of hospitals, which 
remove d limits on foreign investment in certain types of hospitals. Singapore  approved the 
Healthcare Services Bill, a new regulatory regime that introduce d a services -based licensing regime , 
where healthcare service providers must obtain a licence based on the type of service they provide, 
rather than the previ ous premises -based licensing regime. In the United Arab Emirates , the Dubai 
Health Authority issued standards that set out the minimum requirements for the supply of telehealth 
services.  
4.31.   In the distribution services sector, Indonesia  issued a new regulati on on franchising. The 
measure removes the requirement to use 80% locally  sourced raw materials, equipment or products 
and instead obliges the franchisor to prioriti ze the use of local goods and services so long as the 
goods and services meet the quality s et by the franchisor. The new regulation also removes the 
restriction on the maximum number of outlets. Under the previous framework, a franchisor's 
maximum number of outlets was 150 for "modern shop businesses " and 250 for food and beverage 
businesses. Th e Government of Saudi Arabia  adopted the New Franchise Law, effective from 22 April 
2020, that establishes a regulatory framework for relationships between franchisors and franchisees.   
4.32.   In China , foreign education institutions, and other organizations or i ndividuals, are allowed to 
set up non -compulsory vocational training institutions in pilot free trade zones. In Costa Rica , the 
Government adopted a new law to regulate the supply of tourism services through the rental of 
homes, apartments, villas, chalets , cottages, and rooms. It seeks to protect the rights of services 
users and to regulate the services platforms or intermediary companies. The law also  requires hosts 
to register with the Tourism Institute and to pay the 13% VAT. 
Measures affecting supply t hrough the movement of natural persons  
4.33.   A new measure by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia  requires foreign nationals travelling for 
business to obtain a visa before submitting a Business Visit Visa application.  
4.34.   In Germany , a new immigration law, effective from March 2020, expands the framework 
under which qualified professionals from non -EU Members can work in Germany. The measure allows 
vocationally trained foreign nationals to be employed in Germany in occupations that are not 
experiencing a skills shortage. I t abolishes the requirement to verify the unavailability of German or 
EU nationals before allowing non -EU citizens to take up a skilled occupation.  In France, the Ministry 
of Home Affairs implemented changes to its Talent Passport programme, including expe dited and 
streamlined application processing.  
4.35.   The Government of Nigeria  introduced a new visa avenue for highly skilled foreign nationals 
and a 90 -day visa -on-arrival for all African Union nationals, frequently travelling executives and 
emergency relief w orkers. Thailand's  Department of Employment introduced changes to streamline 
the work permit process by allowing filing at the One -Stop Service Centre and faster in -country 
processing. In China , foreign high -level management and technical personnel  engaged  in technical 
cooperation and economic and trade activities may  now apply for a visa or residence permit valid 
for two to five years.   
Air services agreements  
4.36.   Table 4.1 presents information on air services agreements  (ASAs) concluded or amended 
during the period under review. These include both new ASAs and revisions of existing ones. As far WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 99 - 
 
  as can be assessed from available sources, the vast majority of these ASAs provides for more liberal 
access conditions than was previously the case.  
Table 4.1 Air Transport Agreements3 concluded or amended during the reporting period 
(October 2019 -May 2020)  
Parties  Date of 
signature  Source  
Belize  Chinese 
Taipei  08.10.2019  https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/2019/10/08/deputy -prime -
minister -tourism -minister -and-nemo -minister -visit-taiwan/  
Jamaica  South 
Africa  08.10.2019  https://jis.gov.jm/jamaica -and-south -africa -sign-air-service -
agreement/  
Solomon 
Islands  United 
Arab 
Emirates  11.10.2019  https://www.solomontimes.com/news/govt -signs-air-services -
agreement -with-turkey -and-uae/9406  
Solomon 
Islands  Turkey  11.10.2019  https:/ /www.solomontimes.com/news/govt -signs-air-services -
agreement -with-turkey -and-uae/9406  
United 
States  Kazakhstan  6.01.2020  Washington Trade Daily, 7 January 2020  
Gabon  Burkina 
Faso 1.10.2019  https://www.agenceecofin.com/transports/0110 -69674 -le-burkina -
faso-et-le-gabon -signent -un-accord -aerien -qui-ouvre -l-afrique -
centrale -a-air-burkina  
Turkey  Serbia  10.2019  https://www.exyuaviation.com/2019/10/serbia -turkey -approve -rigid-
air.html  
Morocco  Mexico 2.11.2019  https://aaco.org/media -center/news/aeropolitical/morocco -and-
mexico -sign-mou-to-establish -direct -air-service  
Barbados  Germany  11.2019  https://www.eturbonews.com/380104/european -expantion -new-direct -
flight-from-germany -to-barbados/  
Ukraine  Qatar  11.11.2019  https://112.international/finance/ukraine -and-qatar-liberalize -air-
transportations -45457.html  
Chinese 
Taipei  Nauru  13.12.2019  https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3836462  
Saint Lucia  United 
Arab 
Emirates  12.2019  https://www.stlucianewsonline.com/saint -lucia-negotiates -and-signs-
new-bilateral -air-services -agreement/  
India Switzerland  12.2019  https://www.traveldailymedia.com/india -swiss-air-service -pact-to-be-
amended/  
Pakistan  Saudi 
Arabia  01.2020  https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/599048 -pakistan -saudi-arabia -
revise -air-service -agreement  
Bahamas  United 
States  27.01.2020  https://ewnews.com/bahamas -and-united -states -sign-into-force-
historic -air-service -agreement  
Bangladesh  Japan  03.02.2020  https://ww w.newagebd.net/article/98579/dhaka -tokyo -air-service -
deal-revised  
United 
States  Kenya  02.2020  https://www.the -star.co.ke/news/2020 -02-06-us-kenya -add-all-cargo -
rights -to-air-transport -agreement/  
Somalia  Rwanda  07.02.2020  https://allafrica.com/stories/202002080045.html  
Rwanda  Tunisia  08.02.2020  https://www.ktpress.rw/2020/02/rwanda -tunisia -sign-air-service -
agreement/  
Ghana  Trinidad 
and 
Tobago  08.03.2020  https://www.looptt.com/content/trinidad -and-tobago -ghana -sign-air-
service -agreement -mou 
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
MEASURES AFFECTING TRADE IN SERVICES ADOPTED IN THE CONTEXT OF COVID -194 
4.37.   As part of its Trade Monitoring exercise, the Secretariat compiled information on 99 measures 
affecting trade in services that were adopted by governments in response to the COVID -19 
pandemic, up to mid -May 2020.  
 
3 The term "Air Transport Agreements" is used here to refer to Air Services Agreements, Memoranda of 
Understanding, Exchange of Notes, and other such relevant instruments.  
4 The information in this Section, and in Annex 6, was compiled by the WTO Secretariat and is an informal 
situation report and an attempt to provide transparency with respect to measures affecting trade in services 
taken in the context of the COVID -19 crisis.  It does not pass judgment on or question the right of WTO Members 
to take such actions. The Secretariat has not sought to determine or indicate whether the measures listed in the 
table in Annex 6  have trade -restrictive or trade-facilitating effects. The information is not exhaustive and does 
not include information on general support measures relating to services. Further, the objective is not to list all 
COVID -19 related measures taken by governments around the world to li mit movement, nor all the measures 
taken to ease the impact of border restrictions or other limits on movement.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  4.38.   Most of these measures appear to be trade -facilitating. This includes measures to ensure that 
more telecommunications capacity is made available to operators; measures to facilitate access by 
the population to Internet and mobile data and to online education and health services; measures 
to provid e – and in certain instances reintroduce – flexibility for suppliers of transport services and 
facilitate the continued supply of cross -border transport of freight; and lighter requirements imposed 
on banks (liquidity and capital requirements) to ensure th at they are well -positioned to continue to 
provide credit. In addition, two Members relaxed some limitations on the supply of Voice over 
Internet Protocol services. At the same time, various governments took measures to tighten foreign 
investment regimes, thereby affecting supply under mode 3 (commercial presence).   
4.39.   Annex 6 provides additional information on trade in services COVID -19-related measures, the 
bulk of which relate to financial services (43%), telecommunication services (19%), transport 
services  (14%), and health services (6%) or apply across various sectors (12%). Measures were 
compiled for 45 WTO Members. Seventy -three percent of measures listed in the Annex were 
expressly verified by Members. A number of the measures taken by governments in re sponse to the 
crisis were announced as temporary, and two have already been withdrawn, as indicated in the 
Annex.  
Measures affecting supply through commercial presence  
4.40.   Various WTO Members have introduced measures tightening foreign investment regimes to 
prevent foreign takeovers in sectors considered of strategic importance, thereby affecting supply 
under mode 3 in various sectors, including telecommunication, health and transport services.  
4.41.   On 25 March 2020, the European Commission issued new  guidelines for  screening FDI in 
companies and critical assets located in the European Union . The measure aims to respond to the 
increased potential risk to strategic industries as a result of the economic shock resulting from 
COVID -19. Among other things, the new guidel ines call on member States to make full use of 
existing FDI screening mechanisms and to take fully into account the risks to critical health 
infrastructures, the supply of critical inputs, and other critical sectors.  
4.42.   In Spain , the Government changed its r ules on foreign investment to prevent non -EU and 
non-EFTA investors from taking control of strategic Spanish companies. The new measure requires 
prior authorization for investments in a number of sectors, including critical infrastructure (e.g., 
energy, tr ansportation, water, health, communications, media, and data processing or storage), 
sectors with access to sensitive information, and other sectors if the Government  considers the 
investment may affect public security, public order or public health. Prior authori zation is also 
required, irrespective of the sector , if the foreign investor  is directly or indirectly controlled by 
a foreign  government. The new requirement concerns situations where foreign investors come to 
hold a stake of 10% or more of th e share capital of a Spanish company or where, as a result of the 
transaction, they participate effectively in the management , or control , the Spanish company.  
4.43.   On 29 March, Australia announced temporary changes to its foreign investment review 
framework i n order safeguard national interests during the crisis. During this period, all proposed 
foreign investments subject to the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975  require approval, 
regardless of value or of the nature of the foreign investor. This cha nge is achieved by reducing the 
monetary screening thresholds to AUD 0. In Italy, on 9 April 2020, the Government widened its 
foreign investment screening powers to new sectors, such as food security, health, banks and 
insurance companies, financial infras tructure, and acquisitions of 10% or more of shares in local 
companies.   
4.44.   The G overnment of Canada  issued , on 18 April,  a Policy Statement  indicating that  it would 
subject certain foreign investments to enhanced scrutiny under the  Investment Canada Act.  FDI of 
any value  in Canadian businesses that are related to public health or are involved in the supply of 
critical goods and services to Canadians or the Government  are now to be scrutinized with particular 
attention . The Government also subject ed all foreig n investments by state -owned investors, 
regardless of their value, or by private  investors assessed as being closely tied to or subject to 
direction from foreign governments, to enhanced scrutiny under the Act   
4.45.   In India, the Government amended its FDI poli cy in order to curb takeovers or acquisitions of 
Indian companies as a result of the pandemic.  The amendment provides that an entity of a country WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  that shares a land border with India - or where the beneficial owner of an investment into India is 
situated i n or is a citizen  of any such country - can invest only  with prior government permission  
4.46.   In France , the Minister for the Economy and Finance announced , on 29 April 2020 , an update 
to the screening procedure for FDI in the context of the current health and economic crisis. The new 
measure includes biotechnologies  in the list of critical technologies that are likely to be subject to 
screening. Also, the threshold for triggering a screening procedure is lowered from 25%  to 10% of 
voting rights in the acquired company.  
4.47.   China  adopted new policies aiming to facilitate and retain foreign investment.  In February 
2020, the Government issued a circular requiring local departments of commerce to, among other 
things,  help foreig n-invested  enterprises to resume  normal production and operation  and strengthen  
services for large foreign -invested projects .  
Measures affecting telecommunication services  and e -commerce  
4.48.   WTO Members have adopted various measures in relation to telecommuni cation services. In 
both developed and developing economies, operators  suspended data limits and boosted capacity in 
response to the pandemic at no additional cost, and many governments  temporarily issued additional 
spectrum to operators , or took other mea sures to facilitate the operation of telecommunication 
suppliers .  
4.49.   For example, t he National Communications Authority of Ghana  temporarily granted additional 
spectrum at no cost for three months to the country's two largest mobile network operators in order 
to help cope with a significant increase in Internet traffic during the  COVID -19 lockdown. To ensure 
that effective health -related information can be transmitted to and from rural areas, Kenya  fast-
tracked the issuance of an operating licen ce to Alphabet 's Loon services to extend the availability of 
wifi to remote locations.  In Oman , the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority al located additional 
mobile spectrum to the licensed network operators on a temporary basis and at no financial cost. .  
4.50.   A number of governments also adopted different types of measures  to ensure access to 
telecommunication services. For instance, in Colombia , the Government r equire d mobile telephony 
operators to maintain minimum service levels despite not receiving adequate remuneration from 
users. In the United States , the Federal Communication Commission launched the Keep Americans 
Connected Initiative to e nsure that Americans d id not lose their broadband or telephone connectivity 
in the context of COVID -19.  
4.51.   However, the COVID -19 crisis also led to the postponement of a number of auctions of 5G  
the spectrum. For instance, Austria's  Regulatory Authority for Broadcasting and Telecommunications 
delayed its upcoming second 5G auction, which had been expected to take place in April. In Spain , 
the Government delayed plans to auction for 5G services spectrum, the so -called "second digital 
dividend ban ". 
4.52.   The crisis resulted in certain WTO Members lifting restrictions on Voice-Over-Internet -Protocol  
(VoIP) services. In the United Arab Emirates , the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority decided, 
on 24 March  2020, to allow certain VoIP applications so as to  facilitate work from home and help 
prevent the spread of COVID -19. While certain applications have been allowed, others remain 
banned. In a similar fashion, Oman 's telecom regulator unblocked access to certain VoIP apps to 
facilitate operations of organi zations, educational institutions, and government bodies during the 
pandemic.  
4.53.   Finally, in reaction to the crisis, Indonesia  introduced a tax on e -commerce activities carried 
out by foreign suppliers with a significant economic presence in the country. As p art of the COVID -
19 emergency bill signed by the President on 31 March 2020, a new regulation requires foreign 
suppliers of digital services to register and charge the VAT. The measure also provides for the 
imposition of a tax on e -commerce activities carr ied out by foreign -based suppliers with a significant 
economic presence in Indonesia. Significant economic presence will be further determined by 
authorities, taking into account such factors as gross revenue, sales, and active users in Indonesia.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  Transpo rt services  measures  
4.54.   Mobility -related measures and border restrictions imposed by WTO Members for public health 
considerations have naturally affected transport services significantly, in particular cross -border 
transport services. In a second -phase respon se to the crisis, several governments have revised some 
of their travel and border measures, for example to ensure that the movement of "essential " foreign 
services workers, including transport workers, was not overly burdened.  
4.55.   In air transport services, governments responded to the crisis in various ways. Several 
regulators suspended "use it or lose it" slot requirements that require airlines to continue operating 
slots for a minimum share of time in order to keep their entitlements for the following trav el season. 
Regulatory requirements were also eased in other areas, such as to provide flexibility to airlines and 
flight crews.5  
4.56.   For instance, in Mexico , the Federal Agency for Civil Aviation extended by three months the 
validity of permits, licen ces and certificates for technical personnel. In the United Kingdom , the Civil 
Aviation Authority issued several regulatory exemptions to support the sector , including extending 
the validity periods of licences, certificates and ratings. On 30 March  2020, the European Union  
suspended its rule requiring air carriers to operate slots for at least 80 % of the time to keep the 
entitlement in the next equivalent season for the whole summer season. In the United Arab Emirates , 
the General Civil Aviation Authority publishe d a decision providing flexibility in relation to the validity 
periods for licen ces, ratings, and certificates applicable to flight crew and cabin crew. The Russian 
Federation  exempted flight crews from the 14 -day quarantine.  
4.57.   With respect to maritime trans port, governments adopted various port measures since the 
start of the COVID -19 outbreak. From February 2020, all major ports adopted a 14 -day quarantine 
period for vessels arriving from, or transiting through, affected countries. Many ports have ceased 
calls for passenger ships. While cargo vessels may still call and operate at most ports, they are 
subject to enhanced maritime health declarations and screening requirements. In addition, strict 
restrictions have been imposed on crew disembarkation, shore le ave, and substitution.6 
4.58.   As regards road transport, m ost countries have suspended or largely reduced cross -border 
passenger transport services . Borders  have generally remain ed open for freight transportation, 
although drivers are subject to border controls for quarantine purposes.  In order to mitigate 
disruptions and facilitate freight transport, a number of governments adopted different types of relief 
measures. For instance, in the European Union , member States adopted such measures as the 
suspens ion of weekend traffic bans for heavy vehicles, and a temporary and limited relaxation of 
the enforcement of driving and rest times for the drivers of vehicles transporting goods.7 On 16 
March 2020, the European Commission  issued guidelines for border meas ures to protect health and 
keep goods and essential services available. The guidelines set out principles for an integrated 
approach to an effective border management to protect health while preserving the integrity of the 
internal market.   
Health services  measures  
4.59.   In Brazil , the Government adopted a new measure in March that permits, on an exceptional 
and temporary basis, the use of telemedicine for medical services, including for medical consultations 
and digital medicine prescriptions . In France , the Government relaxed rules on the use of 
 
5 Numerous governments have also announced support measures in favour of the sector, such as 
reductions in airport, air navigation and other cha rges, and broader financial support measures, including loan 
guarantees, long -term loans and the acquisition of equity stakes in airlines.  
6 In view of increased port restrictions, on 21 February 2020, the International Maritime Organization 
(IMO) and the World Health Organization issued a Joint Statement on the Response to the COVID -19 outbreak. 
On 27 March  2020, the IMO circulated to its member States a preliminary list of recommendations for 
governments and relevant national authorities on the facilitati on of maritime trade during the COVID -19 
pandemic, proposed by a broad cross -section of global industry associations representing the maritime 
transportation sector. The purpose of this list is to assist governments in avoiding the introduction of obstacle s 
to ship and port operations, including the movement of seafarers and marine personnel when implementing 
policies and measures to address COVID -19. Recommendations cover measures to provide ship access to 
berths in ports, facilitate crew changes and port operation and ensure public health.  
7 As the European Union member States are gradually easing lockdowns, the relaxations of driving and 
rest time rules ended on 31 May 2020 . WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  telemedicine services. Until 31 May 2020, all persons affected by C OVID -19 (and other patients 
under certain circumstances) c ould b enefit from telemedicine services even in the absence of a pre-
existing relation ship between the healthcare provider and the patient.  
4.60.   In South Africa , the Health Professions Council issued guidance on the application of 
telemedicine during the COVID -19 pandemic, aiming to facilitate the use of video or phone calls by 
doctors and therapists to  treat patients. Previously, such services were essentially limited to cases 
where there was an already -established practitioner -patient relationship.  
4.61.   In the United States , the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to adopt a 
USD 200 million telehe alth program me to support healthcare providers responding to the COVID -19 
pandemic.  The program me aims to help healthcare providers purchase telecommunications, 
broadband connectivity, and devices necessary for providing telehealth services. The FCC also 
launched a Connected Care Pilot Program. This three -year Program will provide up to USD 100 
millio n of support from the Universal Service Fund to help defray health care providers' costs of 
providing connected care services.  
4.62.   Measures were also taken to facilitate the temporary movement, or prolonged stay, of foreign 
health workers. For example, in the  United Kingdom , since 31 March 2020, visas for doctors, nurses 
and paramedical personnel with visas due to expire before 1 October 2020 are automatically 
extended for one year, without the imposition of fees. In Australia , the Government introduced new 
measures in response to COVID -19 to allow some temporary work visa holders employed in critical 
sectors, including health, aged and disability care and childcare, to remain in Australia  and continue 
working until it is safe and practicable for them to return .  
Financial services  measures  
4.63.   In view of the key role of the financial services sector in supporting all other economic 
activities by stabilizing markets and ensuring the flow of credits and payments, Central Banks and 
financial regulators around the worl d have proactively intervened. Interventions included 
coordinated actions by central banks to ensure availability of liquidity in US dollars for international 
transactions, and a range of monetary and regulatory measures by governments to alleviate the 
economic and financial stability impact in their jurisdictions.  
4.64.   Monetary authorities have been active and creative with different monetary instruments, 
including the lowering of key/base interest rates, quantitative easing, and reductions of reserve 
requirem ents. In addition to the reduction of counter -cyclical capital buffers, regulatory authorities 
in various jurisdictions (e.g. Brazil; Canada; India; Hong Kong, China; Republic of Korea; Philippines) 
have loosened requirements  regarding liquidity and capita l requirements, to ensure that banks are 
well-positioned to continue to provide credit to the economy. Bans on the short-selling of selected 
stocks have been imposed by certain jurisdictions with a view to stabilizing capital markets (e.g. 
Belgium, I ndones ia). Some authorities have eased loan -loss provision s to allow banks to extend loan 
maturities for firms and households or allowed for forbearance of non -performing loans , while others 
have relaxed the cap on foreign currency forward positions.  
4.65.   Many centra l banks have lifted certain restrictions and requirements applied to e -payment 
systems. This was seen particularly in Africa, where mobile payments are common. Ghana , for 
example, a dopted new policies related  to mobile money transactions for a period of th ree months , 
so that smaller withdrawals are not charged,  and transaction limits and balance levels were 
increased.  Rwanda  removed fees on all mobile money transactions with increased daily and monthly 
limits depending on the type of user.  
EFFECTS OF THE COVID -19 PANDEMIC ON TRADE IN SERVICES  
4.66.   This sub -section aims to provide information on the early impact of the COVID -19 pa ndemic 
on trade in services in different sectors and modes of supply.8 
 
8 This section draws from the Secretariat's Information Note, "Trade in Services in the Context of 
COVID -19", which was made available on the WTO website on 29 May 2020.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 104 - 
 
  4.67.   Services sectors have been heavily affected by the COVID -19 outbreak. Given the sector's 
role in providing inputs for other economic activities, including facilitating supply chains and  trade 
in goods, disruptions in services supply are having a broad economic and trade impact. Furthermore, 
since services account for most of women’s employment globally and a large share of micro, small 
and medium -sized enterprise (MSME) activity, the dis ruption in services supply also impacts social 
and economic inclusiveness.  
4.68.   Drops in demand and supply have strongly impacted services trade, though the type and 
extent of the impact varies by sector and mode of supply. Services that rely on physical proxi mity 
between suppliers and consumers have been most impacted by mobility restrictions and social 
distancing measures imposed for public health reasons. While direct contact can sometimes be 
substituted by remote supply, but this is not necessarily the case  in all services sectors or countries. 
Sectors such as distribution (especially retailing services), tourism and passenger transport have 
been heavily affected. Mobility -related measures have created significant disruptions in air, maritime 
and land transp ortation, with severe repercussions on goods trade and supply chains.  
4.69.   As a result, trade in certain modes of supply has experienced severe downturns. Supply under 
mode  2 (consumption abroad), which is particularly relevant for tourism, has been paralysed. Travel 
restrictions have also severely limited mode 4, which involves the temporary movement of natural 
persons across borders. The pandemic is also negatively affecting the supply of services through 
mode 3 (commercial presence), both due to its impact on  existing operations in foreign markets and 
its influence on decisions concerning the set -up of new establishments.9 
4.70.   The decline in merchandise trade resulting from the economic slowdown is contributing to a 
decrease in related services trade, such as the international maritime transport of freight. 
Furthermore, mobility restrictions on people are also affecting cross -border freight transport 
services, and thereby trade in goods. For example, strict restrictions on maritime crew 
disembarkation and substitut ion have led to shipping disruptions, with significant repercussions on 
goods trade and the viability of supply chains.  
4.71.   As highlighted in the discussion on specific sectors  below , the crisis is focussing greater 
attention toward online supply in sectors su ch as retail, health, education, telecommunication or 
audiovisual services. The crisis is accelerating companies' efforts to expand their online operations 
and is creating new consumer habits and behaviours that are likely to contribute to a profound and 
long-term shift towards online services and the digital economy. In the future, increased supply of 
services through digital networks can strongly impact trade, leading to increased supply through 
mode 1 (cross -border supply). The crisis is also underscorin g the importance of transport, financial, 
distribution and logistics services in facilitating trade and economic growth.   
Tourism and travel -related services  
4.72.   The global tourism and travel sector has arguably been the hardest hit by the crisis so far, 
given  that mobility restrictions and border closures halted the movement of tourists abroad. The 
sector largely relies on mode 2 trade. Domestic travel restrictions and "work -from-home" 
requirements continue to further impact the sector by limiting domestic tou rism activities, which are 
relevant to supplies through commercial presence (mode 3).  
4.73.   In March 2020, the Organisation for Economic Co -operation and Development (OECD) stated 
that preliminary estimates pointed to a 45 % decline in international tourism in 2 020. This could rise 
to 70 % if recovery cannot begin until September.10 The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) 
estimated on 27 March 2020 that international tourist arrivals could decline by 20 to 30 % in 2020. 
This could translate into a loss of US D 300 to USD 450 billion in international tourism receipts 
(exports) – almost one -third of the USD 1.5 trillion generated globally in 2019 and equivalent to 
between five and seven years' lost growth.11 The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) estimated 
 
9 UNCTAD projected that the COVID -19 pandemic could  bring global foreign direct investment flows to 
their lowest levels since the 2008 -09 financial crisis: 
https://unctad.org/en/pages/newsdetails.aspx?OriginalVersionID=2299&Sitemap_x0020_Taxonomy=UNCTAD
%20Home;#6;  
10 Viewed at: http://www.oecd.org/about/Secretary -General/extraordinary -g20-tourism -ministerial -
virtual -meeting -april-2020.htm  
11 Viewed at: https://www.unwto.org/news/international -tourism -arrivals -could -fall-in-2020. WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  on 26 March 2020 that the number of travel and tourism jobs at immediate risk could reach 100 
million.12 In May, the UNWTO stated that current scenarios pointed to a potential decline of 58 to 
78% in international tourist arrivals for the year, depending on containment  measures and the 
duration of travel restrictions, with 100 to 120 million direct tourism jobs at risk.13 
4.74.   The sector's decline has broad economic consequences given its overall economic importance 
for many countries and regions. According to the WTTC, direc t, indirect and induced tourism impact 
in 2019 contributed US D 8.9 trillion to global GDP (10.3 %) and 330 million jobs (1 in 10).14 For 
some economies, in particular smaller ones, tourism accounts not only for the largest share of total 
exports, but also fo r a significant share  of GDP (e.g. 67 % for Seychelles, 62 % for St  Kitts and Nevis, 
and 48 % for Vanuatu).15 According to balance -of-payments statistics, travel represented 25 % of 
world commercial services exports in 2018, and accounted for 32 % of services ex ports of developing 
countries, and 50 % in the case of least -developed countries (LDCs).  
Distribution services  
4.75.   Distribution services have been heavily affected by the COVID -19 pandemic, as social 
distancing measures in several countries have involved the c losure of shops considered non -essential 
(typically excluding grocery stores and pharmacies). Naturally, this has significantly impacted supply 
through mode 3 ( commercial  presence), which is significant in this sector.   
4.76.   For example, in January/February 202 0, at the peak of the outbreak in China, data published 
by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) found that retail trade in China had declined by 20.5 % 
compared to the previous year.16 Even though  sales in physical stores increased significantly from 
mid-March in China as restrictions were eased, consumers remained cautious and sales in physical 
stores did not recover to their pre -crisis levels. Similar trends may be expected in other economies, 
with variations depending on the impact of the pandemic and s ocial distancing policies adopted. In 
the United Kingdom, for instance, total retail sales declined by 18 % in April, as many stores closed 
during the lockdown.17 In different economies, a substantial number of retailers have filed for 
bankruptcy or closed stores.18  
4.77.   The closure of many retailers of non -essential goods and other efforts to ensure social 
distancing have led to increased online sales by wholesalers an d retailers, particularly of healthcare 
and household products, including groceries. Facing reduced visitors, several brick -and-mortar 
outlets are therefore also shifting to or expanding their online presence and their delivery and pickup 
services. In Chin a in early 2020, online sales of certain products that traditionally had limited online 
penetration, such as various daily essential products, increased between 50 % and 150 % compared 
to the previous year.19 However, reduced household spending as a result of  the economic slowdown 
and uncertainty are negatively impacting sales of non -essential goods, both through online platforms 
and in physical stores. Online sales of discretionary products (e.g., alcohol) remained at similar 
levels, while sales of non -essent ial products declined.   
4.78.   In the United States, online retail sales during the first quarter of 2020 were up 14.5 % from 
the previous year. Online sales increased significantly from mid -March, with some studies suggesting 
 
12 Viewed at: 
https://wttc.org/Portals/0/Documents/WTTC%20Coronavirus%20Brief%20External%2026.05.pdf?ver=2020 -05-26-
124919 -680. 
13 Viewed at: https://www.unwto.org/impact -assessment -of-the-covid-19-outbreak -on-international -
tourism  and https://webunwto.s3.eu -west-1.amazonaws.com/s3fs -public/2020 -
05/Barometer_May2020_full.pdf.  
14 Viewed at: https://wttc.org/Research/Economic -Impact . 
15 Viewed at: 
https://knoema.com/search?query=tourism+as+%25+of+GDP&pageIndex=&scope=&term=&correct=&source
=Header . 
16 This is consistent with analysis from  the International Monetary Fund (IMF): 
https://blogs.imf.org/2020/03/20/blunting -the-impact -and-hard-choices -early-lessons -from-china/  
17 Online  sales as a proportion of total retail sales jumped to a record 30.7%. See 
https://www.bbc.com/news/business -52766856 . 
18 Viewed at:  https://www.forbes.com/sites/pamdanziger/2020/04/03/retail -companies -on-death -
watch -is-growing -fast-as-covid-19-puts-non-essentia l-retailers -on-life-support/#3d1ff74725ea . 
19 Viewed at: https://www.bain.com/insights/chinas -consumer -industry -prepares -for-the-coronavirus -
legacy/ . WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  an increase of approximately 50 % in April compared to early March.20 In Saudi Arabia , local online 
retailer BinDawood communicated in late March that its average sales on a 10 -day basis had 
increased by 200 %, while in Indonesia in April, online mall Blibli  reported increases in sales of a 
numb er of household products, including groceries.21  
Telecommunication, ICT and audiovisual services  
4.79.   With more people currently participating in both remote work and schooling, and more heavily 
dependent on the internet for entertainment and social contact, the demand for information and 
communication technology (ICT) services and related infrastructure h as been unprecedented and 
unanticipated. In March 2020, Facebook reported that in countries hard hit by the pandemic, use of 
its online messaging service was up more than 50 % , and voice and video traffic doubled.22 In Italy, 
Facebook saw a 70% surge in ove rall usage and a 1,000 % increase in time spent on group calls, yet 
reported reduced global advertising revenue.23 Thailand reported growth of 828 % and 215 % in the 
number of users of Zoom and Skype, respectively.24 And Vodacom  Group  recorded a  40% rise in 
data traffic  in South Africa during the lockdown.25 
4.80.   Social distancing measures adopted by governments have boosted demand for audiovisual 
content, for both entertainment  and information purposes. For example, according to some 
estimates, online med ia streaming in the United States increased by 85 % in the first three weeks of 
March, compared to the same period in 2019.26 Since, in many countries, a large proportion of the 
audiovisual content consumed is foreign, the increase in demand is associated wi th greater trade in 
the sector. However, the measures taken to respond to the crisis are also resulting in interruptions 
in the production of new films, series and other content.  
4.81.   In the longer term, increased online buying and other activities may translat e into higher 
earnings. With the easing of lockdown measures, telecommunications and ICT companies are now 
beginning to reopen their walk -in customer outlets. However, suppliers cannot yet gauge whether 
these increases will become permanent.  Meanwhile, the  crisis poses difficulties for suppliers relying 
on advertising revenue; the global advertising market is expected to decline significantly in 2020 as 
companies reduce spending as a result of the pandemic and subsequent economic slowdown.27 
Transport servic es 
4.82.   The pandemic has had a dramatic effect on the air transport service sector. In May, the 
International Civil Aviation Organization  (ICAO) estimated that, for the entire year 2020, world air 
passenger traffic could drop by as much as two -thirds from what had been initially forecast, leading 
airline revenues to fall potentially by as much as US D 244 to US D 420 billion. Europe and the Asia -
Pacific region would be hardest -hit in terms of international capacity and revenue impacts, followed 
by North America. S imilarly, ICAO expects the most substantial reduction in passenger numbers to 
 
20 Viewed at: https://www.digitalcommerce360.com/2020/05/20/ecommerce -during -coronavirus -
pandemic -in-charts/ . 
21 Viewed at: https://oxfordbusinessgroup.com/news/saudi -arabia -turns-e-commerce -during -covid-19-
outbreak  and https://oxfordbusinessgroup.com/news/e -commerce -provides -economic -boost -indonesia -
shoppers -migrate -online -during -covid-19-
pandem ic?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=eus_all_all . 
22 Viewed at: https://about.fb.com/news/2020/03/keeping -our-apps-stable -during -covid-19/. 
23 Viewed at: https://www.mobileworldlive.com/apps/news -apps/facebook -ad-revenue -falls-victim -to-
covid-
19/?ID=a6g1r000001RURqAAO&JobID=411117&utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MWL
_20200325&utm_c ontent=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mobileworldlive.com%2Fapps%2Fnews -apps%2Ffacebook -
ad-revenue -falls-victim -to-covid-19%2F . 
24 Viewed at: https://techsauce.co/en/pr -news/dtac -work-from-home -covid-19. 
25 Viewed at: https://www.mobileworldlive.com/featured -content/top -three/vodacom -data-traffic -
surges -during -lockdown/ . 
26 Viewe d at: https://thehill.com/homenews/media/490423 -nielsen -records -85-percent -increase -in-
americans -streaming -video . 
27 Viewed at: https://www.omdia.com/resources/product -content/global -advertising -market -set-for-
tough -2020-as-covid-19-impact -hits-global -economy  and 
https://www.digitalcommerce360.com/2020/04/30/facebook -signals -online -advertising -to-take-a-big-hit/. WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  be in Europe, especially during its peak summer travel season, while the sharpest drop in domestic 
passenger traffic is forecast for the Asia -Pacific region, followed by North Am erica.28  
4.83.   Airports Council International (ACI), the airport industry body, forecast in May that flight 
cancellations and airport closures would result in a decline of more than 4.6 billion passengers 
globally for 2020, and airport revenue losses for the yea r would exceed US D 45 billion.29 In addition, 
as around 35 % of global trade (by value) travels by air, the collapse in passenger flights has had a 
significant impact on air cargo capacity.  The latest available figures (from April 2020) from the 
Internationa l Air Transport Association (IATA) reveal that belly capacity for international air cargo 
shrank by 43.7 % in March 2020 compared to the previous year.30 Although this was partially offset 
by a 6.2 % increase in capacity through expanded use of freighter airc raft, including the use of idle 
passenger aircraft for all -cargo operations, there is at present insufficient capacity to meet the 
remaining demand for air freight transport, even though the latter has also declined.31 As a result, 
air freight rates have in creased significantly – by an estimated 20 to 30 % across the Asia -Pacific 
region, and by as much as 50 % for some routes. Transit times have also nearly doubled, as 
shipments need to wait their turn.32 
4.84.   With lockdown and quarantine measures implemented in mos t countries since the outbreak 
of COVID -19, the maritime transport sector too is under increased pressure. Both container ship 
calls and their cumulative capacity plunged from January to March 2020. At the same time, the ratio 
of missed port calls (i.e. sc heduled vessel calls that do not occur) has risen sharply. For instance, 
port operators in China reported that volume for container shipping decreased by between 20 and 
40% between 20 January and  10 February 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.33 Global 
container trade volumes declined by 8.6 % in February 2020 compared to the same month of 2019.34 
In February 2020, 46 % of scheduled departures on the major route from Asia to Northern Europe 
had been cancelled,35 and the port of Los Angeles, the large st US container port, announced that 
cargo volumes had fallen by approximately 25 % compared to the prior year.36 The slowdown in port 
calls is occurring worldwide. Shipping companies have been reducing scheduled capacity, and the 
proportion of idle containe r ship tonnage is greater now than during the global financial crisis 
of 2008. This translates into higher costs for shipping and problems for supply chains. There is also 
a shortage of workers at the ports to move containers, and a shortage of truck drive rs to move 
goods, due to lockdown and quarantine.  
4.85.   The COVID -19 pandemic has also seriously disrupted land transport worldwide. Most countries 
have suspended or largely reduced cross -border passenger transport services. While borders 
remained open for frei ght transportation, drivers have been subject to border controls for quarantine 
purposes, which has led to a slowdown of logistics flows. For example, in order to combat the 
pandemic, European countries in the Schengen area have temporarily reintroduced bo rder controls 
since mid -March 2020. Most road and rail cross -border passenger transport has been suspended 
since then. While the reintroduction of border controls does not apply to cross -border freight 
transport, it has nevertheless resulted in considerabl e disruption.37 Since 1 June a gradual easing of 
border controls has taken place.  
 
28 Viewed at: https://www.icao.int/sustainability/Documents/COVID -
19/ICAO%20COVID%202020%2005%2025%20Economic%20Impact.pdf . 
29 Viewed at: https://aci.aero/news/2020/05/05/predicted -global -impact -of-covid-19-on-airport -
industry -escalates/ . 
30 Viewed at: 
https://go.updates.iata.org/webmail/123902/1142448399/72a3a9b684836680e5223fada07076a577d47f56b9d
e5c849b06dd66c7de445a . 
31 See, for example, https://www.wired.com/story/airlines -use-empty -passenger -jets-ease-cargo -
crunch/ . 
32 Financial Times, "Passenger planes are the new ships", 14 April 2020.  
33 Viewed at: https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/what -does-coronavirus -mean -for-container -
shipping/ . 
34 Viewed at: https://www.itf -oecd.org/sites/default/files/global -container -shipping -covid-19.pdf . 
35 "Coronavirus impact raises red flags at European ports", Journal of Com merce, 19 February 2020.  
36 "Port of Los Angeles Sees Coronavirus Impact Sharply Reducing Imports", Wall Street Journal, 25 
February 2020.  
37 Viewed at: https://www.iru.org/resources/newsroom/covid -19-urgent -eu-action -needed -road-
borders -drivers -and-financial -support . WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  Health Services  
4.86.   The COVID -19 crisis stimulated a surge in the use of telemedicine services. In China, for 
example, it substantially accelerated the growth of online medical p latforms, with some experiencing 
three -digit growth rates between December 2019 and January 2020. The number of users of online 
medical platforms in Asian economies (e.g. Australia, Indonesia, Singapore) has grown rapidly in 
the past few months.38 Some prov iders are also expanding their activities to enable patients to 
benefit from services, e.g. second opinions, sourced abroad. The use of telemedicine has also 
increased in Europe and North America , where the COVID -19 outbreak prompted calls for making 
more extensive use of telemedicine. Some jurisdictions have reviewed laws and regulations to 
facilitate such services, mainly on a provisional basis.39  
Education Services  
4.87.   The closure of schools and higher education institutions in response to the pandemic has h ad 
significant social and economic consequences; UNESCO estimated that during the peak of the crisis, 
school and university closures in 190 countries had impacted over 90 % of the world's student 
population.40 These closures have also affected the provision of education services worldwide, 
causing the demand for online learning to skyrocket. The pandemic will also have a significant 
economic impact on the higher education sector, including as a result of a potential decline in the 
number of students. It has b een estimated that, in some countries, enrollments for the next 
academic year could drop by 15 %, including a 25 % decline in the number of international students.    
4.88.   As systems massively move to e -learning, the digital divide in relation to connectivity, acc ess 
to devices and skill levels is taking on even more significance. Looking forward, the current crisis is 
likely to have a significant and lasting impact on the provision of education and, thereby, on 
international trade in educational services , notably by increasing the demand and supply of online 
education.  
 
38 Viewed at: https://www.bain.com/insights/covid -19-accelerates -the-adoption -of-telemedicine -in-asia-
pacific -countries/ . 
39 Viewed, for example, at: https://www.service -public.fr/particuliers/actualites/A13924  and 
https://ahpcsa.co.za/wp -content/uploads/2020/03/GUIDELINES_TELEHEALTH -
TELEMEDICINE_1_24Mar2020.pdf . 
40 Viewed at: https://en.unesco.org/covid19/educationresponse . WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  5  POLICY DEVELOPMENTS IN TRADE IN INTELLEC TUAL PROPERTY  
5.1.  During the review period, WTO Members continued to fine -tune their intellectual property (IP) 
domestic frameworks, as show n in the submissions for the trade monitoring exercise and the 
notifications to the TRIPS Council. In the wake of the COVID -19 pandemic, several Members 
implemented specific IP measures aimed at facilitating the development and dissemination of 
COVID -19-related health  technologies, as well as at relaxing procedural requirements and extending 
deadlines for administrative IP matters (see below). Th ese government measures were 
complemented by voluntary action by IP right holders, in particular the sharing of I ntellectual 
property rights (IPRs) , in order to support research and development ( R&D) and equal access to 
relevant health technologies.1  
Acceptance of the Protocol Amend ing the TRIPS Agreement  
5.2.  Burundi, Niger and Barbados deposited their  instrument s of acceptance of the Protocol 
Amending the TRIPS Agreement2, in December 2019, and March and April 2020 , respectively .3 They 
have the vast majority of WTO Members that are boun d by the amended TRIPS Agreement. The 
additional flexibility incorporated in the Agreement addresses public health needs of countries with 
limited or no domestic capacity to produce pharmaceuticals and that rely on imports in order to 
satisfy their needs. The mechanism provides for a secure legal pathway that allows potential 
exporting Members to grant special compulsory licences exclusively for the production and export of 
generic medicines to the importing country or countries.  
Chart 5.1 Acceptance of the Amendment to the TRIPS Agreement  
 
Note:  Shown in blue are WTO Members which have accepted the Protocol Amending the TRIPS Agreement; 
in red, WTO Members yet to accept the Protocol; and in white, no n-WTO Members.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.   
 
1 Viewed, for example at: https://opencovidpledge.org/ ; https://www.medtronic.com/us -en/e/open -
files.html?cmpid=vanity_url_medtronic_com_openventilator_Corp_US_Covid19_FY20 ; 
https://wellcome.ac.uk/press -release/publishers -make -coronavirus -covid-19-content -freely -available -and-
reusable ; and https://www.sanofi.com/en/media -room/press -releases/2020/2020 -04-14-13-00-00. 
2 WTO document WT/L/641 , 8 December 2005 . 
3 The Amended TRIPS Agreement entered into force in January 2017 and applies to all Members which 
have accepted the Protocol. An up -to-date list of the Members that have accepted the Protocol is available at: 
https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/trips_e/amendment_e.htm . A waiver, agreed in 2003 ( WTO document 
WT/L/540 , 2 September 2003  and its WT/L/540 /Corr.1 , 29 July 2005 ), continues to apply to those  Members 
that are yet to accept t he Protocol.  
WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  5.3.  Members also joined specific IP -related international instruments: Canada acceded to the 
Patent Law Treaty;4 the European Union acceded to the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on 
Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications ;5 the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia acceded to the 
Vienna Agreement Establishing an International Classification of the Figurative Elements of Marks  
and to the Locarno Agreement Establishing an International  Classification for Industrial  Designs6; 
and India acceded to the Nice Agreement Concerning the International Classification of Goods and 
Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks, the Vienna Agreement establishing an 
International Classification of the Figurative Elements  of Marks , and the Locarno Agreement 
Establishing an International Classification for Industrial Designs.7 
Bilateral and regional agreements  
5.4.  On the bilateral and regional fronts, WTO Members continued to implement and negotiate a 
network of trade agreement s that contain substantive IP provisions. Currently, over 70% of the 
RTAs in force and notified to the WTO contain specific IP provisions. Increasingly, RTAS have further 
developed the interconnection between IP and trade in goods and services, and the lin ks of the IP 
system to other normative areas, such as investment, e -commerce, and competition policy.  
5.5.  During the review period,  the parties to the United  States -Mexico -Canada Agreement (USMCA) 
completed their respective domestic ratification procedures , thus paving the way for its entry into 
force on 1 July 2020 ;8 the United States and China reached Phase 1 of an Economic and Trade 
Agreement;9 and the European Union and Mexico announced the conclusion of the negotiations of 
their updated trade agreement.10 These agreements contain detailed IP provisions.  Reportedly, 
substantive IP issues were under consideration during the negotiations  in the framework of the 
Pacific Alliance11 and between MERCOSUR and the European  Union.12 The negotiations of Phase 2 of 
the A frican Continental Free Trade Are a, scheduled to start in 2020, are slated also to cover 
substantive IP provisions.13 
5.6.  The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property  signed a patent prosecution highway agreement 
with the United States Patent and Trademark Off ice, a Memorandum  of Cooperation with the 
Japanese Patent Office, and a Memorandum of Understanding with the World Intellectual Property 
Organization (WIPO) to establish a national centre for training .14 The Indian Patent Office initiated 
a three -year paten t prosecution highway pilot programme with the Japan Patent Office.15 
Domestic legislation and administrative developments  
5.7.  Domestically, WTO Members and Observers are working to streamline IP into their economies. 
The relationship between IP and trade conti nued to develop and diversify , as Members continued to 
modernize and fine -tune their IP legislation and administration ( Box 5.1).   
 
4 Submission by Canada for the WTO Trade Monitoring Report.  
5 WTO document IP/N/1/EU/35 . 
6 Submission by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the WTO Monitoring Report . 
7 Submission by India to the WTO Monitoring Report . 
8 Viewed at: https://ustr.gov/about -us/policy -offices/press -office/press -releases/2020/april/usmca -
enter -force-july-1-after-united -states -takes -final-procedural -steps -implementation  
9 Viewed at: https://ustr.gov/countries -regions/ china -mongolia -taiwan/peoples -republic -china/phase -
one-trade -agreement . 
10 Viewed at: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_756  
11 Viewed at: https://alianzapacifico.net/inicio -en-chile-la-tercera -ronda -de-negociaciones -con-los-
candidatos -a-estado -asociado . 
12 Viewed at: https://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/press/index.cfm?id=2048  
13 Viewed at: https://www.wipo.int/about -wipo/en/dgo/news/2020/news_0008.html  and 
https://www.t ralac.org/blog/article/14066 -the-proposed -afcfta -protocol -on-intellectual -property -rights.html  
14 Submission by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the WTO Trade Monitoring Report.  
15 Submission by India to the WTO Trade Monitoring Report . WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  Box 5.1 Domestic legislation and administrative developments  
Australiaa 
Between October and December 2019, public consultations were held on the amendments to the industrial 
design system. In February 2020, the Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Act 2020 entered into force, 
phasing out the innovation patent system and introd ucing an objects clause into the Patent Act 1990.  
Azerbaijanb 
In November 2019, the Cabinet of Ministers issued Resolution No. 437 on the Requirements for Patent 
Applications and Resolution No. 453 on the Rules for the Inclusion of Inventions, Utility Mode ls and Industrial 
Designs in the State Register.  
Canadac 
In March 2020, amendments to the Copyright Act and the Trademarks Act came into force.  
Chiled 
In October 2019, amendments to the procedures on how to appear before the National Institute of Intellectual 
Property entered into force.  
Indiae 
In April 2020, the Startups Intellectual Property Protection Scheme was extended further for a period of 3 
years, to facilitate patent, design and trademark applications. Applications can also be made throug h the 
Innovation Support Centre network established in association with WIPO.  
Indonesiaf 
In December 2019, the Minister of Law and Human Rights issued RegulationNo.30, which contains detailed 
procedures for the granting of compulsory licen ces. 
Kingdom of S audi Arabiag 
Between October 2019 and April 2020, the national IP administration was revamped, as the authority on 
copyrights, trademarks patents, layout designs of integrated circuits, plant varieties and industrial designs 
was transferred to the Saudi Au thority for Intellectual Property and hearings on IP -related civil and criminal 
cases were transferred to commercial courts. In January 2020, the IP Respect Council was created with 
representatives from the public and private sectors.  
Singaporeh 
In Novemb er 2019, the Intellectual Property Enforcement Act came into force, implementing the EU -Singapore 
Free Trade Agreement. It provides for the seizure of suspected infringing goods that are to be exported under 
the Copyright Act and the Trademark Act, at the request by IPR holders.  
Chinese Taipeii 
In November 2019, the amendments to the Enforcement Rules of the Patent Act came into force. The 
amendments to the Trade Secrets Act, which came into force in January 2020, are aimed at strengthening 
confidentiality during investigation procedures.  
Ukrainej 
The amendments to the Customs Code entered into force in November 2019, expanding the use of border 
measures and introducing the possibility of early release of goods suspected of infringing IPRs. I n January 
2020, the amendments to improve the protection of geographical indications came into force.  
a Submission by Australia for the WTO Trade Monitoring Report . 
b Submission by Azerbaijan for the WTO Trade Monitoring Report.  
c Submission by Canada for the WTO Trade Monitoring Report.  
d Submission by Chile for the WTO Trade Monitoring Report.  
e Submission by India for the WTO Trade Monitoring Report .  
f Submission by Indonesia for the WTO Trade Monitoring Report.  
g Submission by the Kingdom of Saudi Arab ia for the WTO Trade Monitoring Report.  
h Submission by Singapore for the WTO Trade Monitoring Exercise and notifications to the TRIPS Council.  
i Submission by Chinese Taipei for the WTO Trade Monitoring Exercise and notifications to the TRIPS 
Council.  
j Submission by Ukraine for the WTO Trade Monitoring Exercise and notifications to the TRIPS Council.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
COVID -19 related measures  
5.8.  IP measures undertaken by Members range from those aime d at facilitat ing innovation or 
access with respect to COVID -19-related health technologies to measures, which ease certain 
procedural requirements or deadlines for administrative matters. In March 2020, the legislatures of 
Chile and Ecuador issued resolutions expressing their respective  views on the need to take initiatives 
to facilitate access to COVID -19-related technologies, including the issuance of compulsory licenses. WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 112 - 
 
  The pertinent government authorities were examining the resolutions, which did not have legal 
bearing, when this Re port was prepared.  
5.9.  Some Members have endeavoured to make patent information or product standards related to 
combatting COVID -19 more easily available and/or introduced measures, which may facilitate the 
grant of government use or compulsory licen ces for pa tented technology relevant to addressing the 
pandemic. These substantive measures are show n in Table 5.1.  
Table 5.1 IP COVID -19-related substantive measures  
Member  Measure  Source  Date  
Argentina  Argentina published a bulletin, 
developed in collaboration with PROSUR 
member countries, of certain health 
technologies related to COVID -19. https://www.argentina.gob.ar/noticias /bole
tin-prosur -covid-19  26/04/2020  
Australia  The Trade Mark COVID -19 Helpline 
supports and assists small to medium 
Australian businesses that are having to 
quickly adapt to changing circumstances 
due to COVID -19, in exploring use of 
their trade mark/s on different goods 
and services to those currently covered 
under the respective trade mark 
application or registration.   https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/trade -
marks/managing -your-trade-
mark/introducing -trade-mark-covid-19-
helpline  20/05/2020  
Brazil  The National Institute of Industrial 
Property (INPI, in Portuguese) published 
patent landscapes on patents or patent 
applications filed at INPI on diagnostic 
methods for the new coronavirus and 
other respiratory viruses, ventilators 
and Rem desivir.  This project was a part 
of PROSUR ( Sistema de Cooperación 
sobre aspectos de información 
operacional y de Propiedad Industrial , in 
Spanish), which published a bulletin of 
certain health technologies related to 
COVID -19. http://www.inpi.gov.br/menu -
servicos/patente/tecnologias -para-covid-
19/ESTUDOS   06/04/2020  
Brazil  Under Ordinance ( Portaria , in 
Portuguese) No. 149/2020, the Brazilian 
National Institute of Industrial Property 
will prioritize the examination of patent 
applications related to innovations that 
can be used to fight COVID -19 from 7 
April 2020 to 30 June 2021.  http://www.inpi.gov.br/noticias/inpi -vai-
acelerar -exame -de-patentes -relativas -ao-
combate -do-covid-19/view   07/04/2020  
Canada  Bill C -13 (an Act respecting certain 
measures in response to COVID -19) 
received Roy al Assent. Bill C -13 amends 
Canada's Patent Act to empower the 
Commissioner of Patents, on the 
application of the Minister of Health, to 
authorize the Government of Canada or 
another specified person to supply a 
patented invention to the extent 
necessary t o respond to a public health 
emergency that is a matter of national 
concern. These amendments include 
safeguards to protect the interests of 
patent holders; for example, ensuring 
that a patent holder receives adequate 
remuneration for the use of the patent , 
placing limitations on the duration of the 
authorization, providing the patent 
owner with notice of the authorization, 
and ensuring that the patent owner has 
recourse to the courts if any person 
authorized acts outside the scope of the 
authorization.   https://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/4
3-1/bill/C -13/royal -assent     
 
Notified to the TRIPS Council in WTO 
document IP/N/1/CAN/30.  Entry into 
force 
25/03/2020  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 113 - 
 
  Member  Measure  Source  Date  
China  The China Patent information Center 
launched a freely accessible database for 
various coronavirus -related patents.  https://ncp.patentstar.cn/en  February 
2020 
European 
Union  The European Committee for 
Standardization and the European 
Committee for Electrotechnical 
Standardization, in collaboration with 
their members, agreed to make freely 
available certain copyrighted European 
standards for certain medical devices 
and personal protective equipment.  https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorn
er/detail/en/ip_20_502   20/03/2020  
Germany  An amendment to the German Act on the 
Prevention and Control of Infectious 
Diseases in Humans grants the 
Parliament the competence to determin e 
the existence of an "epidemic situation 
of national significance ". On grounds of 
public interest or national security, the 
Federal Ministry for Health is authorized 
to order the competent authority to 
allow the use of patent -protected 
inventions to ensur e the supply of 
various health technologies, including 
medicines, diagnostics and personal 
protection equipment.  https://w ww.bgbl.de/xaver/bgbl/start.xav#
__bgbl__%2F%2F*%5B%40attr_id%3D%2
7bgbl120s0587.pdf%27%5D__1588850035
945  Entry into 
force 
27/03/2020  
Israel  On 18 March 2020, The Minister of 
Health issued a permit allowing the 
Government to import generic versions 
of lapinovir/ritonavir from India for the 
purpose of treating COVID -19 patients.  In Hebrew: 
http://freepdfhostin g.com/645a6a5b51.pdf   18/03/2020  
Korea, 
Republic of  The Korean Intellectual Property Office 
made available patent information on 
technology relating to the diagnosis and 
treatment of COVID -19, including patent 
analysis and trend reports.  https://www.kipo.go.kr/ncov/index_e.html   24/04/2020  
Singapore  Enterprise Singapore, the International 
Organization for Standardization and the 
International Electrotechnical 
Commission provide free v iewing access 
to a number of international and 
Singapore standards supporting efforts 
to combat COVID -19. https://www.enterpr isesg.gov.sg/quality -
standards/standards/for -companies/access -
free-standards -to-combat -covid-19  16/04/2020  
United 
States  The USPTO launched a website called 
Patents 4 Partnerships, which lists 
patents and published applications 
relating to COVID -19 that the owners 
have indicated are available for 
licensing, along with contact 
information.  https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/
USPTO/bulletins/28971ab   04/05/20 20 
United 
States  The United States Patent and Trademark 
Office launched the COVID -19 Prioritized 
Patent Examination Pilot Program under 
which will grant s requests for prioritized 
patent examination for applicants which 
qualify for small and micro -entity s tatus 
with respect to applications that cover a 
product or process that is subject to U.S. 
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 
approval for use in the prevention 
and/or treatment of COVID -19. https://www.uspto.gov/about -us/news -
updates/uspto -announces -covid-19-
prioritized -examination -pilot-program -
small-
and?utm_campaign=subscriptioncenter&ut
m_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_na
me=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term
=  08/05/2020  
Source:  WTO Secretariat. Submissions to the WTO Trade Monitoring Report.  
5.10.   A number of Members took measur es to ease procedural requirements, deadlines or fees with 
respect to administrative IP matters, as shown in Table 5.2. Generally, such measures appear to 
have been taken to account for any difficulties caused by COVID -19, which applicants, rightsholders WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 114 - 
 
  or other stakeholders may encounter.16 WIPO launched an online platform, "COVID -19 IP Policy 
Tracker", which provides information on the measures adopted in IP Offices, amongst others, in 
response to the pandemic.17 
Table 5.2 Intellectual Property COVID -19-Related Administrative Measures  
Member  Measure  Source  Date  
Argentina  In accordance with INPI Resolution No. 
34/20, the National Institute of 
Industrial Property has suspended all 
substantive procedures before it, 
including suspending certain deadlines.  https://back.argentina.gob.ar/sites/defau
lt/files/p -034-20.pdf  
https://www.argentina.gob.ar/inpi/institu
cional/legislacion  
https://www.argentina.gob.ar/inpi   12/04/2020  
Australia  Streamlined extensions of time for 
COVID -19 related disruptions will be 
continued until 30 June 2020.  
Its continuation is being regularly 
reviewed considering the severity of the 
COVID -19 pandemic disruptions. At 
least one week’s notice will be provided 
before it is ended.   https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/free -
streamlined -extensions -time-covid-19-
disruptions   22/04/2020 
to 
30/06/2020 
(to be 
reviewed)  
China  The China National Intellectual Property 
Administrati on has issued Notice No. 
350 clarifying relief measures for parties 
exceeding the time limits for handling 
affairs in relation to patents, trademarks 
and layout -designs of integrated circuits 
as a result of the COVID -19. http://english.sipo.gov.cn/news/off icialinf
ormation/1147236.htm  
 
http://english.sipo.gov.cn/index.htm  28 January 
2020 
European 
Union  The European Union Intellectual 
Property Office has extended certain 
deadlines for trademark and design 
matters.  https://euipo.europa.eu/ohimportal/en/w
eb/guest/news/ -/action/view/5644669  
https://euipo.europa.eu/ohimporta l/en/h
ome  16/03/2020  
India The India Controller General of Patents, 
Designs & Trade Marks has extended 
certain deadlines for patent, design and 
trademark matters.  http://www.ipindia.nic.in/new sdetail.htm
?681/  
http://www.ipindia.nic.in/index.htm   19/03/2020  
Italy The Italian Patent and Trademark Office 
has extended the deadlines for 
administrative proceedings for 
trademarks, patents, designs and 
models.  https://uibm.mise.gov.it/index.php/en/20
2-news-english/2036408 -covid-19-
extension -of-the-deadline -for-
administrative -proceedings -to-15-may 
https://uibm.mise.gov.it/index.php/en/   08/04/2020  
Philippines  The Intellectual Property Office of the 
Philippines has taken certain procedural 
measures, including the extension of 
deadlines, suspension of hearings, 
extension of fee payments, acceptance 
of online filings  https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/advisories/  
https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/   16/03/2020  
Saudi 
Arabia, 
Kingdom of  The Saudi Authority for Intellectual 
Property has extended certain statutory 
deadlines for all IPRs.  https://www.saip.gov.sa/en/ -الفكرية-الملكية
ال -المهل -تمديد-عن -تعلن/ 
https://www.saip.gov.sa/en/   27/03/2020  
Thailand  The Thailand Department of Intellectual 
Property has extended certain deadlines 
for IPR administrative proceedings.  https://www.ipthailand.go.th/images/353
4/2563/00018058.pdf  
https://www.ipthailand.g o.th/en/home -
eng.html   24/03/2020  
Thailand  The Thailand Department of Intellectual 
Property has introduced methods for e -
certification and e -signature.  https://www.ipthailand.go.th/images/353
4/2563/Covid19/DIPCACOVID19.pdf  
https://www.ipthailand.go.th/en/home -
eng.html   30/03/2020  
United 
Kingdom  The United Kingdom Intellectual 
Property Office has extended certain 
deadlines for patent, SPC, trademark 
and designs matters.  https://www.gov.uk/government/news/c
oronavirus -important -update -on-ipo-
services  
https://www.gov.uk/government/organis
ations/intellectual -property -office   24/03/2020  
 
16 As seen for instance in: https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet -
internetopic.nsf/eng/wr00050.html . 
17 As seen in https://www.wipo.int/covid19 -policy -tracker/#/covid19 -policy -tracker/ipo -operations . WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 115 - 
 
  Member  Measure  Source  Date  
United 
States  The USPTO considers the effects of 
coronavirus to be an "extraordinar y 
situation" within the meaning of 37 CFR 
1.183 and 37 CFR 2.146 for affected 
patent and trademark applicants, 
patentees, re -examination parties, and 
trademark owners. Therefore, the 
USPTO is waiving petition fees in certain 
situations for customers impact ed by the 
coronavirus. Details about eligible 
applications and re -examination 
proceedings are provided in the link.  https://www.uspto.gov/sites/def ault/files
/documents/coronavirus_relief_ognotice_
03162020.pdf   16/03/2020  
United 
States  The United States Patent and Trademark 
Office extended certain deadlines for 
patent and trademark matters.  https://www.uspto.gov/about -us/news -
updates/uspto -extends -certain -patent -
and-trademark -deadlines -june-1  
https://www.uspto.gov/   27/03/2020  
United 
States  The USPTO is waiving the requirement of 
37 CFR 1.4(e)(1) and (2) for original 
handwritten signature for certain 
correspondence with the Office of 
Enrollment and Discipline and certain 
payments by cred it card.  https://www.uspto.gov/sites/default/files
/documents/85%20FR%2017502.pdf   30/03/2020  
United 
States  Until further notice, the USPTO accept s 
plant patent applica tions and follow -on 
documents through the USPTO patent 
electronic filing systems (EFS -Web or 
Patent Center).  https://www .uspto.gov/about -us/uspto -
allow-filing-plant-patent -applications -
and-correspondence -patent -electronic -
filing  06/05/2020  
Source:  WTO Secretariat. Submissions to the WTO Trade Monitoring Report.  
TRIPS Council  
5.11.   During the review period, the TRIPS Council met  on two occasions, (17-18 October 2019  and 
6 February 20 20). At the October  2019 meeting,  the Council discussed a proposal on transparency 
and notification requirements.18 It undertook the  annual review of technical cooperatio n under 
Article  67, based on reports submitted by developed  country Members19, intergovernmental 
organizations20 and the WTO Secretariat ;21 the annual review of the Special Compulsory Licensing 
System; and started the ann ual review of incentives for technology transfer to LDCs, as per Article 
66.2, on the basis of reports by developed country Members.22 Delegations agreed to extend the 
period for acceptance of the Protocol Amending the TRIPS Agreement until end -2021; and, a  draft 
decision was submitted to  the General Council for adoption at its meeting in December 2019.23 
5.12.    The February  2020 meeting was preceded by the Workshop on the Implementation of 
Article  66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement: Incentives for Technology Transfer, during which capital -based 
LDC experts reviewed the reports by implementing Members.  These experts enriched the discussi ons 
during the Council's conclusion of the review under Article 66.2 and presented a proposal to 
streamline reporting procedures.24 The Council had before it a submission regarding a draft Codex 
Alimentarius Standard which prohibited "cross -promotion" in pr oduct labelling across product 
categories (e.g. , infant formula, follow -up formula, and formula for medical purposes)  and could 
impact IPRs, specifically trademark rights under the TRIPS Agreement.25 
5.13.   On both occasions, Members actively share d their national  experiences and engaged in policy 
discussions on two  themes, namely IP and Innovation and IP and the Public Interest. Specific agenda 
items concerned  "Public -Private Collaborations in Innovation - IP Commercialization";26 "R&D Costs 
 
18 WTO document JOB/IP/33/Rev.2  
19 WTO document IP/C/W/655 and addenda.  
20 WTO document IP/C/W/645 and addenda.  
21 WTO document IP/C/W/658 . 
22 WTO document  IP/C/W/656 and addenda.  
23 WTO document  WT/L/1081 . 
24 WTO document  RD/IP/37 . 
25 WTO document  IP/C/W/660  and IP/C/M/94/Add.1 . 
26 WTO document IP/C/W/657 . WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 116 - 
 
  and Pricing  of Medicines and Health Technologies";27 "Making MSMEs more Competitive through 
Trademarks";28 and "The WTO TRIPS Agreement and the Copyright Three Step Test".29 
5.14.   During the review period, 14 Members30 notified legislative measures under Article  63.2. Most 
of them introduced their new or amended laws during the Council's meetings, providing insights into 
developments in different areas, for instance:  copyrights ; trademarks; patents; trade secrets; 
protection of traditional knowledge; enforcement of IPRs; and, c ompetition. Seven Members 
submitted information on their contact points for the exchange of information and cooperation on 
trade in infringing goods, under Article 69.31 One Member submitted its contact points for technical 
cooperation, as per Article  67.32 
e-TRIPS  
5.15.   The e -TRIPS System, composed of two user -friendly online platforms, was launched in 
March  2019 to facilitate submitting and accessing TRIPS -related documentation. The Submission 
System  enables Members to easily submit TRIPS notifications, review ma terials, and reports. So  far, 
27 Members and 3 Observers have made  139 submissions  through  e-TRIPS .33 The companion 
Gateway is an online information portal that allows users to search and extract the full range of 
TRIPS information managed by the Secretaria t.34 Both sites are available in the three WTO official 
languages. The Secretariat provides regular training sessions and updates to Members.   
TRIPS -related  discussions in trade policy reviews  
5.16.   The Trade Policy Reviews of Peru, the Lao People's Democratic R epublic, the European Union 
and Australia in cluded discussions  and information exchanges  on a wide range of IP  issues with a 
bearing on trade policy .  
 
 
27 WTO document IP/C/W/659.  
28 WTO document IP/C/W/661 and addenda.  
29 WTO document IP/C/W/663.  
30 Canada ; Brazil ; China ; Czech Republic ; European Union ; Hong Kong , China; Japan; Korea , Republic 
of; Kyrgyz Republic; Mexico; Russian Federation ; Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of; Chinese Taipei ; and Ukraine.  
31 Belize; India;  Korea, Republic of; Kyrgyz Republic;  Qatar; Saudi Arabia , Kingdom of; and Vanuatu.  
32 Chile.  
33 Data covers 1 March 2019 to 30 April 2020. Viewed at: e-trips.wto.org  
34 Viewed  at: e-trips.wto.org . WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  ANNEX 1  - MEASURES FACILITATING TRADE1 
(MID-OCTOBER 2019 TO  MID-MAY 2020)  
Confirmed information2 
Measure  Source/Date  Status  
Argentina  
Elimination of the requirement of certificate of 
origin for statistical purposes  Permanent Delegation of Argentina to 
the WTO (22 May 2020) and 
Resolución No. 1288/2019, Ministerio 
de Producción y Trabajo (22 
November 2019)  Effective 26 November 
2019 
Temporary elimination of export duties ( derechos 
de exportación ) for raw hides and skins, leather 
(NCM 4101; 4102; 4103; 4104), under an export 
quota  Permanent Delegation of Argentina to 
the WTO (22 May 2020) and Decreto 
No. 847/2019 (DCTO -2019-847-APN-
PTE-Desgravación) (6 December 
2019)  Effective 10 December 
2019 t o 31 December 
2021 
Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous 
mineral eliminated from the list requiring non -
automatic import licensing  (4 tariff lines at 8 -
digit level NCM 2709.00.10; 2709.00.90; 
2710.12.59; 2710.19.21)  Permanent Delegation of Argentina to 
the WTO (22 May 2020) and 
Disposición No. 3/2020 Subsecretaría 
de Política y Gestión Comercial - 
Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo 
(11 March 2020)  Effective 11 March 
2020 
Azerbaijan  
Extension of the temporary decrease (from 1 5% 
to 5%) of import tariffs on  butter and other fats 
and oils derived from milk; dairy spreads (HS 
0405)  Permanent Delegation of Azerbaijan 
to the WTO (12 May 2020)  Effective 31 December 
2019 to 31 December 
2021 
Temporary elimination (from 15%) of import 
tariffs on pigments and preparations based on 
titanium dioxide; anionic; polyethylene having a 
specific gravity of less than 0.94; film of 
polymers of vinyl chloride; certain unbleached 
Kraft paper and paperboard; single yarn of jute; 
synthetic fila ment yarn (effective 18 January 
2020 to 18 January 2022) (HS 3206.11.00; 
3402.11.90; 3901.10.10; 3920.43.10; 
4804.51.00; 5307.10.00; 5402.53.00; 
5402.62.00). Decrease of import tariffs on 
certain products, e.g. certain petroleum oils and 
undenatured ethyl alcohol (HS 2710.19.21; 
2710.19.25; 2208.20; 2208.90.69; 2208.90.78)  Permanent Delegation of Azerbaijan 
to the WTO (5 June 2020)  Effective: see 
individual dates in 
measure  
Temporary elimination of import tariffs on spare 
parts for bicycles for industrial assembly 
(effective 9 January 2020 to 9 January 2021), 
and on spare parts for passenger vehicles (full 
production type) for industrial assembly 
(effective 6 March 2020 to 6 March 2027) (HS 
Chapters 39; 40; 42; 70; 73; 76; 82; 83; 84; 
85; 87; 90;  95; 96)  Permanent Delegation of Azerbaijan 
to the WTO (12 May 2020)  Effective: see 
individual dates in 
measure  
 
1 The inclusion of any measure in this Annex implies no judgement by the WTO Secretariat, either direct 
or indirect, on the consistency of any measure referred to with the provisions of any WTO agreement.  
2 This Section includes information which has either been provided by the Member concerned or has 
been confirmed at the request of the Secretariat.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  Measure  Source/Date  Status  
Brazil  
Temporary elimination of import tariffs on certain 
vaccines for humans ( hepatite B ), under an 
import quota of 30 million doses (effective 16 
October 2019); on certain vaccines for humans 
(difteria, tétano e pertussis ), under an import 
quota of 10 million doses (effective 1 December 
2019); on certain vaccines for humans ( virus do 
papiloma humano recombinante ), under an 
import quota  of 18 million doses (effective 1 
December 2019); on certain vaccines for 
humans ( hepatite A ), under an import quota of 
10 million doses (effective 24 October 2019); 
and on certain vaccines for humans ( raiva), 
under an import quota of 4 million doses 
(effective 16 October 2019)  Permanent Delegation of Brazil to the 
WTO (20 May 2020), Secint Portaria 
No. 468/2019 (27 June 2019)  Effective: see 
individual dates in 
measure  
Reduction of import tariffs on certain products, 
e.g. inorganic chemicals, organic or inorganic 
compounds of precious metals, of rare -earth 
metals, of radioactive elements or of isotopes; 
organic chemicals; plastics and articles thereof; 
paper and paperboard; machinery and 
mechanical appliances; electrical machinery and 
equipment ; tubular metal needles; skis; and 
travelling circuses and travelling menageries (96 
tariff lines at 8 -digit level, in HS Chapters 28; 
29; 39; 48; 84; 85; 90; 95). Elimination of 
import tariff (from 10%) on light -emitting diodes 
(NCM 8541.40.16)  Permanent Delegation of Brazil to the 
WTO (27 May 2020), Camex 
Resolution Nos. 4/2019 (24 October 
2019) and 25/2019 (30 December 
2019)  Effective 1 January 
2020 
Reduction of import tariffs (to 2%) on  parts and 
accessories of motor vehicles (not produced in 
Mercosur)  (NCM Chapters 39; 40; 68; 69; 70; 
73; 74; 76; 83; 84; 85; 87; 90; 94), through 
the "ex -out" regime (mechanism designed to 
temporarily reduce import tariffs on capital 
goods and informatics and telecommunication 
equipment not locally produced)  Permanent De legation of Brazil to the 
WTO (20 May 2020), Camex 
Resolution Nos. 23/2019 (30 
December 2019), 8/2020 (30 January 
2020), 27/2020 (1 April 2020), and 
42/2020 (4 May 2020)  Effective 2 January 
2020  
Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 2%) on 
p-phenylenediamine, diaminotoluenes, and their 
derivatives; salts thereof (NCM 2921.51.33), 
under an import quota of 10,440 tonnes 
(effective 29 October 2019 to 28 October 2020); 
on self -adhesive plates, sheets, film, foil, tape, 
strip and other flat shape s, of plastic, whether or 
not in rolls (NCM 3919.90.90), under an import 
quota of 200 tonnes (effective 29 October 2019 
to 28 October 2020); on 6 -hexanelactam 
(epsilon -caprolactam) (NCM 2933.71.00), under 
an import quota of 667 tonnes (effective 29 
October  2019 to 13 January 2020);  on ethylene 
dichloride (ISO) (1,2 -dichloroethane) (NCM 
2903.15.00), under an import quota of 400,000 
tonnes (effective 26 November 2019 to 25 
November 2020); on high tenacity yarn of 
polyester, whether or not textured (NCM 
5402.2 0.00), under an import quota of 688 
tonnes (effective 26 November 2019 to 25 
November 2020); on certain acrylic polymers in 
primary forms (NCM 3906.90.49), under an 
import quota of 800 tonnes (effective 7 
December 2019 to 6 December 2020); on jute 
(NCM 530 3.10.10), under an import quota of 
7,000 tonnes (effective 28 December 2019 to 27 
December 2020). Temporary elimination of 
import tariffs on wheat and meslin (NCM 
1001.19.00; 1001.99.00), under an import quota 
of 750,000 tonnes (effective 18 November 2019 
to 17 November 2020); and on certain vaccines 
for humans (NCM 3002.20.21), under an import 
quota of 20 million doses (effective 26 November 
2019 to 25 November 2020)  Permanent Delegation of Brazil to the 
WTO (20 May 2020), Camex 
Resolution Nos. 5/2019 and 6/2019 
(23 October 2019), 10/2019 (12 
November 2019), 11/2019 (19 
November 2019), and 17/2019 (28 
November 2019) and Secex Portaria 
Nos. 42/2019 (25 October 2019),  
44/2019 (18 November 2019),  
46/2019, 47/2019 (25 November 
2019) and 50/2019 (4 December 
2019) Effective: see 
individual dates in 
measure  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  Measure  Source/Date  Status  
Brazil (Cont'd)  
Reduction of import tariffs on certain vessels for 
the transport of goods (NCM 8901.90.00)  Permanent Delegation of Brazil to the 
WTO (20 May 2020), Camex 
Resolution No. 10/2019 (12 
November 2019)  Effective 18 November 
2019 
Temporary elimination of import tariffs on 1,500 
capital goods tariff lines, and 141 informatics 
and telecommunications goods tariff lines (NCM 
Chapters 82; 84; 85; 86; 87; 90), through the 
"ex-out" regime (mechanism designed to 
temporarily reduce import tariffs on capital 
goods and informatics and telecommunications 
equipment not locally produced)  Camex Resolution Nos. 2/2019 and 
3/2019 (22 October 2019), 14/2019 
and 15/2019 (19 November 2019), 
29/2019 and 30/2019 (30 December 
2019), 10/2020 and 11/2020 (30 
January 2020), 14/2020 and 15/2020 
(19 February 2020); 29/2020 
30/2020 (1 April 2020), 39/2020 and 
40/2020 (4 May 2020)  Effective until 31 
December 2021  
Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 2%) on 
soda lye or liquid soda (NCM 2815.12.00), under 
an import quota of 88,000 tonnes (effective 28 
December 2019 to 27 December 2020); on 
disodium sulphate (NCM 2833.11.10), under an 
import quota of 910,000 tonnes (effective 31 
January 2020 to 30 January 20 21); on 
"generator circuit breaker systems" and "plug 
and switch systems" (NCM 8537.20.90), under 
an import quota of 340 units (effective 16 
January 2020 to 15 January 2021); on 
poly(ethylene terephthalate) with a viscosity 
number of 78 ml/g or higher (NCM  3907.61.00), 
under an import quota of 10,000 tonnes 
(effective 30 December 2019 to 29 December 
2020); and on certain yarn of polyester (NCM 
5402.47.10), under an import quota of 2,200 
tonnes (effective 2 January 2020 to 1 January 
2021)  Permanent Delegatio n of Brazil to the 
WTO (20 May 2020), Camex 
Resolution Nos. 27/2019 and 28/2019 
(30 December 2019; and Secex 
Portaria Nos. 1/2020, 4/2020 and 
5/2020 (16 January 2020)  Effective: see 
individual dates in 
measure  
Extension of the temporary reduction of impor t 
tariffs (to 2%) on certain sulphates (NCM 
2833.29.60), under an import quota of 25,000 
tonnes (effective 17 January 2020 to 30 June 
2020); on certain pigments (containing 82% or 
more by weight of titanium dioxide)  (NCM 
3206.11.10), under an import quota of 4,836 
tonnes (effective 17 January 2020 to 30 June 
2020); on polyamide -6 and 6 -6 (NCM 
3908.10.24), under an import quota of 7,100 
tonnes (effective 17 January 2020 to 30 June 
2020); and on certain uncoated paper and 
paperboard (NCM 4805.92.90), under an  import 
quota of 15,993 tonnes (effective 17 January 
2020 to 30 June 2020). Extension of the 
temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 6%) on 
pigments and preparations based on titanium 
dioxide (NCM 3206.11.10), under an import 
quota of 50,000 tonnes (effe ctive 17 January 
2020 to 30 June 2020). Extension of the 
temporary elimination of import tariffs on 
unwrought aluminium, not alloyed (NCM 
7601.10.00), under an import quota of 150,000 
tonnes (effective 17 January 2020 to 30 June 
2020); on p -Xylene (NCM 290 2.43.00), under an 
import quota of 145,000 tonnes (effective 17 
January 2020 to 30 June 2020); and on sardines 
(NCM 0303.53.00), under an import quota of 
110,000 tonnes (effective 9 February 2020 to 31 
December 2020)  Permanent Delegation of Brazil to the 
WTO (20 May 2020), Camex 
Resolution No. 32/2019 (30 
December 2019; and Secex Portaria 
Nos. 2/2020 and 3/2020 (16 January 
2020)  Effective: see 
individual dates in 
measure  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 120 - 
 
  Measure  Source/Date  Status  
Brazil (Cont'd)  
Temporary reduction of import tariffs (from 35% 
to 2%) on certain tanker semi -trailers (NCM 
8716.39.00), under an import quota of 35 units 
(effective 16 January 2020 to 15 January 2021); 
(from 26% to 2%) on certain pile fabrics of man -
made fibres  (NCM 6001.92.00), under an import 
quota of 55,000 tonnes (effective  16 January 
2020 to 15 January 2021); (from 14% to 2%) on 
printing ink (NCM 3215.19.00), under an import 
quota of 860 tonnes (effective 16 January 2020 
to 15 January 2021); on polycarbonates (NCM 
3907.40.90), under an import quota of 35,040 
tonnes (effecti ve 16 January 2020 to 15 January 
2021); and on black printing ink (NCM 
3215.11.00), under an import quota of 545 
tonnes (effective 23 January 2020 to 22 January 
2021); and (from 12% to 2%) on not backed 
aluminium foil rolled but not further worked 
(NCM 760 7.11.90), under an import quota of 
2,137 tonnes (effective 1 February 2020 to 31 
January 2021). Temporary elimination (from 
8%) on certain pharmaceutical products (NCM 
3004.90.69) (effective 16 January 2020)  Permanent Delegation of Brazil to the 
WTO (20 Ma y 2020), Camex 
Resolution No. 26/2019 (30 
December 2019; and Secex Portaria 
Nos. 6/2020, 7/2020 and 8/2020 (16 
January 2020)  Effective: see 
individual dates in 
measure  
China  
On 15 December 2019, extension of the 
suspension of the imposition of additional tariffs 
on imports of certain vehicles, and parts and 
accessories thereof (211 tariff lines at 8 -digit 
level, in HS Chapter 87), from the United States 
(originally effective from 1 January 2019 to 31 
March 2019, and extended on 1 April 2019)  Permanent Delegation of China to the 
WTO (25 May 2020) and State 
Council Tariff Commission 
Announcement on suspending the 
imposition of tariffs on automobiles 
and parts and components thereof 
originated from the United States 
(Tariff Commission Announcement 
2019/7) Viewed at: 
http://www.gov.cn/xinwen/2019 -
12/15/content_5461332.htm  Effective 15 December 
2019 
Imposition of interim tariffs resulting in 
temporary reduction of import tariffs on certain 
products (HS Chapters 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 8; 12; 13; 
14; 15; 18; 19 ; 20; 21; 22; 23; 24; 25; 27; 28; 
29; 30; 31; 32; 33; 34; 35; 37; 38; 39; 40; 41; 
43; 44; 45; 48; 49; 52; 53; 56; 61; 62; 63; 68; 
69; 70; 71; 72; 74; 75; 76; 79; 81; 82; 84; 85; 
87; 90; 91; 92; 96)  Permanent Delegation of China to the 
WTO (25 May 2020) and Customs 
Tariff Commission of the State 
Council, Circular on adjustments to 
tariffs including import interim tariff 
rates in 2020 (SCTC [2019] No. 50). 
Viewed at: 
http://gss.mof.gov.cn/gzdt/zhengcef a
bu/201912/P02019122762310920430
9.pdf  Effective 1 January 
2020 to 31 December 
2020 
VAT rebate rates increased (to 13%) on exports 
of 1,084 products (HS Chapters 15; 28; 29; 32; 
33; 34; 38; 39; 40; 42; 43; 44; 48; 67; 68; 69; 
70; 71; 72; 73; 74; 75; 78; 8 0; 81; 82; 83; 
96); and (to 9%) on 380 products (HS Chapters 
1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 12; 13; 15; 16; 18; 
19; 20; 21; 23; 38; 51; 53; 71)  Permanent Delegation of China to the 
WTO (25 May 2020) and Ministry of 
Finance General Administration of 
Taxation - Announcement No. 
15/2020. Viewed at: 
http://www.chinatax.gov.cn/chinatax/
n810341/n810755/c5146338/content
.html Effective 20 March 
2020 
Colombia  
Reduction (to 5%) of import tariffs on certain 
motor vehicles with  gas engine (effective 28 
November 2019). Elimination of import tariffs on 
certain motor vehicles with electrical engine 
(effective 28 November 2019); and on certain 
home appliances equipment (effective 5 
December 2019) (HS 8701.20.00; 8702.90.20; 
8703.22.10; 8703.22.90; 8703.23.10; 
8703.23 .90; 8703.24.10; 8703.24.90; 
8704.31.10; 8702.40.10; 8702.40.90; 
8703.80.10; 8703.80.90; 8704.90.51; 
8704.90.59; 8509.90.00; 8516.90.00; 
8536.90.10)  Permanent Delegation of Colombia to 
the WTO (30 April 2020) and 
Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y 
Turismo  Decreto Nos 2051 (13 
November 2019) and 2074 (18 
November 2019)  Effective: see 
individual dates in 
measure  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 121 - 
 
  Measure  Source/Date  Status  
Colombia (Cont'd)  
Reduction of import tariffs under the Expansion 
of the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) 
(213 tariff lines at 10-digit level, in HS Chapters 
32; 35; 37; 39; 49; 84; 85; 88; 90; 95)  Permanent Delegation of Colombia to 
the WTO (30 April 2020) and Decreto 
No. 2367, Ministerio de Comercio, 
Industria y Turismo (27 December 
2019)  Effective 11 January 
2020 
Costa Rica 
On 13 February 2020, the duty free import quota 
for rice in the husk (paddy or rough) (HS 
1006.10.90)  increased from 19,520 metric 
tonnes to 39,662 metric tonnes  Permanent Delegation of Costa Rica 
to the WTO (25 May 2020)  Effective August 2019 
to June 2020  
El Salvador  
Extension of time frames for payment of customs 
duties  Permanent Delegation of El Salvador 
to the WTO (25 May 2020)  Effective 27 January 
2020 
Eurasian Economic Union  
(Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, and Russian Federation)  
Extension of the temporary elimination of import 
tariffs on certain cocoa and cocoa preparations 
(HS 1803.10.00; 1804.00.00)  Permanent Delegation of the Russian 
Federation to the WTO (27 May 2020)  Effective 1 January 
2020 to 31 December 
2022 
Temporary elimination of import tariffs (from 
10%) on vanadium (effective 1 January 2020 to 
31 December 2021); (from 5%) on surimi 
(effective 26 March 2020 to 30 April 2023); on 
stamping foils (effective 6 March 2020 to 31 
August 2022); and on vanadium oxides and 
hydroxides (effective 22 February 2020 to 31 
December 2020); (from 14%) on rods of optical 
glass (effective 23 January 2020 to 31 December 
2020); on terephthalic acids (14 April 2020 to 31 
December 2021); on accessories for the 
produ ction of handheld power tools (effective 8 
May 2020 to 30 June 2022); on electric cars 
(effective 4 May 2020 to 31 December 2021);  on 
polyurethane and epoxy coatings for the 
production of optical fibre (effective 14 April 
2020 to 31 December 2020); and on certain 
kinds of shellfish and krill meat (effective 26 
March 2020 to 1 April 2023) (HS 0304.99.11; 
3212.10.00; 2825.30.00; 7002.20.10; 
2917.36.00; 8536.50.80; 8545.20.00; 
8483.40.23; 8703.80.00; 3907.30.00; 
3909.50.90; 8112.92.92; 0307.43.38;  
0307.43.90; 0307.52.90; 1605.40.00; 
1605.53.90)  Permanent Delegation of the Russian 
Federation to the WTO (27 May 2020)  Effective: see 
individual dates in 
measure (HS 
8483.40.23.09; 
8536.50.80.00; 
8545.20.00.00 
excluded)  
Creation of a new tariff line, "certain LED lamps" 
(HS 8539.50.00.01; 8539.50.00.02; 
8539.50.00.09) resulting in the temporary 
elimination of import tariffs  Permanent Delegation of the Russian 
Federation to the WTO (27 May 2020)  Effective 2 February 
2020 to 1 January 
2021 
India  
Elimination of import tariffs on certain products, 
e.g. pure bred breeding horses; (from 10%) very 
low sulphur fuel oil, and specified parts of 
microphones; and (from 7.5%) on polyester 
liquid crystal polymers (LCPs) for use in the 
manufacture of connector s; and micro fuse 
bases.  Reduction of import tariffs (from 10% to 
7.5%) on calcined pet coke; (from 10% to 5%) 
on calendared plastic sheet for use in 
manufacturing of smart cards, newsprint, 
uncoated paper used in the manufacture of 
newspapers, and light -weight coated paper; 
(from 12.5%  to 7.5%) on platinum and 
palladium for the manufacture of precious metal 
chemicals and precious metal catalyst; and (from 
12.5% to 11.85%) on spent catalyst or ash 
containing precious metals for recovery of 
precious metal (H S 0101.21.00; 27; 3907.99.00; 
8518.90.00; 8538; 2712.12.10; 2713.12.90; 
3920.10.99; 4801; 48; 4810; 7110)  Permanent Delegation of India to the 
WTO (26 May 2020)  Effective 2 February 
2020 WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 122 - 
 
  Measure  Source/Date  Status  
India (Cont'd)  
Amendments introduced to Notification No. 
11/2018 -Customs, Ministry of Finance 
(Department of Revenue), resulting in the 
elimination (from 10%) of the Special Welfare 
Surcharge on almonds shelled; walnuts in shell; 
walnuts shelled; frozen orange juice; not frozen 
orange juices; marble, travertine,  ecaussine and 
other calcareous building stone slabs (HS 
0802.12.00; 0802.31.00; 0802.32.00; 
2009.11.00; 2009.12.00; 2009.19.00; 
2515.12.20; 6802.10.00; 6802.21.10; 
6802.21.20; 6802.21.90; 6802.91.00; 
6802.92.00)   Permanent Delegation of India to the 
WTO ( 26 May 2020)  Effective 2 February 
2020 
New goods included in the list of products 
exempted from the Special Welfare Surcharge 
(HS Chapters 84; 85; 90)  Permanent Delegation of India to the 
WTO (26 May 2020)  Effective 2 February 
2020 
Imports of certain medical and surgical 
instruments and apparatus (HS 9018; 9019; 
9020; 9021; 9022) exempted from the "health 
cess"  Permanent Delegation of India to the 
WTO (26 May 2020) and Ministry of 
Finance - Department of Revenue - 
Notification No. 8 /2020 -Customs (2 
February 2020)  Effective 1 April 2020  
Japan  
Elimination of import tariffs on 1,4 -
cyclohexanedimethanol (HS 2906.19); on 
1,1,3,5 -tetramethylpiperidine -1-iumhydroxide 
(HS 2933.39); on igniters, used in 
manufacturing parts of motor vehicles (HS 
3603.00); on mixed alkylbenzenes (HS 
3817.00); and on leaver lace (HS 5804.21)  Permanent Delegation of Japan to the 
WTO (22 May 2020)  Effective 1 April 2020  
Nepal  
Temporary reduction (by 50%) of import tariffs 
on fertilized eggs for incubation (HS 0407.11.00; 
0407.19.00)  Permanent Delegation of Nepal to the 
WTO (31 March 2020)  Effective 4 November 
2019 
Philippines  
Reduction of import tariffs on certain products, 
e.g. plastic articles for the conveyance or 
packing of goods; and elect rical machinery and 
equipment (HS 3923; 8518; 8519; 8527; 8528; 
8536; 9025; 9030)  Permanent Delegation of the 
Philippines to the WTO (27 May 2020)  Effective 1 January 
2020 
Turkey  
Elimination of import tariffs (from 2%) on certain 
products of pig iron; and (from 2.7%) on certain 
products of ferro -alloys (HS 7201.10.11; 
7201.10.30; 7202.11)  Permanent Delegation of Turkey to 
the WTO (24 April 2020)  Effective 1 January 
2020 
Elimination of import tariffs (from 29%) on inulin 
used for the production of medical and 
nutritional products (effective 1 January 2020); 
(from 135%) on oligofructose used for the 
production of medical and nutritional products 
(effective 1 January 2020); (from 46.8%) on 
certain fats used in the production of infant 
formula (effective 1 January 2020); and (from 
31.5%) on molasses used for the production of 
yeast (effective 3 April 2020) (HS 1108.20; 
1702.90.95; 1517.90.99; 1703.10; 
1703.90),within the scope  of end use regulation  Permanent Delegation of Turkey to 
the WTO (3 June 2020)  Effective: see 
individual dates in 
measure  
 WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 123 - 
 
  ANNEX 2  - TRADE REMEDIES1 
(MID-OCTOBER 201 9 to MID -MAY 20 20) 
Confirmed information2 
Measure  Source/Date  Status  
Argentina  
Termination on 30 October 2019 of anti -
dumping duties on imports of tanks, casks, 
drums, cans, boxes and similar containers, for 
any material (other than compressed or 
liquefied gas), of iron or steel, whether or not 
lined or  heat-insulated, but not fitted with 
mechanical or thermal equipment, of a capacity 
of 200 to 230 litres (NCM 7310.10.90) from 
Chile (investigation initiated on 1 June 2012 
and definitive duty imposed on 29 November 
2013)  WTO document G/ADP/N/335/ARG,  
1 May 2020   
Termination on 19 November 2019 of anti -
dumping duties on imports of conveyor or 
transmission belts or belting, of vulcanized 
rubber reinforced only with textile materials 
(NCM 4010.12.00) from China (investigation 
initiated on 1 June 2012 and definitive duty 
imposed on 29 November 2013)  WTO document G/ADP/N/335/ARG,  
1 May 2020    
Initiation on 3 February 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of lawn mowers with 
electric motor (HS 8467.29.99; 8433.11.00) 
from China  Permanent Delegation of Argentina to 
the WTO (22 May 2020) and 
Resolución No. 7/2020 – (RESOL -
2020-7-APN-SIECYGCE#MDP), 
Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo (30 
January 2020)    
Initiation on 3 March 2020 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of measuring tapes 
(metros de cinta ) (HS 9017.80.10) from India  Permanent Delegation of Argentina to 
the WTO (22 May 2020) and 
Resolución No. 23/2020 – (RESOL -
2020-23-APN-SIECYGCE#MDP), 
Ministerio de Desarrollo Product ivo - 
Secretaría de Industria, Economía del 
Conocimiento y Gesti ón Comercial 
Externa (28 February 2020)    
Termination on 6 March 2020 of anti -dumping 
duties on imports of paper and paperboard, 
coated on one or both sides with kaolin (China 
clay) or other inorganic substances, with or 
without a blinder, and with no other coating, 
whether or not surface -coloured, surface -
decorated or printed, in rolls or rectangular 
(including square) sheets, of any size  (NCM 
4810.13.89; 4810.13.90; 4810.19.89; 
4810.19.90) f rom Austria, China, Finland and 
the United States (investigation initiated on 15 
December 2010. Provisional and definitive 
duties imposed on 20 March 2012 and 14  June 
2012, respectively)  Permanent Delegation of Argentina to 
the WTO (22 May 2020) and 
Resolu ción No. 79/2020, Ministerio de 
Desarrollo Productivo (4 March 2020)    
Termination on 6 March 2020 of anti -dumping 
duties on imports of coated paper and 
paperboard  (NCM 4810.29.90) from China 
(investigation initiated on 7 December 2016 
and definitive duty imposed on 20 July 2017)  Permanent Delegation of Argentina to 
the WTO (22 May 2020) and 
Resolución No. 79/2020, Ministerio de 
Desarrollo Productivo (4 March 2020)    
 
1 The inclusion of any measure in this Annex implies no judgement by the WTO Secretariat, either direct 
or indirect, on the consistency of any measure referred to with the provisions of any WTO agreement.  
2 This Section includes  information which has either been provided by the Member concerned or has 
been confirmed at the request of the Secretariat.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
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  Measure  Source/Date  Status  
Australia  
On 9 December 2019, anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of steel reinforcing bar 
(HS 7213.10.00; 7214.20.00; 7227.90.10; 
7227.90.90; 7228.30.10; 7228.30.90; 
7228.60.10) from Turkey resumed 
(investigation originally initiated on 16 
November 2018 and provi sional duty imposed 
on 15 January 2019. Investigation terminated 
on 20 June 2019)  WTO document G/ADP/N/335/AUS, 
20 February 2020    
On 9 December 2019, countervailing 
investigation on imports of steel reinforcing bar 
(HS 7213.10.00; 7214.20.00; 7227.90.10; 
7227.90.90; 7228.30.10; 7228.30.90; 
7228.60.10) from Turkey resumed 
(investigation originally initiated on 16 
November 2018 and ter minated on 20 June 
2019)  WTO document G/SCM/N/356/AUS, 
21 February  2020   
Termination on 10 December 2019 of anti -
dumping duties on imports of power 
transformers (HS 8504.22.00; 8504.23.00) 
from Thailand (investigation initiated on 29 July 
2013 and definitive duty imposed on 10 
December 2014)  WTO document G/ADP/N/335/AUS, 
20 February 2020    
Termination on 31 January 2020 (without 
measure) of anti -dumping investigation on 
imports of power transformers (HS 8504.22.00; 
8504.23.00) from China (investigation initiated 
on 18 March 2019)  Permanent Delegation of Australia to 
the WTO (2 5 May 2020) and Anti -
Dumping Notice No. 2020/10 
(31 January 2020)    
Initiation on 17 February 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of aluminium micro -
extrusions (HS 7604.10.00; 7604.21.00; 
7604.29.00; 7608.10.00; 7608.20.00; 
7610.10.00; 7610.90.00) from China  Permanent Delegation of Australia to 
the WTO (25 May 2020) and Anti -
Dumping Notice No. 2020/13 
(17 February 2020)    
Initiation on 24 February 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of mill finish aluminium 
extrusions (HS 7604.10.00; 7604.21.00; 
7604.29.00; 7608.10.00; 7608.20.00; 
7610.10.00; 7610.90.00) from Malaysia  Permanent Delegation of Australia to 
the WTO (25 May 2020) and Anti -
Dumping Notice No. 2020/18 
(24 February 2020)    
Initiation on 24  February 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of surface finish 
aluminium extrusions (HS 7604.10.00; 
7604.21.00; 7604.29.00; 7608.10.00; 
7608.20.00; 7610.10.00; 7610.90.00) from 
Malaysia  Permanent Delegation of Australia to 
the WTO (25 May 2020) and Anti -
Dumping Notice No. 2020/19 
(24 February 2020)    
Termination on 28 February 2020 (without 
measure) of anti -dumping investigation on 
imports of high -density polyethylene "HDPE" 
(HS 3901.20.00; 3901.90.00) from Korea, Rep. 
of; Singapore; Thailand and the United States 
(initiated on 24 June 2019)  Permanent Delegation of Australia to 
the WTO (25 May 2020) and Anti -
Dumping Notice No. 2020/22 
(28 February 2020)    
Initiation on 30 March 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of kraft paperboard 
(HS 4810.39.00; 4810.1; 4810.2) from the 
United States  Permanent Delegation of Australia to 
the WTO (25 May 2020) and Anti -
Dumping Notice No. 2020/32 
(30 March 2020)    
Initiation on 31 March 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports o f precision pipe and 
tube steel (HS 7306.30.00; 7306.50.00; 
7306.61.00) from China; Korea, Rep. of; 
Chinese Taipei and Viet Nam  Permanent Delegation of Australia to 
the WTO (25 May 2020) and Anti -
Dumping Notice No. 2020/30 
(25 March 2020)    
Initiation on 31 March 2020 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of precision pipe and 
tube steel (HS 7306.30.00; 7306.50.00; 
7306.61.00) from China and Viet Nam  Permanent Delegation of Australia to 
the WTO (25 May 2020) and Anti -
Dumping Notice No. 2 020/30 
(25 March 2020)    WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 125 - 
 
  Measure  Source/Date  Status  
Brazil  
Termination on 30 October 2019 of anti -
dumping duties on imports of seamless steel 
chrome alloyed tubes (NCM 7304.51.19; 
7304.59.11; 7304.59.19) from China 
(investigation initiated on 18 November 2013. 
Provisional and definitive duties imposed on 14 
April and 30 October 2014, respectively)  WTO document G/ADP/N/335/BRA, 
7 April 2020   
On 1 November 2019, temporary suspension of 
anti-dumping duties on imports of 
ethanolamines, grades MEA 
(monoethanolamine) and TEA (triethanolamine) 
(NCM 2922.11.00; 2922.13.10; 3824.90.89) 
from Germany (investigation initiated on 
10 May 2012 and definitive duty imposed on 4 
November 2013)  WTO document G/ADP/N/335/BRA, 
7 April 2020   
On 8 November 2019, temporary suspension of 
anti-dumping duties on imports of  iron pipes 
(NCM 7303.00.00) from China, India and the 
United Arab Emirates (investigation initiated on 
8 May 2018 and definitive duty imposed on 7 
November 2019)  WTO document G/ADP/N/335/BRA, 
7 April 2020   
On 13 November 2019, temporary suspension 
of anti -dumping duties on imports of  padlocks 
(NCM 8301.10.00) from China (imposed on 29 
December 1995)  WTO document G/ADP/N/335/BRA, 
7 April 2020   
Termination on 14 January 2020 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of tyres, of a kind 
used on motor cars (NCM 4011.10.00) from 
Korea, Rep. of (investigation initiated on 20 
July 2012 and definitive duty imposed on 16 
January 2014)  Gecex Resolution No. 3/2019 (14 
January 2020)    
Termination on 15 January 2020 of anti -
dumping duties on imports of hot -rolled steel 
(NCM 7208.10.00; 7208.25.00; 7208.26.10; 
7208.26.90; 7208.27.10; 7208.27.90; 
7208.36.10; 7208.36.90; 7208.37.00; 
7208.38.10; 7208.38.90; 7208.39.10; 
7208.39.90; 7208.40.00 ; 7208.53.00; 
7208.54.00; 7208.90.00; 7225.30.00; 
7225.40.90) from China and the Russian 
Federation (investigation initiated on 20 July 
2016 and definitive duty imposed on 19 
January 2018. Duty suspended on 19 January 
2018)  Camex Resolution No. 5/2020 
(15 January 2020)    
Termination on 16 January 2020 of anti -
dumping duties on imports of tyres, of a kind 
used on motor cars (NCM 4011.10.00) from 
Ukraine (investigation initiated on 20 July 2012 
and definitive duty imposed on 16 January 
2014)  Permanent Delega tion of Brazil to the 
WTO (20 May 2020), Secex Circular 
No. 2/2020 (15 January 2020)    
Initiation on 31 January 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of containers for 
compressed or liquefied gas, of iron or steel 
(CNG cylinders) (HS 7311.00.00) from China  Permanent Delegation of Brazil to the 
WTO (20 May 2020), Secex Circular 
No. 8/2020 (29 January 2020)    
Initiation on 20 February 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of phthalic anhydride 
(HS 2917.35.00) from Israel and the Russian 
Federation  Permanent Delegation of Brazil to the 
WTO (20 May 2020), Secex Circular 
Nos. 11/2020 (19 February 2020) and 
28/2020 (24 April 2020)  Terminated on 
27 April 2020 
(without 
measure)  
Termination on 5 March 2020 of anti -dumping 
duties on imports of presensitized offset 
aluminium printing plates (NCM 3701.30.21; 
3701.30.31) from Hong Kong, China 
(investigation initiated on 25 February 2014 
and definitive duty imposed on 5 March 2015)  Permanent Delegation of Brazil to the 
WTO (27 May 2020),  Secex Circular 
No. 13/2020 (4 March 2020)    WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 126 - 
 
  Measure  Source/Date  Status  
Brazil (Cont'd)  
Termination on 12 May 2020 of anti -dumping 
duties on imports of ferrite segment (arc) 
magnet (NCM 8505.19.10) from China and 
Korea, Rep. of (investigation initiated on 16 
June 2014. Provisional and definitive duties 
imposed on 30 October 2014 and 4 May 2015, 
respectively)  Camex Resolution No. 35/2020  
(4 May 2020)    
Canada  
Initiation on 8 November 2019 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of certain corrosion -
resistant steel sheet 2 (HS 7210.30.00; 
7210.49.00; 7210.61.00; 7210.69.00; 
7212.20.00; 7212.30.00; 7212.50.00; 
7225.91.00; 7225.92.00; 7226.99.00) from 
Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Viet Nam  WTO document G/ADP/N/335/CAN, 26 
March 2020; an d Canada Border 
Services Agency - Notice of Preliminary 
Determination COR2 2019 IN  
(20 March 2020)  Provisional duty 
imposed on 20 
March 2020  
Initiation on 8 November 2019 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of certain corrosion -
resistant steel sheet 2 (HS 7210.30.00; 
7210.49.00; 7210.61.00; 7210.69.00; 
7212.20.00; 7212.30.00; 7212.50.00; 
7225.91.00; 7225.92.00; 7226.99.00) from 
Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Viet Nam  WTO document G/SCM/N/356/CAN, 30 
March 2020; an d Canada Border 
Services Agency - Notice of Preliminary 
Determination COR2 2019 IN  
(20 March 2020)  Provisional duty 
imposed on 20 
March 2020  
Chile  
Initiation on 27 April 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of steel grinding balls 
forged for mills of less than 4 inches in 
diameter  (HS 7326.11.10) from China  Permanent Delegation of Chi le to the 
WTO (27 May 2020) and Comisión de 
Distorsiones - Comisión Nacional 
encargada de investigar la existencia 
de distorsiones en el precio de las 
mercadería s importadas - Normas 
Generales CVE 1754510  
(27 April 2020)    
China  
Termination on 20 November 2019 of anti -
dumping duties on imports of pyridine (HS 
2933.31.00) from India and Japan 
(investigation initiated on 21 September 2012. 
Provisional and definitive duties imposed on 27 
May and 21 November 2013, respectively)  WTO document G/ADP/N/335/CHN, 
21 pril 2020    
Termination on 20 November 2019 of anti -
dumping duties on imports of methyl ethyl 
ketone (HS 2914.12.00) from Japan and 
Chinese Taipei (imposed on 22  November 
2007)  WTO document G/ADP/N/335/CHN, 
21 April 2020    
Colombia  
Termination on 20 December 2019 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of sheets of 
paperboard and polyethylene, with an 
intermediate layer of aluminium foil as an 
oxygen barrier, used for the aseptic packaging 
of UHT treated foodstuffs (HS 4811.59.20) 
(initiated on 11 April 2019)  WTO document G/SG/N/9/COL/6, 
9 March 2020   
Ecuador  
Initiation on 26 November 2019 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of smooth ceramics 
(HS 6907.21.00; 6907.22.00; 6907.23.00)  WTO document G/SG/N/6/ECU/10, 
6 December 2019    
Egypt  
Initiation on 16 April 2020 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of raw aluminium 
(ingots, billets and wire rod) (HS 7601.10; 
7601.20; 7605.11)  WTO document G/SG/N/6/EGY/15, 
23 April 2020    WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 127 - 
 
  Measure  Source/Date  Status  
Eurasian Economic Union  
(Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic,  and Russ ian Federation)  
Initiation on 24 December 2019 of anti -
dumping investigation on imports of welded 
tubes of stainless steel (HS 7306.40.20; 
7306.40.80; 7306.61.10; 7306.69.10) from 
China  WTO document G/ADP/N/335/RUS, 
6 May 2020   
Termination on 27 December 2019 (without 
measure) of safeguard investigation on imports 
of welded tubes of stainless steel (HS 
7306.40.20; 7306.40.80; 7306.61.10; 
7306.69.10) (initiated on 4 March 2019)  WTO document G/SG/N/9/RUS/2, 
17 January 2020   
Initiation on 9 April 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of graphite electrodes 
(HS 8545.11.00) from China  Permanent Delegation of the Russian 
Federation to the WTO (27 May 2020)   
European Union  
Initiation on 18 December 2019 of anti -
dumping investigation on imports of pins and 
staples (HS 7317.00.20; 7317.00.60; 
7317.00.80; 7326.20.00; 7616.10.00; 
8305.20.00; 8308.10.00) from China  WTO document G/ADP/N/335/EU, 
17 April 2020    
Initiation on 14 February 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of aluminium 
extrusions (HS 7604.10.10; 7604.10.90; 
7604.21.00; 7604.29.10; 7604.29.90; 
7608.10.00; 7608.20.81; 7608.20.89; 
7610.90.90) from China  Commission Notice 2020/C 51/12 
(14 February 2020)    
Initiation on 14 May 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of hot -rolled flat 
products of iron, non -alloy or other alloy steel 
(HS 7208. 10.00; 7208.25.00; 7208.26.00; 
7208.27.00; 7208.36.00; 7208.37.00; 
7208.38.00; 7208.39.00; 7208.40.00; 
7208.52.10; 7208.52.99; 7208.53.10; 
7208.53.90; 7208.54.00; 7211.13.00; 
7211.14.00; 7211.19.00; 7225.19.10; 
7225.30.90; 7225.40.60; 7225.40.90; 
7226.19.1 0; 7226.91.91; 7226.91.99) from 
Turkey  Commission Notice 2020/C 166/05 
(14 May 2020)    
Guatemala  
Termination on 9 January 2020 (without 
measure) of safeguard investigation on imports 
of flat -rolled products of other alloy steel, of a 
width of 600 mm or more (HS 7225.91.00; 
7225.92.00; 7225.99.00) (investigation 
initiated on 27 August 2019)  WTO document G/SG/N/9/GTM/1, 
28 January  2020    
Gulf Cooperation Council  
(Barhain; Oman; Qatar; Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of. ; United Arab Emirates)  
Initiation on 23 October 2019 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of certain steel 
products  (HS 7208; 7209; 7210; 7211; 7212; 
7213; 7214; 7215; 7216; 7222; 7225; 7227; 
7228; 7301; 7304; 7305; 7306; 7308)  WTO document  G/SG/N/6/SAU/3,  
24 October 2019   
Termination on 28 November 2019 (without 
measure) of anti -dumping investigation on 
imports of super -absorbent polymers (HS 
3906.90) from Japan and Chinese Taipei 
(investigation initiated on 14 February 2019)  WTO document G/ADP/N/335/SAU, 
18 May 2020   
Initiation on 29 April 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of plates, sheets, and 
strip of aluminium alloys (HS 7606.12.00; 
7606.92.00) from China  Permanent Delegation of the Kingdom 
of Saudi Arabia to the WTO 
(5 May 2020)  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 128 - 
 
  Measure  Source/Date  Status  
India  
Initiation on 18 October 2019 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of flat products of 
stainless steel (HS 7219; 7220) from Indonesia  WTO document G/SCM/N/356/IND, 
6 May 2020    
Initiation on 29 October 2019 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of styrene butadiene 
rubber (HS 4002.19) from Korea, Rep. of  WTO document G/SCM/N/356/IND, 
6 May 2020    
Initiation on 4 November 2019 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of isopropyl alcohol 
(HS 2905.12.20)  WTO document G/SG/N/6 /IND/47, 
15 November 2019    
Initiation on 5 November 2019 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of fibreboards (HS 
4411.12; 4411.13; 4411.93; 4411.14; 
4411.92) from Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, 
Thailand and Viet Nam  WTO document G/SCM/N/356/IND, 
6 May 2020    
Termination on 20 November 2019 of anti -
dumping duties on imports of digital versatile 
disc-recordable (DVD -R's) (HS 8523) from 
China; Hong Kong, China; and Chinese Taipei 
(imposed on 23 July 2008)  WTO document G/ADP/N/335/IND, 
18 May 2020   
Initiation o n 3 December 2019 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of new pneumatic 
tyres of rubber for buses and lorries, with or 
without tubes and/or flaps (HS 4011.20.10) 
from Thailand  Permanent Delegation of India to the 
WTO (26 May 2020) and Notification F. 
No. 6/30/2019 -DGTR (Case No. (OI) 
22/2019), Ministry of Commerce and 
Industry - Department of Commerce  - 
Directorate General of Trade Remedies 
(2 December 2019)    
Termination on 8 December 2019 of anti -
dumping duties on imports of cable ties (HS 
3926.90) from China and Chinese Taipei 
(imposed on 31 October 2008)  WTO document G/ADP/N/335/IND, 
18 May 2020   
Initiation on 9 December 2019 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of mono ethylene 
glycol (MEG or ethylene glycol) (HS 
2905.31.00) from Kuwait; Oman; Saudi Arabia, 
Kingdom of; Singapore and the United Arab 
Emirates  Permanent Delegation of India to the 
WTO (26 May 2020) and Notification F. 
No. 6/2 9/2019 -DGTR (Case No. (OI) 
21/2019), Ministry of Commerce and 
Industry - Department of Commerce  - 
Directorate General of Trade Remedies 
(9 December 2019)    
Initiation on 23 December 2019 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of 1 -phenyl -3-methyl -
5-pyrazolone (HS 2933.19.20) from China  Permanent Delegation of India to the 
WTO (26 May 2020) and Notification F. 
No. 6/32/2019 -DGTR (Case No. (OI) 
24/2019), Ministry of Commerce and 
Industry - Department of Commerce  - 
Directorate General of Trade Remedies 
(23 December 2019)    
Termination on 30 December 2019 of anti -
dumping duties on imports of pentaerythritol -I 
(HS 2905.42) from Chinese Taipei (imposed on 
27 March 2002)  WTO document G/ADP/N/335/IND, 
18 May 2020   
Initiation on 10 January 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of ciprofloxacin 
hydrochloride "PUC" (HS 2941.90.30) from 
China  Permanent Delegation of India to the 
WTO (26 May 2020) and Notification F. 
No. 6/36/2019 -DGTR (Case No. (OI) 
32/2019), Ministry of Commerce and 
Industry - Department o f Commerce  - 
Directorate General of Trade Remedies 
(10 January 2020)    
Initiation on 14 January 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of dimethyl formamide 
"DMF" (HS 2921.11.10) from China and Saudi 
Arabia, Kingdom of  Permanent Delegation of Indi a to the 
WTO (26 May 2020) and Notification F. 
No. 6/37/2019 -DGTR (Case No. (OI) 
29/2019), Ministry of Commerce and 
Industry - Department of Commerce  - 
Directorate General of Trade Remedies 
(14 January 2020)    WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 129 - 
 
  Measure  Source/Date  Status  
India (Cont'd)  
Initiation on 14 January 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of viscose spun yarn 
"VSY" (HS 5510.11.10; 5510.12.10; 
5510.11.90; 5510.12.90; 5510.90.10; 
5510.90.90) from China, Indonesia and Viet 
Nam Permanent Delegation of India to the 
WTO (26 May 2020) and Notif ication F. 
No. 6/41/2019 -DGTR (Case No. (OI) 
32/2019), Ministry of Commerce and 
Industry - Department of Commerce  - 
Directorate General of Trade Remedies 
(14 January 2020)   
Initiation on 20 January 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of newsprint in rolls or 
sheets, excluding glazed newsprint  (HS 
4801.00.90; 4801.00.10) from Australia; 
Canada; the European Union; Hong Kong, 
China; the Russian Federation; Singapore and 
the United Arab Emirates  Permanent Delegation of India to the 
WTO (26 M ay 2020) and Notification F. 
No. 6/40/2019 -DGTR (Case No. (OI) 
31/2019), Ministry of Commerce and 
Industry - Department of Commerce  - 
Directorate General of Trade Remedies 
(20 January 2020)    
Initiation on 22 January 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of soda ash  (HS 
2836.20) from Turkey and the United States  Permanent Delegation of India to the 
WTO (26 May 2020) and Notification F. 
No. 6/39/2019 -DGTR (Case No. (OI) 
30/2019), Ministry of Commerce and 
Industry - Department of Com merce  - 
Directorate General of Trade Remedies 
(22 January 2020)    
Initiation on 24 January 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of aniline (HS 
2921.41.10) from China  Permanent Delegation of India to the 
WTO (26 May 2020) and Notification F. 
No. 6/42/2019 -DGTR (Case No. (OI) 
33/2019), Ministry of Commerce and 
Industry - Department of Commerce  - 
Directorate General of Trade Remedies 
(24 January 2020)    
Initiation on 31 January 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of to luene di -
isocyanate "TDI" (HS 2929.10.20) from the 
European Union; Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of; 
Chinese Taipei and the United Arab Emirates  Permanent Delegation of India to the 
WTO (26 May 2020) and Notification F. 
No. 6/43/2019 -DGTR (Case No. (OI) 
34/2019), Ministry of Commerce and 
Industry - Department of Commerce  - 
Directorate General of Trade Remedies 
(31 January 2020)    
Termination on 2 February 2020 of  anti-
dumping duties on imports of purified 
terephthalic acid "PTA" (HS 2917.36.00) from 
Korea, Rep. of and Thailand (investigation 
initiated on 8 October 2013. Provisional and 
definitive duties imposed on 25 July 2014 and 
on 27 May 2015, respectively)  Permanent Delegation of India to the 
WTO (26 May 2020) and Notification 
No. 3/2020 -Customs (ADD), M inistry 
of Finance - Department of Revenue 
(2 February 2020)    
Termination on 2 February 2020 of anti -
dumping duties on imports of purified 
terephthalic acid "PTA"  (HS 2917.36.00)  from 
China; Indonesia; Iran, Islamic Rep. of; 
Malaysia and Chinese Taipei (investigation 
initiated on 18 June 2015. Provisional and 
definitive duties imposed on 10 December 2015 
and 5 July 2016, respectively)  Permanent Delegation of India to the 
WTO (26 May 2020) and Notification 
No. 3/2020 -Customs (ADD), Ministry 
of Fina nce - Department of Revenue 
(2 February 2020)    
Initiation on 7 February 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of self -adhesive 
polyvinyl chloride film "SAV" (HS 3919.90.90; 
3919.10.00; 3919.90.10; 3919.90.20; 
3920.99.19; 3920.99.59; 3920.99.99; 
3921.90.99; 3926.90.99) from China  Permanent Delegation of India to the 
WTO (26 May 2020) and Notification F. 
No. 6/1/2020 -DGTR (Case No. (OI) 
1/2020), Ministry of Commerce and 
Industry - Department of Commerce  - 
Directorate General of Trade Remedies 
(7 Feb ruary 2020)    
Initiation on 10 February 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of black toner in 
powder form (HS 3707.90.10; 3707.90.90) 
from China, Malaysia and Chinese Taipei  Permanent Delegation of India to the 
WTO (26 May 2020) and Notification F. 
No. 6/6/2020 -DGTR (Case No. (OI) 
5/2020), Ministry of Commerce and 
Industry - Department of Commerce  - 
Directorate General of Trade Remedies 
(10 February 2020)    WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 130 - 
 
  Measure  Source/Date  Status  
India (Cont'd)  
Initiation on 25 February 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of phenol (HS 
2907.11) from Thailand and the United States  Permanent Delegation of India to the 
WTO (26 May 2020) and Notification F. 
No. 6/3/2020 -DGTR (Case No. (OI) 
2/2020), Ministry of Commerce and 
Industry - Department of Comme rce - 
Directorate General of Trade Remedies 
(25 February 2020)    
Initiation on 2 March 2020 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of soda ash (HS 
2836.20) from Turkey  Permanent Delegation of India to the 
WTO (26 May 2020) and Notification F. 
No. 6/38/2019 -DGTR (Case No. OI 
(CVD) 10/2019), Ministry of Commerce 
and Industry - Department of 
Commerce  - Directorate General of 
Trade Remedies (2 March 2020)    
Termination on 13 April 2020 (without 
measure) of safeguard investigation on imports 
of phenol (HS 2907.11.10) (investigation 
initiated on 23 August 2019)  WTO document G/SG/N/9/IND/17, 
21 April 2020    
Initiation on 20 April 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of copper and copper 
alloy flat rolled products (HS 7409.11.00; 
7409.19.0 0; 7409.21.00; 7409.29.00; 
7409.31.00; 7409.39.00; 7409.40.00; 
7409.90.00; 7410.11.00; 7410.12.00) from 
China; Korea, Rep. of; Malaysia; Nepal; Sri 
Lanka and Thailand  Permanent Delegation of India to the 
WTO (26 May 2020) and Notification F. 
No. 6/7/2020 -DGTR (Case No. ADD -OI 
6/2020), Ministry of Commerce and 
Industry - Department of Commerce  - 
Directorate General of Trade Remedies 
(20 April 2020)    
Initiation on 22 April 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of plain medium 
density fibre board having thickness less than 6 
mm (HS 4411.12.00; 4411.13.00; 4411.92.19; 
4411.92.29; 4411.93.19; 4411.94.19) from 
Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Viet Nam  Permanent Delegation of India to the 
WTO (26 May 2020) and Notification F. 
No. 6/13/2020 -DGTR (Case No. ADD -
OI 11/2020), Ministry of Commerce 
and Industry - Department of 
Commerce  - Directorate General of 
Trade Remedies (22 April 2020)    
Initiation on 9 May 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of natural mica based 
pearl industrial pigments excluding cosmetic 
grade (HS 3206.11) from China  Notification F. No. 6/8/2020 -DGTR 
(Case No. ADD -OI 7/2020), Ministry of 
Commerce and Industry - Department 
of Commerce  - Directorate General of 
Trade Remedies (9 May 2020)    
Indonesia  
Initiation on 23 October 2019 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of  cold-rolled stainless 
steel "CRS" (HS 7219.32.00; 7219.33.00; 
7219.34.00; 7219.35.00; 7219.90.00; 
7220.20.10; 7220.20.90; 7220.90.10; 
7220.90.90) from China and Malaysia  WTO document  G/ADP/N/335/IDN, 
20 May 2020  
Initiation on 13 November 2019 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of fructose syrup (HS 
1702.60.20)  WTO document G/SG/N/6/IDN/34, 
15 November  2019   
Initiation on 9 March 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of hot -rolled coil of 
other alloy steel (HS 7225.30.90) from China  Permanent Delegation of Indonesia to 
the WTO (3 June 2020)   
Initiation on 23 March 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation o n imports of lysine (HS 
2922.41.00) from China  Permanent Delegation of Indonesia to 
the WTO (7 May 2020)   
Japan  
Termination on 24 April 2020 of anti -dumping 
duties on imports of toluenediisocyanate (HS 
2929.10) from China (investigation initiated on 
14 February 2014. Provisional and definitive 
duties imposed on 25 December 2014 and 25 
April 2015, respectively)  Permanent Delegation of Japan to the 
WTO (22 May 2020)    WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 131 - 
 
  Measure  Source/Date  Status  
Jordan  
Termination on 14 May 2020 (without measure) 
of safeguard investigation on imports of potato 
chips and potatoes prepared or preserved 
otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not 
frozen (HS  2005.20.90; 2106.90.99) 
(investigation initiated on 1 September 2019)  WTO document G/SG/N/9/JOR/10, 
18 May 2020    
Korea, Rep. of  
Initiation on 3 December 2019 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of plywood (HS 
4412.31; 4412.33; 4412.34; 4412.39; 
4412.99) from Viet Nam  WTO document G/ADP/N/335/KOR, 
28 May 2020    
Malaysia  
Initiation on 17 March 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of flat -rolled products 
of non -alloy steel plated or coated with 
aluminium and zinc (HS 7210.61.11; 
7210.61.12; 7210.61.19; 7210.61.91; 
7210.61.92; 7120.61.99; 7212.50.23; 
7212.50.24; 721 2.50.29) from China; Korea, 
Rep. of and Viet Nam  Permanent Delegation of Malaysia to 
the WTO (2 June 2020)    
Mexico  
Initiation on 1 November 2019 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of  hydraulic bottle 
jacks (HS 8425.42.02) from China  WTO document G/ADP/N/335/MEX, 
16 March 2020    
Initiation on 19 March 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of dioctyl phthalates 
(HS 2917.32.01) from Korea, Rep of and the 
United States  Permanent  Delegation of Mexico to the 
WTO (22 May 2020) and Diario Oficial 
de la Federación (Official Journal), 
19 March 2020    
Initiation on 31 March 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of polyester -textured 
textile filament (HS 5402.33.01) from China 
and India  Permanent Delegation of Mexico to the 
WTO (22 May 2020) and Diario Oficial 
de la Federación (Official Journal), 
31 March 2020    
Pakistan  
Initiation on 7 December 2019 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of phthalic anhydride 
(HS 2917.35.00) from China; Korea, Rep. of; 
Russian Federation and Chinese Taipei  WTO document G/ADP/N/335/PAK, 
16 March 2020    
Initiation on 23 January 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of certain electrical 
capacitors (HS 8532.10.00; 8532.22.00; 
8532.25.00; 8532.29.00; 8532.30.90) from 
China  ADC No. 57/2020/NTC/CAP - National 
Tariff Commission (23 January 2020)    
Initiation on 29 February 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of inorganic yellow 
chrome pigment (HS 3206.20.10) from India 
and Korea, Rep. of  ADC No. 58/2020/NTC/IYCP - National 
Tariff Commission (29 February 2020)    
Peru  
Initiation on 6 February 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of woven fabrics of 
synthetic staple fibres, containing 85% or more 
by weight of synthetic staple fibres (HS 
5512.11.00; 5512.19.00) from China  Permanent Delegation of Peru to the 
WTO (1 May 2020) and Resolución 
No. 10-2020/CDB -INDECOPI   
Termination on 22 January 2020 (without 
measure) of anti -dumping investigation on 
imports of poplin blend fabrics (HS 5407.81.00; 
5407.82.00; 5512.11.00; 5512.19.00; 
5513.11.00; 5513.21.00; 5514.11.00; 
5514.21.00) from China (initiated on 15 
February 2019)  Permanent Delegation of Peru to the 
WTO (1 May 2020)    
Termination on 22 January 2020 (without 
measure) of countervailing investigation on 
imports of maize (HS 1005.90.11) from the 
United States (initiated on 24 July 2018)  Permanent Delegation of Peru to the 
WTO (1 May 2020) and Resolución 
No. 4-2020/CDB -INDECOPI    WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 132 - 
 
  Measure  Source/Date  Status  
Philippines  
Termination on 8 January 2020 of  anti-dumping 
duties on imports of wheat flour (HS 
1101.00.10) from Turkey (investigation 
initiated on 7 June 2013. Provisional and 
definitive duties imposed on 2 June 2014 and 9 
January 2015, respectively)  Permanent Delegation of the 
Philippines (27 May 2020)    
Termination on 28 January 2020 of safeguard 
duties on imports of ceramic floor and wall tiles 
(HS 6907.21.23; 6907.21.24; 6907.21.93; 
6907.21.94; 6907.22.13; 6907.22.14; 
6907.22.93; 6907.22.94; 6907.23.13; 
6907.23.14; 6907.23.93; 6907.23.94; 
6907.40.92) (investigation initiated on 20 
December 2018 and provisi onal duty imposed 
on 8 August 2019)  WTO document G/SG/N/9/PHL/4, 
28 January  2020   
Initiation on 6 February 2020 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of motor vehicles (HS 
8703; 8704)  WTO document G/SG/N/6/PHL/15, 
18 February  2020   
SACU - Southern African Customs Union   
(Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, and S outh Africa)  
Initiation on 15 May 2020 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of bolts with hexagon 
heads of iron or steel (HS 7318.15.43)  WTO document G/SG/N/6/ZAF/8, 
25 May 2020   
Thailand  
Initiation on 17 October 2019 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of painted hot dip 
plated or coated with aluminium -zinc alloys of 
cold-rolled steel  (HS 7210.70.11; 7210.70.91; 
7212.40.11; 7212.40.12; 7212.40.19; 
7212.40.91; 7212.40.92; 7212.40.99; 
7225.99.90; 7226.99.19; 7226.99.99) from 
China and Korea, Rep. of  WTO document G/ADP/N/335/THA, 
11 February  2020   
Initiation on 21 February 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of flat hot dip 
galvanized of cold rolled steel in coil and not in 
coil (HS 7210.49.12; 7210.49.13; 7210.49.19; 
7210.49.91; 7210.49.99; 7212.30.11; 
7212.30.12; 7212.30.13; 7212.30.19; 
7225.9290) from China  Permanent Delegation of Thailand to 
the WTO (24 April 2020)    
Initiation on 7 April 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of tinplate HS 
(7210.12.90) from China; the European Union; 
Korea, Rep. of; and Chinese Taipei  Permanent Delegation of Thailand to 
the WTO (27 May 2020)    
Turkey  
Termination on 13 November 2019 of anti -
dumping duties on imports of oriented strand 
board "OSB" (HS 4410.12) from Canada and 
the United States (imposed on 18 December 
2008)  WTO document G/ADP/N/335/TUR, 
20 February 2020    
Termination on 13 November 2019 of anti -
dumping duties on imports of hook and loop 
(HS 5806.32.90) from China and Chinese Taipei 
(imposed on 13 December 2002)  WTO document G/ADP/N/335/TUR, 
20 February 2020    
Initiation on 14 April 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of baby food with 
cereals (HS 1901.10.00) from Croatia  Permanent Delegation of Turkey to the 
WTO (3 June 2020)    
Termination on 10 May 2020 of anti -dumping 
duties on imports of stud -link and welded link 
chain of iron or steel (HS 7315.81; 7315.82) 
from China (imposed on 20 December 2003)  Permanent Delegation of Turkey to the 
WTO (3 June 2020)    WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 133 - 
 
  Measure  Source/Date  Status  
Ukraine  
Initiation on 7 December 2019 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of steel fastenings (HS 
7318.15.69; 7318.15.81; 7318.15.89; 
7318.15.90; 7318.16.91; 7318.16.99) from 
China  WTO document G/ADP/N/335/UKR, 
4 March  2020   
Initiation on 7 December 2019 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of syringes (HS 
9018.31.10)  WTO document G/SG/N/6/UKR/15, 
10 December  2019   
Initiation on 11 February 2020 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of caustic soda (HS 
2815.12.00)  WTO document G/SG/N/6/UKR/16, 
19 February  2020   
Initiation on 21 February 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of pivot -reclining 
devices (mechanisms) for window and balcony 
door blocks (HS 8302.41.50) from Turkey  Permanent Delegation of Ukraine to 
the WTO (20 May 2020) and Decision 
of Interagency Commission on 
International Trade  
AD-439/20 20/4411 -03    
Initiation on 25 February 2020 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of polymeric materials 
(HS 3901.20.90; 3904.10.00)  WTO document G/SG/N/6/UKR/17, 
28 February  2020   
United States  of America  
Initiation on 12 November 2019 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of forged 
steel fittings (HS 7307.92.30; 7307.92.90; 
7307.93.30; 7307.93.60; 7307.93.90; 
7307.99.10; 7307.99.30; 7307.99.50) from 
India and Korea, Rep. of  Department of Commerce, 
International Trade Administration  
A-533-891 and A -580-904, Federal 
Register/Vol. 84, No. 225 FR No. 
64265 (21 November 2019)   
Initiation on 12 November 2019 of 
countervailing investigation on imports of 
forged steel fittings (HS 7307.92.30; 
7307.92.90; 7307.93.30; 7307.93.60; 
7307.93.90; 7307.99.10; 7307.99.30; 
7307.99.50) from India  Department of Commerce, 
International Trade A dministration  
C-533-892, Federal Register/Vol. 84, 
No. 225 FR No. 64270 (21 November 
2020)    
Initiation on 7 January 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of 4th tier cigarettes 
(HS 2402.20.80) from Korea, Rep. of  Department of Commerce, 
International Trade Administration  
A-580-905, Federal Register/Vol. 85, 
No. 10 FR No. 2390 (15 January 2020)    
Initiation on 8 January 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of forged steel fluid 
end blocks (HS 7218.91.00; 7218.99.00; 
7224.90.00; 7326.19.00; 7326.90.86; 
8413.91.90) from Germany, India and Italy  Department of Commerce, 
International Trade Administration  
A-428-847, A -533-893 and A -475-840, 
Federal Register/Vol. 85, No. 10 FR 
No. 2394 (15 January 2020)    
Initiation on 8 January 2020 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of forged steel fluid 
end blocks (HS 7218.91.00; 7218.99.00; 
7224.90.00; 7326.19.00; 7326.90.86; 
8413.91.90) from China, Germany, India and 
Italy Department of Commerce, 
International Trade Administration  
C-428-848, C -533-894, C-475-841 and 
C-570-116, Federal Register/Vol. 85, 
No. 10 FR No. 2385 (15 January 2020)    
Initiation on 28 January 2020 of an ti-dumping 
investigation on imports of wood mouldings and 
millwork products (HS 4409.10.40; 
4409.10.45; 4409.10.50; 4409.10.60; 
4409.10.65; 4409.22.40; 4409.22.50; 
4409.22.60; 4409.22.65; 4409.29.41; 
4409.29.51;  4409.29.61; 4409.29.66; 
4418.99.95; 4421.99. 97) from Brazil and China  Department of Commerce, 
International Trade Administration  
A-351-853 and A -570-117, Federal 
Register/Vol. 85, No. 24 FR No. 6502 
(5 February 2020)    
Initiation on 28 January 2020 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of wood mouldings and 
millwork products (HS 4409.10.40; 
4409.10.45; 4409.10.50; 4409.10.60; 
4409.10.65; 4409.22.40; 4409.22.50; 
4409.22.60; 4409.22.65; 4409.29.41; 
4409.29.51;  4409.29.61; 4409.29.66; 
4418.99.95; 4421.99.97) from China  Department of Commerce, 
International Trade Administration  
C-570-118, Federal Register/Vol. 85, 
No. 24 FR No. 6513 (5 February 2020)    WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 134 - 
 
  Measure  Source/Date  Status  
United States  of America (Cont'd)  
Initiation on 4 February 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of certain vertical shaft 
engines between 225 cc and 999 cc, and parts 
thereof (HS 8407.90.10; 8407.90.90; 
8409.91.99) from China  Department of Commerce, 
International Trade Administration  
A-570-119, Federal Register/Vol. 85, 
No. 24 FR No. 8809 (18 February 
2020)    
Initiation on 4 February 2020 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of certain vertical shaft 
engines between 225 cc and 999 cc, and parts 
thereof (HS 8407.90.10; 8407.90.90; 
8409.91.99) from China  Department of Commerce, 
International Trade Administr ation 
C-570-120, Federal Register/Vol. 85, 
No. 24 FR No. 8835 (18 February 
2020)    
Initiation on 12 February 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of difluoromethane "R -
32" (HS 2903.39.20; 3824.78.00) from China  Department of Commerce, 
Internation al Trade Administration  
A-570-121, Federal Register/Vol. 85, 
No. 36 FR No. 10406 
(24 February  2020)    
Initiation on 25 February 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of certain corrosion 
inhibitors (HS 2933.99.82) from China  Department of Commerce, 
International Trade Administration  
A-570-122, Federal Register/Vol. 85, 
No. 42 FR No. 12506 (3 March 2020)    
Initiation on 25 February 2020 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of certain corrosion 
inhibitors (HS 2933.99.82) from China  Department of Commerce, 
International Trade Administration  
C-570-123, Federal Register/Vol. 85, 
No. 42 FR No. 12502 (3 March 2020)    
Initiation on 24 March 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of ultra -high molecular 
weight polyethylene (HS  3901.10.10; 
3901.20.10) from Korea, Rep. of  Department of Commerce, 
International Trade Administration  
A-580-907, Federal Register/Vol. 85, 
No. 62 FR No. 17861 (31 March 2020)    
Initiation on 30 March 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of common alloy 
aluminium sheet (HS 7606.11.30; 7606.11.60; 
7606.12.30; 7606.12.60; 7606.91.30; 
7606.91.60; 7606.92.30; 7606.92.60) from 
Bahrain , Kingdom of ; Brazil; Croatia; Egypt; 
Germany; Greece; India; Indonesia; Italy; 
Korea, Rep. of; Oman; Romania; Serb ia; 
Slovenia; South Africa; Spain; Chinese Taipei 
and Turkey  Department of Commerce, 
International Trade Administration  
A-525-001, A -351-854, A -891-001, 
A-729-803, A -428-849, A -484-804, 
A-533-895, A -560-835, A -475-842, 
A-580-906, A -523-814, A-485-809, 
A-801-001, A -856-001, A -791-825, 
A-469-820, A -583-867 and A -489-839, 
Federal Register/Vol. 85, No. 67 
FR No. 19444 (7 April 2020)    
Initiation on 30 March 2020 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of common alloy 
aluminium sheet (HS 7606.11.30; 7606.11.60; 
7606.12.30; 7606.12.60; 7606.91.30; 
7606.91.60; 7606.92.30; 7606.92.60) from 
Bahrain , Kingdom of ; Brazil; India and Turkey  Department of Commerce, 
International Trade Administration  
C-351-855, C -489-840, C -525-002, 
C-533-896, Federa l Register/Vol. 85, 
No. 67 FR No. 19449 (7 April 2020)    
Initiation on 16 April 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of certain non -refillable 
steel cylinders (HS 7310.29.00; 7311.00.00) 
from China  Department of Commerce, 
International Trade Admi nistration  
A-570-126, Federal Register/Vol. 85, 
No. 78 FR No. 22402 (22 April 2020)    
Initiation on 16 April 2020 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of certain non -refillable 
steel cylinders (HS 7310.29.00; 7311.00.00) 
from China  Department of Commerce, 
International Trade Administration  
C-570-127, Federal Register/Vol. 85, 
No. 78 FR No. 22407 (22 April 2020)    
Initiation on 20 April 2020 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of mattresses (HS 
9404.21.00; 9404.29.10; 9404.29.90; 
9401.40.00; 9401.90.50) from Cambodia, 
Indonesia, Malaysia, Serbia, Thailand, Turkey 
and Viet Nam  Department of Commerce, 
International Trade Administration  
A-555-001, A -560-836, A -557-818, 
A-801-002, A -549-841, A -489-841 and 
A-552-827, Federal  Register/Vol. 85, 
No. 80 FR No. 23002 (24 April 2020)    
Initiation on 20 April 2020 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of mattresses (HS 
9404.21.00; 9404.29.10; 9404.29.90; 
9401.40.00; 9401.90.50) from China  Department of Commerce, 
International Trade Administration  
C-570-128, Federal Register/Vol. 85, 
No. 80 FR No. 22998 (24 April 2020)    
Viet Nam  
Initiation on 31 October 2019 of anti -dumping 
investigation on imports of monosodium 
glutamate (HS 2922.42) from China and 
Indonesia  WTO document G/ADP/N/335/VNM, 
31 March 2020    WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 135 - 
 
  ANNEX 3  - OTHER TRADE -RELATED MEASURES3 
(MID-OCTOBER 2019 TO  MID-MAY 2020)  
Confirmed information4 
Measure  Source/Date  Status  
Argentina  
Amendments introduced in the export duties 
legislation ( derechos de exportación ). For 
certain exported products (in NCM Chapters 
01; 02; 03; 04; 05; 07; 10; 11; 15; 20; 44; 
47; 51; 52) with duty set at 9%  Permanent Delegation of Argentina to the WTO  
(22 May 2020) and Decreto No. 37/2019  
(DCTO -2019-37-APN-Decreto No. 793/20 18. 
Modificación) (14 December 2019)  Effective 14 
December 2019  
Temporary increase (up to 33%) of export 
duties ( derechos de exportación ) on certain 
products, e.g. live animals; meat and edible 
meat offal; fish and crustaceans; products of 
animal origin; dried leguminous vegetables; 
cereals; wheat or meslin flour; cereal flours; 
cereal groats, meat and pellets; oil seeds and 
oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains; 
animal or vegetable fats and oils and their 
cleavage products; prepared edible fats;  
animal or vegetable waxes; preserved 
ground -nuts; residues and waste from food 
industries; prepared animal fodder; biodiesel 
and mixtures thereof; wood and wood 
charcoal; wool, not carded or combed; and 
cotton, not carded or combed  (539 tariff lines 
at 8-digit level, in Chapters NCM 01; 02; 03; 
05; 07; 10; 11; 12; 15; 20; 23; 38; 44; 51)  Permanent Delegation of Argentina to the WTO (22 
May 2020) and Decreto No. 230/2020 (DCTO -
2020-230-APN-PTE- Fíjase alícuota del derecho de 
exportación) - Nomenclatura Comú n del Mercosur 
(4 March 2020)  Effective 6 March 
2020 
Further increase in the statistical fee ( tasa de 
estadística ) (from 2.5% to 3%) (originally 
implemented from May 2019 to 31 December 
2019) for all imports. Certain exemptions in 
force Permanent Delegation of Argentina to the WTO  
(22 May 2020) and Ley 27541 - de Solidaridad 
Social y Reactivación Productiva en el Marco de la 
Emergencia Pública (21 December 2019)  Effective 21 
December 2019 to 
31 December 2020  
Azerbaijan  
Extension of the temporary increase of 
import tariffs on certain products, e.g. meat 
and edible meat offal of the poultry; eggs; 
edible fruits and nuts; fruit and vegetable 
juices; waters; certain klays; mineral 
products; articles of cement; articles of 
plaster; and ce ramic products (HS Chapters 
2; 4; 7; 8; 20; 22; 25; 68; 69)  Permanent Delegation of Azerbaijan to the WTO 
(12 May 2020)  Effective 15 
December 2019 to 
31 December 2021  
Increase of import excise rates on certain 
products, e.g. undenatured ethyl alcohol; 
cigars, cheroots, cigarillos and cigarettes, of 
tobacco or of tobacco substitutes (HS 
2207.10.00; 2208.90.91; 2208.90.99; 
2208.30; 2208.40; 2208.50; 2208.60; 
2208.70; 2208.90.11; 2208.90.78; 
2402.10.00; 2402.90.00; 2402.20)  Permanent Delegation of  Azerbaijan to the WTO  
(5 June 2020)    
Brazil  
Increase of import tariffs (from zero to 20%) 
on certain fairground amusements 
(carrosséis ) (NCM 9508.90.19; 9508.90.22); 
and (from 6% to 12%) on smart cards (NCM 
8523.52.10)  Permanent Delegation of Brazil to the WTO  
(20 May 2020), Camex Resolution Nos. 4/2019  
(24 October 2019) and 13/2019 (19 November 
2019)  Effective 1 January 
2020 
China  
On 15 December 2019, imposition of 
additional 10% and 5% ad valorem rates of 
duty on certain products from the U nited 
States (third batch) suspended  Permanent Delegation of China to the WTO  
(25 May 2020) and State Council Tariff 
Commission Announcement on Applying Additional 
Tariffs to Certain Imported Goods Originated from 
the United States (Batch No. 3), and the C ustoms Effective 15 
December 2019 
(12:01 pm)  
 
3 The inclusion of any measure in this Annex implies no judgement by the WTO Secretariat, either direct 
or indirect, on the consist ency of any measure referred to with the provisions of any WTO agreement.  
4 This Section includes information which has either been provided by the Member concerned or has 
been confirmed at the request of the Secretariat.  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 136 - 
 
  Measure  Source/Date  Status  
Tariff Commission of the State Council, 
Announcement on suspending additional tariffs on 
certain imports from the United  States [2019] 
No. 7). Viewed at: 
http://www.gov.cn/xinwen/2019 -
12/15/content_5461332.htm  
Imposition of additional tariffs on certain 
products (HS 2710.19.99; 2712.90.10; 
3901.20.00; 3901.40.10; 3910.40.20; 
3902.10.00) imported from the United States 
suspended from 26 December 2019 to 25 
December 2020  Permanent Delegation of China to the WTO  
(25 May 2020) and Customs Tariff Commission of 
the State Council (SCTC), Announcement on the 
Second Exclusion List of the First Batch of Imports 
from the U.S. Subject to Additional Tariffs (SCTC 
Announcement [2019] No. 8). Viewed at: 
http://www. mof.gov.cn/zhengwuxinxi/zhengcefabu
/201912/P020191219362467972158.pdf  Effective 26 
December 2019 to 
25 December 2020  
Release of the 2020 catalogue of goods 
subject to import licensing (HS Chapters 29; 
38; 84; 89; 90)  Permanent Delegation of China to the WTO  
(25 May 2020) and MOFCOM, GACC 
Announcement No. 65 [2019]. Viewed at: 
http://www.mofcom.gov.cn/article/b/c/201912/ 20
191202927133.shtml  Effective 1 January 
2020 
Release of the 2020 catalogue of goods 
subject to export licensing (HS Chapters 1; 
2; 10; 11; 12; 13; 14; 25; 26; 27; 28; 29; 
32; 38; 44; 46; 52; 71; 72; 75; 80; 81; 84; 
87; 94)  Permanent Delegation of China to the WTO  
(25 May 2020) and MOFCOM, GACC 
Annou ncement No. 66 [2019]. Viewed at: 
http://www.mofcom.gov.cn/article/b/e/201912/20
191202927141.shtml  Effective 1 January 
2020 
Temporary decrease of import tariffs (from 
10% to 5% and from 5% to 2.5%) on certain 
products (1,717 goods in HS Chapters 1; 2; 
3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10; 11; 12; 13; 14; 15; 
16; 17; 18; 19; 20; 21; 22; 23; 25; 26; 27; 
28; 29; 30; 31; 32; 33; 34; 35; 36; 37; 38; 
39; 40; 41; 42; 43; 44; 48; 49; 50; 51; 52; 
53; 54; 55; 57; 58; 61; 62; 63; 64; 65; 67; 
69; 70; 71; 72; 73; 74; 80; 81; 82; 83 ; 84; 
85), imported from the United States  Permanent Delegation of China to the WTO  
(25 May 2020) and Announcement of the Customs 
Tariff Commission of the State Council on 
Adjusting the Additional Tariffs on Certain Imports 
Originating in the United State s (Announcement 
No. 1 [2020] of the Customs Tariff Commission of 
the State Council. Viewed at: 
http://gss.mof.gov.cn/gzdt/zhengcefabu/201908/P
020190823604938915640.pdf  Effective 14 
February 2020  
Imposition of additional tariffs on 65 products 
(HS Chapters 44; 47; 49; 84; 85; 90) from 
the United States suspended from 28 
February 2020 to 27 February 2021. For 
certain products, the additional tariff levied 
to be refunded  Permanent Delegation of China to the WTO  
(25 May 2020) and Announcement of the St ate 
Council Tariff Commission on the second 
exemption list of tariffs on the United States tax 
commission announcement [2020] No. 3. Viewed 
at: 
http://gss.mof.gov.cn/gzdt/zhengcefabu/202002/t
20200221_3472600.htm (21 February 2020)  Effective 28 
February 202 0 to 27 
February 2021  
Colombia  
Imposition of import tariffs on footwear (HS 
64). Ad valorem tariff (35%) on: (i) 
waterproof footwear (HS 6401), other 
footwear with outer soles and uppers of 
rubber or plastics (HS 6402), and footwear 
with outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or 
composition leather and uppers of textile 
material (HS 6404) for F OB value declared of 
USD 6/kg or less; (ii) other footwear (HS 
6405) for FOB value declared of USD 7/kg or 
less; (iii) footwear with outer soles of rubber, 
plastics, leather or composition leather and 
uppers of leather (HS 6403) for FOB value 
declared of U SD 10/kg or less; and (iv) 
uppers and parts thereof, other than 
stiffeners (HS 6406.10.00) for FOB value 
declared of USD 5/kg or less (free -trade 
agreement partners exempted)  Permanent Delegation of Colombia to the WTO  
(30 April 2020) and Decreto No. 2279 , Ministerio 
de Comercio, Industria y Turismo (16 December 
2019)  Effective 17 
December 2019 to 
17 December 2020  
Temporary increase (from zero to 10%) of 
import tariffs on certain ceramic products 
(HS 6910.90.00)  Permanent Delegation of Colombia to the WTO 
(30 April 2020) and Decreto No. 199 Ministerio de 
Comercio, Industria y Turismo (10 February 2020)  Effective 26 
February 2020  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 137 - 
 
  Measure  Source/Date  Status  
Egypt  
Further extension and increase of the 
temporary export taxes (From EGY 
6,000/tonne to EGY 7,000/tonne) on certain 
lead and articles thereof (HS 7801.10; 
7801.91; 7801.99; 7804.19; 7806.00)  Permanent Delegation of Egypt to the WTO  
(22 May 2020) and Ministerial Decree No. 1156 
(20 December 2019)  Effective until 31 
December 2020  
Imposition of temporary export ta xes (EGY 
3,000/tonne) on used or new rags, scrap 
twine, cordage, rope and cables and worn 
out articles of twine, cordage, rope or cables, 
of textile materials (HS 6310)  Permanent Delegation of Egypt to the WTO  
(22 May 2020) and Ministerial Decree No. 
195/2 020  Effective 30 March 
2020, for 1 year  
Further extension of the temporary export 
taxes (EGY 600/tonne) on cereal straw and 
husks, unprepared, whether or not chopped, 
ground, pressed or in the form of pellets 
excluding rice straw and husks; 
(EGY 700/tonne) on hay, clover and other 
forage products; (EGY 900/tonne) on bran, 
sharps and other residues, whether or not in 
the form of pellets, derived from the sifting, 
milling or other working of cereals or of 
leguminous plants excluding rice residues; 
vegetable materials and vegetable waste, 
vegetable residues and by -products; whether 
or not in the form of pellets, of a kind used in 
animal feeding excluding corn cobs; 
(EGY 300/tonne) on corn silage (effective 16 
December 2019 to 31 December 2020); 
(EGY 2,000/tonne) on copper matte, 
precipitated copper, unrefined copper; 
copper anodes for electrolytic refining, 
refined copper and copper alloys in raw 
forms, copper waste and scrap, bars, rods, 
angles and special forms of copper, articles 
of copper, cast, mo ulded, stamped or forged, 
but not further worked; (EGY 7,000/tonne) 
on lead in raw forms, lead waste and scrap, 
lead plates, sheets, strip and foil over 0.2 
mm thick, other articles of lead, aluminium 
waste and scrap; (EGY  1,300/tonne) on cast 
iron waste a nd scrap, stainless steel waste 
and scrap, alloy steel waste and scrap, other 
than stainless, tinned iron or steel waste and 
scrap, ferrous waste and scrap, turnings, 
shavings, chips, milling waste, sawdust, 
filings, trimmings and stampings, whether or 
not in bundles, ferrous waste and scrap, 
remelted scrap ingots of iron or steel; (EGY 
2,600/tonne) on slag, ash and residues; (not 
from the manufacture of iron or steel), 
containing mainly zinc, hard zinc spelter and 
other than hard zinc spelter, zinc in raw 
forms, zinc waste and scrap, zinc dust, 
powders and flakes; (EGY 3,600/tonne) on 
waste and scrap of paper and paperboard 
(effective 23 December 2019 to 31 
December 2020);  
(EGY 1,200/tonne) on talc blocks and 
crushed; (EGY 500/tonne) on talc powder; 
(EGY 30 0/tonne) on talc ultra -soft powder; 
(EGY 150/tonne) on raw quartz; 
(EGY 200/tonne) on feldspar blocks; 
(EGY 100/tonne) on raw feldspar crushed or 
powder; (EGY 400/tonne) on marble, crude 
or roughly trimmed; granite, crude or 
roughly trimmed; and (EGY 100/t onne) on 
sand (effective 9 February 2020)  Permanent Delegation of Egypt to the WTO  
(22 May 2020 ) Effective: see 
individual dates in 
measure  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 138 - 
 
  Measure  Source/Date  Status  
India  
Amendments introduced to import condition 
No. 2 of Chapter 39 of the ITC (HS), 2017, 
Schedule - I (Import Policy), resulting in an 
import prohibition on PET flakes made from 
used PET bottles  Permanent Delegation of India to the WTO (1 May 
2020)  Effective 24 October 
2019 
Initiation on 7 November 2019 of bilateral 
safeguard investigation on imports of 
polybutadiene rubber "PBR" (HS 4002.20.00) 
from Korea, Rep. of  Permanent Delegation of India to the WTO (26 May 
2020) and Notification F. No. 22/7/2019 -DGTR - 
(Case  No. (SG) 7/2019) - Bilateral Safeguard 
Investigation, Ministry of Commerce and I ndustry - 
Department of Commerce - Directorate General of 
Trade Remedies (7 November 2019)    
Import policy of gold (in any form, other than 
monetary gold and silver in any form) 
amended from "Free" to "Restricted". Import 
allowed only through nominated ag encies as 
notified by the Reserve Bank of India (in case 
of banks) and Directorate General of Foreign 
Trade (for other agencies). Import under 
Advance Authorization and supply of gold 
directly by the foreign buyers to exporters 
under Para 4.45 of FTP again st export orders 
are exempted  Permanent Delegation of India to the WTO (1 May 
2020)  Effective 18 
December 2019  
Amendments introduced to the import policy 
of peas (HS 0713.10.00). Import of peas 
(Pisum sativum,  including yellow peas, green 
peas, dun peas and kaspa peas) restricted. 
Imports subjected to MIP c.i.f. (INR 200/kg) 
and allowed only through Kolkata sea port  Permanent Delegation of India to the WTO (1 May 
2020)  Effective 18 
December 2019  
Amendments introduced to the import policy 
of refined palm oil and its fractions (HS 
1511.90), resulting in an import restriction  Permanent Delegation of India to the WTO (26 May 
2020) and Notification No. 39/2015 -2020, Ministry 
of Commerce and Industry - Department of 
Commerce (8 January 2020)  Effective 8 January 
2020 
Amendments introduced to the import policy 
of coconuts (HS 0801.11.00). Imports of 
desiccated coconut with c.i.f. value of INR 
150/kg - and above is "Free". Imports below 
c.i.f. value of INR  150/kg "Prohibited"  Permanent Delegation of India to the WTO (1 May 
2020)  Effective 8 January 
2020 
Increase of import tariffs (from zero to 30%) 
on tuna bait, and fin fish feed; (from 30% to 
40%) on whey and cheese; (from 5% to 
30%) on pancreas; (from 5% to 10%) on 
bulbs and tubers; colour positive/negative 
unexposed cinematographic film in rolls; 
instant print film; and lead bars, rods, 
profiles and wires; (from zero to 100%) on 
meslin, durum wheat seeds and seeds of 
wheat (other than durum seeds ); (from 5% 
to 10%) on MP3 or MP4 or MPEG 4 players 
with or without radio or video reception; tin 
plates, sheets and strip of thickness 
exceeding 0.2 mm; tin foil (whether or not 
printed or backed with paper, paper -board, 
plastics or similar backing materi al) of a 
thickness not exceeding 0.2 mm; and tin 
powders and flakes; (from 5% to 30%) on 
sugar beets; (from 5% to 150%) on 
angostura bitter; (from 80% to 100%) on 
margarine, animal and vegetable fats and 
oils under HS 1517 and 1518; (from 20% to 
30%) on cr ude glycerol, glycerol waters and 
glycerol lyes (other than crude glycerine), 
and extrose monohydrate; (from 10% to 
30%) on molasses resulting from refining of 
sugar; (from 30% to 45%) on chewing gum; 
(from 17.5% to 30%) on certain food 
preparations for in fant use and put up for 
retail sale; (from 30% to 50%) on certain 
food preparations for infant use and put up 
for retail sale; (from 30% to 35%) on 
preserved potatoes; (from 7.5% to 30%) on 
peanut butter; (from 7.5% to 10%) on Permanent Delegation of India to the WTO  
(26 May 2020) and Notification F. No. 22/7/2019 -
DGTR - (Case No. (SG) 7/2019) - Bilateral 
Safeguard Investigation, Ministry of Commerce 
and Industry - Department of Commerce - 
Directorate General of Trade Remedies  
(7 November 2019)    WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 139 - 
 
  Measure  Source/Date  Status  
colloidal precious metals; co mpounds of 
precious metal; amalgams of precious 
metals, certain motors; and zinc tubes, pipes 
and tube or pipe fittings; (from 5% to 7.5%) 
on butyl acrylate, kainine salts, polished 
cubic zirconia, platinum and palladium used 
in the manufacture of catalyti c convertors, 
raw substrate (ceramic); wash coated 
substrate (ceramic); raw substrate (metal); 
wash coated substrate (metal); stainless 
steel wire cloth stripe (falling under HS 
7314.14.10); wash coat used in manufacture 
of catalytic convertors and their p arts; 
sprinklers and drip irrigation; and poultry 
incubators and brooders; (from 10% to 20%) 
on isolated soya protein; (from zero to 10%) 
on cinematographic films, exposed but not 
developed; tanned furskin; specified vibrator 
motors/ringers; and display as semblies; 
(from zero to 7.5%) on compostable polymer 
or bio -plastic; (from 7.5% to 25%) on water 
blocking tape; (from zero to 10%/15%) on 
raw furskin; (from zero to 0.5%) on certain 
synthetic or reconstructed precious or semi -
precious stones; (from zero to  12.5%) on 
gold wire with phosphorus or antimony 
doping, gold in the form of wire, ribbon, pre -
form of purity of 99.9%; (from 10% to 15%) 
on headphones and earphones; on copper 
and articles thereof, when used in the 
manufacture of specified electronic good s; 
and (from 2.5% to 7.5%) on rotary 
tillers/weeders  
Increase of import tariffs (from 30% to 40%) 
on completely built units (CBUs) of 
commercial vehicles (other than electric 
vehicles); (from 25% to 40%) on CBUs of 
commercial electrical vehicles; (from 15% to 
30%) on semi knocked down (SKD) electric 
passenger vehicles; (from 15% to 25%) on 
SKD electric vehicles -buses, trucks and two 
wheelers; and (from 10% to 15%) on 
completely knocked down (CKD) forms of 
electric v ehicles - passenger vehicles, three 
wheelers, two wheelers, buses and trucks 
(HS 8702; 8703; 8704; 8711)  Permanent Delegation of India to the WTO  
(1 May 2020)  Effective 2 February 
2020 
Increase of the road and infrastructure cess 
(to INR 10/L) on imports of petrol and high -
speed diesel oil (HS 2710). On 6 May 2020, a 
further increased to INR 18/L  Permanent Delegation of India to the WTO  
(26 May 2020) and Ministry of Finance - 
Department of Revenue Notification Nos. 15/2020 -
Customs (13 March 2020) and 21/20 20-Customs 
(5 May 2020)  Effective 14 March 
2020 
Amendments introduced to the export policy 
of onions (HS 0703.10.10; 0712.20.00), 
resulting in an export liberalization  Permanent Delegation of India to the WTO  
(26 May 2020) and Notification No. 49/2015 -2020, 
Ministry of Commerce and Industry - Department 
of Commerce, Directorate General of Foreign Trade 
(2 March 2020)  Effective 15 March 
2020 
Withdrawal of the basic customs duty 
exemption on certain products, e.g. on gold 
used in the manufacture of semi -conductor 
devices or light emitting diodes; on copper 
and articles thereof used for the 
manufacturing of ITA goods (HS 7108.12.00; 
7108.13.00)  Permanent Delegation of India to the WTO  
(26 May 2020) and Ministry of Finance - 
Department o f Revenue - Notification Nos. 5/2020 -
Customs, 6/2020 -Customs, 7/2020 -Customs (2 
February 2020)  Effective 1 April 
2020 
Increase of import tariffs on certain products, 
e.g. (from 30% to 100%) on shelled walnuts 
(HS 0802.32.00); (from 10% to 17.5%) on 
certai n miscellaneous chemical products (HS 
3824.99.00); (from 25% to 35%) on 
footwear (HS 64); (from 10% to 20%) on 
artificial flowers, foliage and fruit and parts 
thereof, articles made of artificial flowers, 
foliage or fruits (HS 6702); tableware, 
kitchenware , other household articles and Permanent Delegation of India to the WTO  
(26 May 2020 ) and the Finance Bill, 2020 (Bill No. 
26 of 2020) (1 February 2020). Viewed at: 
https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/doc/  
Finance_Bill.pdf  Effective 1 April 
2020 WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 140 - 
 
  Measure  Source/Date  Status  
toilet articles, of porcelain or china (HS 
6911); ceramic tableware, kitchenware, 
other household articles and toilet articles, 
other than of porcelain or china (HS 6912); 
glassware (HS 7013); glass beads, imitation 
pearls, i mitation precious or semi -precious 
stones and similar glassware (HS 
7018.10.20); table, kitchen or other 
household articles and parts thereof, of 
copper; pot scouters and scouring or 
polishing pads, gloves and the like, of copper 
(HS 7418.10); table, kitch en or other 
household articles and parts thereof, of 
aluminium; pot scourers and scouring or 
polishing pads, gloves and the like, of 
aluminium (HS 7615.10); and certain 
miscellaneous articles of base metal (HS 
8301; 8304; 8305; 8306; 8310); certain 
fans (H S 8414.51); certain electrical 
machinery and equipment (HS 8504; 8509; 
8510); electric instantaneous or storage 
water heaters (HS 8516); certain 
miscellaneous manufactured articles (HS 
9603; 9604; 9615; 9617); (from 10% to 
12.5%) on coin (HS 7118); compres sors of a 
kind used in refrigerating equipment (HS 
8414.30.00); and certain hoods (HS 
8414.80.11); (from 15% to 20%) certain 
parts of footwear (HS 6406); table, kitchen 
or other household articles and parts thereof, 
of iron or steel; iron or steel wool; an d pot 
scourers and scouring or polishing pads, 
gloves and the like, of iron or steel (HS 
7323); (from 7.5% to 10%) on certain fans 
(HS 8414.51.40; 8414.59); refrigerators, 
freezers and other refrigerating or freezing 
equipment (HS 8418); certain machinery (HS 
8419.89.10); and brazing or soldering 
machines and apparatus (HS 8515); (from 
7.5% to 20%) on certain fans (HS 
8414.51.90; 8414.59.20); (from 10% to 
15%) on certain filtering or purifying 
machinery and apparatus for gases (HS 
8421.39); and (from 20% to  25%) on 
miscellaneous manufactured articles (HS 
9401; 9403; 9404; 9405); (from 20% to 
60%) on tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and 
similar wheeled toys, dolls, puzzles, and 
recreational models (HS 9503)  
Amendments introduced in the Import Policy 
Conditions of Silver under Chapter 71 of the 
ITC (HS), 2017, Schedule - I (Import Policy). 
Imports restricted. Imports allowed only 
through nominated agencies as notified by 
the Reserve Bank of India (in the case of 
banks) and the Directorate General of 
Foreign Trade (for other agencies). However, 
import s of silver (powder; unwrought; 
sheets, plates, strips, tubes and pipes) under 
advance authorization and the supply of 
silver directly by foreign buyers to exporters 
under Para 4.45 of the FTP against export 
orders are exempted (HS 7106)  Notification No. 0 5/2015 -2020, Ministry of 
Commerce and Industry - Department of 
Commerce, Directorate General of Foreign Trade 
(13 May 2020)  Effective 13 May 
2020 
Indonesia  
Revised import licensing regulations on iron 
and steel, steel alloys and their derivative 
products (HS Chapter 72; 73)  Permanent Delegation of Indonesia to the WTO  
(3 June 2020) and Regulation of Minister of Trade 
No. 3/2020  Effective 31 January 
2020 WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 141 - 
 
  Measure  Source/Date  Status  
Mexico  
Extension of the temporary increase of 
import tariffs (from 20% to 25% - 30%) on 
certain footwear (32 tariff lines at 8 -digit 
level in Chapter 64); and (from 20% to 25%) 
on certain articles of apparel and clothing 
accessories (285 tariff lines at 8 -digit level in 
Chapters 61; 62; 63) (originally effective 6 
May 2019, for 180 da ys) Permanent Delegation of Mexico to the WTO  
(22 May 2020) and Diario Oficial de la Federación 
(Official Journal), 28 October 2019  Effective 29 October 
2019 
Import prohibition on e -cigarettes (HS 
3824.90.83; 8543.70.18; 8543.90.03)  Permanent Delegation of Mexico to the WTO  
(22 May 2020) and Diario Oficial de la Federación 
(Official Journal), 19 February 2020  Effective 20 
February 2020  
Updated list of "criterion values" ( precios 
estimados ) for imports of yarn of synthetic 
staple fibres, felt, non-wovens, pile fabrics, 
articles of apparel and clothing accessories, 
rags and footwear (HS 5509; 5602; 5603; 
6001; 6107; 6108; 6110; 6210; 6310; 6402; 
6403; 6404)  Permanent Delegation of Mexico to the WTO  
(22 May 2020) and Diario Oficial de la Federación 
(Official Journal), 3 March 2020  Effective March 
2020 
Nepal  
Increase of import tariffs (to Rs 6,500/10 g) 
on gold and (Rs 75/10 g) on silver (HS 7106; 
7108)  Permanent Delegation of Nepal to the WTO  
(31 March 2020)  Effective 4 
November 2019  
New Zealand  
Increase of the Synthetic Greenhouse Gas 
Levy rate for the year 2020, due to increases 
in emission unit prices (HS Chapters 39; 84; 
86; 87; 88; 89)  Permanent Delegation of New Zealand to the WTO 
(21 May 2020), Ministry for the Environment. 
Viewed at: https://www.mfe.govt.nz/climate -
change/new -zealand -emissions -trading -
scheme/participating -nz-ets/synthetic -greenhouse -
gases  Effective 1 January 
2020 
Pakistan  
Temporary export ban on onions  Permanent Delegation of Pakistan to the WTO 
(30 April 2020)   
Eurasian Economic Union (Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, and Russian Federation)  
Temporary increase of import tariffs (from 
zero to 5%) on light -emitting diode (LED) 
lamps (HS 8539.50.00)  Permanent Delegation of the Russian Federation to 
the WTO (27 May 2020)  Effective 2 February 
2020 to 31 
December 2020  
SACU – Southern African Customs Union (Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, and South Africa)  
Increase of import tariffs (from 12%/37% to 
42%/62%) on frozen meat and edible offal of 
fowls of the species gallus domesticus  (HS 
0207) (effective 13 March 2020); (from zero 
to 30%) on fully -automatic top -loading 
washing machines (HS 8450.11.10) 
(effectiv e 30 March 2020); and (to 15%) on 
polyethylene terephthalate "PET" (HS 3907) 
(effective 30 March 2020). Imports from the 
European Union and the Southern African 
Development Community (SADC) members 
exempted  Permanent Delegation of South Africa to the WTO 
(25 May 2020) and International Trade 
Administration Commission Notice Nos. R. 309 - 
Government Gazette No. 43091 (13 March 2020), 
R. 425 and 426 - Government Gazette No. 43179 
(30 March 2020)  Effective: see 
individual dates in 
measure  
Thailand  
Temporary  export ban on bird Eggs of fowls 
of the species Gallus Domesticus (HS 
0407.21.00; 0407.29.90)  WTO document G/MA/QR/N/THA/2/Add.2, 30 
March 2020  Effective 26 March 
2020 to 1 April 2020  
Import prohibition on used motor vehicles  Permanent Delegation of Thailand to the WTO (27 
May 2020)  Effective 10 
December 2019  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 142 - 
 
  Measure  Source/Date  Status  
Turkey  
Increase of import tariffs (by 10%/15%) on 
certain textile products (effective 18 October 
2019); (by 17%) on certain products of 
stainless steel (effective 1 January 2020); 
and (by 6.5%/15%) on fork -lift trucks 
(effective 25 January 2020) (HS 5803; 5804; 
5806; 5807; 5808; 5809; 5810; 5811; 
8427.10; 8427.20; 8427.90; 7219.31; 
7219.32; 7219.33; 7219.34; 7219.35; 
7220.20.21; 7220.20.29; 7220.20.41; 
7220.20.49; 722 0.20.81; 7220.20.89)  Permanent Delegation of Turkey to the WTO (3 
June 2020)  Effective: see 
individual dates in 
measure  
Implementation of temporary prior export 
authorization on onions and potatoes (HS 
0701.90; 0703.10.19) (effective 7 January 
2020), and on fresh lemons (HS 0805.50.10) 
(effective 7 April 2020)  Permanent Delegation of Turkey to the WTO  
(8 May 2020)  Effective: see 
individual dates in 
measure  
Regulation of import tariffs on sunflower seed 
oil (18% until 31 May 2020 and 30% until 3 0 
June 2020); and on sunflower seeds (9% 
until 31 May 2020 and 13% until 30 June 
2020) (HS 1512.11.91; 1206.00.91; 
1206.00.99)  Permanent Delegation of Turkey to the WTO  
(3 June 2020)  Effective 18 April 
2020 
Ukraine  
Temporary export restriction on buckwheat 
and buckwheat grain (uncoated) (HS 
1008.10.00; 1104.29.17)  WTO document G/MA/QR/N/UKR/4/Add.3,  
15 April 2020  Effective 9 April 
2020 to 1 July 2020  
United States  of America  
Imposition of an additional duty of 15% on 
certain products from China (555 tariff lines 
at 8-digit level, in HS Chapters 03; 05; 06; 
08; 12; 14; 15; 16; 22; 28; 29; 32; 33; 36; 
38; 39; 40; 41; 43; 44; 49; 52; 54; 55; 58; 
60; 61; 62; 63; 64; 66; 67; 69; 70; 71; 72; 
73; 76; 79; 82; 83; 84; 85; 87; 89; 90; 91; 
92; 93; 94;  95; 96)  USTR Press Releases (13 and 23 August 
2019).Viewed at: https://ustr.gov/about -us/policy -
offices/press -office/press -
releases/2019/august/ustr -announces -next-steps-
proposed; and https://ustr.gov/about -us/policy -
offices/press -office/press -
releases/20 19/august/ustr -statement -section -301-
tariff Effective 15 
December 2019  
An additional 25% ad valorem  rate imposed 
on top of the additional 25% ad valorem  rate 
of duty on derivative steel articles (HS 
Chapters 72 and 73) for national security 
reasons (origi nally imposed on 23 March 
2018). Imports from Argentina; Australia; 
Brazil; Canada; Mexico and Korea, Rep. of 
exempted  Presidential Proclamation on adjusting imports of 
derivative aluminium articles and derivative steel 
articles into the United States (24 January 2020). 
Viewed at: 
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential -
actions/proclamation -adjusting -imports -derivative -
aluminum -articles -derivative -steel-articles -united -
states/  Effective 8 February 
2020 
An additional 10% ad valorem  rate imposed 
on top of the additional 10% ad valorem  rate 
of duty on derivative aluminium articles (HS 
Chapter 76) for national security reasons 
(originally imposed on 23 March 2018). 
Imports from Argentina, Australia, Canada 
and Mexico exempted  President ial Proclamation on adjusting imports of 
derivative aluminium articles and derivative steel 
articles into the United States (24 January 2020). 
Viewed at: 
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential -
actions/proclamation -adjusting -imports -derivative -
aluminum -articles-derivative -steel-articles -united -
states/  Effective 8 February 
2020 WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 143 - 
 
  Recorded, but not confirmed information1 
Measure  Source/Date  Status  
Indonesia  
Temporary import ban on dairy 
products and alcoholic beverages from 
the European Union  Agence France Presse ECOFI (13 March 2020)  Effective January 
2020 
Kazakhstan  
Transit goods for the Kyrgyz Republic 
delayed in customs  Akipress.com (13 February 2020)   
Kenya  
Temporary import ban on used 
garments (HS 6309.00)  The Star (27 March 2020)   
Senegal  
Trucks registered in the Gambia 
prohibited to circulate in Senegal  The Point (Gambia) (4 March 2020)   
Tanzania  
Imposition of an excise duty (80%) on 
cigarettes imported from Kenya  Tobacco Journal International (27 February 2020)   
 
 
1 This Section includes informatio n which has been obtained from public sources but has not yet been 
confirmed by the delegation concerned.   
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 144 - ANNEX 4 – MEASURES A FFECTING TRADE IN SE RVICES1 
(MID-OCTOBER 201 9 TO MID -MAY 2020 ) 
Measure  Mode(s) of 
supply  Sectoral 
classification  Source  Date  Verified 
by 
Member  
MEASURES AFFECTING VARIOUS SECTORS  
Algeria (Observer)  
The 2020 Finance Law, enacted on 1 January, 
abolished the rule that limited foreign capital 
ownership in companies to a maximum of 49% in 
non-strategic sectors.  Sectors concerned will be 
defined in separate legislation.  
 
The new law also permits the use of external 
financing fo r "strategic, flagships, and targeted" 
projects. Previously, only local financing was allowe.  Mode 3  All sectors  2020 Finance Law  
 
Viewed at:  
https://www.le xology.com/library/detail.aspx?
g=5a5ea290 -25ad-47c8-907c-fec4bd940849  28 November 2019   
Argentina  
The government adopted new measures to tax 
certain transactions involving the acquisition of 
foreign currency. Set to apply for five years from 23 
December 2019, the tax applies to a number of 
transactions, including:  
- purchases of foreign currency witho ut a specific 
purpose by Argentine residents, under the limitations 
imposed by the Central Bank;  
- purchases of goods or services from abroad or 
purchases by Argentine residents abroad through 
credit, debit or purchase, including cash withdrawals 
made out side Argentina;  
- purchases made online through portals or virtual 
websites in foreign currency;  
- purchases of services rendered abroad through 
Argentine travel agencies;  
- purchases of ground, air and maritime passenger 
services with destinations outside  Argentina (except 
ground passenger services to neighbouring 
countries).  Modes 1 -2 Various sectors  General Resolution 4659/2020  
 
Decree 99/2019 - Ley de Solidaridad Social y 
Reactivación Productiva en el Marco de la 
Emergencia Pública;  
 
Viewed at:  
https://taxinsights.ey.com/archive/archive -
news/argentina -implements -new-tax-on-
purchase -of-foreign -currency.aspx  
 
https://www.boletinoficial.gob.ar/detalleAviso/
primer  Published in Official 
Gazette  on 7 January 2020  
 
Effective 23 December 2019   
 
1 The inclusion of any measure in this Annex implies no judgement by the WTO Secretariat, either direct or indirect, on the con sistency of any measure  referred to with the 
provisions of any WTO agreement.   
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 145 - Measure  Mode(s) of 
supply  Sectoral 
classification  Source  Date  Verified 
by 
Member  
The tax rate is 30%, except for the purchase of 
digital services, which are subject to a 8% rate. Both 
Argentine individuals and entities are subject to the 
tax. Argentine financial institutions, credit card 
issuers, travel agencies and transport companies 
must collect the tax.       
Austria  
The government adopted a new law introducing a 5% 
tax on online advertising revenue for companies with 
global annual revenues of over EUR 750 million (from 
all sources) and advertising revenues of over EUR 25 
million in Austria.  
 
The Act applies to domest ic online advertising 
services, which are defined as services received by a 
user with a domestic IP address and whose content 
and design are targeted at domestic users. The 
Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF) is not 
subject to the advertisement tax.  
 Multiple 
modes  Internet and other 
network -enabled 
services  Digital Tax Act 2020  
 
Viewed at:  
https://www.bdo.global/en -
gb/micro sites/digital -services -
taxation/countries -cit-map/austria -digital -
services -tax Published in the Austrian 
Federal Law Gazette on  
22 October 2019.  
 
Effective from  
1 January 2020.  YES 
Benin  
Benin's Agency for the Promotion of Investments and 
Exports launched a new online platform 
(monentreprise.bj) allowing all regulatory processes 
required to open a business to be conducted digitally, 
at lower costs and more promptly.  
 Mode 3  All sectors  Viewed at:  
https://cio -mag.com/le -benin -lance-sa-
plateforme -de-creation -dentreprise -en-ligne/  17 February 2020   
Chile  
The Tax Reform (Law No. 21210, published on 24 
February 2020), introduced amendments to the VAT 
Law in order to create a new simplified registration 
and compliance VAT regime for non -resident 
suppliers to facilitate compliance on business -to-
consumer  (B2C) transactions, according to OECD 
Interna tional VAT/GST Guidelines . For these 
purposes, the Tax Reform group ed together into a 
new special provision (Article 8, letter n, of the VAT 
Law) the following  VAT taxable events, all of which 
consist of remunerated services supplied by non -
resident :  
 
- (i) The intermediation of (a) any services rendered 
in Chile, or (b) sales made in Chile or abroad 
provided that the latter give rise to an import to 
Chile;  Mode 1  Selected sectors  Law No . 21210  
 
Viewed at:  
https://www.leychile.cl/Navegar?idNorma=114
2667 Effective 1 June 2020  YES  
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 146 - Measure  Mode(s) of 
supply  Sectoral 
classification  Source  Date  Verified 
by 
Member  
- (ii) The supply or delivery of digital entertainment 
content, such as videos, music, games or other 
analogues, through downloading, streaming or other 
technology, including for these purposes, texts, 
magazines, newspapers and books;  
- (iii) The supply of soft ware, storage, platforms or IT 
infrastructure; and  
- (iv) Advertising, regardless of the support or means 
through which it is delivered, completed or executed.  
 
All these services are subject to the general VAT rate 
of 19%.  
China  
On 26 December 2019, the Regulations for the 
Implementation of the Foreign Investment Law of the 
People's Republic of China were issued by the State 
Council.  The regulation came into force on 1 January 
2020.2 
 Mode 3  All Sectors  P.R.C. State Council Decree No. 723  Effective 1 January 2020  YES 
New measures were adopted in relation to the 
reporting of information on foreign investment.  
 Mode 3  All Sectors  MOFCOM and State Administration for Market 
Regulation Decree [2019] No. 2  Issued on 30 December 2019; 
effective from 1 January 2020  YES 
Colombia  
A new measure  establishes the procedure for a 
voluntary alternate tax payment through withholding 
system for the VAT on digital services provided from 
abroad by foreign service providers to Colombian 
residents.  Mode 1  Internet and other 
network -enabled 
services  Resolut ion 000017 of 28 February 2020  
 
Viewed at:  
https://www.dian.gov.co/normatividad/Norma
tividad/Resolución%20000017%20de%2028 -
02-2020.pdf  
 11 March 202 0  YES 
Egypt  
The government amended the regulations governing 
the investment regime to require all companies with 
foreign investment that are incorporated or to be 
incorporated in Egypt to provide authorities with 
certain information and data in order to calculate the 
direct and indirect foreign investment capital.  In case 
of breach of or non -compliance, fines of up to 
L.E.50.000 can be imposed.  
 Mode 3  All sectors  Decree 2731 of 2019 amending the Executive 
Regulations of the Investment  Law no. 72  of 
2017 
 
Viewed at:  
https://wwww.dailynewssegypt.com/2019/11/
13/egypts -pm-approves -new-amendments -to-
investment -laws-executive -regulations/  Effective 7 November 2019  YES 
 
2 The new Foreign Investment Law is addressed in WT/TPR/OV/22, Annex 4.   
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 147 - Measure  Mode(s) of 
supply  Sectoral 
classification  Source  Date  Verified 
by 
Member  
European Union  
On 1 January 2020, the European Union Directive on 
cross-border conversions, mergers and divisions 
entered into force.  
 
The Directive seeks to create a European Union -wide 
legal framework to enhance the fundamental principle 
of freedom of establishment. The new rules introduce 
procedures for cross -border conversions and divisions 
and provide for additional rules on cross -border 
mergers of limited liability companies established in  
an EU member state.  
 Mode 3  All sectors  Directive (EU) 2019/2121 of 27 November 2019  
 
Viewed at:  
https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/en/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32019L2121  Effective 1 January 2020  YES 
France  
The government adopted new measures that expand 
and clarify authorizations for foreign investment in 
France.  
 
The measures lower the thresholds for foreign 
investments by non -EU investors subject to prior 
authorisation, from 33.33% to 25% of voting rights 
in an entity governed by French law. They also 
provide for additional sectors of activities that fall 
under the  foreign  investment regulations, including 
print and digital media, and critical technologies (e.g. 
cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, robotics, additive 
manufacturing, semiconductors, quantum 
technologies, and energy storage). Further, the 
screening will focus on ascertaining whether a foreign 
investor has links to a foreign government or a 
foreign public body. Thus, investors are obligated to 
provide information in their applications on any 
potential significant capital ties or financial support 
received from a State or public body outside the 
European Union over the last five years. Moreover , 
the new measures aim to provide greater legal 
certainty to investors (first reply within 30 days, 
possibility to request an opinion on the sensitivity of 
activities).  
 Mode 3  All sectors  Decree No. 2019 -1590 of 31 December 2019 
and Ministerial Order of 3 1 December 2019  
 
Viewed at:  
https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?
cidTexte=JORFTEXT000039727443&categorieLi
en=id  
 
https://investmentpolicy.unctad.org/investmen
t-policy -monitor/measures/3468/france -
expands -and-clarifies -its-fdi-screening -regime  
 
https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?
g=7ffc3378 -9939-4291-bfe2-092a45934b1f  Effective 1 April 2020  YES 
Germany  
The government adopted modifications to its foreign 
investment regime that aim to prevent the outflow of 
information or technologies that could have serious 
consequences for public order, safety and security in 
Germany.   Mode 3  All sectors  Amendments to the Foreign Trade and 
Payments Act  
 
Viewed at:  8 April 2020  YES  
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 148 - Measure  Mode(s) of 
supply  Sectoral 
classification  Source  Date  Verified 
by 
Member  
 
Among other things, the amendments  tighten the 
screening of foreign investment.  All proposed foreign 
investments will be examined for any "likely adverse 
impact"  on public order, safety or security – in line 
with the EU FDI Screening Regulation. The Foreign 
Trade and Payments Act had hithe rto used as its 
criterion only the "actual and serious threat" posed.  
 
National investment screening can in future also take 
into account any possible impact on the public order, 
safety or security of another member state of the 
European Union, or on any p rojects or programmes 
that affect the interests of the Union.  
 https://www.bundesreg ierung.de/breg -
en/news/aussenwirtschaftsgesetz -1742278  
India  
On 23 March, the Indian Parliament passed an 
amended national budget, which expands the scope 
of India's equalization levy to include a new 2% tax 
on the sale of all goods and services by non -Indian 
companies over the Internet into India.  The tax is 
levied on e -commerce operators, which are defined 
as non -residents who own, operate or manage a 
digital or electronic facility or platform for online sale 
of goods, online provis ion of services, or both.  Mode 1   All sectors  
 Amendments to the Finance Act 2020  
 
Viewed at:  
https://mnetax.com/indias -new-2-percent -
equalisation -levy-on-the-digital -economy -
enters -into-force-38297  Effective 1 April 2020    
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 149 - Measure  Mode(s) of 
supply  Sectoral 
classification  Source  Date  Verified 
by 
Member  
Indonesia  
The government issued Regulation No. 80 of 2019 on 
Trading Through Electronic Systems (GR 80), which 
aims to regulate e -commerce activities in Indonesia.  
Among other things, the regulation requires all e -
commerce businesses to obtain a business licence to 
carry out these activities.  
 
The regulation also applies to entities incorporated 
and located outside of Indonesia that conduct e -
commerce business activities in Indonesia.  A foreign 
supplier that meets certain thresholds relating to 
their busin ess activities in Indonesia will have to 
appoint an Indonesian representative to act on its 
behalf.  Threshold are to be further specified in 
separate regulations.  
 
GR 80 stipulates that personal  data collected by e -
commerce companies cannot be transferred offshore, 
unless the receiving jurisdiction is deemed by the 
Ministry of Trade as having the same level of 
protection of personal data as Indonesia.  
 Multiple 
modes  Various sectors  Government Regulation No. 80/2019 on 
Trading Through Electronic Systems (G R 80)  
 
Viewed at:  
https://www.bakermckenzie.com/en/insight/pu
blications/2019/12/indonesia -specific -e-
commerce -regulation  
 
https://www.aseanbrief ing.com/news/indonesi
as-law-on-e-commerce -clear-guidelines -and-
compliance -by-november -2021/  Effective 25 November 2019   
Further, e -commerce operators must prioritize the 
use of an Indonesian domain name, and assist 
compliance with government policies, such as policies 
on local content.  Operators are also required to 
protect consumer rights in accordance with 
Indonesian law, and to provide a mechanism for 
responding to and resolving consumer complaints.  
 
The regulation, while effective since 25  November 
2019, has a 2 -year transitional period.        
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 150 - Measure  Mode(s) of 
supply  Sectoral 
classification  Source  Date  Verified 
by 
Member  
The government issued a new regulation on 
electronic systems and transactions, revoking its 
earlier regulation of 2012 on the same subject.  The 
new regulation allows private sector electronic 
system operators to transfer, process, and store data 
outside of Indonesia. Public electronic system 
operators must still keep their electronic systems 
and data in Indonesia, unless otherwise provided.  
 
Private electronic system operators must a llow 
supervision by government agencies, including 
granting access to the electronic systems 
and data for monitoring and  law enforcement 
purposes.  
 
The regulation provides that institutions that have 
'strategic' electronic data must connect their 
electroni c documents and electronic backup records 
to certain data  centres in the event of an incident 
that must be reported to the cybersecurity authority. 
Strategic electronic  data that must be protected 
include those in sectors such as transport, finance, 
health  care, information technology and 
communication, and energy.  
 Modes 1 -2 Internet and other 
network -enabled 
services  Government Regulation No. 71 of 2019 on the 
Implementation of Electronic Systems and 
Transactions (GR 71), which revokes 
Government Regulation No. 82 of 2012 on the 
same subject (GR 82).  
 
Viewed at:  
https://www.bakermckenzie.com/en/insight/pu
blicati ons/2019/10/new -regulation -electronic -
system -and-transactions  21 October 2019   
Israel  
The Security Cabinet of Israel established an advisory 
committee that will assess national security 
implications of foreign investment in finance, 
communications, infrastructures, transportation and 
the energy sector. Where a transaction raises 
potential national security concerns, regulators may 
consult with the committee on a voluntary basis.  Mode 3  All sectors  Viewed at:  
https://www.gov.il/en/departments/news/spok
e_national_security301019  
 
https://investmentpolicy.unctad.org/investmen
t-policy -monitor/measures/3426/israel -
government -establishes -a-committee -to-
evaluate -national -security -implications -of-
foreign -investment  
 30 October 2019  YES  
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 151 - Measure  Mode(s) of 
supply  Sectoral 
classification  Source  Date  Verified 
by 
Member  
Italy  
A new law in Italy establishes a 'National Cyber 
Security Perimeter', aiming to ensure a high level of 
security of networks, information systems and IT 
services.  The government is to issue a list of entities 
and companies subject to security -related obligations.  
 
The new law also modifies the FDI regime in relation 
to 'special powers', which allow the government to 
impose conditions on, or veto, certain transactions in 
strategic sectors. Among other things, the ne w law 
extends the term for the government to exercise 
special powers from 15 to 45 days, broadens the 
content of the information to be provided to the 
government, and specifies the criteria used to assess 
if a foreign investment is likely to affect nationa l 
security or public order.  The law provides that the 
assessment should now also consider whether foreign 
contracts and acquisitions could compromise integrity 
and security of networks and data passing through 
these networks.  
 Mode 3  Various sectors  Law No. 133/2019  
 
Viewed at:  
https://bakerxchange.com/rv/ff00572f12700e
271e452d323a4d8e8d81e03882  
 
https://investmentpolicy.unctad.org/investmen
t-policy -monitor/measures/3493/italy -
cybernetic -national -security -perimeter -law-
tightens -the-fdi-screening -regim e Effective 21 November 2019   
Italian Budget Law for 2020 introduced a 3% digital 
service tax (DST) on revenues derived from certain 
digital services provided to users located in Italy.  
 
The tax applies to entities that meet certain revenue 
thresholds: - total amount of worldwide reve nues 
(wherever arising) equal to or exceeding EUR 750 
million  and an amount of revenues from qualified 
digital  services in Italy equal to or exceeding 
EUR 5.5 million.  
 
The tax is to be paid by Italian taxpayers as well as 
by non -Italian -resident companies , and covers both 
B2C and B2B transactions. The DST provisions 
contain a sunset clause providing that it will be 
automatically repealed once an agreement on the 
scope of a DST is reached at OECD level.  
Digital  services  subject to the DST fall in three 
categories:  
- digital  targeted  advertising, which concerns 
advertising on a digital platform targeted at users of 
that interface;  
- intermediation services, which concerns online 
platforms and multi -sided digital interfaces that allow Multiple 
modes  Internet and other 
network -enabled 
services  Law No. 160 of 27 December 2019  
 
Viewed at:  
https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?
g=a45c9cc5 -3b43-407d-9b4d-74e7ab3859cc  
 
https://www.ey.com/en_gl/tax -alerts/ey -
italys-digital -services -tax-enters -into-force-as-
of-1%C2%A0january -2020 Effective 1 January 2020    
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 152 - Measure  Mode(s) of 
supply  Sectoral 
classification  Source  Date  Verified 
by 
Member  
users interaction and fa cilitate the supply of goods or 
services; and  
- data transmission services, which involve the 
transmission of data collected and generated by users 
from their activities on digital interfaces.  
 
Japan  
Japan's Diet adopted amendments to the Foreign 
Exchange and Foreign Trade Act.  Among other 
things, the amendments require overseas investors to 
seek prior notification from the government before 
obtaining a 1% or higher stake in a listed Japanese 
firm engaged in business related to weapons, nuclear 
energy, semiconductors, railroads and other areas.  
Prior to the amendments, the threshold was set at 
10%. This is accompanied by a system where foreign 
investors can be exempted from prior -notification 
requirement if they meet certain conditions.  
 
Certain fo reign investors' actions after stock 
purchases will also be subject to prior -notification, 
namely: (i) when foreign investors or closely related 
persons become board members of the investee 
company; and (ii) when foreign investors propose 
transfer or dispo sition of critical business domain of 
the investee company at shareholders' meetings.  
 Mode 3  All sectors  Amended Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade 
Act 
 
Viewed at:  
https://investmentpolicy.unctad.org/investmen
t-policy -monitor/measures/3457/japan -
revises -rules-on-foreign -investment  
 
https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Japan -
tightens -entry-of-foreign -investors -in-12-
strategic -sectors  Effective May 2020  YES 
Kenya  
The government adopted the Data Protection Act, 
which sets out requirements on how personally 
identifiable data obtained by firms and government 
entities can be handled, stored and shared.  An 
independent office will investigate data 
infringements.  
 
The Act req uires proof that personal data will be 
secure as a condition for transferring the data outside 
Kenya. The Act also requires consent of the data 
subject as a condition for the cross -border transfer of 
sensitive personal data.  
 Multiple 
modes  Internet and ot her 
network -enabled 
services  Data Protection Act, 2019  
 
Viewed at:  
http://kenyalaw.org/kl/fileadmin/pdfdownloads
/Acts/2019/TheDataProtectionAct__No 24of201
9.pdf 
 
https://qz.com/africa/1746202/kenya -has-
passed -new-data-protection -laws-in-
compliance -with-gdpr/  8 November 2019   
The Finance Act 2019 broadens the coverage of the 
Income Tax Act to include income accruing from a 
digital marketplace.  In addition, a similar change has 
been made to the VAT Act to make digital market All modes  Internet and other 
network -enabled 
services  Finance Act, 2019  
 
Viewed at:  Effective 7 November 2019    
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 153 - Measure  Mode(s) of 
supply  Sectoral 
classification  Source  Date  Verified 
by 
Member  
services subject to value -added tax. The law defines 
a digital marketplace as a platform that enables 
direct interactions between buyers and sellers of 
goods and services through electronic means.  https://theconversation.com/kenyas -tax-on-
digital -trade-and-services -whats -known -and-
not-known -127366  
 
https://www.bowmanslaw.com/insights/tax/wh
at-new-digital -taxes -contemplated -in-the-
finance -act-mean -for-digital -trade-and-
services -in-kenya/ 
 
A new measure signed into law by the President on 19 
March 2020 expands the use of electronic signatures 
and electronic authentication. The new Bill, which 
amends the Information and Communication Act, also 
allows, among other things, for the transfer of 
properties and securities to be conducted digitally.  
 All modes  All sectors  Business Law (Amendment) Bill, 2019   
 
Viewed at:  
https://techweez.com/2020/03/19/business -
law-bill-electronic -signatures  Signed into law on 19 March 
2020  
Malaysia  
From 1 January 2020, foreign service providers 
outside Malaysia that provide any digital services to 
consumers in Malaysia are required to charge 6% 
service tax to consumers, which includes individuals 
and businesses.  
 
Under the law, digital services are any service that is 
delivered or subscribed over the Internet or other 
electronic network and which cannot be obtained 
without the use of information technology and where 
the delivery of the service is essentially automated. 
This includes:  
 
- supply of di gital content/products, e.g. e -books, 
games, apps, movies, TV shows and music;  
- online licencing of software, including computer 
games;  
- databases, including updates and add -ons; 
- advertising services on the Internet (online 
advertising platforms);  
- subscription to membership or news website;  
- webinars or distance learning courses;  
- supply and hosting of websites, remote 
maintenance of software and hardware;  
- storage and processing of information in the 
Internet, e.g. cloud services;  
- provision of a ccess to the Internet search systems;  
- provision of domain name services;  Mode 1  Internet and other 
network -enabled 
services  Service Tax (Amendment) Act 2019  
 
Service Tax Regulations (Amendment) 2020  
 
Service Tax (Digital Services) (Amendment) 
Regulations 2019  
 
Viewed at:  
http://www.federalgazette.agc.gov.my/outputa
ktap/20190709_A1597_BI_Act%20A1597%20
BI.pdf  
 
https://www.mysst.customs.gov.my/assets/do
cument/SST%20Regulations/regula/Service%2
0Tax%20Regulations%20(Amendment)%2020
20.pd f  
 
https://www.mysst.customs.gov.my/assets/do
cument/SST%20Regulations/regula/Service%2
0Tax%20(Digital%20Services)%20Amendment
%20Regulations%202019.pdf  Effective 1 January 2020  
 
Effective 14 May 2020  
 
Effective 1 January 2020  YES  
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 154 - Measure  Mode(s) of 
supply  Sectoral 
classification  Source  Date  Verified 
by 
Member  
- electronic Distribution Platform (EDP).  
 
The law applies only to foreign service providers with 
an annual turnover of at least MYR 500,000 in 
relation to the provision of digital services to 
consumers in Malaysia. Those suppliers must register 
with authorities in Malaysia.  
North Macedonia  
The government a new law to encourage 'strategic 
investments'.  The law grants preferential treatment 
to such investments, which have to be above a 
certain threshold value and to be in a defined list of 
sectors, including energy, transport, 
telecommunication, t ourism, health, wastewater and 
waste management.  
 Mode 3  Various sectors  Law on Strategic Investments  
 
Viewed at:  
https://www.karanovicpartners .com/news/law -
on-strategic -investments -adopted -in-north -
macedonia/  Published in the Official 
Gazette on 20 January 2020   
Pakistan  
The government adopted a new law regulating social 
media platforms.  The new measure requires 
platforms to block or remove posts that are 
considered objectionable.   
 
The regulator can also obtain, on demand, user data 
and information from the companies. The regulations 
aim to monitor and mitigate online content relating to 
terrorism, extremism, hate speech, fake news, 
incitement to violence and national security.  Unlawful 
content must be removed within 24 hours.  In case of 
non-compliance, a company's services can be blocked 
and fine of up to 500 million rupees can be imposed.  
 
The law also requires social media companies to set 
up a physical presence in the country and to appoint 
a contact person who will report to a national 
coordinator at Pakistan's Ministry of Information and 
Telecommunications.  
 Multiple 
modes  Social media 
platforms  Citizens Protection (Again st Online Harm) 
Rules, 2020  
 
Viewed at:  
https://www.dw.com/en/pakistans -new-
internet -laws-tighten -control -over-social -
media/a -52375508  
 
https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/pakistan/paki
stan-rethinks -social -media -laws-1.70073974  28 January 2020    
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 155 - Measure  Mode(s) of 
supply  Sectoral 
classification  Source  Date  Verified 
by 
Member  
Singapore  
The Personal Data Protection Commission revised its 
advisory guidelines on the Personal Data Protection 
Act, including by adding a new chapter on cloud 
services.  The new Chapter 8 offers more clarity on 
the responsibilities of cloud service providers and 
organisations using cloud services to process personal 
data.  
 Modes 1 -3 Interne t and other 
network -enabled 
services  Update to the Advisory Guidelines on Key 
Concepts in the Personal Data Protection Act  
 
Viewed at:  
https://www.pdpc.gov.sg/guidelines -and-
consultation/2020/03/advisory -guidelines -on-
key-concepts -in-the-persona l-data-protection -
act 
 9 October 2019  YES 
Further, Chapter 6 has been revised to provide 
greater clarity on the obligations of organisations and 
data intermediaries where personal data is 
transferred overseas. Chapter 15 has been revised to 
provide clarit y on situations where organisations need 
not accede to an access request, the charging of fees, 
access requests relating to legal proceedings, and 
good practice of preserving personal data after 
rejecting an access request.  
      
Since 1 January 2020, the Goods and Services Tax 
(GST) has been extended to business -to-consumer 
(B2C) imported digital services in Singapore by way 
of an Overseas Vendor Registration (OVR) regime. 
This is a consumption tax on the cross -border 
consumption of digital servi ces by consumers who do 
not reside in the same jurisdiction as the service 
provider. Foreign suppliers of digital services and 
electronic marketplace operators must register under 
the OVR regime and account for GST on their B2C 
digital services if their an nual global turnover and 
B2C digital services provided to customers in 
Singapore exceeds certain thresholds. Previously, 
only services procured from local GST -registered 
businesses were subject to GST.  
 
For authorities, the imposition of GST on imported 
digital services is in line with internationally agreed 
standards formulated by the OECD Global Forum on 
VAT to harmonise the application of VAT/GST in the 
context of international trade.  
 Mode 1  Internet  and other 
network -enabled 
services  Viewed at:  
https://www.iras.gov.sg/irashome/GST/GST -
registered -businesses/GST -and-Digital -
Economy/GST -on-Imported -Services/   Effective 1 January 2020  YES  
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 156 - Measure  Mode(s) of 
supply  Sectoral 
classification  Source  Date  Verified 
by 
Member  
Turkey  
The government adopted a digital services tax (DST). 
The new measure introduces a 7.5% tax on the 
revenue gained from the supply of such services as 
digital advertising, sale of any audio, visual or digital 
content through digital platforms and services 
provided in digital media for listening, recording, 
playing, viewing or using any of these contents.  
 
Any services that provide for or operate in a way in 
which users can interact with each other, such as 
social media platforms and digital intermediary 
services relating to the above services will also be 
subject to DST. The tax applies to services deemed to 
have been provided in Turkey. Companies are subject 
to the tax if their revenues from the relevant services 
are at least EUR 750 million globally and TL 20 million 
in Turkey.  
 Multiple 
modes  Internet and other 
network -enabled 
services  Law no.7194 on Digital Services Tax  
 
Viewed at:  
https://www.mondaq.com/turkey/Tax/873488/
A-Summary -Of-The-New-Legislation -
Regarding -Digital -Services -Tax 
 
https://www.ey.com/Publication/vwLUAssets/T
urkeys_7.5_Digital_Services_Tax_to_be_effecti
ve_1_March_2020/$FILE/2020G_000230 -
20Gbl_Indirect_Turkey%20 -
%20Digital%20Services%20T ax%20to%20be
%20effective%201%20March%202020.pdf  Published in the Official 
Gazette on 7 December 2019.  
 
Effective 1 March 2020  YES 
Ukraine  
The government adopted new measures simplifying 
registration procedures for representative offices of 
foreign companies in Ukraine.  Registration fees have 
been reduced, and the timelines have been shorted 
from 60 to 20 business days.  Mode 3  All sectors  Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of 
Ukraine of 23 October 2019 No . 893 "On Some 
Issues for Registration of  Representative 
Offices of Foreign Business Entities in Ukraine"  
 
Viewed at:  
https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/893 -
2019-%D0%BF  
 Effective 2 November 2019  YES 
United Kingdom  
The government introduced the digital services tax 
(DST), a new 2% tax on the revenues of search 
engines, social media services and online 
marketplaces which derive value from UK users. 
These businesses will be liable to the DST when the 
group’s worldwide revenues from these digital 
activities are more than £500 million and more than 
GBP 25 million of these revenues are derived from UK 
users. If the group’s revenues exceed these 
thresholds, its revenues derived from UK users will be 
taxed at a rate of 2%. T here is an allowance of £25 
million, meaning that a group’s first £25 million of 
revenues derived from UK users will not be subject to 
the DST.  
 Multiple 
modes  Internet and other 
network -enabled 
services  Viewed at:  
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications /i
ntroduction -of-the-digital -services -tax/digital -
services -tax 
 
https://www.gov.uk/hmrc -internal -
manuals/digital -services -tax Effective 1 April 2020  YES  
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 157 - Measure  Mode(s) of 
supply  Sectoral 
classification  Source  Date  Verified 
by 
Member  
The government indicated it is committed to dis -
applying the DST once an appropriate international 
solution is in place.  
 
United States  
New regulations have broadened the jurisdiction of 
the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United 
States (CFIUS) by expanding its review powers over 
foreign investments in United States businesses.  
 
The new regulations implement  the Foreign 
Investment Risk Review Modernization Act of 2018 
(“FIRRMA”), which aimed to allow CFIUS to better 
address national security concerns. The new rules 
clarify and revise proposed regulations issued by the 
Treasury Department in September 2019.  
 
Under the new regime, the CFIUS has express 
jurisdiction to review non -controlling investments in 
critical technology, critical infrastructure and sensitive 
personal data businesses. This is limited to situations 
where a foreign investor gains: access to material 
non-public technic al information related to critical 
technology or covered investment critical 
infrastructure; membership or observer rights on, or 
the right to nominate an individual to the board of 
directors; or an involvement in decision -making of 
the U.S. business. Tran sactions involving 
government -controlled entities from certain foreign 
countries are exempted from these requirements.  
 Mode 3  All sectors  Provisions Pertaining to Certain Transactions by 
Foreign Persons Involving Real Estate in the 
United States (31 C.F.R . part 802)  
 
Viewed at:  
https://home.treasury.gov/news/press -
releases/sm872  Effective 13 February 2020   
Uzbekistan (Observer)  
The government adopted, on 25 December 2019, a 
new Investment Law.  The law establishes a 
framework for the protection and promotion of both 
domestic and foreign investment.  
 
Among other things, the law guarantees foreign 
investors the freedom to transfer funds and 
protection against expropriation.  It also  provides that 
foreign invested companies shall be treated equally to 
domestic companies.   
 
The law also provides for the creation of a one -stop-
shop service by the Ministry of Investment and 
Foreign Trade.  Mode 3  All sectors  Law No. 598 on Investment and  Investment 
Activities  
 
Viewed at:  
https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?
g=372e53d5 -7a4f-45bf-9eb7-8b56dcc8f365  Effective 27 January 2020    
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 158 - Measure  Mode(s) of 
supply  Sectoral 
classification  Source  Date  Verified 
by 
Member  
CONSTRUCTION AND RELATED ENGINEERING SERVICES  
China  
Annulment of the Administrative Measures on Foreign 
Investment in Construction Companies (MOHURD 
MOFTEC Decree No. 113) and the Supplementary 
Provisions to the Administrative Measures on Foreign 
Investment in Construction Companies (MOHURD 
MOFCOM Decree No. 121). Foreign -invested 
companies are treated the same as domestic 
companies and are allowed to carry out a variety of 
construction activities according to the law.  
 Mode 3  Construction and 
Related Engineering 
Services  Ministry of Housing and Urban -Rural 
Development and  Ministry of Commerce 
Provisions on Annulling Certain Rules Including 
the Administrative Measures on Foreign 
Investment in Construction Companies 
(MOHURD MOFCOM Decree No.49)  
 
Viewed at:  
http://www.mohurd.gov.cn  Effective 17 January 2020  YES 
DISTRIBUTION SERVICES  
Indonesia  
The Minister of Trade issued a new regulation on 
franchising. Among other things, the measure 
removes the requirement to use 80% locally -sourced 
raw materials, equipment or products and instead 
obliges the franchisor to prioritise the use of local 
goods and services so long as the goods and services 
meet the quality set by the franchisor.  
 
The new regulation also removes the restric tion on 
the maximum number of outlets. Under the previous 
framework, a franchisor's maximum number of 
outlets was 150 for 'modern shop businesses' and 
250 for food and beverage businesses.  
 Mode 3  Franchising services  Ministry of Trade Regulation No. 71 o f 2019 on 
Franchises  
 
Viewed at:  
https://www.fieldfisher.com/en/insights/indone
sia-key-changes -to-franchising -law-as-minist  September 2019   
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of  
The government adopted the New Franchise Law, 
which establishes a regulatory framework for 
relationships between franchisors and franchisees.  
The law will apply to  all franchising arrangements 
implemented in Saudi Arabia.  Previously, franchising 
arrangements were treated as a commercial agency 
and were governed by the Commercial Agencies Law.  
 Modes 1 and 
3 Distribution services  Commercial Franchise Law 122/1441  
 
Viewed at:  
https://www.twobirds.com/en/news/articles/2
020/uae/saudi -franchise -law-and-the-
implications -on-existing -franchise -agreements  Published in the Official 
Gazette on 22  October 2019.  
 
Effective 22 April 2020.  YES 
EDUCATION SERVICES  
China  
Foreign education institutions, other organizations or 
individuals are allowed to separately set up non -
compulsory vocational training institutions in pilot 
free trade zones, to further deepen the reform and 
opening up process in the field of education.  Mode 3  Education services  Special Administrative Measures on Access of 
Foreign Investment to the Pilot Free Trade 
Zones (Negative List) (2019 edition)  
 
Viewed at:  Effective as of 30 June 2019 
until the issuance of the 
Special Administrative 
Measures on Access of Foreign 
Investment to the Pilot Free YES  
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 159 - Measure  Mode(s) of 
supply  Sectoral 
classification  Source  Date  Verified 
by 
Member  
http://www.gov.cn/xinwen/2019 -
06/30/content_5404702.htm?from=singlemess
age&isappinstalled=0  
 Trade Zones (Negative List) 
(2020 edition)  
Costa Rica  
The government adopted a new law on education and 
dual training, which allows students to participate in 
vocational training in addition to their classroom 
studies.  Mode 3  Education services  Law No. 9728  (Law of on Dual 
Education  and Training )  
 
Viewed at:  
http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/Busqueda/Norm
ativa/Normas/nrm_texto_completo.aspx?para
m1=NRTC&nValor1=1& nValor2=89820&nValor
3=118020&strTipM=TC  
 Effective 15 October 2019  YES 
Ukraine  
A new measure was adopted in order to clarify the 
terminology and simplify the procedure for obtaining 
a license to supply higher education services.  Mode 3  Education services  Law No. 392 of 18 December 2019 'On 
Amending Some Legislative Acts of Ukraine on 
Improvements of Education Activity in Higher 
Education Sector'  
 
Viewed at:  
https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/392 -20 
 Effective 16 January 2020  
 YES 
HEALTH SERVICES  
Germany  
Digital health applications that meet certain 
requirements will be covered by the German state 
health insurance schemes from 2020. Patients will 
need to obtain a prescription by a physician or 
psychotherapist or their health scheme's prior 
approval. To qua lify for coverage, an app must be a 
digital low -risk medical device. In addition, the 
manufacturer must apply for registration with a new 
registry which will be kept by the Federal Institute for 
Drugs and Medical Devices. The detailed 
requirements for regi stration are being provided for 
in a regulation that entered into force on 21 April 
2020. The regulation contains provisions pertaining to 
aspects such as security, data protection, data 
security and quality. In addition, digital health 
applications need t o provide evidence concerning a 
positive impact on care (i.e. medical benefit or 
procedural or structural improvements to care).  
 Multiple 
modes  Health services  Viewed at:  
https://www.bundesrat.de/DE/plenum/bundesr
at-
kompakt/19/983/12.html;jsessionid=C5D4768
B55129D47A44 E9774F4D75CB9.1_cid382?nn=
4352768#top -12 19 December 2019  YES  
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 160 - Measure  Mode(s) of 
supply  Sectoral 
classification  Source  Date  Verified 
by 
Member  
India  
Telemedicine in India is now regulated by the 
'Telemedicine Practice Guidelines' released by the 
Board of Governors (in supersession of the the 
Medical Council of India). These guidelines enable 
practice of Registered Medical Practitioners (RMP) 
through te lemedicine. The Guidelines are added as 
Appendix 5 of the Indian Medical Council 
(Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics 
Regulation 2002). Freedom is given to medical 
practitioners to use any suitable technology for 
consultations with patients. The gui delines cover the 
following types of interactions: patient to RMP, 
caregiver to RMP, health worker to RMP,  
RMP to RMP and emergency situations. The guidelines 
do not cover consultations involving doctors or 
patients outside India. Finally, the guidelines cover 
technology platforms enabling telemedicine.  
 Mode 3  Health services  Viewed at:  
https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/Telemedicine.p
df 25 March 2020  YES 
Indonesia  
The Ministry of Health (MOH) issued a new regulation 
on telemedicine services that provides official 
directions on the scope of telemedicine, 
requirements, rights and obligations, cost, funding 
and supervision.  Mode 3  Health services  Ministry of Health Regulation No. 20 of 2019 
on the Implementation of Telemedicine 
Services between Health Services Facilities 
("MOH Regulation 20"), implementing MOH 
Regulation No. 90 of 2015 on Provision of 
Healthcare Services in Remote and Very 
Remote Areas  
 
Viewed at: 
https://www.bakermckenzie.com/en/insight/pu
blications/2019/09/updates -on-telemedicine -
services -in-indonesia  
 November 2019   
The Minister of Health issued a new regulation on the 
classification and licensing of hospitals, which repeals 
a regulation adopted in 2019, thereby removing 
certain limits on foreign investment in certain types 
of hospitals classified as Class C and D. Fo reign 
investment (up to a maximum of 67% for non -ASEAN 
investors) is no longer linked to the classification of 
the hospitals, but according to the number of beds 
provided (i.e. 200 beds or another required number 
of beds in accordance with the relevant int ernational 
agreements or cooperation).  Mode 3  Hospital services  MOH Regulation No. 3 of 2020 on the 
Classification and Licensing of Hospitals ("MOH 
Regulation 3")  
 
Viewed at:  
https://www.bakermckenzie.com/ -
/media/files/insight/publications/2020/02/clien
t-alert-on-the-minis ter-of-health -finally -
revokes -the-controversial -regulation -no30-of-
2019-on-the-classification -and-licensing -of-
hospitals.pdf  
 February 2020    
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 161 - Measure  Mode(s) of 
supply  Sectoral 
classification  Source  Date  Verified 
by 
Member  
Singapore  
The Parliament of Singapore approved the Healthcare 
Services Bill, which replaces the Private Hospitals and 
Medical Clinics Act. The new regulatory regime 
introduces a services -based licensing regime where 
healthcare service providers need to obtain a licence 
based on the type of service they provide, rather 
than the previous premises -based licensi ng regime. 
This aims to provide greater clarity and flexibility in 
the licensing of healthcare services. Certain non -
premise -based services such as telemedicine, mobile 
medical and ambulance services will be subject to the 
new licensing scheme. The Bill is  expected to be 
implemented in three phases, targeting the first half 
of 2021 and ending by end 2022.  
 Mode 3  Health services  Healthcare Services Act  
 
Viewed at:  
https://www.moh.gov.sg/docs/librariesprovide
r8/default -document -
library/healthcare_services_(draft)_bill_20171
22241b0a3bc9c8c4d65b2ac0bbfa0aa81bf.pdf  6 January 2020  YES 
United Arab Emirates  
The Dubai Health Authority issued standards for 
telehealth services. These standards set out the 
minimum requirements for the provision of telehealth 
services, focused on ensuring high quality care 
delivery and ensuring protection of patient data and 
confidentiality.  Telehealth services include, but are 
not limited to, scheduling appointments, assessment, 
providing medical advice, treatment, therapy, 
laboratory testing,  diagnostics, surgery, monitoring 
chronic conditions, counselling, and prescribing and 
dispensing of medication.   
 
 
 Multiple 
modes  Health services  Standards for Telehealth Services  
 
Viewed at:  
https://services.dha.gov.ae/sheryan/wps/porta
l/home/circular -details?circularRefNo=CIR -
2019-
00000368&isPublicCircular=1&fromHome=true  
 
https://www.dha.gov.ae/Documents/HRD/Reg
ulationsandStandards/standards/Standards%2
0for%20Telehealth%20Services%20Final.pdf  October 2019   
POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES  
Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu  
The government amended the Post Act, which aims 
to ensure that postal services develop  
comprehensively and are carried out in an accessible, 
fair and reasonable fashion.  All modes  Postal Services  Amendment to Postal Act of 5 December 2018  
 
Viewed at:  
https://law.moj.gov.tw/ENG/LawClass/LawAll.a
spx?pcode=K0050001  
https://law .moj.gov.tw/ENG/News/NewsDetail.
aspx?msgid=11793  
 1 November 2019  YES  
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 162 - Measure  Mode(s) of 
supply  Sectoral 
classification  Source  Date  Verified 
by 
Member  
TELECOMMUNICATIONS/ICT/AUDIOVISUAL SERVICES  
Chad  
The government has exempted fixed communications 
and internet services from a 18% tax on monthly 
turnover imposed on mobile operators.   Mode 3  Telecommunication 
services  Finance Act 2020  
 
Viewed at:  
https://www.commsupdate.com/articles/2020/
01/13/chad -exempts -internet -services -from-
cellco -
tax/?utm_source=CommsUpdate&utm_campai
gn=22ce2102c8 -
CommsUpdate+13+January+2020&utm_medi
um=email&utm _term=0_0688983330 -
22ce2102c8 -11663509  
 December 2019   
Colombia  
The government has adopted a number of new 
measures in relation to audiovisual services and 
creative industries, including as regards productions 
qualifying for the Colombia Film Fund and tax 
benefits for enterprises in creative industries.   Multiple 
modes  Audiovisual services  Decree 474 of 25 March 2020  
 
Law 2010 (article 91) of 27 December 2019 
and Regulatory Decree 286 of 26 February 
2020 
 
Viewed at:  
https://dapre.presidencia.gov.co/normativa/no
rmativa/DECRETO%20474%20DEL%2025%20
DE%20MARZO%20DE%202020.pdf  
 
https://dapre.presidencia.gov.co/normativa/no
rmativa/LEY%202010%20DEL%2027%20DE%
20DICIEMBRE%20DE%202019.pdf  
 Published 25 March 2020  
 
Published on 27 December 
2019 YES 
Ecuador  
A new tax legislation introduces  a special 
consumption tax of: 15% for paid television services; 
15% for fixed telephony services and voice, data and 
SMS plans of mobile services provided to companies; 
and 10% for mobile phone services and plans that 
market only voice, data and SMS of mobile services 
provided to natural persons, excluding prepaid 
services.  Multiple 
modes  Telecommunication 
and audiovisual 
services  Article 35, Organic Law of Tax Simplification 
and Progressivity, published in Official Registry 
No. 111 of 31 December 2020  
 
 
Viewed at:  
https://www.sri.gob.ec/web/guest/ley -
organica -de-simplificacio n-y-progresividad -
tributaria   
 Effective 1 January 2020   YES 
France  
In December, the government issued a Decree to 
assist the implementation of a law (No. 2019 -810) 
that aims to preserve  Mode 3  Telecommunication 
services  Decree No. 2019 -1300 of 6 December 2019  
 
Viewed at:  6 December 2019  YES  
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 163 - Measure  Mode(s) of 
supply  Sectoral 
classification  Source  Date  Verified 
by 
Member  
the interests of French defence and national security 
within the context of the launch of the 5G network.  
 
Operators will be required to  obtain prior approval 
from the French Prime Minister in order to operate 
5G technology in French territory. The prior approval 
requirement applies to all operators which plan to 
operate, in French territory, certain devices which, by 
virtue of their funct ions, present a risk to the 
continuity, integrity, security or availability of the 
network, or to the confidentiality of communications.  
The provisions apply to operators of all nationalities.  
  https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?
cidTexte=JORFTEXT000039455649&categorieL
ien=id  
Nepal  
The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) 
reduced interconnection fees.  From mid -March 2020, 
fees will be capped at NPR 0.20 per minute for calls 
between two landlines, NPR 0.10 for calls from a 
landline to a mobile, NPR 0.20 for calls from a mobile 
to a landline and NPR 0.10 for calls between two 
mobile networks.  Multiple 
modes  Telecommunication 
services  Viewed at:  
https://www.commsupdate.com/articles/2020
/01/27/regulator -slashes -interconnection -
fees/?utm_source=CommsUpdate&utm_camp
aign=596bcbc413 -
CommsUpdate+ 27+January+2020&utm_medi
um=email&utm_term=0_0688983330 -
596bcbc413 -11663509  
 March 2020  YES 
Peru  
A new measure  modifies  various  provisions  of the 
Telecommunications  Law, including  as regards  
marketing  or reselling,  the registry  of marketers,  and 
the registry  for value  added  services.  Mode 3  Telecommunication 
services  Supreme  Decree  No. 033-2019-MTC 
 
Viewed at:  
https://cdn.www.gob.pe/uploads/document/fil
e/419370/DS_033 -2019-MTC.pdf  
 9 November  2019 YES 
Russian Federation  
The State Commission for Radio Frequencies (SCRF) 
has allocated a block of 5G spectrum to an indefinite 
number of users, including industrial enterprises and 
telecom operators.  The decision to do so was taken 
by the State Committee for Emergencies on 17 
March 2020.  
 Mode 3  Telecommunication 
services  Viewed at : 
https://www.commsupdate.com/articles/2020
/03/20/24ghz -mmwave -5g-spectrum -
available -without -auction-megafonrostelecom -
receive -test-mmwave -band/  20 March 2020  
 YES 
The President signed, on 7 April, a new law aimed 
at improving the  system of  universal communication 
services in  the Russian Federation. Under this law, 
at least one internet access point should be created 
in areas with a  population of  one hundred to  five 
hundred people that do not have data transmission 
services and  Internet access.  Mode 3  Telecommunication 
services  Federal Law  on Amendments to  the Federal 
Law on  Communications  
 
Viewed at:  
http://en.kremlin.ru/acts/news/63161  7 April 2020  YES  
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 164 - Measure  Mode(s) of 
supply  Sectoral 
classification  Source  Date  Verified 
by 
Member  
 
In addition, if mobile radiotelephone communication 
services are not provided in the indicated areas, then 
at least one access point must be equipped with 
communication means for  their provision.  
 
Thailand  
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications 
Commission issued a notification to stipulate the 
criteria, procedures, conditions, and fees in relation 
to the granting of licences for foreign satellites 
providing services in Thailand. The new measure 
allows Thai entrepreneurs to use foreign satellite 
channels to provide services and to comply with the 
government's policy on allowing foreign satellites to 
provide  services in Thailand.  
 Multiple 
modes  Telecommunication 
Services  NBTC Notification - Criteria and procedures to 
grant a licence to foreign satellite to provide 
services in Thailand  
(The Royal Gazette Vol.137 Special Section 37, 
dated 18 February 2020)  Effective 19 February 2020  YES 
Uganda  
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) 
modified its licensing framework for the telecom 
sector, introducing various licence categories and 
requiring all national telecom operators to float at 
least 20% of their shares on the Uganda Securities 
Exchange within two years of acquiring the new 
license.  
 Mode 3  Telecommunication 
services  Viewed at:  
http://www.connectingafrica.com/author.asp?d
oc_id=757077&itc=newsletter_connectingafric
ainsights&utm_source=newsletter_connectinga
frica_connectingafricainsights& utm_medium=e
mail&utm_campaign=01312020  October 2019  
 
Effective 30 June 2020   
Ukraine  
The government adopted new measures to encourage 
foreign investment in film productions.  The scope of 
the cash rebate system for foreign filmmakers' 
production costs on Ukrainian territory was raised 
from 16.6% to 25%.  Mode 3  Audiovisual services  Law of Ukraine of 20 September 2019 No. 130 
'On amending Law of Ukraine On state support 
for Cinematography in Ukraine'  
 
Viewed at:  
https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/130 -20 
 
 Effective 19 October 2019  YES 
United States  
An Executive Order issued on 4 April 2020 formalizes, 
through the establishment of a Committee, the  ad 
hoc working group known as 'Team Telecom' which 
will assist the Federal Communications Commission 
(FCC) in the review of foreign participation in U.S. 
telecommunication services, with the objective of 
enhancing national security.   
 Mode 3  Telecommunication 
services  Executive Order on Establishing the Committee 
for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in 
the United States Telecommunications Services 
Sector  
 
Viewed at:  
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC -
363550A1.pdf  4 April 2020    
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 165 - Measure  Mode(s) of 
supply  Sectoral 
classification  Source  Date  Verified 
by 
Member  
Team Telecom will now ha ve 120 days to conduct 
national security reviews of license applications.  
FINANCIAL SERVICES  
Australia  
The Australian Securities and Investments 
Commission (ASIC) has introduced a new regulatory 
relief framework for foreign financial services 
providers (FFSPs) that wish to provide financial 
services to wholesale clients or professional investors 
in Australi a. This replaces an old FFSP relief 
framework.  
 
The new framework has two key elements: a new 
foreign Australian Financial Service (AFS) licensing 
regime for FFSPs; and Licensing relief for FFSPs of 
funds management financial services seeking to 
induce so me types of professional investors.  Modes 1 and 
3 Banking and other 
financial services  New FFSP regulatory framework:  
- Foreign AFS licensing regime: ASIC 
Corporations (Foreign Financial Services 
Providers —Foreign AFS licensees) Instrument 
2020/198  
- Funds  management licensing relief: ASIC 
Corporations (Foreign Financial Services 
Providers —Funds Management Financial 
Services) Instrument 2020/199  
 
Old FFSP relief framework:  
- Sufficient equivalence relief: ASIC 
Corporations (Repeal and Transitional) 
Instrume nt 2016/196  
- Sufficient equivalence relief for Luxembourg 
entities: ASIC Corporations (CSSF –Regulated 
Financial Services Providers) Instrument 
2016/1109  
- Limited connection relief: ASIC Corporations 
(Foreign Financial Services Provides —Limited 
Connection) Instrument 2017/182  Foreign AFS licensing regime: 
start date of 1 April 2020 for 
new FFSPs, and 1 April 2022 
for existing FFSPs relying on 
old sufficient equivalence 
relief.  
 
Old sufficient equivalence 
relief (previously contai ned in 
7 separate instruments): end 
date of 31 March 2020 for new 
FFSPs, 31 March 2022 for 
existing FFSPs relying on 
transition period for old 
sufficient equivalence relief.  
 
Funds management licensing 
relief: start date of 1 April 
2022.  
 
Limited connecti on relief 
(originally CO 03/824): 
gazetted on 1 October 2003, 
end date of 31 March 2022.  
 YES 
China  
The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory 
Commission  (CBIRC) recently revised and released 
the Implementation Rules of Administrative Licensing 
of Foreign -funded Banks.  
 
The Implementation Rules are in line with the 
Regulations on the Administration of Foreign -funded 
Banks, allowing foreign banks to set up branches and 
subsidiaries with legal person status in China.  It 
removes the total asset require ment for foreign 
banks to set up business entities in China, and 
expands the scope of major Chinese shareholders in 
Sino-foreign joint venture banks.  
 Mode 3  Banking services  Implementation Rules of Administrative 
Licensing of Foreign -funded Banks  
 
Viewed  at: 
https://www.cbirc.gov.cn/en/view/pages/Item
Detail.html?docId=882439&itemId=980  3 January 2020  YES  
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 166 - Measure  Mode(s) of 
supply  Sectoral 
classification  Source  Date  Verified 
by 
Member  
The restriction on foreign ownership in joint-venture 
life insurance companies has been removed on 1 
January 2020. Foreign ownership in joint -venture life 
insurance companies can reach 100%. Relevant 
parties may submit applications to the CBIRC in 
accordance with the Regulations on Foreign -funde d 
Insurance Companies, the Implementation Rules of 
the Regulations on Foreign -funded Insurance 
Companies, and this Notice. The CBIRC will start the 
revision of the provision of "foreign ownership shall 
not exceed 51% of the company's total equity 
capital" in the existing Implementation Rules of the 
Regulations on Foreign -funded Insurance Companies, 
which will be reissued after revision.  
 Mode 3  Life insurance 
services  Notice of the CBIRC General Office on 
Clarifying Timing of Removing Foreign 
Ownership Rest rictions on Joint Venture Life 
Insurance Companies  
(CBIRC General Office [2019] No.230)  
 
Viewed at:  
https://www.cbirc.gov.cn/en/view/pages/Item
Detail.html?docId= 858743&itemId=980  Effective 1 January 2020  YES 
Removal of 51% foreign ownership limit in fund 
management companies.  Mode 3  Financial services  Viewed at:  
http://www.csrc.gov.cn/pub/csrc_en/newsfact
s/release/201910/t20191015_364441.html  
 Effective 1 April 2020  YES 
Removal of 51% foreign ownership limit in securities 
companies. The removal of the foreign equity cap 
was originally due as of 1 December 2020, but the 
timetable was brought forward on 16 March.  
 Mode 3  Financial services  Viewed at:  
http://www.csrc.gov.cn/pub/csrc_en/newsfact
s/release/202003/t20200318_372197.html  Effective 1 April 2020  YES 
Removal of 51% foreign ownership limit in foreign -
invested futures companies.  Mode 3  Financial services  Viewed at:  
http://www.csrc.gov.cn/pub/csrc_en/newsfact
s/release/201910/t20191015_364440.html  
 Effective 1 January 2020  YES 
Since 1  January  2020, the accumulated equity ra tios 
(including direct holding and indirect control) of 
foreign shareholders in foreign -invested futures 
companies are up to 100%.  Mode 3  Financial Services  Article 7 of the  Administrative Measures on 
Foreign Investment in Futures Companies 
(China Securities Regulatory Commission 
No.149)  
 
Viewed at:  
http://www.csrc.gov.cn/zjhpublic/zjh/201808/
t20180824_343039.htm  
 
 Effective 1 January 2020  YES 
Costa Rica  
The government adopted a new law regulating new 
financial instruments, including derivatives.  Multiple 
modes  Financial services  Law No. 9746  
 
Viewed at:  
http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/Busqueda/Norm
ativa/Normas/nrm_texto_completo.aspx?para
m1=NRTC&nValor1=1& nValor2=89892&nValo
r3=118131&strTipM=TC  Effective 22 October 2019  YES  
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 167 - Measure  Mode(s) of 
supply  Sectoral 
classification  Source  Date  Verified 
by 
Member  
A new measure regulates the maximum fees that 
services providers charge to process the transactions 
that use payment devices. It also regulates the credit 
card system to promote its safety and efficiency. The 
maximum fees will be determined by the Central 
Bank based on technical studies and will be subject 
to a public consultation.  Multiple 
modes  Financial services  Law No. 9831 – Maximum Fees of the Credit 
Card System  
 
Viewed at:  
http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/Busqueda/Norm
ativa/Normas/nrm_texto_completo.aspx?para
m1=NRTC&nValor1=1&nValor 2=90791&nValo
r3=0&strTipM=TC  
 Effective 26 March 2020  YES 
Ghana  
The Bank of Ghana has decided to extend by six 
months, until 31 December 2020, the deadline for 
meeting new minimum capital requirements 
applicable to all existing payment service providers, 
electronic money issuers, banks, and specialized 
deposit -taking institutions. The Bank of Ghana 
increased the minimum capital requirements for 
payment service providers from GHC5 million to 
GHC20 million.  
 
The new minimum capital requirements se rve to 
operationalize the Payment Systems and Services 
Act, adopted in 2019.  Among other things, the Act 
requires payment service companies to have at least 
30% domestic equity participation, to maintain 
minimum capital in Ghana, and to process all retail 
electronic payment transactions within Ghana.  Multiple 
modes  Payment services  Notice No. BG/GOV/SEC/2020/02  
 
Payment Systems and Services Act  
 
Viewed at:  
https://www.bog.gov.gh/wp -
content/uploads/2020/03/NOTICE -
EXTENSION -OF-DEADLINE -FOR-MEETING -THE-
MINIMUM -CAPITAL -REQUIREMENTS.pdf  
 
https://www.bog.gov.gh/wp -
content/uploads/2019/08/Payment -Systems -
and-Services -Act-2019-Act-987-.pdf 
 
https://thebftonline.com/2019/editors -
pick/bog -to-announce -new-capital -for-momo -
players/  
 Issued on 30 March 2020   
India  
As of this year, the 49% foreign equity limitation for 
insurance intermediaries (e.g. brokers, agents) has 
been eliminated. The clarification of the FDI policy 
follows the announcement made by the Finance 
minister in the Union Budget in 2019.  Mode 3  Insurance services  Viewed at:  
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID
=1601507  
 
https://dipp.gov.in/sites/default/files/pn1_202
0.pdf 
 Effective 27 April 2020  YES 
Indonesia  
Indonesia's Financial Services Authority issued a new 
regulation on the merger, consolidation, acquisition, 
integration and conversion of commercial banks.  
Among other things, the measure introduces 
mechanisms to facilitate the transformation of foreign 
bank branches into subsidiaries.  Mode 3  Banking services  Regulation No. 41/POJK.03/2019 of the 
Indonesian Financial Services Authority  
 
Viewed at:  
https://www.allenovery.com/en -
gb/global/news -and-
insights/publications/indonesia -introduces -
new-bank-m-and-a-rules 
 Effective 2 6 December 2019    
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 168 - Measure  Mode(s) of 
supply  Sectoral 
classification  Source  Date  Verified 
by 
Member  
The government adopted a new regulation relaxing 
foreign equity limits in insurance services.  Foreign 
equity ownership in insurance companies has been 
capped to 80% since April 2018. Further capital 
increases had to respect the 80:20 ratio between 
foreign and domestic shareholders. The new 
regulation relaxed this rule and added clarity 
regarding th e ability of insurers to conduct capital 
increases and manage their Sharia operations.  
 
The new regulation provides the following two key 
changes: 1) no obligation for capital increases to be 
made in a ratio of 80:20 - the obligation for an 
Indonesian sha reholder to make a corresponding 
20% capital injection in the event of a capital 
increase is now deleted; and 2) sharia spin -offs may 
be subject to the existing foreign ownership cap that 
is applicable to the parent insurance company, rather 
than the ratio  of 80:20.  
 Mode 3  Banking services  Government Regulation No. 3/2020 of 20 
January 2020 (GR 3/2020), which amends 
Government Regulation No. 14 of 2018 on 
Foreign Ownership of Insurance Companies 
(GR 14/2018).  
 
Viewed at:  
https://theinsiderstories.com/indonesia -raises -
foreign -ownership -in-insurance -companies -
above -80/ Effective 20 January 2020   
Malaysia  
The Central Bank of Malaysia issued new rules 
requiring electronic trading platforms and networks to 
obtain prior approval from the central bank before 
offering services in Malaysia.  Multiple 
modes  Financial services  Policy  Document on the Framework for 
Electr onic Trading Platforms  
 
Viewed at:  
https://www.bnm.gov.my/index.php?ch=57&p
g=150&ac=859&bb=file  
 Effective 11 November 2019  YES 
Nigeria  
The Central Bank of Nigeria issued new regulations 
on the operations of indirect participants in the 
payment system, thereby allowing mobile network 
operators, among others, to provide mobile money 
services for the first time.  
 
Mobile network operators, retailers, mobile money 
operators and ban king agents with sufficient capital 
(minimum of USD 14 million) can apply to become a 
payment service bank, which can provide payment 
services and collect deposits that can be invested in 
government securities or placed on deposit with a 
bank. They are exc luded from providing credit or 
insurance products.  
 
 
 Multiple 
modes  Financial services  Circular on the Regulation for the Operations 
of Indirect Participants in the Payment System  
 
Viewed at:  
https://www.cbn.gov.ng/Out/2019/PSMD/Circ
ular%20and%20Regulation%20for%20the%2
0Operation%20of%20Indirect%20Participants
%20in%20the%20Payment% 20System%20(0
02).pdf  
 
https://www.mondaq.com/Nigeria/Finance -
and-Banking/854160/New -Payment -
Regulations -Open-The-Door-To-MNOs -In-
Nigeria  
 Effective 11 November 2019  
   
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 169 - Measure  Mode(s) of 
supply  Sectoral 
classification  Source  Date  Verified 
by 
Member  
Philippines  
A new measure allows foreign banks to open Islamic 
bank branches. On 1 March 2020, the Monetary 
Board approved the preliminary policy initiatives of 
the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to implement 
the Republic Act (R.A.) No. 11439 (Act Providing for 
the Regulation and Organization of Islamic Banks and 
the relevant provisions on Islamic banking), which 
became effective on 15 September 2019.  
 
Subject to the approval of the Monetary Board, 
conventional banks, whether domestic or foreign, will 
be allowed to open Islamic banking unit or to 
establish a subsidiary Islamic bank. Foreign banks 
can operate in the Philippines under any of the modes 
of entry provided under R.A. No. 7721, as amended, 
or An Act Liberalizing the Entry and Scope of 
Operations of Foreign Banks in the Philippines and for 
Other Purposes.  
 Modes 1 and 
3 Banking and other 
financial services  Viewed at:  
http://www.bsp.gov.ph/publications/media.asp
?id=5255  Effective 1  March 2020  YES 
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (Central Bank of the 
Philippines) adopted a series of new measures 
affecting banking and other financial services. These 
relate, for example, to a mendments to the 
Framework for Dealing with Domestic Systemically 
Important Banks, modifications of reserve 
requirements, and the adoption of a national quick 
response code standard to ensure the safety, 
efficiency, and reliability of payment systems.  
 Mode 3 Banking and other 
financial services  Circulars Nos. 1050 -1082 
 
Viewed at:  
http://www.bsp.gov.ph/  October 2019 – May 2020  YES 
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of  
The Board of the Capital Market Authority has issued 
a resolution to approve the amendments to the 
Instructions for Book Building Process and Allocation 
Method in IPOs (The Instructions).  Mode 3  Financial services  Resolution of the Board of the Capital Market 
Authority, dated 17 September 2019  
 
Viewed at:  
https://cma.org.sa/en/RulesRegulations/Regul
ations/Documents/Instructions_BookBuilding_
Allocation.pdf   
 Effective on 6 October 2019   YES 
The Board of the Capital Market Authority issued a 
resolution to approve the amendments to the Rules 
on the Offer of Securities and Continuing Obligations 
(The Rules).  Mode 3  Financial services  Resolution of the Board of the Capital Market 
Authority, date d 30 September 2019  
  
Viewed at:  
https://cma.org.sa/en/RulesRegulations/Regul
ations/Documents/OSRCI_en.pdf  
 Effective on 6 October 2019, 
except for paragraphs 1 and 3 
of Article 90 of the Rules, 
which entered into force on 1 
January 2020  YES  
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 170 - Measure  Mode(s) of 
supply  Sectoral 
classification  Source  Date  Verified 
by 
Member  
The Board of the Capital Market Authority issued a 
resolution to approve the amendments to the 
Instructions for Companies Announcement (The 
Instructions).  Mode 3  Financial services  Resolution of the Board of the Capital Market 
Authority, dated 30 September 2019  
 
Viewed at:  
https://cma.org.sa/en/RulesRegulations/Regul
ations/Documents/Instructions -FSI-Ownership -
Listed -Companies -en.pdf   
 Effective on 6 O ctober 2019  YES 
The Board of the Capital Market Authority issued a 
resolution to approve the amendments to the 
Glossary of Defined Terms Used in the Regulations 
and Rules of the Capital Market Authority (The 
Glossary).  Mode 3  Financial services   Resolution of the Board of the Capital Market 
Authority, dated 30 September 2019  
 
Viewed at:  
https://cma.org.sa/en/RulesRegulations/Regul
ations/Documents/CMA_Glossary_en.pdf   
 Effective on 6 October 2019  YES 
The Board of the Capital Market Authority issued a 
resolution to adopt the Securities Central 
Counterparties Regulations (The Regulations).  Mode 3  Financial services  Resolution of the Board of the Capital Market 
Authority, dated 18 November 2019  
 
Viewed at:  
https://cma.org.sa/en/RulesRegulations/Regul
ations/Documents/Securities -Central -
Counterparties -Regulations -en.pdf   
 Effective on 8 January 2020  YES 
Switzerland  
The Law and its implementing Ordinance contain the 
code of conduct that financial service providers must 
observe with regard to their clients. They distinguish 
between two main categories of clients: retail clients 
and professional clients.  
 
They establis h requirements for prospectuses for 
securities offers and provide that retail clients must 
be provided with a user -friendly document containing 
basic information on financial instruments.  
 
The Law and its implementing Ordinance provide for 
a register of a dvisers, with mandatory registration for 
certain advisers. Lastly, the Law and its implementing 
Ordinance also require all financial service providers 
to be affiliated with an ombudsman's office.  
 Multiple 
modes  Financial services  Federal Law of 15 June 2018 on financial 
services (SR 950.1);  
Ordinance of 6 November 2019 on financial 
services (SR 950.11)  
 
Viewed at:  
https://www.admin.ch/opc/fr/cla ssified -
compilation/20152661/index.html  
 
https://www.admin.ch/opc/fr/classified -
compilation/20192374/index.html  
 
S/C/N/987  Effective 1 January 2020  YES 
The Law and its implementing Ordinance standardize 
the regulation of authorizations for financial service 
providers. They define the differing supervisory 
standards for portfolio managers, managers of Multiple 
modes  Financial services  Federal Law of 15 June 2018 on financial 
establishments (SR 954.1);  
Ordinance of 6 November 2019 on financial 
establishments (SR 954.11)  
 Effective 1 January 2020  YES  
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 171 - Measure  Mode(s) of 
supply  Sectoral 
classification  Source  Date  Verified 
by 
Member  
collective assets, fund management companies and 
securi ties firms.  
 
The trustees and portfolio managers who administer 
assets on behalf of individual clients or occupational 
pension schemes are also subject to prudential 
supervision.  Viewed at:  
https://www.admin.c h/opc/en/classified -
compilation/20152662/index.html  
 
https://www.admin.ch/opc/fr/classified -
compilation/19960659/index.html  
 
S/C/N/988  
 
Thailand  
A new measure modifies the licensing regime for loss 
adjusters. A new applicant for a loss adjuster licence 
must register as a juridical person and have a head 
office or branch in Thailand.  Mode 3  Loss Adjustment 
Services  Article 35/3 (b) of Non -Life Insurance Act 
(No.4)  
 
Clause 6 of Notification of the Insurance  
Commission Re: Specification of Rules, 
Procedures, Conditions, Application for 
Permission, and Renewal of Loss Adjusters, 
Inspection and adjustment of loss. B.E.  2562 
(2019)  
 21 November 2019  YES 
Thailand's Securities and Exchange Commission 
(SEC) adopted a series of measures affecting financial 
services. These relate, for example, to the repealing 
of certain regulations on accounting reports for 
securities companies, and to amendments to capital 
requirements for digital assets businesses.  Mode 3  Financial services  SEC adoption of the Circular of the Association 
of Thai Securities Companies' guidelines on 
portfolio advisory and program trading;  SEC 
notification No. GorThor 6/2562, 63/2562, 
8/2562, 34/2562;  Notification of Capital 
Market Advisory Board TorJor 14/2563  
 Effective November 2019 – 
March 2020  YES 
Turkey  
The Capital Markets Board of Turkey (CMB) published 
a regulatory amendment in order to facilitate the use 
of Turkish capital market instruments as collateral in 
international transactions as well as foreign 
investments in Turkish capital market instruments . 
 
 
 Mode 1  Financial services  Communiqué II -13.1 of the CMB with respect 
to Procedures and Principals for the Book -
Keeping of Dematerialized Capital Market 
Instruments - Official Gazette (dated 22 June 
2019 – no. 30809  22 June 2019  YES 
Uganda  
A new measure requires the purchase of marine 
insurance from local suppliers.  
 
The Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) is 
implementing a local marine cargo insurance policy. 
Effective 1 March 2020, there shall be voluntary 
marine insurance provided local ly by insurance 
companies licensed by IRA and compulsory local Modes 1 and 
3 Non-life insurance 
services  Viewed at:  
https:// ira.go.ug/news_details.php?det=96  Effective 1 June 2020    
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 172 - Measure  Mode(s) of 
supply  Sectoral 
classification  Source  Date  Verified 
by 
Member  
purchase shall take effect on 1 June 2020. The 
importers using the system will benefit from a more 
favorable tax compensation.   
 
Under the compulsory marine insurance scheme, all 
imports must h ave a valid marine insurance cover 
underwritten by a Ugandan registered insurance 
company before clearance by Uganda Revenue 
Authority.  
 
Ukraine  
The government adopted a new law that aims to 
enhance the ability of legal instruments to detect and 
prevent financial crimes and to provide greater 
transparency in the Ukrainian financial sector in the 
context of the ongoing process of financial 
cooperation with Europe.  
 Mode 3  Financial Services  Law of Ukraine No. 361 "On Prevention and 
Counteraction to Legalization (Laundering) of 
Proceeds from Crime, Terrorism Financing and 
Financing of Proliferation of Weapons of Mass 
Destruction"  Effective 28 April 2020  YES 
Viet Nam  
The government adopted new measures to regulate 
the cross -border supply of auxiliary insurance 
services.  
 
Offshore service providers are required to be from 
countries with which Viet Nam has contracted market 
access commitments on the cross -border supply of 
such services. An offshore service supplier may be 
subject to additional conditions.  In the case of cross -
border supply to insurance companies or insurance 
brokerage companies, the supplier must, for 
example: have been lawfully operating for at least 10  
years up until the point of service provision; have 
been operating with profit for 3 consecutive financial 
years up until the point of service provision. For 
cross-border supply to individuals and to 
organizations other than entities mentioned above, 
the foreign supplier must cooperate with a supplier of 
auxiliary insurance services that is legally established 
in Viet Nam.  
 Mode 1  Auxiliary insurance 
services  Decree No. 80 on the implementation of Law 
No. 42 on amendments to the Insurance 
Business Law  
 
Ministry of Finance Circular No. 65  
 
Viewed at:  
https://www.bakermckenzie.com/en/insight/pu
blications/2019/12/new -regulations -insurance -
vietnam  Effective  
1 November 2019   
TOURISM AND TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES  
Costa Rica  
The government adopted a new law that aims to 
regulate the supply of tourism services in the form of 
home rentals, apartments, villas, chalets, cottages, Multiple 
modes  Tourism services  Law No. 9742 - Framework Law for the 
Regularization of non -traditional hosting and 
intermediation through digital platforms  Published in November 2019; 
effective  1 June 2020  YES  
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 173 - Measure  Mode(s) of 
supply  Sectoral 
classification  Source  Date  Verified 
by 
Member  
and rooms.  It seeks to protect the rights of users of 
such services, and to regulate the services platforms 
or intermediary companies, which mediate between 
the users and suppliers of non -traditional lodging.  
 
In addition, the law requires hosts to register with 
the Tourism Inst itute and to pay the 13% value -
added tax.  
  
Viewed at:  
http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/Busqueda/Norm
ativa/Normas/nrm_texto_completo.aspx?para
m1=NRTC&nValor1=1&nValor2=90073&nValor
3=118473&strTipM=TC  
TRANSPORT SERVICES  
Costa Rica  
A new measure removes limits on maximum foreign 
equity in companies that provide international land 
transport services of passengers.  Previously, 
companies providing these services were required to 
have at least 60% of their equity owned by investors 
that were citizens of Central America.  Mode 3  Road transport 
services  Executive Decree No. 42072  
 
Viewed at:  
http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/Busqueda/Norm
ativa/Normas/nrm_texto_completo.aspx?para
m1=NRTC&nValor1=1&nValor2=90232&nValor
3=118737&strTipM=TC  
 Effective  
13 De cember 2019  YES 
European Union  
The European Commission has prolonged for another 
four years the regulation outlining the conditions 
under which liner shipping consortia can provide joint 
services without infringing EU antitrust rules that 
prohibit anticompetitive agreements between 
companies.  
 
The Consortia Block Exemption Regulation  allows, 
under certain conditions, liner shipping operators with 
a combined market share of below 30% to enter into 
cooperation agreements to provide joint liner 
shipping services (known as "consortia"). These 
agreements, however, cannot include price -fixing or 
market -sharing. The current Consortia Block 
Exemption Regulation was due to expire on 25 April 
2020.  
 Modes 1 and 
3 Maritime transport 
services  Consor tia Block Exemption Regulation  
 
Viewed at:  
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/
detail/en/ip_20_518  24 March 2020  YES 
Philippines  
The Maritime Industry Authority adopted new 
measures relating to, for example, the licensing of 
ship repair entities, and mandatory insurance to 
cover liability for damage to ships used in domestic 
shipping services.  
 Multiple 
modes  Maritime transport 
services  Memorandum Circulars No. SR -2019-01, SR -
2019-02, and SR -2019-03 
 
Viewed at:  
https://marina.gov.ph  October -December 2019  YES  
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 174 - Measure  Mode(s) of 
supply  Sectoral 
classification  Source  Date  Verified 
by 
Member  
The Maritime Industry Authority adopted an 
amendment to MC No. 2013 -04 providing for the 
"Omnibus Rules on the Issuance of Special Permit for 
the Temporary Utilization of Philippine -Registered 
Domestic Ships to Operate in International Voyages".  
 Multiple 
modes  Maritime transport 
services  Memorandum Circular No. OS -2020-01 
 
Viewed at: https://marina.gov.ph  Published on 23 April 2020  YES 
Viet Nam  
On 18 November 2019, the government issued a 
decree that increases from 30% to 34% the 
maximum foreign equity in airlines.  Mode 3  Air transport services  Decree 89/2019/ND -CP 
 
Viewed at:  
https://vietnamnews.vn/economy/548582/fore
ign-investors -allowed -34-per-cent-holding -at-
vietnamese -airlines.html  
 Effective  
1 January 2020   
SERVICES SUPPLIED THROUGH THE MOVEMENT OF NATURAL PERSONS  
China  
Foreign high -level management and technical 
personnel  engaged in technical cooperation and 
economic and trade activities in China may  now 
apply for a visa or residence permit valid for 2 to 5 
years.   
 Mode 4  All sectors  Viewed at:  
https:// www.nia.gov.cn/n741440/n741577/c1
076430/content.html   Effective 1 August 2019  YES 
France  
The French Ministry of Home Affairs has implemented 
changes to its Talent Passport programme, including 
expedited and streamlined application processing.  Mode 4  All sectors  Viewed at:  
https://www.mondaq.com/france/Immigration
/882460/Talent -Passport -Improvements -
Implemented  
 Effective January 2020   
Germany  
A new immigration law expands the framework under 
which qualified professionals from non -EU Members 
can work in Germany. It allows vocationally trained 
foreign nationals to be employed in Germany also in 
occupations that are not experiencing a skills 
shortage. The measure abolishes the requirement to 
check the unavailability of German or EU nationals 
before non -EU citizens are allowed to take up a 
skilled occupation.  Moreover, employers can launch 
an expedited procedure for qualified professionals at 
the relevant foreigners' registration office in 
Germany, thereby significantly shortening the 
duration of the administrative proce dure for the 
issuing of the visa.  Mode 4  All sectors  Viewed at:  
https://www.make -it-in-
germany.com/en/visa/skilled -immigration -act/ Effective 1 March 2020  YES  
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 175 - Measure  Mode(s) of 
supply  Sectoral 
classification  Source  Date  Verified 
by 
Member  
Japan  
The Immigration Service Agency of Japan (ISA) has 
expanded the online residence application system for 
companies to apply for various certificates for, inter 
alia, Status of Residence of "Business Managers", 
"Intra -Company Transferees" and "Highly Skilled 
Professional".  Mode 4  All sectors  Viewed at:  
http://www.immi -
moj.go.jp/tetuduki/zairyukanri/onlineshinsei.ht
ml Effective 24 March 2020  YES 
Nigeria  
A new visa policy has been implemented which 
provides, inter alia, a new visa avenue for highly 
skilled foreign nationals and a 90 -day visa-on-arrival 
for all African Union nationals, frequently travelling 
executives and emergency relief workers.  Mode 4  All sectors  Viewed at:  
https:// assets.kpmg/content/dam/kpmg/ng/pd
f/tax/fg -launches -nigeria -visa-policy -2020.pdf  Effective January 2020   
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of  
Foreign nationals travelling for business must now 
obtain a visa pre -approval before submitting a 
Business Visit Visa application.  Mode 4  All sectors  Viewed at:  
http://www.tradearabia.com/news/MISC_3641
67.html  
 Effective February 2020   
Thailand  
The Department of Employment has introduced 
changes that streamline the work permit process by 
allowing filing at the One -Stop Service Centre and 
faster in-country processing.  Mode 4  All sectors  Viewed at:  
https://blog.newlandchase.com/thailand -
faster -processing -of-certain -pre-work-permit-
approval -applications  
 Effective October 2019  YES 
The government issued on 1 April 2020 a Ministerial 
Notification on prohibited works by foreigners.  
 
This Ministerial Notification sets forth four categories 
of prohibited works:  
1- works entirely reserved for Thai workers: 27 
works;  
2 - works that foreign workers are permitted to 
perform under agreements between Thailand and 
other Parties;  
3- works that semi -skilled or skilled foreign workers 
shall perform under the condition that they must 
have employers;  
4- works that foreign workers are permitted to 
perform under the condition of having employers and 
being permitted to enter Thailand by Immigration 
Law under MOUs or Agreements between Thai 
Government and Foreign Governments.  Mode 4  All sectors  Ministry of Labour Ministerial Notification on 
prohibited works which foreign workers are not 
permitted to work, dated 1 April 2020, enacted 
under the Foreigners' Working Management 
Emergency Decree (No.2) B.E. 2561(2018).   Gazetted on 21 April 2020; 
effective after 60 days after 
publication in the Royal 
Gazette.  YES 
 
  
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- 176 - ANNEX 5 - COVID -19 TRADE AND TRADE -RELATED MEASURES  (GOODS)1 
Confirmed information2 
Member/  Measure  Source/Date  Status  Observer  
Argentina  Certain products (e.g. medical equipment and personal protective 
equipment) eliminated from the list requiring non -automatic import licensing 
requirements (15 tariff lines at 8 -digit level, in NCM Chapters 22; 38; 62; 
63; 65; 90),  due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Argentina to the 
WTO (14 April 2020) and Disposición No. 
5/2020 Subsecretaría de Política y Gestión 
Comercial - Ministerio de Desarrollo 
Productivo (18 March 2020). Viewed at: 
http://servicios.infoleg.gob.ar/infolegIntern
et/anexos/335000 -
339999/335690/norma.htm  Effective 19 March 2020  
Argentina  Temporary implementation of export licensing requirement on medical 
ventilators (artificial respiration apparatus) (NCM 9019.20.10), due to the 
COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Argentina to the 
WTO (14 April 2020) and Decreto 301/2020 
(19 March 2020) and Resolución No. 
140/2020 Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo 
(6 April 2020). Viewed at: 
https://www.boletinoficia l.gob.ar/detalleAvis
o/primera/227045/20200320?busqueda=1  Effective 20 March 2020  
Argentina  On 21 March 2020, temporary suspension of the anti -dumping duties on 
imports of hypodermic syringes of plastic, disposable, sterile, with or without 
needles (NCM 9018.31.11; 9018.31.19) from China (investigation initiated 
on 15  September  2009 and definitive duty imposed on 15 March 2011)  Permanent Delegation of Argentina to the 
WTO (14 April 2020) and Resolución No. 
114/2020 Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo  
(20 March 2020). Viewed at: 
https://www.boletinoficial.gob.ar/detalleAvis
o/primera/227095/20200321?busqueda=1  Effective 21 March 2020  
Argentina  On 24 March 2020, temporary suspension of the anti -dumping duties on 
imports of parenteral solutions (NCM 3004 .90.99) from Brazil and Mexico 
(investigation initiated on 29 June 2018 and definitive duty imposed on 2 
December 2019)  Permanent Delegation of Argentina to the 
WTO (14 April 2020) and Resolución No. 
118/2020 Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo 
(23 March 2020). Viewed at: 
https://www.boletinoficial.gob.ar/detalleAvis
o/primera/227118/20200324?busqueda=1  Effective 24 March 2020  
 
1 This table has been compiled by the WTO Secretariat and is an informal situation report and an attempt to provide transparenc y with respect to measures affecting trade 
in goods taken in the context of the COVID -19 crisis. It does not pass judgment on or questions the right of WTO members to take such actions. The Secretariat has not s ought to 
determine and indicate whether the mea sures listed in the table have trade -restrictive or trade -facilitating effects. The information in this table is not exhaustive and does not 
include information on general support measures.  The measures listed in this table provide a situation report up t o 15 May 2020. A consistent feature of the trade and trade -
related measures taken in response to the COVID -19 crisis has been the frequent changes, adjustments and occasional roll -back of such measures to reflect the evolving situation. 
The updated lists o f measures implemented in the context of the current pandemic are available on the COVID -19 page of the WTO website:  
https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/covid 19_e/trade_related_goods_measure_e.htm . 
2 This Section includes information which has either been provided by the Member concerned or has been confirmed at the request  of the Secretariat.   
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 177 - Member/  Measure  Source/Date  Status  Observer  
Argentina  Temporary implementation of export licensing requirement on certain 
products (NCM Chapters 22; 28; 29; 30; 38; 39; 40; 62; 63; 84; 90), due 
to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Argentina to the 
WTO (14 April 2020) and Decreto No. 
317/2020 - Nomenclatura Común del 
Mercosur (28 March 2020) and Resolución 
No. 140/2020 Ministerio de Desarrollo 
Productivo (6  April 2020 and Decreto No. 
405/2020 - Nomenclatura Común del 
Mercosur. Viewed at: 
https://www.boletinoficial.gob.ar/detalleAvis
o/primera/228212/20200424  Effective 28 March 2020  
Argentina  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on certain products (NCM Chapters 
22; 29; 38; 39; 40; 63; 65; 84; 90; 94), due to the COVID -19 pandemic. 
Imports also exempted from the statistical fee ( tasa de estadística ) Decreto Nos. 333/2020 - Derechos de 
Importación Extrazona (1 April 2020) and 
455/2020 (10 May 2020), a nd Resolución 
General No. 4696/2020 - Administración 
Federal de Ingresos Públicos (14 April 2020)  Effective 3 April 2020  
Argentina  Import of certain products temporary exempted from VAT (NCM Chapters 
22; 29; 38; 39; 40; 63; 65; 84; 90; 94), due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Decreto Nos. 333/2020 - Derechos de 
Importación Extrazona (1 April 2020) and 
455/2020 (10 May 2020), and Resolución 
General No. 4696/2020 - Administración 
Federal de Ingresos Públicos (14 April 2020)  Effective 15 April 2020, for 
60 days  
Argentina  Temporary authorization to accept exceptionally document of origin in 
electronic form for accreditation and determining the origin of imported 
goods, and access to tariff preferences that are part of preferential 
agreements signed by Argentina ( LAIA, Israel, Egypt and SACU). 
Presentation of original format to Customs not required, due to the COVID -
19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Argentina to the 
WTO and Circular  No. 2/2020 
Administración Federal de Ingresos Públicos 
(6 April 2020)    
Argentina  Temporary elimination of the Sworn Declaration of Product Composition 
requirement ( Declaración Jurada de Composición de Productos "DJCP" ) on 
certain personal protective equipment (NCM 6210.10.00; 6307.90.10; 
6307.90.90; 6505.00.22), due to the CO VID-19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Argentina to the 
WTO (14 April 2020) and Resolución No. 
107/2020 Ministerio de Desarrollo 
Productivo, Secretaría de Comercio Interior 
(2 April 2020). Viewed at: 
https://www.boletinoficial.gob.ar/detalleAvis
o/primera /227415/20200403  Effective 3 April 2020 to 2 
June 2020   
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Australia  Temporary restrictions on the non -commercial export of personal protective 
equipment and sanitizer products, essential to combatting the COVID -19 
pandemic. The measure seeks to prevent indiv iduals and criminal 
syndicates from hoarding, price -gouging and profiteering on non -
commercial exports from Australia. Legitimate commercial and 
humanitarian exports are exempt, as are care packages to family overseas, 
although products cannot be sent thro ugh the mail. The measures apply 
only to a specific list of products:  personal protective equipment that can be 
worn by individuals to limit transmission of organisms:  disposable face 
masks, disposable gloves, disposable gowns, protective eye wear in the 
form of goggles, glasses or visors; and alcohol wipes and hand sanitizer 
(HS 3401.11; 3401.19; 3401.20; 3808.94; 3926.20; 4015.11; 4015.19; 
6116.10; 6210.10; 6210.20; 6210.30; 6210.40; 6210.50; 6216.00; 
6307.90; 6505.00; 9004.90; 9020.00)  WTO document 
G/MA/ QR/N/AUS/3/Add.1/Corr.1, 29 April 
2020 Effective from 30 March 
2020 and during the 
human biosecurity 
emergency period; that is, 
while the Biosecurity 
(Human Biosecurity 
Emergency) (Coronavirus 
with Pandemic Potential) 
Declaration 2020 is in 
force (three mo nths from 
18 March 2020)  
Australia  Temporary tariff concession measure to facilitate the importation of certain 
goods (face masks, gloves, gowns/clothes, disinfectant preparations 
(excluding hand sanitizers), soaps, COVID -19 test kits and reagents, and 
viral transport media) required to manage the crisis created by the COVID -
19 pandemic. The measure was published on 1 May 2020 in Australian 
Customs Notice Number 2020/20. The measure will be in place until 31 July 
2020, with refunds availabl e for customs duty paid on prescribed goods 
imported from 1 February 2020. The measure may be extended following a 
review (HS 3002.15.10; 3401.11.00; 3401.19.00; 3401.20.00; 
3808.94.00; 3821.00.10; 3822.00.19; 3822.00.20; 3822.00.39; 
3822.00.40; 3926.20.21 ; 3926.20.29; 3926.90.90; 4015.11.00; 
4015.19.90; 4015.90.21; 4015.90.29; 4018.50.00; 4818.50.00; 
6210.10.10; 6210.10.90; 6210.50.10; 6210.50.90; 6307.90.10; 
6307.90.29; 6307.90.40; 6307.90.99; 9004.90.00)  WTO document G/MA/W/152, 4 May 2020  Effective 1 Fe bruary 2020 
to 31 July 2020  
Azerbaijan  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on certain products, e.g. medical 
gloves, sterile  shoe covers, mittens, sterile masks, respirators (effective 5 
March 2020 to 1 June 2020); on raw materials for the production of medical 
masks (effective 5 March 2020 to 31 December 2022) (HS 3926.20.00; 
4015.19.00; 6307.90.98; 5603.12.10; 5603.13.10) , du e to the COVID -19 
pandemic. Imports also exempted from VAT  Permanent Delegation of Azerbaijan to the 
WTO (10 April 2020), Resolution Nos. 84 
and 114 - Cabinet of Ministers    
Azerbaijan  Temporary export ban on certain medical supplies and preparations (e. g. 
sterile gloves, splints, medical masks and goggles, disinfectants, special 
clothing and other necessary medical supplies and preparations, due to the 
COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Azerbaijan to the 
WTO (12 May 2020), Resolution Nos. 42 
and 1 52 - Cabinet of Ministers  Effective 14 February 2020 
to 1 May 2020. Extended 
until 1 July 2020  
Bangladesh  Temporary export prohibition on surgical masks, face masks, and 
disinfectants (hand sanitizers) (effective 12 March 2020) (HS 6307.90.40; 
6307.90.90; 3808.94.91), due to the COVID -19 pandemic  WTO document G/MA/QR/N/BGD/1, 16 April 
2020 Effective 2 March 2020 to 
2 April 2020   
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Bangladesh  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on protective garment, disinfectant, 
and COVID -19 test kits (HS 2905.12.90; 3002.15.00; 3822.00.00; 
9027.80.00; 3808.94.91; 9018.90.90; 9020.00.00; 3926.20.20; 
3926.20.90; 6210.10.00; 6210.40.00; 6210.50.00; 6211.33.00; 
6211.39.00; 6211.43.00; 6211.49.00; 9004.90.00), due to the COVID -19 
pandemic. Imports also exempted  from VAT and othe taxes  WTO document G/MA/W/156, 29 May 2020  Effective 22 March 2020 to 
30 June 2020  
Belarus  Temporary export restrictions on certain personal protective equipment  
(e.g. respirators, face masks, medical gloves, chemical protection suits,  
surgical boots and boot covers, breathing equipment) (HS Chapters 30; 39; 
40; 56; 59; 62; 63; 84; 90), due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Belarus (15 April 
2020) and Decision of the Council of 
Ministers No. 149 (17 March 2020)  Effective  16 March 2020 to 
1 June 2020  
Belarus  Temporary export restriction on certain basic food items  (e.g. buckwheat, 
onions, garlic) (HS codes 1008.10.00; 1103.19.90; 1104.29.30; 
1904.90.80; 0703.10.11; 0703.10.19; 0703.20.00), due to the COVID -19 
pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Belarus (15 April 
2020) and Decision of the Council of 
Ministers No. 185 ( 31 March 2020)  Effective 3 April 2020 to 3 
July 2020  
Brazil  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on certain personal protective 
equipment  (NCM Chapters 17; 22; 25; 28; 29; 30; 33; 34; 37; 38; 39; 40; 
48; 55; 56; 59; 61; 62; 63; 65; 70; 72; 73; 76; 84; 85; 87; 90; 94), due 
to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Brazil to the WTO 
(1 May 2020) and Resolução Ministério da 
Economia/Secretaria -Executiva da Câmara 
de Comércio Exterior Nos. 17/2020 (17 
March 2020), 22/2020 (25 March 2020), 
28/2020  (1 April 2020), 31/2020 (7 April 
2020), 32/2020 (16 April 2020), 33/2020, 
34/2020 (29 April 2020) and 44/2020 (14 
May 2020)  Effective 18 March 2020 to 
30 September 2020  
Brazil  Implementation of special export licensing scheme for goods to fight the 
COVID -19 pandemic (NCM Chapters 22; 29; 38; 39; 40; 56; 62; 63; 73; 
90) WTO document G/MA/QR/N/BRA/2/Add.1, 3 
June 2020  Effective 18 March 2020  
Brazil  Temporary elimination of import licensing requirements on certain products 
(e.g. vacuum plastic tubes for blood collection and syringes) (NCM 
3822.00.90; 3926.90.40; 9018.39.99; 9018.31.11; 9018.31.19), due to 
the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Brazil to the WTO 
(1 May 2020) and Secex Portaria No. 
18/2020 (20 March 2020)  Effective 23 March 2020  
Brazil  On 25 March 2020 temporary suspension of the anti -dumping duties on 
vacuum plastic tubes for blood collection and syringes (NCM 3822.00.90; 
3926.90.40; 9018.39.99; 9018.31.11; 9018.31.19) imported from China, 
Germany, the United Kingdom and the Unit ed States, due to the COVID -19 
pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Brazil to the WTO 
(1 May 2020) and Resolução No. 23/2020, 
Ministério da Economia/Secretaria -Executiva 
da Câmara de Comércio Exterior (25 March 
2020)  Effective 25 March 2020 to 
30 September 202 0 
Brazil  Temporary implementation of prior export authorization on chloroquine, 
hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, fentanyl, midazolam, ethosuximide, 
propofol, alcuronium, vecuronium, rocuronium, succinylcholine, ivermectin, 
and nitazoxanide (NCM 2941; 300 3; 3004; 3005; 3006; 2907; 2923; 2932; 
2933; 2934; 3001), due to the COVID -19 pandemic  WTO document G/MA/QR/N/BRA/2/Add.1, 3 
June 2020; Permanent Delegation of Brazil 
to the WTO (1 May 2020) and Resolution 
Ministério da Saúde/Agência Nacional de 
Vigilância Sanitária Nos. 352, 370 and 371  Effective March 2020   
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Brazil  Temporary elimination of import licensing requirements on certain products 
(dispensa de licenciamento de anuência da Subsecretaria de Opera çðes de 
Comércio Exterior "SUEXT" ) (NCM ) used in the treatment of COVID -19 
(NCM 3921.13.90; 5503.20.10; 6210.10.00; 9018.90.10)  Permanent Delegation of Brazil to the WTO 
(1 May 2020); Notícia Siscomex Nos. 
23/2020 and 12/2020; and Gecex/Camex 
Resolution Nos. 17/2020 and 31/2020  Effective 20 Marc h 2020  
Brazil  Temporary elimination of the IPI ( Imposto sobre Produtos Industrializados ) 
internal industrial tax on certain products (NCM 2207.20.19; 3808.94.11; 
3808.94.19; 3808.94.29; 3926.20.00; 3936.90.40; 3926.90.90; 
3926.90.90; 4015.19.00; 7326.20.00; 9004.90.20; 9004.90.90; 
9018.19.80; 9018.39.23; 9018.39.99; 9019.20; 9020.00.90; 9025.11.10), 
due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Brazil to the WTO 
(1 May 2020) and Decree Nos. 10.285 (20 
March 2020) and 10.302 (1 A pril 2020)  Effective March 2020 to 30 
September 2020  
Brazil  Temporary export prohibition of individual protection equipment, 
mechanical ventilators and monitors (NCM 3926; 6116; 6216; 6307; 9018; 
9004; 8473), due to the COVID -19 pandemic (the prohibition is subject to 
exceptions provided that the needs of the Brazilian population are met)  WTO document G/MA/QR/N/BRA/2/Add.1, 3 
June 2020  Effective 24 April 2020  
Brazil  Temporary relaxed administrative procedures on imports of certain used 
medical machinery and equipment and its parts thereof, due to the COVID -
19 pandemic  Secex Portaria No. 25/2020 (8 May 2020)  Effective 11 May 2020  
Canada  As of 16 March 2020, and until further notice, Canada is waiving tariffs and 
sales taxes on all goods imported by or on behalf of public health agencies, 
hospitals and testing sites, and first response organizations (e.g. police, fire 
and local civil defen ce groups, including medical response teams) . As of 6 
April 2020, Canada is also waiving tariffs and sales taxes on goods imported 
by or on behalf of public or private care residences, such as seniors’ 
residences, retirement homes, nursing homes and shelte rs WTO document G/MA/W/145, 1 April 2020; 
Permanent Delegation of Canada to the 
WTO (25 May 2020). CBSA Customs Notice 
20-08: Imported Goods for Emergency Use 
in Response to COVID -19. Viewed at: 
https://www.cbsa -
asfc.gc.ca/publications/cn -ad/cn20 -08-
eng.ht ml    
Canada  Goods imported into Canada are generally subject to the Goods and 
Services Tax (GST), at a rate of 5%, as well as applicable customs duties, 
which vary by product and country of origin. Typically, payments owing for 
customs duties and the GST  on imports are due on a monthly basis. In 
order to provide cash flow and liquidity support for importers, Canada 
announced on 27 March 2020 that it will defer payment deadlines for 
March, April, and May to 30 June 2020  WTO document G/MA/W/145, 1 April 202 0; 
Permanent Delegation of Canada to the 
WTO (25 May 2020) and Canada Border 
Service Agency, Customs Notice 20 -11 (27 
March 2020). Viewed at: https://www.cbsa -
asfc.gc.ca/publications/cn -ad/cn20 -11-
eng.html  Announced 27 March 2020 
until further notice   
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Canada  Temporary waiving otherwise applicable customs duties on imports of 
specified medical supplies, including personal protective equipment (PPE), 
in order to support efforts to combat the spread of COVID -19. Relief is 
available to all importers of spec ified goods including businesses, 
distributors, and individual Canadians. Key categories of products covered 
by the measure include diagnostic test kits, face and eye protection, gloves, 
protective garments, disinfectants/sterilization products, medical de vices, 
thermometers, wipes, and medical consumables, and other goods (e.g. 
soap). The scope of relief is based on the indicative list of medical supplies 
and PPE identified jointly by the WHO and the WCO as critical for 
combatting COVID -19, as well as rela ted classification guidance by the 
Canada Border Services Agency  WTO document G/MA/W/153, 14 May 2020  Effective 5 May 2020 to 30 
June 2020  
Chad  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on certain products (HS Chapters 
10; 11; 15; 19; 22; 25; 28; 30; 34; 38; 39; 40; 48; 61; 62; 63; 73; 84; 
90), due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Arrêté No. 76/PR/MFB/DGSDDI/2020 - 
Ministère des Finances et du Budget (24 
April 2020). Viewed at: 
https://macmap.org/OfflineDocument/Covid
19/COVID_TCD_1.pdf  Effective 24 April 2020 to 
31 December 2020  
China  MOFCOM notice actively guiding and encouraging enterprises to apply for 
import and export licenses in a paperless way; further simplifying the 
materials required for the paperless application for import and export 
licenses; optimizin g the application and updating processes of electronic 
keys, and encouraging enterprises to apply for and update electronic keys 
online  Permanent Delegation of China to the WTO 
(27 April 2020). Viewed at: 
http://www.mofcom.gov.cn/article/ae/ai/20
2002/20200 202934222.shtml  Effective 6 February 2020  
China  Circular of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs implementing nine 
facilitation measures regarding three categories of agricultural 
administrative approval (license renewal, simplification of approval 
procedure, and optimization of approval process)  Permanent Delegation of China to the WTO 
(27 April 2020). Viewed at: 
http://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202
0-02/13/content_5478044.htm  Effective 12 February 2020  
China  Trade facilitation measures through the holding of the 127th Canton 
International  Fair online, due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of China to the WTO 
(27 April 2020). Viewed at: 
http://www.mofcom.gov.cn/article/ae/ai/20
2004/20200402956113.shtml  Effective 15 June 2020 to 
24 June 2020  
Colombia  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on certain personal protective 
equipment, raw materials and capital goods not locally produced, due to the 
COVID -19 pandemic (HS Chapters 21; 25; 28; 30; 32; 34; 35; 38;  39; 40; 
42; 48; 56; 58; 62; 63; 70; 73; 74; 76; 82; 83; 84; 85; 87; 90; 94; 96)  WTO document G/MA/W/146/Corr.1, 8 April 
2020; and Decreto  - Ministerio de Comercio, 
Industria y Turismo Nos. 410/2020 (16 
March 2020) and 463/2020 (22 March 
2020)  Effective 2 2 March 2020, 
for 6 months  
Colombia  Temporary export ban on  certain personal protective equipment  (HS 
Chapters 22; 30; 34; 38; 39; 40; 48; 63; 90; 94), due to the COVID -19 
pandemic  WTO document G/MA/QR/N/COL/1, 2 April 
2020; and Decreto No. 462/2020 - 
Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo 
(22 March 2020)  Effective 22 March 2020, 
for 6 months   
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Colombia  Temporary elimination of imports tariffs on maize; grain sorghum; soya 
beans; and oil -cake and other solid residues, whether or not ground or in 
the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of soyabean oil ( sorgo y 
torta de soya ) (HS 1005.90.11; 1007.90.00; 1201.90.00; 2304.00.00), 
under certain import quotas, due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Decreto No. 523/2020 - Ministerio de 
Comercio, Industria y Turismo (7 April 
2020). Viewed at: 
https://dapre.presidencia.gov.co/normativa/
normativ a/DECRETO%20523%20DEL%207
%20DE%20ABRIL%20DE%202020.pdf  Effective 7 April 2020 to 
30 June 20202  
Costa Rica  Temporary export control requirements for statistical purposes on certain 
personal protective equipment  (e.g. face masks, disinfectant) and medical 
equipment (HS 6505.00; 9004.90; 6402.99; 9020.00; 6307.90; 6211.49; 
4015.11; 4015.19; 9018.90; 3822.00; 3005.10; 3005.90), due to the 
COVID -19 pandemic  WTO document G/MA/W/155, 28 May 2020  Effective 18 March 2020  
Costa Rica  Moratorium on import tariffs during April - June 2020, for all products 
included in HS Chapters 25 to 97, due to the COVID -19 pandemic. The fees 
subject to this moratorium must be cancelled before 31 December 2020  WTO document G/MA/W/155, 28 May 2020  Effective 19 March 2020  
Costa Rica  Temporary export licensing requirements on certain personal protective 
equipment  (e.g. face masks, gloves) (HS 9004.90.10; 6307.90.20; 
4015.19.00; 6210.10.90), due to the COVID -19 pandemic  WTO document G/MA/QR/N/CRI/3/Add.1, 
17 April 2020; Perm anent Delegation of 
Costa Rica to the WTO (14 April 2020); and 
Decreto Ejecutivo No. 42291 -MEIC-S-
COMEX  (8 April 2020). Viewed at: 
https://www.imprentanacional.go.cr/pub/20
20/04/10/ALCA82_10_04_2020.pdf  Effective 10 April 2020  
Costa Rica  Implementation of stringent maximum periods of stay in Costa Rica for 
road carriers, due to the COVID -19 pandemic (Guatemala, Honduras, 
Nicaragua; 10 days; El Salvador and the Dominican Republic: 72 hours 
(reciprocity); Panama: 4 days (reciprocity); other Nationalities: 10 days). 
Truck drivers required to have successfully passed COVID -19 test in order 
to operate in Costa Rica territory  Permanent Delegation of Costa Rica to the 
WTO (26 May 2020). Viewed 
at:https://www.imprentanacional.go.cr/pub/
2020/05/09/A LCA109_09_05_2020.pdf  Effective 7 May 2020  
Dominican 
Republic  Temporary exemption of VAT on imports of ethyl alcohol (HS 2207.20), due 
to the COVID -19 pandemic  WTO document G/MA/W/149, 15 April 
2020; and Permanent Delegation of the 
Dominican Republic to the WTO (14 April 
2020)  Effective 19 March 2020  
Dominican 
Republic  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on certain personal protective 
equipment (e.g. gloves, face masks) (HS 6210.10.00; 4015.11.00; 
4015.19.11; 6307.90.30; 9019.20.00), due to the COVID -19 pandemic  WTO document G/MA/W/149, 15 April 
2020; and Permanent Delegation of the 
Dominican Republic to the WTO (14 April 
2020) and Aviso Aduanas (2 April 2020). 
Viewed at: 
https://www.aduanas.gob.do/media/14050/
aviso-eliminacio -n-temporal -impuestos -arti-
culos-me-dicos.pdf  Effective 2 April 2020   
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Dominican 
Republic  Temporary elimination of imports tariffs on certain medical equipment, 
thermometers and hydrogen peroxide (HS 8419.20.00; 2847.00.00; 
9022.12.00; 9018.90.19; 9025.11.10), due to the COVID -19 pandemic. 
Imports also exempted from VAT (ITBIS) and other duties an d charges  WTO document G/MA/W/149/Add.1, 12 May 
2020; and Permanent Delegation of the 
Dominican Republic to the WTO (1 May 
2020)  Effective 16 April 2020  
Ecuador  Temporary export ban on certain personal protective equipment and 
pharmaceutical ingredients (HS Chapters 28; 30; 34; 38; 39; 40; 42; 56; 
62; 63; 65; 90), due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Ecuador to the 
WTO (9 April 2020) and Acuerdo  del 
Ministerio de Salud Pública No. 00126 (11 
March 2020)  Effective 5 March 2020, for 
1 year  
Ecuador  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on certain personal protective 
equipment and pharmaceutical ingredients (HS Chapters 28; 30; 39; 40; 
62; 65; 90), due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Ecuador to the 
WTO (9 April 2020) and Resolución  004-
2020 - Comité de Comercio Exterior (22 
March 2020). Viewed at: 
https://www.produccion.gob.ec/dispositivos
-medicos -con-arancel -cero-para-enfrentar -
emergencia -sanitaria/  Effective 22 March 2020  
El Salvador  Temporary elimination of the Central American  Common Tariff on imports 
of certain food products, pharmaceutical products and personal protective 
equipment (HS Chapters 04; 07; 10; 11; 19; 20; 21; 28; 30; 34; 38; 40; 
96), due to the COVID -19 pandemic. Certain products also exempted from 
VAT Permanent Delegation of E l Salvador  to the 
WTO (5 June 2020) and Decretos 604 (20 
March 2020), 616 (2 April 2020); and 
Dirección General de Aduanas - Boletín 
Informativo No. DGA -009-2020. Viewed at: 
https://www.diariooficial.gob.sv/diarios/do -
2020/03 -marzo/20 -03-2020.pdf Effective 20 March 2020  
El Salvador  Temporary export ban on certain dried leguminous vegetables ( frijol rojo en 
grano ) (HS 0713.33.40), due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of El Salvador  to the 
WTO (5 June 2020) and Acuerdo Ejecutivo 
512, Ministerio de Economía, Agricultura y 
Ganadería, and Dirección General de 
Aduanas - Boletín Informativo No. DGA-
009-2020 Effective 26 March 2020 to 
31 December 2020  
Egypt  Temporary export ban on certain  personal protective equipment and 
medical supplies  (e.g. all types of alcohol and its derivatives except for 
methyl alcohol; protective spectacles and goggles; plastic face shields 
(covering more than the eye area); gloves, facemasks, protective garments 
and suits, hair nets, footwear; disinfectants; sterilization products; chlorine 
(for disinfection) except for liquid chlorine with a concentration of 99% (gas 
stored in tubes under a pressure of 10 Pa) ;soap except for soap bars; 
thermometers; wooden tongu e depressors; medical waste plastic bags 
(red); and corpse bags)  (HS Chapters 22; 28; 30; 34; 38; 39; 40; 44; 48; 
61; 62; 63; 64; 65; 84; 90), due to the COVID -19 pandemic  WTO document G/MA/QR/N/EGY/1/Rev.1, 
28 April 2020  Effective 17 March 2020, 
for 3 mo nths  
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Egypt  Temporary export ban on leguminous vegetables and products thereof, with 
the exception of: peanuts; fresh or chilled peas; fresh or chilled beans; 
frozen leguminous vegetables; white beans; and canned chickpeas  (HS 
0708; 0713; 1106; 2004; 2005), due to the COVID -19 pandemic  WTO document G/MA/QR/N/EGY/1/Rev.1, 
28 April 2020  Effective 28 March, for 3 
months  
European 
Union  Exports of personal protective equipment (HS 39; 40; 61; 62; 63; 90) 
subject to the temporary production of an export authorization, due to the 
COVID -19 pandemic. As from 19 March 2020, exports to EFTA members, 
the Faroe Islands, Andorra, San Marino and the Vatican City, as well as the 
overseas countries and territories listed in Annex II  of the Treaty exempted  WTO document G/MA/QR/N/EU/4/Add.1, 8 
April 2020; and Commission Implementing 
Regulation 2020/402 (14 March 2020), as 
amended by Regulations 2020/426 (19 
March 2020)  Effective 15 March 2020, 
for a period of 6 weeks. No 
longer in for ce, repealed 
by Regulation 2020/568 
(23 April 2020)  
European 
Union  Exports of personal protective equipment subject to an export 
authorization. EFTA members, Western Balkans, the Faroe Islands, 
Andorra, San Marino and the Vatican City, as well as the over seas countries 
and territories listed in Annex II of the Treaty are exempted from the scope 
of the measures.  The new regulation is more targeted, coverings three 
product categories, instead of the five in the original export authorization 
scheme mentioned above (only protective masks, spectacles and garment 
exports will require an export authorization) (HS 9004.90.10; 9004.90.90; 
6307.90.98; 9020.00.00; 3926.20.00; 4015.90.00; 6113.00; 6114; 
6210.10.10; 6210.10.92; 6210.10.98; 6210.20.00; 6210.30.00; 
6210.4 0.00; 6210.50.00; 6211.32.10; 6211.32.90; 6211.33.10; 
6211.33.90; 6211.39.00; 6211.42.10; 6211.42.90; 6211.43.10; 
6211.43.90; 6211.49.00). The new scheme now explicitly requires member 
States to authorize exports of emergency supplies in the context of 
humanitarian aid and to process the relevant applications in an expedite 
manner. It asks the member States to positively assess exports to state 
agencies in charge of distributing personal protective equipment or involved 
in combating the COVID -19 outbreak  WTO document G/MA/QR/N/EU/4/Add.2, 7 
May 2020; and Commission Implementing 
Regulation (EU) 2020/568 (23 April 2020). 
Viewed at: https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32020R05
68&from=EN and 
https://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/press/ind
ex.cfm?id=2147  Effective 26 April 2020, for 
30 days. Terminated on 26 
May 2020  
European 
Union  Relief from import duties and VAT exemption on importation granted for 
goods needed to combat the effects of the COVID -19 outbreak during 2020. 
The goods are intended for one of the following uses: (i) distribution free of 
charge by bodies and organizations to persons affected by or at risk from 
COVID -19 or involved in combating the COVID -19 outbreak; (ii) being 
made available free of charge to the persons affe cted by or at risk from 
COVID -19 or involved in combating the COVID -19 outbreak while remaining 
the property of the bodies and organizations; and (iii) the goods are 
imported for release for free circulation by or on behalf of state 
organizations, includin g state bodies, public bodies and other bodies 
governed by public law or by or on behalf of organizations approved by the 
competent authorities in the member States  European Commission Decision 2020/491 (3 
April 2020)  Effective 30 January 2020 
to 31 July 2 020  
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European 
Union  Implementation of Green Lanes under the Guidelines for border 
management measures to protect health and ensure the availability of 
goods and essential services. In order to preserve the EU -wide operation of 
supply chains and ensure the functioning of the Single Market for goods, 
wherever internal border controls exist or have been introduced, member 
States are requested to designate immediately all the relevant internal 
border -crossing points of the trans -European transport ne twork (TEN -T) 
and additional ones, as "green lane" border crossings, for land (road and 
rail), sea and air transport  European Commission Notice 2020/C 96 
I/01 (24 March 2020)    
European 
Union  Guidance from the EU Commission on using the public procurement  
framework in the emergency situation related to the COVID -19 crisis. The 
document recalls the options and flexibilities provided by the existing EU 
public procurement framework in emergency situations such as that caused 
by the COVID -19 outbreak. It provi des an overview of the choice of 
tendering procedures available to public buyers and applicable deadlines  European Commission Communication 
2020/C 108 I/01 (1 April 2020)    
European 
Union  Guidelines for border management measures to protect health and ensure 
the availability of goods and essential services. These guidelines set out 
principles for an integrated approach to an effective border management to 
protect health while preserving the integrity of the EU Single Market  C(2020) 1753 final (16 March)    
European 
Union  Communication from the Commission - European Commission Guidelines: 
Facilitating Air Cargo Operations during COVID -19 outbreak. The Guidelines 
aim to ensure essential transport flows. Member States are requested to 
facilitate air cargo operations during the COVID -19 outbreak  European Commission Guidelines: 
Facilitating Air Cargo Operations during 
COVID -19 outbreak (C(2020) 2010 final (26 
March 2020)). Viewed at: 
https://ec.europa.eu/transport/sites/transp
ort/files/legislation/c2020 2010_en.pdf    
European 
Union  Guidance on customs issues related to the COVID -19 emergency. As a 
result of the crisis created by the COVID -19 pandemic, questions have 
emerged concerning the application of customs provisions relating to the 
customs decision -making process, customs procedures and customs 
formalities. The objective of this page  is to offer guidance to the concerned 
stakeholders on practical solutions given by the current EU legal framework  European Commission. Viewed at: 
https://ec.europa.eu/t axation_customs/covi
d-19-taxud -response/guidance -customs -
issues -related -covid-19-emergency_en     
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European 
Union  Guidelines on the optimal and rational supply of medicines to avoid 
shortages during the COVID -19 outbreak. These guidelines aim to protect 
public health and preserve the integrity of the Single Market, while ensuring 
that Europe has the supply of affordab le medicines it needs during the 
COVID -19 outbreak. The guidelines outlined that: (i) "lifting export bans 
and restrictions": member States are expected to protect public health in a 
spirit of European solidarity. In order to achieve this objective, it is critically 
important that member States lift export bans on medicines within the 
internal market. While it is understandable that countries wish to ensure 
the availability of essential medicines nationally, export bans are 
detrimental to the availability o f medicines for European patients even 
when they are legally justifiable. Measures leading to the requisitioning of 
medicines, intermediates or APIs, or their production, should not be 
considered as an option. These measures, especially as far as they are 
applied to active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) or intermediates, 
endanger supply since they lead to a slowdown in industry output; and (ii) 
"avoiding national stockpiling": the COVID -19 pandemic affects all member 
States. They must ensure that essenti al medicines are available in the 
hospitals and pharmacies that need them most, regardless of their location. 
Preventive stockpiling by member States puts supply at risk for all 
countries. A fortiori , more localized stockpiling can be even more harmful - 
member States should therefore ensure that stockpiling by wholesalers and 
pharmacies (including by hospital pharmacies) is prevented  European Commission Communication 
2020/C 116 I/01 (8 April 2020)   
Belgium  Restriction on the sale of medical products and personal protective 
equipment  Public information transmitted by the EU 
Delegation. Ministerial Decree "Arrêté 
ministériel portant des mesures particulières 
dans le cadre la pandémie de SRAS -CoV-2 
basées sur le livre XVIII du Code de droit 
économique". Viewed at: 
http://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/cgi_loi/cha
nge_lg.pl?language=fr&la=F&cn=20200502
01&table_name=loi  Effective 23 March 2020. 
Modified on 27 March, 7 
April and 2 May  
Bulgaria  Temporary export ban on certain quinine -based drugs, due to t he COVID -
19 pandemic (effective 20 March 2020)  Public information transmitted by the EU 
Delegation. Viewed at: 
http://www.mh.government.bg/bg/novini/a
ktualno/zabranyava -se-iznost -na-lekarstva -
na-hininova -osno/  On 14 May 2020 measure 
terminated  
Czech 
Republic  Prohibition of export of hand sanitizers of Main group 1, Product type 1 
listed in Annex V of EU Regulation No. 528/2012 (with exemption of small 
amounts for personal use) by all entities except manufacturers of these 
products from the territory o f the Czech Republic (effective 5 March 2020)  Public information transmitted by the EU 
Delegation and Ministry of Health 
Extraordinary Measure Nos. MZDR 
5503/2020 -9/PRO and MZDR 16771/2020 -
2/MIN/KAN  Measure repealed on 20 
April 2020   
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Czech 
Republic  Prohibition of export of selected COVID -19 related medicines (976 items) 
from the territory of the Czech Republic. Applies only to re -exports of 
medicines destined for the Czech market. Medicines manufactured directly 
to foreign order may be exported (effe ctive 2 April 2020)  Public information transmitted by the EU 
Delegation and Government Regulation No. 
146/2020 amending Government Regulation 
No. 104/2020. Viewed at: 
http://www.sbirka.cz/POSL4TYD/NOVE/20 -
104.htm  Measure expired on 18 
May 2020  
Denmark  Order on: (i) measures concerning the supply of personal protective 
equipment; (ii) medicinal product emergency response; and (iii) measures 
on supply of disinfectants, due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Public information transmitted by the EU 
Delegation and Orde r BEK Nos. 252, 253 
(22 March 2020) and 277 (25 March 2020)  Effective until 31 August 
2020 
Estonia  List of medicinal products under export restriction, due to the COVID -19 
pandemic  Public information transmitted by the EU 
Delegation. Viewed at: 
https://www.ravimiamet.ee/en/import -and-
export -goods -require -special -authorisation -
including -medicinal -products  Last amendment as of 26 
March 2020  
France  Temporary export ban on certain medicines (hydroxychloroquine) and 
requisition measure on face masks, due to the COVID -19 pandemic 
(effective 23 March 2020)  Public information transmitted by the EU 
Delegation, Décret No. 2020 -293 (Articles 
12 and 12 -2) (23 March 2020). Viewed at: 
https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.d
o?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000041746694&categ
orieLien=cid  On 11 May 2020 measure 
repealed  
Germany  Declaration of supply shortage for pneumococcal vaccines, due to the 
COVID -19 pandemic. The declaration facilitates reallocation and import of 
vaccines  Public information transmitted by the EU 
Delegation  Effective 17 March 2020  
Hungary  Temporary export ban on certain drugs, due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Public information transmitted by the EU 
Delegation. Decision OGYÉI No. 22268 -
2/2020  On 14 May 2020 measure 
terminated  
Italy  Strengthening measures of the National Health Service and 
economic support for families, workers and businesses  Public information transmitted by the 
EU. Decreto -Legge No. 18 (17 March 
2020). Viewed at: 
https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/id/2
020/03/17/20G00034/sge  Measure repealed  
Italy  Further urgent civil protection interventions related to the emergency 
health risk related to the occurrence of COVID -19 pandemic  Public information transmitted by the EU. 
Decree Nos. 639 (25 February 2020) and 
641 (28 February 2020). Viewed at: 
https://www.gazzettauffic iale.it/atto/serie_g
enerale/caricaDettaglioAtto/originario?atto.d
ataPubblicazioneGazzetta=2020 -02-
28&atto.codiceRedazionale=20A01349&elen
co30giorni=false   
Latvia  Temporary export ban on medical products, due to the COVID -19 pandemic 
(originally effective until 9 June 2020)  Public information transmitted by the EU. 
Order No. 68 Ministry of Health (2 April 
2020)  Measure repealed in May 
2020  
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Netherlands  Temporary export ban of personal protective equipment to third countries, 
due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Public information transmitted by the EU 
Delegation  Effective 23 March 2020  
Poland  Announcement of the Minister of Health, regarding the list of medicinal 
products, foodstuffs for particular nutritional uses and medical devices 
threatened by lack of availability on the territory of Poland  Public information transmitted by the EU 
Delegation. Viewed at: 
http://dziennikmz.mz.gov.pl/compatible/Ke
ywords Search/55  Effective 17 April 2020  
Romania  Temporary export ban on certain food products, e.g. grain and meslin; 
barley; oat; corn; rice; wheat flour and meslin; soy beans; sunflower 
seeds; cane or bean sugar; bakery, pastry and biscuit products, unposted 
bread, empty capsules from starch leaf used for medicines, waffles with lid, 
dried pasta from flour, from starch, starch extracted from potatoes and 
similar products; and cakes and other solid residues, whether or not ground 
or agglomerated in pellet form,  resulting from the extraction of soybean oil 
(HS 1001; 1003; 1004; 1005; 1006; 1101; 1201; 1206; 1512; 1701; 
1905; 2304; 2306), due to the COVID -19 pandemic (originally effective 
from 1 April 2020 to 16 April 2020)  Military Ordinance No. 8 on measures for  
preventing the spread of COVID -19 (9 April 
2020). Viewed at: 
https://www.mai.gov.ro/wp -
content/uploads/2020/04/Military -
Ordinance -no-8.pdf On 16 April 2020 measure 
terminated  
Romania  Export ban on certain medical supplies and equipment partially lifted 
(exports allowed only to other EU Members and with previous authorization 
from the National Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices). Export ban 
remains in force for drugs used in the t reatment of COVID -19  Public information transmitted by the EU 
Delegation. Ministry of Health Order No. 
672/2020 amending Order No. 428/2020  Effective 23 April 2020, for 
6 months  
Spain  Extension of timeframes for payment of certain customs debts and related 
taxes (during the period 2 March 2020 to 30 May 2020), due to the COVID -
19 pandemic  Public information transmitted by the EU 
Delegation. Royal Decree -Law No. 11/2020  Effective 2 March 2020 to 
30 May 2020  
Spain  Royal decree No. 463/2020  allowing requisition  of all goods necessary for 
protecting human health, due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Royal decree No. 463/2020  Effective 14 March 2020  
Fiji Temporary elimination of import excise duty (from 15%) on ethanol for the 
production of hand sanitizers. Temporary elimination of import fiscal duties 
on certain products, e.g. hand sanitizers and antibacterial hand wash; 
gloves, masks; disposable hair nets; disinfectant wipes; tissue papers; face 
shields (medical use); medical goggles and spectac les; protective 
garments; long -sleeved medical gowns; ethanol for companies involved in 
hand sanitizer production; disinfectants/sterilization products; hospital 
beds; hydrogen peroxide; paper bed sheets; thermometers; air purifiers; 
and boots (specificall y used in the medical environment), due to the 
COVID -19 pandemic  Ministry of Economy: Economic and Fiscal 
Update Supplement to the COVID -19 
Response Budget Address (26 March 2020). 
Viewed at: 
https://macmap.org/OfflineDocument/Covid
19/COVID_FJI_1.pdf  Effective March 2020   
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Fiji Temporary elimination of VAT on imports of certain products, e.g. vaccines 
and pharmaceutical products (HS Chapter 30); medical equipment (HS 
Chapter 90); scanners and cameras used in medical examinations; hand 
sanitizers and antibacterial hand wash; gloves, masks; disposable hair 
nets; disinfectant wipes; tissue papers; face shields (medical use); medical 
goggles and spectacles; protective garments of rubberized materials; long -
sleeved medical gowns; ethanol for companies invo lved in hand sanitizer 
production; disinfectants/sterilization products; hospital beds; hydrogen 
peroxide; paper bed -sheets; thermometers; air purifiers; and boots 
(specifically used in the medical environment), due to the COVID -19 
pandemic  Ministry of Eco nomy: Economic and Fiscal 
Update Supplement to the COVID -19 
Response Budget Address (26 March 
2020).Viewed at: 
https://macmap.org/OfflineDocument/Covid
19/COVID_FJI_1.pdf  Effective March 2020  
Fiji Temporary increase of the import fiscal duties (by FJD 0.2/ L on fuel (diesel 
and petrol), due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Ministry of Economy: Economic and Fiscal 
Update Supplement to the COVID -19 
Response Budget Address (26 March 2020). 
Viewed at: 
https://macmap.org/OfflineDocument/Covid
19/COVID_FJI_1.pdf  Effective  March 2020  
Georgia  Temporary export ban on diagnostic or laboratory reagents on a backing, 
prepared diagnostic or laboratory reagents whether or not on a backing, 
other than those of heading HS 3002 or 3006; certified reference materials; 
other articles of plastics and artic les of other materials of headings HS 3901 
to 3914; articles of apparel and clothing accessories (including gloves, 
mittens and mitts); for all purposes, of vulcanized rubber other than hard 
rubber; gloves, mittens and mitts; garments, made up of fabrics o f 
headings HS 5602, 5603, 5903, 5906 or 5907; facemasks, masks; medical 
hats; thermometers; mechano -therapy appliances; and disinfectants (HS 
3808.94; 3926.20.00; 3822.00.00; 4015.11.00; 4015.19.90; 6210.10.90; 
6307.90.99; 6506.99.90; 9025.19.20; 9019.20.0 0; 3808.94), due to the 
COVID -19 pandemic  WTO document G/MA/QR/N/GEO/2/Add.1, 
15 April 2020  Effective 3 April 2020 to 
10 May 2020  
Honduras  Temporary export ban on certain dried leguminous vegetables ( frijol rojo en 
grano ) (HS 0713.33.40), due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Presidencia de la República, Sala de Prensa. 
Viewed at: 
https://presidencia.gob.hn/index.php/sala -
de-prensa/7140 -gobierno -prohibe -
exportaciones -de-frijol-rojo-para-garantizar -
abastecimiento -en-emergencia -por-
coronavirus  Effective 30 March 2020  
India  Amendments introduced to the export policy of Personal Protective 
Equipment/Masks -reg (HS 3926.90; 6217.90; 6307.90; 9018.50; 9018.90; 
9020), resulting in an export restriction due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of India to the WTO 
(1 May 2020) and Ministry of Commerce 
and Industry - Department of Commerce, 
Directorate General of Foreign Trade 
Notification Nos. 44/2015 -2020 (31 January 
2020) and 48/2015 -2020 (25 February 
2020)  Effective 31 January 2020   
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India  Certain products (e.g. surgical masks/disposable masks (2/3 ply); all gloves 
except NBR gloves; all ophthalmic instruments and appliances under HS 
9018.50 except medical goggles; surgical blades; non -woven shoes 
(disposable); breathing appliances used by airmen, divers, mountaineers 
and firemen; gas masks with chemical absorbent for filtration against 
poisonous vapour, smoke, gases; HPDE tarpaulin/plastic tarpaulin; PVD 
conveyor belts; and biopsy punches) exempted from the export ban 
implemented due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of India to the WTO 
(1 May 2020) and Ministry of Commerce 
and Industry - Department of Commerce, 
Directorate General of Foreign Trade, 
Notification Nos. 47/2015 -2020 (8 February 
2020)  Effective F ebruary 2020  
India  Amendments introduced to the export policy of Active Pharmaceutical 
Ingredients (APIs) and formulations made from these APIs (HS 2922.29.33; 
2933.29.10; 2933.29.20; 2933.59.90; 2936.22.10; 2936.25.00; 
2936.26.10; 2937.23.00; 2941.40.00; 2941.50.00; 2941.90 .50; 
2941.90.90; 2942.00.90; 3004.20.50; 3004.20.61; 3004.20.95; 
3004.39.19; 3004.50.32; 3004.50.34; 3004.50.39; 3004.90.15; 
3004.90.21; 3004.90.22; 3004.90.23; 3004.90.99), resulting in an export 
restriction due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegat ion of India to the WTO 
(1 May 2020) and Notification No. 50/2015 -
2020, Ministry of Commerce and Industry - 
Department of Commerce, Directorate 
General of Foreign Trade (3 March 2020)  Effective 3 March 2020  
India  Amendments introduced to the export policy  of Masks, Ventilators, and 
Textile Raw Materials for Masks and Coveralls (HS 3926.90; 6217.90; 
6307.90; 9018; 9020; 5603.11; 5603.12; 5603.13; 5603.14; 5603.91; 
5603.92; 5603.93; 5603.94), resulting in an export restriction due to the 
COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of India to the WTO 
(1 May 2020) and Notification No. 52/2015 -
2020, Ministry of Commerce and Industry - 
Department of Commerce, Directorate 
General of Foreign Trade (19 March 2020)  Effective 19 March 2020  
India  Amendments introduced to  the export policy of Ventilators, including any 
Artificial Respiratory Apparatus or Oxygen Therapy or any other Breathing 
Appliances/Devices and Sanitizers (HS 3004.90.87; 3401; 3402; 3808.94; 
9018; 9019; 9020), resulting in an export restriction due to t he COVID -19 
pandemic  Permanent Delegation of India to the WTO 
(1 May 2020) and Notification No. 53/2015 -
2020, Ministry of Commerce and Industry - 
Department of Commerce, Directorate 
General of Foreign Trade (24 March 2020)  Effective 24 March 2020  
India  Amendments introduced to the export policy of Hydroxychloroquine (HS 
3004.90.87; 3401; 3402; 3808.94; 9018; 9019; 9020), resulting in an 
export restriction (subject to some exceptions), due to the COVID -19 
pandemic. On 4 April 2020, exceptions elimin ated resulting in an export 
prohibition of hydroxychloroquine   Permanent Delegation of India to the WTO 
(1 May 2020) and Ministry of Commerce 
and Industry - Department of Commerce, 
Directorate General of Foreign Trade, 
Notification Nos. 54/2015 -2020 (25 Ma rch 
2020) and 01/2015 -2020 (4 April 2020)  Effective 25 March 2020  
India  Amendments introduced to the import policy of Iron and Steel and 
incorporation of policy condition in HS Chapters 72; 73; 86, Schedule -I 
(import policy), resulting in an extension of validity to 135 days to 
automatic registration number generated under the  Steel Import Monitoring 
System "SIMS" until 31 March 2020, due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of India to the WTO 
(1 May 2020) and Notification No. 58/2015 -
2020, Ministry of Commerce and Industry - 
Department of Commerce, Directorate 
Gener al of Foreign Trade (31 March 2020)  Effective 31 March 2020  
India  Imports of certain medical and surgical instruments and apparatus (HS 
9018; 9019; 9020; 9021; 9022) exempted from the "health cess"  Ministry of Finance - Department of 
Revenue - Notificati on No. 8/2020 -Customs 
(2 February 2020)  Effective 1 April 2020   
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India  Amendments introduced to the export policy of diagnostic kits (diagnostic 
or laboratory reagents on a backing, preparation diagnostic or laboratory 
reagents whether or not on a backing, other than those of heading HS 3006 
or 3008; certified reference mater ials) (HS 3822), resulting in an export 
restriction due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of India to the WTO 
(1 May 2020) and Notification No. 59/2015 -
2020, Ministry of Commerce and Industry - 
Department of Commerce, Directorate 
General of Fo reign Trade (4 April 2020)  Effective 4 April 2020  
India  Further amendments introduced to the export policy of Active 
Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and formulations made from these APIs 
(HS 2933.29.10; 2933.29.20; 2933.59.90; 2936.22.10; 2936.25.00; 
2936.26.10; 2937.23.00; 2941.40.00; 2941.50.00; 2941.90.90; 
2942.00.90; 3004.20.50; 3004.20.61; 3004.20.95; 3004.39.19; 
3004.50.32; 3004.50.34; 3004.50.39; 3004.90.15; 3004.90.21; 
3004.90.22; 3004.90.23; 3004.90.99), changing from restricted to free, 
due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of India to the WTO 
(1 May 2020) and Notification No. 02/2015 -
2020, Ministry of Commerce and Industry - 
Department of Commerce, Directorate 
General of Foreign Trade (6 April 2020)  Effective 6 April 2020  
India  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on: (i) artificial respiration or other 
therapeutic respiration apparatus (ventilators) (HS 9018; 9019); (ii) face 
masks and surgical masks (HS Chapter 63); (iii) personal protection 
equipment (HS Chapter 62); (iv) COVID -19 testing kits (HS Chapters 30 
and 38); and (v) inputs for the manufacture of items (i) to (iv) subject to 
the condition that the importer follows the procedure set out in the 
Customs (Import of Goods at Concessional Rate of Duty) Rules, 2012, due 
to the COVID -19 pandemic. Imports also exempted from the Health Cess  Permanent Delegation of India to the WTO 
(1 May 2020) and Notification No. 20/2020 -
Customs, Ministry of Finance - Department 
of Revenue (9 April 2020)  Effective 9 April 2020 to 
30 Sep tember 2020  
India  Further amendments introduced to the export policy of formulation made 
from paracetamol  (including FDCs)  (HS 3004.90.99), changing from 
restricted to free, due to the COVID -19 pandemic. Paracetamol APIs will 
remain restricted for export  Permanent Delegation of India to the WTO 
(1 May 2020) and Notification No. 03/2015 -
2020, Ministry of Commerce and Industry - 
Department of Commerce, Directorate 
General of Foreign Trade (17 April 2020)  Effective 17 April 2020  
India  Amendments introduced in the Export Policy of Sanitizers. Only "alcohol 
based hand sanitizers" are prohibited for export (HS 3004; 3401; 3402; 
3808.94), due to the COVID -19 pandemic. All other items falling under the 
HS Codes mentioned are freely exportable  Notification No. 04/2015 -2020, Ministry of 
Commerce and Industry - Department of 
Commerce, Directorate General of Foreign 
Trade (6 May 2020)  Effective 6 May 2020  
India  Amendments introduced in the Export Policy of Masks, allowing the export 
of non -medical/non -surgical masks of all types (cotton, silk, wool, knitted) 
(HS 3926.90; 6217.90; 6307.90; 9018.90; 90209. All other types of masks 
falling under any HS Codes continued to remain prohibited for exports  Notification No. 06/2015 -2020, Ministry of 
Commerce and Industry - Department of 
Commerce, Directorate General of Foreign 
Trade (16 May 2020)  Effective 16 May 2020  
India  Amendments introduced in the Export Policy of Paracetamol API (HS 
2922.29.33), making its exports "free" with immediate effect, due to the 
COVID -19 pandemic  Notification No. 07/2015 -2020, Ministry of 
Commerce and Industry - Department of 
Commerce, Director ate General of Foreign 
Trade (28 May 2020)  Effective 28 May 2020  
Indonesia  Temporary elimination of import certification requirements on imports of 
onions and garlic (HS 0703), due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Indonesia to the 
WTO (1 April 2020) and Ministry of Trade 
Regulation No. 27  Effective 18 March 2020 to 
31 May 2020   
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Indonesia  Temporary export ban on antiseptic, raw materials to fabricate masks, 
personal protective equipment (PPE), ethyl alcohol and masks (HS Chapters 
22; 30; 38 ; 56; 62; 63), due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Indonesia to the 
WTO (1 April 2020) and Ministry of Trade 
Regulation Nos. 23 and 31. Viewed at: 
http://jdih.kemendag.go.id/peraturan/detail
/1983/2.  Effective 18 March 2020 to 
30 June 2020  
Indonesia  Temporary elimination of import certification requirements on imports of 
certain products, e.g. masks and personal protective equipment, due to the 
COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Indonesia to the 
WTO (1 April 2020) and Ministry of Tr ade 
Regulation No. 28  Effective 23 March 2020 to 
30 June 2020  
Indonesia  Postponing the payment of excise duties on imports of certain goods, due 
to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Indonesia to the 
WTO (13 May 2020) and  Regulation No. 
30/PMK 04/2020 - Ministry of Finance  Effective 9 April 2020  
Indonesia  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on certain medical and 
pharmaceutical products used in the treatment of COVID -19 (73 tariff lines 
at 8-digit level, in HS Chapters 29; 30; 34; 38 ; 39; 40; 62; 63; 64; 65; 
90). Imports also exempted from VAT and income taxes  Permanent Delegation of Indonesia to the 
WTO (13 May 2020) and  Regulation No. 
34/PMK 04/2020 - Ministry of Finance  Effective 17 April 2020  
Israel  Temporary export licensing req uirements on medical equipment (e.g. 
alcohol, face masks, medical oxygen, swabs, personal cleaning products 
containing ethyl/isopropyl alcohol, disinfection products, artificial respiration 
devices) (HS 2207; 2208; 2804.40; 3005; 3402.20; 3808.90; 6210; 
6307.90; 8413; 8414; 8481.80; 9018; 9019.20; 9020), due to the COVID -
19 pandemic  WTO document G/MA/QR/N/ISR/1, 6 May 
2020 Effective until 31 May 
2020 
Jamaica  Temporary reduction of export fees and charges, due to the COVID -19 
pandemic  Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture 
and Fisheries - Communication (18 April 
2020). Viewed at: 
https://www.micaf.gov.jm/content/cut -
export -fees-boost -manufacturers -–-floyd-
green  Effective 1 April 2020  
Japan  Prioritization of customs clearance for relief goods relating to 
countermeasures to the COVID -19 and other goods that require an urgent 
clearance to maintain the lifeline  Permanent Delegation of Japan to the WTO 
(19 May 2020). Viewed at: 
www.customs.go.jp/english/news/covid -
19/index.htm)  Effective 3 March 2020  
Japan  Simplified import and export declaration forms for relief goods relating to 
countermeasures to the COVID -19 etc  Permanent Delegation of Japan to the WTO 
(19 May 2020). Viewed at: 
www.customs.go.jp/english/news/covid -
19/index.htm)  Effective 3 March 2020  
Japan  Exemption of customs duty and (domestic) consumption tax for imported 
goods which are proved to be provided free of charge  Permanent Delegation of Japan to the WTO 
(19 May 2020). Viewed at: 
https://www.customs.go.jp/english/news/co
vid-19/index.htm     
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Japan  Extension of time limits for customs procedures, including those for 
payment of customs duties in certain cases, due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Japan to the WTO 
(22 May 2020), Ministry of Finance Notice 
No. 122/2020. Viewed at: 
https://www.customs.go.jp/news/news/202
00511_index.htm  Effective 11 May 2020  
Japan  Refund of, reduction of, or exemption from cer tain customs fees, due to the 
COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Japan to the WTO 
(22 May 2020), Ministry of Finance Notice 
No. 122/2020. Viewed at: 
https://www.customs.go.jp/news/news/202
00511_index.htm  Effective 11 May 2020  
Kazakhstan  Temporary export ban on certain personal protective equipment, due to the 
COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Kazakhstan to the 
WTO (6 May 2020), Ministry of Healthcare 
Order No. 56 -НҚ "prohibition of issuing 
permits for the export of personal prote ctive 
equipment" (20 February  2020). Viewed at: 
https://www.zakon.kz/5008316 -vveden -
zapret -na-vyvoz -sredstv.html  Effective 20 February 2020  
Kazakhstan  Temporary export ban on certain products (e.g. buckwheat; white sugar; 
potatoes (except for seeds of heading HS 0701.10.00); sunflower seeds, 
whether or not broken; refined sunflower -seed oil (10 litre packages or 
less); refined sunflower -seed oil (more than 10 liter packages); and cereal 
groats) (HS 1008.10.00; 1701.99; 0701; 1206; 1512.11.91; 1103.19.90 ), 
due to the COVID -19 pandemic (originally effective 2 April 2020 to 1 
September 2020)  Permanent Delegation of Kazakhstan to the 
WTO (4 June 2020), Ministry of Agriculture 
Order  
No. 111 (2 April 2020), amended by Order 
No. 123   Terminated in May 2020  
Kazakhstan  Temporary QRs (export quota) on certain products, e.g. wheat or meslin 
flour; soft wheat and meslin; seed potatoes; unrefined sunflower -seed oil 
(10 liter packages or less); and unrefined sunflower -seed oil (more than 10 
liter packages) (HS 1101.00 ; 1001.99.00; 0701.100.00; 1512.11.91; 
1512.11.91), due to the COVID -19 pandemic (originally effective 2 April 
2020 to 1 September 2020)  Permanent Delegation of Kazakhstan to the 
WTO (4 June 2020), Ministry of Agriculture 
Order  
No. 111 (2 April 2020), amen ded by Order 
No. 123   Terminated in May 2020  
Kazakhstan  Temporary import ban on cement clinkers; Portland cement; other Portland 
cement; aluminous cement; and other hydraulic cements (HS 2523), due to 
the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Kazakhstan to the 
WTO (6 May 2020), Ministry of Industry and 
Infrastructural Development Order No. 191 
(9 April 2020)  Effective 27 April 2020 to 
27 October 2020  
Kazakhstan  Temporary import ban on certain petroleum products (gasoline; other 
distillates - gas oils of petroleum or bituminous minerals) (HS 2710) from 
the Russian Federation delivered by railway, due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Kazakhstan to the 
WTO (6 May 2020), Ministry of Energy 
Order Nos. 112 and 163  Effective 1 May 2020  to 1 
August 2020  
Kazakhstan  Temporary export ban on certain types of timber (HS 4401; 4403; 4404; 
4406; 4407), due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Kazakhstan to the 
WTO (6 May 2020), Ministry of Industry and 
Infrastructural Development O rder No. 238 
(27 April 2020)  Effective 15 May 2020 to 
15 November 2020   
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Korea, Rep. of  Temporary export ban on surgical and sanitary  masks and melt blown 
filters (HS 6307.90.90; 5603.12.90; 5603.92.00), due to the COVID -19 
pandemic  WTO document G/MA/QR/N/KOR/2/Add.1, 
14 April 2020  Effective 6 March 2020 to 
30 June 2020  
Korea, Rep. of  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on surgical and sanitary  masks and 
melt blown filters (HS 6307.90.90; 5603.12.10; 5603.12.90; 5603.92.00), 
due to the COVID -19 pandemic  WTO document G/MA/W/147, 14 April 2020  Effective 18 March 2020 to 
30 June 2020  
Kyrgyz 
Republic  Temporary export ban on wipes and other antibacterial products; and 
disinfectants, due to the COVID -19 pandemic (HS 3401; 3408)  WTO document G/MA/QR/N/KGZ/1/Add.1, 
24 March 2020  Effective 22 March 2020, 
for 6 months  
Kyrgyz 
Republic  Temporary export ban on certain food products (e.g. wheat and meslin, 
wheat flour, cooking oil, rice, pasta, chicken eggs, sugar, iodized table salt, 
feed (hay, straw, mixed feed, bran and grain feed)), due to the COVID -19 
pandemic (HS 0407.11.00; 0407.21.00; 1001; 1006; 1101.00; 
1214.90.90; 1512; 1902; 2302; 2309; 2501.00.91)  WTO documents G/MA/QR/N/KGZ/1/Add.1, 
24 March 2020 and G/AG//N/KGZ/8, 31 
March 2020  Effective 22 March 2020, 
for 6 months  
Malaysia  Temporary export ban on face masks (HS 6307.90.40; 6307.90.90), due to 
the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Malaysia to the 
WTO (17 April 2020) and Customs 
(Prohibition of Exports) (Amendment) (No. 
2) Order 2020, Government Gazette Jil 64 - 
No. 6 (19 March 2020). Viewed at: 
http://www.customs.gov.my/ms/cp/Docum
ents/P.U%2 0%28A%29%2092%20 -
%20Perintah%20Kastam%20%28Larangan
%20Mengenai%20Eksport%29%20%28Pind
aan%29%20%28No.%202%29%20 -
%202020.pdf  Effective 20 March 2020  
Malaysia  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on face masks (effective 23 March 
2020); and on raw materia ls, undenatured ethyl alcohol and denatured 
ethyl alcohol used for the production of hand sanitizers (effective 30 March 
2020) (HS 3808.94.90; 6307.90.40; 6307.90.90), due to the COVID -19 
pandemic. Imports also exempted from sales taxes and excise duties  Permanent Delegation of Malaysia to the 
WTO (17 April 2020. Viewed at: 
http://www.mysst.customs.gov.my/assets/d
ocument/Annoucement/PENGECUALIAN%20
DI_DE_CJ%20KEPADA%20PENGILANG%20
HAND%20SANITIZER.pdf and 
http://mysst.customs.gov.my/assets/docum
ent/Annoucemen t/PENGECUALIAN%20DUTI
%20IMPORT%20DAN%20CUKAI%20JUALA
N%20MULAI%2023%20MAC%202020.pdf   
Maldives  Temporary reduction of import tariffs on certain personal protective 
equipment (e.g. hand sanitizers, disinfectants, protective masks, hand 
wash, gloves used for medical purposes, and face shields), due to the 
COVID -19 pandemic. Imports also exempted from processing fee's  Permanent Delegation of the Maldives to the 
WTO (27 April 2020)  Effective 17 March 2020   
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Mauritius  Temporary elimination of VAT on imports of protective masks, breathing 
appliances and hand sanitizers (HS 6307.90.30; 9020.00.00; 3808.94.10); 
and goods (except furniture) to be used for the construction of purpose 
building for a residential care home, due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Perman ent Delegation of Mauritius to the 
WTO (16 April 2020). Viewed at: 
https://www.mra.mu/download/Notice2403
20.pdf  Effective 24 March 2020  
Moldova , 
Republic of  Temporary export restriction on certain medical equipment (e.g. medical 
masks, medical gloves, bio cide products (medical disinfectants)) (HS 
6307.90; 4818.90; 4015.11; 4015.19; 3808), due to the COVID -19 
pandemic  WTO document G/MA/QR/N/MDA/1/Add.1, 
29 May 2020  Effective 11 March 2020 to 
15 May 2020  
Moldova , 
Republic of  Temporary elimination of excise duties on imports of undistorted ethyl 
alcohol for use in antiseptic products (disinfectants, biocides and 
antibacterial cosmetics) (HS 2207.10.00), due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of the Republic of 
Moldova to the WTO (27 April 20 20). 
Viewed at: 
https://gov.md/sites/default/files/dispozitia
_cse_nr.6.pdf  Effective 26 March 2020  
Morocco  Temporary export ban on face masks, protective masks, and antiseptic 
preparations (HS 6307.90.50; 3808.94, 3401.11; 3402.20.00; 3926.90.92;  
4818.90;  4823.90;  6307.90.40; 6307.90.90;  9020.00.00), due to the 
COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Morocco to the 
WTO (8 April 2020), and Arrêté du Ministre 
de l’Industrie, du Commerce et de  
l’Economie Verte et Numérique Nos. 859 -20 
(2 March 2020) and  926-20 (10  March 
2020)  Effective  March 2020  
Myanmar  Temporary adjournment of new export licensing on rice from late March to 
end of April, to balance local production and consumption needs, to ensure 
food security, and to mitigate the i mpact of COVID -19 pandemic. The 
issuance of new export licensing has been resumed starting as from 1 May 
2020  Permanent Delegation of Myanmar to the 
WTO (18 May 2020)   
New Zealand  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on certain soap, testing kits, 
diagnostic reagents (HS 3401; 3822), due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of New Zealand to 
the WTO (16 April 2020) and Tariff 
Concession Approvals, Withdrawals and 
Declines Notice (No. 11) 2020 (25 March 
2020)  Effective 25 March 2020 to  
June 2020  
New Zealand  Temporary reduction of import tariffs on certain medical and hygiene 
products (HS Chapters 19; 21; 30; 34; 38; 39; 61; 62; 63; 65; 84; 85; 90; 
96, due to the COVID -19 pandemic. Immediate suspension of these tariffs 
has occurred through the application of tariff concessions, under Part 2 of 
the Working Tariff Document of New Zealand.  Once New Zealand has 
entered into the post COVID -19 recovery phase, the tariff suspensions will 
be incorporated into Part 1 of the Working T ariff Document of New Zealand 
and this will complete the MFN applied tariff elimination process. These 
actions do not affect New Zealand's bound tariff commitments  Permanent Delegation of New Zealand to 
the WTO (16 April 2020); WTO documents 
G/C/W/777, G/C /W/778 and G/MA/W/150, 
16 April 2020; and Tariff Concession 
Approvals, Withdrawals and Declines Notice 
(No. 14) 2020 (15 April 2020). Viewed at: 
https://www.customs.govt.nz/business/tarif
fs/working -tariff-document/working -tariff-
document/  Effective 16 Apri l 2020   
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Nigeria  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on essential medical supplies (HS 
Chapters 30; 38; 39; 40; 48; 61; 62; 65; 84; 90) used in the treatment of 
COVID -19. Imports also exempted from VAT  Permanent Delegation of Nigeria to the WTO 
(29 Apri l 2020)  Effective 1 May 2020, for 6 
months  
North 
Macedonia  Temporary export ban on wheat and meslin (HS 1001.19.00; 1001.91.00; 
1001.99.00) , due to the COVID -19 pandemic  WTO document G/MA/QR/N/MKD/1,  
1 April 2020  Effective until 30 April 
2020 
Norway  Temporary implementation of export licensing requirements on personal 
protective equipment (HS Chapters 39; 40; 61; 62; 63; 90), due to the 
COVID -19 pandemic (list updated on 28 April 2020) (originally effective 6 
March 2020 to 1 January 2021)  WTO document G/MA/QR/N/NOR/1/Add.1,  
5 June 2020  Ceased to apply from 27 
May 2020  
Oman  Temporary export ban on face masks, due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Oman to the WTO 
(5 June 2020)   
Pakistan  Temporary export ban on  certain personal protective equipment  (e.g. face 
masks, gloves, sanitizers, goggles, "tyvek suits"), due to the COVID -19 
pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Pakistan to the 
WTO (30 April 2020) and Ministry of 
Commerce - Order SRO 239(I)/2020 (24 
March 2020). Viewed a t: 
http://www.commerce.gov.pk/wp -
content/uploads/2020/03/S.R.O -
239I2020.pdf  Effective 24 March 2020  
Pakistan  Temporary export ban on anti -malarial drugs, due to the COVID -19 
pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Pakistan to the 
WTO (30 April 2020) and Ministry of 
Commerce - Order SRO 297(I)/2020 (9 
April 2020). Viewed at: 
http://www.commerce.gov.pk/wp -
content/uploads/2020/04/SRO -297-Anti-
Malarial -fldrugs.pdf  Effective 9 April 2020  
Panama  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on certain products (HS C hapters 
28; 34; 38; 40; 48; 62; 63; 94), due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Consejo de Gabinete, Decreto de Gabinete 
No. 7 (18 March 2020)  Effective 19 March 2020, 
for 6 months  
Paraguay  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on certain personal protective 
equipment and pharmaceutical products, due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Ministerio de Hacienda, Noticia Completa  
(16 March 2020)   
Paraguay  Temporary implementation of export licensing requirements ( licencia previa 
de exportación ) on face masks and ethyl alcohol (NCM 3808.94.19; 
3808.94.29; 6307.90.10; 9020.00.90), due to the COVID -19 pandemic  WTO document G/MA/QR/N/PRY/1/Add.1, 
29 May 2020  Effective 17 March 2020, 
for 1 year  
Paraguay  Extension of the temporary reduction of import tariffs on certain products 
included in Paraguay's exception list to the Mercosur Common Tariff ( lista 
de excepciones ) (NCM Chapters 18; 20; 22; 29; 34; 37; 39; 40; 42; 66; 
67; 69; 70; 71; 73; 76; 82; 83; 84; 85; 90; 91; 92; 94; 95; 96), due to 
the COVID -19 pandemic  Decreto 3474 - Ministerio de Hacienda (19 
March 2020)  Effective 12 March 2020 to 
30 June 2020   
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Paraguay  Temporary reduction of VAT on imports of certain personal protective 
equipment and pharmaceutical products (NCM 2828.90.11; 3808.94.19; 
3808.94.29; 4015.11.00; 6210.10.00; 6307.90.10; 6307.90.90; 
9020.00.90), due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Decreto 3477 - Ministerio de Hacienda (20 
March 2020)  Effective 20 March 2020 to 
30 Jun e 2020  
Peru  Temporary elimination  of import tariffs (from 11% and 6%) on 
pharmaceutical products and personal protective equipment (77 tariff lines 
at 10-digit level, in HS Chapters 22; 28; 29; 30; 40; 62; 63; 65; 90), due 
to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permane nt Delegation of Peru to the WTO 
(14 April 2020) and Decreto Supremo Nos. 
051-2020-EF (13 March 2020) and 59 -
2020-EF (28 March 2020)  Effective  March 2020  
Peru  Temporary implementation of export authorization requirements on face 
masks, gloves and  personal protective equipment (HS 6307.90.30; 
4015.10.90; 4015.11.00; 4015.19.90; 5603.11.00; 5603.12.90; 
6210.10.00), due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Peru to the WTO 
(1 May 2020) and Decreto Supremo Nos. 
13-2020-SA (8 April 2020) and 15-2020-SA 
(16 April 2020). Viewed at: 
https://cdn.www.gob.pe/uploads/document/
file/604958/DS_015 -2020-SA.pdf  Effective April 2020  
Philippines  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on  qualified manufacturers and 
suppliers of medicines, medical equipment and devices, personal protective 
equipment (PPEs), surgical equipment and supplies, laboratory equipment 
and re -agents and their packaging, medical supplies, tools and 
consumables (alcoh ol, sanitizers, thermometers),raw materials, COVID -19 
testing kits, or any other articles needed in the supply chain such as capital 
equipment, spare parts, and accessories (HS Chapters 22; 28; 29; 30; 33; 
34; 35; 37; 38; 39; 40; 44; 48; 52; 54; 55; 59; 62 ; 63; 65 70; 84; 90; 
94; 96), due to the COVID -19 pandemic. Imports also exempted from other 
taxes and fees  Permanent Delegation of the Philippines to 
the WTO (5 May 2020) and Finance – 
Department of Trade and Industry Joint 
Memorandum Circular No. 2020 -02. Viewed 
at: 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eYAL2qIOV
k8pg6k -yyrWRI3vu55DIt1f/view  Effective 24 March 2020 to 
23 May 2020  
Philippines  Temporary increase of import tariffs (from zero to 10%) on crude 
petroleum oil and refined petroleum products (HS 2709; 2710; 2711), due 
to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of the Philippines to 
the WTO (5 May 2020), President Executive 
Order No. 113 (2 May 2020). Viewed at: 
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloa
ds/2020/05may/20200502 -EO-113-RRD.pdf  Effective 2 May 2020  
Qatar  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on certain medical supplies and food 
products, due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Qatar to the WTO 
(23 April 2020)  Effective 6 months  
Russian 
Federation  Temporary export ba n on certain personal protective equipment  (e.g. face 
masks) (HS Chapters 30; 38; 39; 40; 56; 59; 62; 63; 84; 90), due to the 
COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of the Russian 
Federation to the WTO (20 April 2020), and 
Decree No. 223 (2 March 2020)  Effective 2 March 2020 to 
1 June 2020  
Russian 
Federation  Temporary (1 month) exemption from weight control of vehicles 
transporting food and non -food necessities in trailers and semi -trailers of 
the platform type with a tented top, as well as in vans, trailers, semi -
trailers of the refrigerated and isothermal type, due to the COVID -19 
pandemic  Permanent Delegation of the Russian 
Federation to the WTO (23 April 2020), and 
Orders of the Federal Service for supervision 
of transport Nos. ВБ -101-р(фс) (19 March 
2020) and  ВБ-107-р(фс) (24 March 2020)  Effective 21 March 2020 to 
25 April 2020  
Russian 
Federation  Temporary export quota (7 million tonnes) on wheat and meslin, rye, 
barley and maize (HS 1001; 1002; 1003; 1005)  Permanent Delegation of the Russi an 
Federation to the WTO (20 April 2020) and 
Decree No. 385 (31 March 2020)  Effective 1 April to 30 June 
2020  
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Russian 
Federation  Extension of the list of imported medical products exempted from VAT (HS 
29; 30; 38; 39; 40; 62; 63; 65; 84; 85; 90), due to t he COVID -19 
pandemic  Permanent Delegation of the Russian 
Federation to the WTO (20 April 2020) and 
Decree  No. 419 (2 April 2020)  Effective 6 April 2020  
Eurasian 
Economic 
Union  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on certain products, e.g. organic 
chemicals; amine -function compounds; ationic organic surface -active 
agents; non -ionic organic surface -active agents; antisera; wadding, gauze, 
bandages and similar articles; surgical  gloves; personal protective 
equipment; and instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical 
sciences (HS Chapters 17; 21; 25; 28; 29; 30; 34; 35; 38; 39; 40; 42; 55; 
56; 59; 62; 70; 76; 84; 94; 96), due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation o f the Russian 
Federation to the WTO (20 April 2020) and 
Decision of the Council of the Eurasian 
Economic Commission No. 21  (16 March 
2020)  Effective 3 April 2020  
Eurasian 
Economic 
Union  Temporary export ban on certain personal protective equipment  (e.g. face 
masks) (HS Chapters 29; 30; 38; 39; 40; 56; 59; 62; 63; 84; 90), due to 
the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of the Russian 
Federation to the WTO (20 April 2020) and 
Decision of the Council of the Eurasian 
Economic Commission No.  41 (24 March 
2020)  Effective 5 April 2020 to 
30 September 2020  
Eurasian 
Economic 
Union  Temporary export ban on certain food  products (e.g. bulb onions; garlic; 
turnips; rye; rice; buckwheat; millet; cereal groats; meal and pellets; 
buckwheat grains pearled; soya beans, whether or not broken; sunflower 
seeds, whether or not broken; prepared foods from buckwheat) (HS 
Chapters 07;  10; 11; 12; 19), due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of the Russian 
Federation to the WTO (20 April 2020) and 
Decision of the Council of the Eurasian 
Economic Commission No. 43  (31 March 
2020)  Effective 12 April 2020 to 
30 June 2020  
Eurasi an 
Economic 
Union  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on certain food products (e.g. 
potatoes, onions, garlic, cabbage, carrots, peppers, rye, rice, buckwheat, 
buckwheat groats, baby food and raw materials for its production, juices), 
and medicines, pi pettes, disinfection systems, endoscopes and contactless 
thermometers, medical substances, refrigerators and containers for medical 
purposes (HS Chapters 7; 10; 11; 17; 19; 20; 21; 28; 29; 30; 35; 38; 39; 
42; 48; 76; 84; 87; 90, due to the COVID -19 pandemi c  Permanent Delegation of the Russian 
Federation to the WTO (20 April 2020) and 
Decision of the Council of the Eurasian 
Economic Commission Nos. 33 and 34 (3 
April 2020)  Effective 18 April 2020 to 
30 June 2020  
Eurasian 
Economic 
Union  Temporary simplifica tion of the country of origin confirmation procedure 
applied to goods imported from developing and LDCs countries, including 
through a possibility to provide electronic or paper copy of the certificate of 
origin  Permanent Delegation of the Russian 
Federati on to the WTO (23 April 2020) and 
Decision of the Council of the Eurasian 
Economic Commission No. 36 (3 April 2020)  Effective 18 April 2020 to 
30 September 2020  
Saint Kitts and 
Nevis  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on certain products, e.g. vegetables, 
fruits, fruit juices, cold preparations, vitamins, hand sanitizers, hands 
sanitizer dispensing machines, rubbing alcohol, gloves, masks, and 
cleansing or sanitizing wipes (HS Chapters 07; 08; 20; 21; 29; 30; 34; 39; 
40; 48; 63; 90), due to the COVID -19 pandemic. Imports also exempted 
from VAT  Saint Kitts and Nevis - Customs & Excise 
Department - Memorandum (26 March 
2020)  Effective 26 March 2020, 
for 6 months  
Saudi Arabia, 
Kingdom of  Postponing the collection of customs duties on imports for a  period of 30 
days against the submission of a bank guarantee, for the next three months 
and setting the necessary criteria for extending the postponement period 
for the most affected activities as needed, due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Saudi Arabia to the 
WTO (3 May  2020)     
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- 199 - Member/  Measure  Source/Date  Status  Observer  
Saudi Arabia, 
Kingdom of  Temporary export ban on COVID -19 detection and prevention products 
(e.g. personal protective equipment, face masks, diagnostic tests) medical 
equipment and pharmaceutical products (268 tariff lines at 10 -digit level in 
HS Chapters 22; 25; 30; 33; 34; 38; 39; 40; 44; 48; 62; 63; 65; 84; 90), 
due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Saudi Arabia to the 
WTO (3 May  2020), Royal Decrees No. 
35700 for year 1441H dated 09/7/1441H (4  
February 2020) and No. 46009 for year 
1441H dated 28/7/1441H (23 March 2020)  Effective 4 February 2020  
Serbia  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on ethyl alcohol (undenatured, of an 
alcoholic strength by volume of 80 % vol. or higher) (HS 2207.10.00), due 
to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Serbia to the WTO 
(19 May 2020) and Decisions on 
requirements for exemption from custom 
duties for certain products - Official Gazette 
No. 48/20 (31 March  2020). Viewed at: 
http://www.pravno -informacioni -
sistem.rs/SlGlasnikPortal/eli/rep/sgrs/vlada/
odluka/2020/48/2/reg  Effective 1 April 2020. 
Terminated on 1 May 2020  
Serbia  Temporary export ban on medicines (for use in humans) (effective 15 April 
2020, for 30 days) (HS 2844;  3002; 3003; 3004 ), due to the COVID -19 
pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Serbia to the WTO 
(19 May 2020); Decisions on export ban on 
medicines - Official Gazette No. 55/20 (13 
April 2020) and 60/2020 (24 April 2020)  Lifted on 24 April 2020  
Serbia  Temporary export ban on certain products (e.g. soaps, certain sanitary 
products, disinfectants, personal protective products, baby wipes, toilet 
bowl cleaners, tabs for automatic dish washing and windscreen cleaners, 
masks wholly made of woven textile fabrics) (HS Chapters 22;  28; 34; 38; 
39; 40; 48; 62; 63; 90; 96), due to the COVID -19 pandemic. On 1 May 
2020, exports to the European Union of medical protective equipment  (HS 
3926.00.00; 4015.90.00; 6210.10.92; 6307.90.98; 9004.90.10) exempted  Permanent Delegation of Serbia to  the WTO 
(19 May 2020); Decision on the temporary 
ban on exports of essential products to the 
general public - Official Gazette No. 54/20 
(10 April 10 2020), amended by Decision 
Nos. 59/20 (22 April 2020) and 63/20 (30 
April 2020)  Effective 13 April 2020, for 
30 days. Certain products 
excluded from the ban: 
baby wipes (HS 3401. 
11.00.00); toilet bowl 
cleaners, tabs for 
automatic dish washing 
and windscreen cleaners 
(HS 3402.90.90.00);  
masks wholly made of 
woven textile fabrics (HS 
6307.90.98.00). Export 
ban lifted on 7 May 2020  
Serbia  Temporary export ban on certain products (e.g. sunflower oil, seed and 
crude oil, sugar beet molasses), due to the COVID -19 pandemic (maize 
export quota of 400,000 tonnes) (HS 1206.00.99; 1512.11.91; 
1703.90.00; 1005.90.00)  Permanent Delegation of Serbia to the WTO 
(19 May 2020); Decision on the temporary 
ban on exports of essential products to the 
general public - Official Gazette No. 54/20 
(10 April 2020), amended by Decision No. 
59/20 (22 April 2020) and Regula tion RS 
No. 66/20 (7 May 2020)  Effective 13 April 2020, for 
30 days. Export ban lifted 
on 7 May 2020   
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 200 - Member/  Measure  Source/Date  Status  Observer  
Singapore  Temporary relaxation of import licensing requirements for hand sanitizers, 
masks, thermometers, and protective gear (HS 3926.20; 4015.11; 
4015.19; 4818.50; 6116.10; 6210.10; 6210.20; 6210.30; 6210.40; 
6210.50; 6216.00; 6307.90; 6505.00; 9004.90; 9020.00; 9 025.19), due to 
the COVID -19 pandemic. Importers do not require an importer’s licence 
from the Health Science Authority of Singapore (HSA). Instead, importers 
only need to notify the HSA of their intention to import, as well as provide 
information on the b rand and quantity of the devices to be imported  Permanent Delegation of Singapore to the 
WTO (24 April 2020). Viewed at: 
https://www.hsa.gov.sg/announcements/re
gulatory -updates/import -of-hand-sanitisers -
masks -thermometers -and-protective -gear Effective 31 January 2020  
Singapore  Elimination of import tariffs and all other duties and charges on essential 
goods including medical, hygiene, pharmaceutical products and agricultural 
products (HS Chapters 19; 21; 30; 34; 38; 39; 61; 62; 63; 65; 84; 85; 90; 
96), du e to the COVID -19 pandemic. Singapore to: (i) refrain from 
imposing export prohibitions or restrictions on essential goods including 
medical, hygiene, pharmaceutical products and agricultural products; and 
(ii) expedite the movement of such essential goods  through sea and 
airports  WTO documents G/C/W/777, G/C/W/779 
and G/MA/W/151, 16 April 2020  Effective 15 April 2020  
South Africa  "COVID -19 export control regulation" on certain personal protective 
equipment  (e.g. face masks, disinfectant) (HS 3008.94; 6307.90; 9020.00; 
2933.39; 2933.49; 2933.99; 3002.12; 3002.20; 3004), due to the COVID -
19 pandemic. Goods shall not be exported except by virtue of an export 
permit  Permanent Delegation of South Africa to the 
WTO (6 April 2020) and Department of 
Trade and Industry, Notice No. R.424 - 
Government Gazette No. 43177 (27 March 
2020)  Effective 27 March 2020  
Sri Lanka  Temporary export ban on face masks - N95 type, and disposable surgical 
face masks (implemented on 20 March 2020), due to the COVID -19 
pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Sri Lanka to the 
WTO (25 April 2020) and Medical Devices 
(availability within Sri Lanka)  Regulations 
2/2020, Gazette - Extraordinary 2167/17 
(20 March 2020) and 2170/9 (11 April 
2020). Viewed at: 
https://nmra.gov.lk/images/PDF/gazzet/216
7-17_EPUBLISH.pdf and 
https://nmra.gov.lk/images/PDF/gazzet/nm
raGazzete/2170 -09_E.pdf  Terminated on 11 Apri l 
2020 
Switzerland  Temporary moratorium on default interest on late payments of customs 
duties, due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Ordinance 641.207.2 (20 March 2020). 
Viewed at: 
https://www.admin.ch/opc/fr/classified -
compilation/20200842/index.html#a2  Effectiv e 21 March 2020 to 
31 December 2020   
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 201 - Member/  Measure  Source/Date  Status  Observer  
Switzerland  Exports of personal protective equipment and essential medical goods (HS 
Chapters 30; 39; 40; 48; 61; 62; 63; 90) subject to export authorization 
by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, due to the COVID -19 
pandemic. Exports to EU members, EFTA members, the United Kingdom, 
the Faroe Islands, Andorra, San Marino and the Vatican City, as well as the 
overseas countries and territories listed in Annex II of the European Treaty 
exempted, under certain con ditions (as long as reciprocity is guaranteed, 
i.e. similar exports from the aforementioned States and territories to 
Switzerland do not require a licence or indeed are not prohibited)  Permanent Delegation of Switzerland to the 
WTO (8 April 2020) and COVID -19  
Ordinance 2. Viewed at: 
https://www.admin.ch/opc/fr/classified -
compilation/20200744/index.html  Effective 26 March 2020, 
revised 4 April 2020  
Switzerland  Temporary increase of the 2020 import quotas Nos. 7 and 9 for birds' eggs, 
milk and cream, and butter (HS 0402.21.11; 0402.29.11; 0405.10.11; 
0405.10.91; 0405.90.10; 0407.21.10; 0407.90.10), due to the COVID -19 
pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Switzerland  to the 
WTO (16 April 2020)  Effective 2 April 2020  
Switzerland  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on certain personal protective 
equipment and medical goods (HS Chapters 28; 38; 39; 40; 48; 61; 62; 
63; 65; 90), due to the COVID -19 pandemic  WTO docume nt G/MA/W/154, 27 May 2020  Effective 10 April 2020 to 
9 October 2020  
Separate 
Customs 
Territory of 
Taiwan, 
Penghu, 
Kinmen and 
Matsu  Temporary export ban on masks with filtering efficiency of 94% or more, of 
textile materials and other masks, of textile materials (HS 6307.90.50), due 
to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of the Separate 
Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, 
Kinmen and Matsu  to the WTO (29 April 
2020)  Effective 24 January 2020 
to 30 June 2020  
Separate 
Customs 
Territory of 
Taiwan, 
Penghu, 
Kinmen and 
Matsu  Temporary reduction of import tariffs (from 20% to 10%) on other 
undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic str ength by volume exceeding 
90% volume. Temporary elimination of import tariffs (from 7.5%) on 
masks, filtering efficiency of 94% or more, of textile materials (HS 
2207.10.90; 6307.90.50), due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of the Separate 
Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, 
Kinmen and Matsu to the WTO (15 April 
2020)  Effective 27 February 2020 
to 26 May 2020  
Separate 
Customs 
Territory of 
Taiwan, 
Penghu, 
Kinmen and 
Matsu  Temporary export restriction on undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholi c 
strength by volume of less than 80% vol (HS 2208.90.10) and disinfectant 
products (HS 3808.94.20), due to the COVID -19 pandemic. For exports of 
commodities under these items of medicines for human use, a photocopy of 
medicine permit issued by the Ministr y of Health and Welfare is required  Permanent Delegation of the Separate 
Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, 
Kinmen and Matsu  to the WTO (19 May 
2020)  Effective 1 May 2020  
Thailand  Temporary export ban on surgical masks; face -masks for protection against 
dust, smoke or toxic substances used for safety apparatus and others (HS 
6307.90.40; 6307.90.90), due to the COVID -19 pandemic  WTO document G/MA/QR/N/THA/2/Add.3, 2 
April 2020 Effective 5 February 2020, 
for 1 year   
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 202 - Member/  Measure  Source/Date  Status  Observer  
Thailand  Temporary export ban on bird eggs of fowls of the species Gallus 
Domesticus  (HS 0407.21.00; 0407.29.90)  WTO document G/MA/QR/N/THA/2/Add.3, 2 
April 2020 Originally effective 26 
March 2020 to 1 April 
2020. Extended from 2 
April 2020 to 30 April 2020  
Turkey  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on ethyl alcohol. Temporary 
elimination of additional customs duties (13% and 20%) on breathing 
machines and medical masks, due to the COVID -19 pandemic (HS 
2207.20 .00; 6307.90.98; 9019.20.00)  Permanent Delegation of Turkey to the WTO 
(24 April 2020)  Effective 25 March 2020  
Turkey  Implementation of temporary prior export authorization/registration on gas, 
dust and radioactive dust filter masks, protective clothing, liquid -proof 
aprons (protective gowns used against chemicals), protective glasses, 
medical and surgical masks, medical sterile/non -sterile gloves (effective 4 
March 2020); ethyl alcohol, eau de cologne, disinfectant, hydrogen 
peroxide and non -woven fabrics (effective 18 March 2020); on ventilators, 
extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, oxygen concentrator, ventilator 
apparatus, anaesthesia and ventilator circuits, cannula, intubation 
apparatus and intensive care monitors (effective 26 March 2020); and on 
fresh lemons (effective 7 April 2020) (HS 2207; 2208.90.91; 2208.90.99; 
3303.00.90; 3402.90.10; 3808.94.10; 3808.94.20; 3808.94.90; 
2905.12.00; 2847; 5603; 8481; 9019.20.00; 9018.90.84; 9026; 9027.10; 
9018; 9018.90.60; 9018.39; 9019; 9019.20;  9018.1 9.10; 0805.50), due to 
the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Turkey to the WTO 
(24 April 2020)  Effective: see individual 
dates in measure  
Turkey  Termination of prior export authorization/registration on  certain products, 
e.g. ethyl alcohol, eau de cologne, disinfectant, hydrogen peroxide, 
ventilator, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, oxygen concentrator, 
ventilator apparatus, anaesthesia and ventilator circuit, cannula, intubation 
apparatus and intensive care monitors (HS 2207; 22 08.90.91; 2208.90.99; 
3303.00.90; 3402.90.10; 3808.94.10; 3808.94.20; 3808.94.90; 
2905.12.00; 2847;  8481; 9019.20.00; 9018.90.84; 9026; 9027.10; 9018; 
9018.90.60; 9018.39; 9019; 9019.20;  9018.19.10), due to the COVID -19 
pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Tur key to the WTO 
(8 May 2020)  Effective 2 May 2020  
Ukraine  Temporary export restriction on insulated waterproof laboratory suits; 
disposable (single use) medical insulative overalls, gloves of other polymer 
material; nitrile medical gloves, non -sterile, non -starch; nitrile non -
powdered gloves; medical and surgical  face masks; safety glasses; full face 
visors; respirators with a protection rate of not less than FFP2; undenatured 
ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of 80% volume or higher; 
ethyl alcohol and other spirits, except for bioethanol, distilled  beverages, 
denatured, of any strength, and similar (HS 3926.20.00; 6210.10.92; 
6210.10.98; 4015.11.00; 4015.19.00; 6307.90.98; 9004.90.10; 
9004.90.90; 9020.00.00; 2207), due to the COVID -19 pandemic  WTO document G/MA/QR/N/UKR/4/Add.2, 
31 March 2020  Effective 14 March 2020 to 
1 June 2020 (for ethyl 
alcohol - effective 25 
March 2020 to 1 June 
2020)   
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 203 - Member/  Measure  Source/Date  Status  Observer  
Ukraine  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on medicine, medical goods and 
medical equipment (HS Chapters 22; 28; 29; 30; 34; 38; 39; 40;42; 48; 
61; 62; 63; 65; 70; 84; 85; 90; 94), due to the COVID -19 pandemic. 
Imports also exempted from VAT  Permanent Delega tion of Ukraine to the 
WTO (13 April 2020) and Resolution of the 
Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 224 (20 
March 2020). Viewed at: 
https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/224 -
2020-п?fbclid=IwAR2E5 -
us7p3rAan_KeyY7pDbCfLAZByYu7eYmEhuw
zvwI80BBWOFxjAdSuE#n9%E2%8 0%8B   Effective 21 March 2020  
Ukraine  Termination of the temporary export restriction on ethyl alcohol and other 
spirits, except for bioethanol, distilled beverages, denatured, of any 
strength, and similar (HS 2207), imposed due to the COVID -19 pandemic 
(originally effective 25 March 2020 to 1 June 2020)  WTO document G/MA/QR/N/UKR/4/Add.4, 
19 May 2020  Terminated on 15 May 
2020 
United 
Kingdom  Temporary export ban (including parallel exportation from the United 
Kingdom) of certain medicaments (HS Chapters 25; 28; 29; 30; 31; 39), 
needed to treat COVID -19 patients in ICU and other settings for the 
protection of UK public health. The restrictions do not apply to drugs 
manufactured or intended for other countries and, as such, apply only to 
the export  of drugs put in the supply chain for UK patients. The legal basis 
of the restrictions is Regulations 43(2) and 78 of the Human Medicines 
Regulations 2012 requiring wholesale dealers and marketing authorization 
holders to ensure continued supply for UK pat ients. These are temporary 
measures, in place to relieve critical shortages of medicines necessary for 
the protection of human health  United Kingdom Mission to Geneva (9 April 
2020). Viewed at: 
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/gov
ernment/uploads/sy stem/uploads/attachme
nt_data/file/876961/Medicines_that_cannot
_be_parallel_exported_from_the_UK_MAST
ER__4_.csv/preview   
United 
Kingdom  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on medical supplies, equipment and 
protective garments (HS Chapters 22; 28; 30; 34; 38; 39; 40; 48; 56; 61; 
62; 63; 65; 84; 90), due to the COVID -19 pandemic. Imports also 
exempted from VAT  United Kingdom Mission to Geneva (9 April 
2020); GOV.UK:  business and industry, 
trade and investment, customs declarations, 
duties and tariffs  (import and export). 
Viewed at: 
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pay -no-
import -duty-and-vat-on-medical -supplies -
equipment -and-protective -garments -covid-
19?utm_source=miragenews&utm_medium
=miragenews&utm_campaign=news; and 
https://assets.publishing.service.gov. uk/gov
ernment/uploads/system/uploads/attachme
nt_data/file/877754/COVID_19_commodity
_codes_list.csv/preview  Effective 27 March 2020 to 
31 July 2020   
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 204 - Member/  Measure  Source/Date  Status  Observer  
United States 
of America  Temporary exclusion of certain products from the additional duty of 25% on 
a list of 19 products from China (imposed on 1 September 2019). Published 
on 20 March 2020 but effective retroactively from 1 September 2019  Office of the United States Trade 
Representative, Notice of product 
exclusions: China's acts, policies, and 
practices  related to technology transfer, 
intellectual property, and innovation. 
Federal Register/Vol. 85, No. 47 FR No. 
13970 (10 March 2020)  Effective 1 September 
2019 to 1 September 2020  
United States 
of America  Temporary exclusion of certain products from the additional duty of 25% on 
a list of  products from China (imposed on 1 September 2019). Published on 
20 March 2020 but effective retroactively from 1 September 2019  Office of the United States Trade 
Representative, Notice of product 
exclusions: China's acts , policies, and 
practices related to technology transfer, 
intellectual property, and innovation. 
Federal Register/Vol. 85, No. 50 FR No. 
15247 (15 March 2020)  Effective 1 September 
2019 to 1 September 2020  
United States 
of America  Presidential Memoranda a llocating to domestic use certain personal 
protective equipment  (e.g. N -95 filtering facepiece respirators; other 
filtering facepiece respirators; elastomeric, air -purifying respirators and 
appropriate particulate filters/cartridges; PPE surgical masks; an d PPE 
gloves or surgical gloves) (HS 3926.20.10; 4015.11.01; 4015.19.00; 
6116.10.00; 6216.00.09; 6307.90.99; 9020.00.80), due to the COVID -19 
pandemic  WTO document G/MA/QR/N/USA/4/Add.1, 
14 May 2020  Effective 7 April 2020 to 
10 August 2020  
United States 
of America  Initiation of an investigation by the United States International Trade 
Commission aiming at identifying imported goods related to the response to 
the COVID -19 pandemic, their source countries, tariff classifications, and 
applicable rates  of duty. The Commission will seek to provide: (i) the 10 -
digit HS code for the article; (ii) its legal description; (iii) general duty rate; 
(iv) any special or additional rates of duty imposed; (v) the dates on which 
the rates were imposed; (vi) the auth orities under which they were 
imposed; (vii) whether any such duties have been suspended and, if so, the 
date of suspension as well as how long the suspension is scheduled to last; 
(viii) the total rate of duty imposed on such article, including any specia l or 
additional rate of duty; and (ix) the major countries of origin for each such 
article, and the import value of each such article from each country for the 
years 2017 -19  United States International Trade 
Commission - Investigation No. 332 -576 - 
COVID -19, Related Goods: U.S. Imports and 
Tariffs (13 April 2020). Viewed at: 
https://usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/
2020/er0504ll1540.htm  Report to be delivered as 
soon as possible, but not 
lather than 30 April 2020. 
Report released on 4 May 
2020  
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 205 - Member/  Measure  Source/Date  Status  Observer  
United States 
of America  Temporary rule by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 
allocating certain scarce or threatened materials for domestic use, so that 
these materials may not be exported from the United States without explicit 
approval by th e FEMA, due to the COVID -19 pandemic. The rule covers five 
types of personal protective equipment (PPE): N -95 filtering facepiece 
respirators; other filtering facepiece respirators; elastomeric, air -purifying 
respirators and appropriate particulate filters /cartridges; PPE surgical 
masks; and PPE gloves or surgical gloves  Department of Homeland Security - Federal 
Emergency Management Agency (44 CFR 
Part 328 - RIN 1660 -AB01):  Prioritization 
and Allocation of Certain Scarce or 
Threatened Health and  Medical Res ources to 
Domestic Use, Federal Register/Vol. 85, No. 
70 FR No. 20195 (10 April 2020). Viewed 
at: 
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR -
2020-04-10/pdf/2020 -07659.pdf  Effective 7 April 2020 to 
10 August 2020  
United States 
of America  Temporary postponement of the time to deposit certain estimated duties, 
taxes, and fees during the national emergency concerning the COVID -19 
outbreak. 90 days deferment period on certain payments for importers 
(applicably to payments for goods imported in March and  April 2020). 
Imports subject to AD/CVD duties, and Section 201, 232 and 301 trade 
remedies are not included in this relief effort  Department of Homeland Security U.S. 
Customs and Border Protection Department 
of The Treasury (19 CFR Part 24 USCBP -
2020-0017 CBP Dec. 20 -05 RIN 1515 -AE54) 
(19 April 2020). Viewed at: 
https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/asse
ts/documents/2020 -Apr/Temporary -
Postponement -of-Payment -Period%20for -
DTF-20-4-2020-1.pdf   
Uruguay  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on certain personal protective 
equipment and pharmaceutical products, due to the COVID -19 pandemic 
(NCM Chapters 28; 30; 34; 35; 38; 39; 40; 56; 62; 63; 65; 90; 94). 
Imports also exempted from other duties and taxes.  Permanent Delegation of Uruguay to the 
WTO (30 April 2020) and Resoluciones 
Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas - (24 
March and 14 April 2020)  Effective 24 March 2020   
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 206 - Member/  Measure  Source/Date  Status  Observer  
Uzbekistan  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on certain products, e.g. poultry 
meat and edible offal; fish; milk and cream; butter; eggs; vegetables; dried 
leguminous vegetables; wheat or meslin flour; cereal grains otherwise 
worked (for example, hulled, rolled , flaked, pearled, sliced or kibbled), 
except rice (HS 1006); germ of cereals, whole, rolled, flaked or ground; 
Sunflower -seed, safflower or cotton -seed oil and fractions thereof, whether 
or not refined, but not chemically modified; white sugar; pasta; bak er's 
yeast; wadding, gauze, bandages and similar articles (dressings, adhesive 
plasters, poultices), impregnated or coated with pharmaceutical substances 
or put up in forms or packings for retail sale for medical, surgical, dental or 
veterinary purposes; p reparations for oral or dental hygiene; soaps; organic 
surface -active agents (other than soap); surface -active preparations, 
washing preparations (including auxiliary washing preparations) and 
cleaning preparations; candles; tapers; matches; gloves, mitten s and mitts 
of vulcanized rubber; toilet or facial tissue stock, towel or napkin stock; 
toilet paper and similar paper; nonwovens, whether or not impregnated, 
coated, covered or laminated; ozone therapy, oxygen therapy, aerosol 
therapy, artificial respirat ion or other therapeutic respiration apparatus; and 
napkins and napkin liners for babies, and similar articles, of any material 
(HS Chapters 2; 3; 4; 7; 11; 15; 17; 19; 21; 30; 33; 34; 36; 40; 48; 56; 
90; 96), due to the COVID -19 pandemic. Imports also exe mpted from 
excise taxes  Permanent Delegation of Uzbekistan to the 
WTO (4 May 2020)  Effective April 2020 to 31 
December 2020  
Viet Nam  Temporary elimination of import taxes on medical and certain personal 
protective equipment used in the fight of COVID -19 pandemic (HS Chapters 
38; 39; 56; 60; 63; 72; 73; 76)  Permanent Delegation of Viet Nam to the 
WTO (6 May 2020), Decision No. 155/QD -
BCT - Ministry of Finance (7 February 
2020). Viewed at: 
https://thuvienphapluat.vn/van -ban/xuat -
nhap-khau/Quyet -dinh-155-QD-BTC-2020-
mat-hang-mien-thue-nhap-khau-chong -
dich-viem-duong -ho-hap-cap-434146.aspx  Effective 7 February 2020  
Viet Nam  Temporary expor t licensing requirements on face masks (HS 6307.90.40; 
6307.90.90), due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Viet Nam to the 
WTO (6 May 2020)  Effective 11 March 2020. 
Terminated on 29 April 
2020 
Viet Nam  Implementation of temporary export quotas on rice (HS 1006) for national 
food security, due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Viet Nam to the 
WTO (6 May 2020)  Effective 10 April 2020 to 
1 May 2020  
Zimbabwe  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on undenatured ethyl alcohol; 
hydrogen peroxide; immunological products, put up in measured doses or 
in forms or packings for retail sales; thermometers and pyrometers; and 
medical equipment (HS 2207.10.90; 2208.90.9 9; 2847.00.00; 3002.15.00; 
9025.11.00; 9025.19.00; 9027.80.00), due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Permanent Delegation of Zimbabwe to the 
WTO (16 April 2020) and Customs and 
Excise (General) (Amendment) Regulations, 
2020 (No. 101)  Effective 30 March 2020   
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 207 - Member/  Measure  Source/Date  Status  Observer  
Zimbabwe  Temporary export ban on medical supplies used in the treatment of  
COVID -19 Statutory Instrument 93 of 2020 - Public 
Health (COVID -19 Prevention, Containment 
and Treatment) (National Lockdown) 
(Amendment) Order, 2020 (No. 3). Viewed 
at: 
https://www.ve ritaszim.net/sites/veritas_d/
files/SI%202020 -
093%20Public%20Health%20%28COVID -
19%20Prevention%2C%20Containment%20
and%20Treatment%29%20%28National%2
0Lockdown%29%20%28Amendment%29%
20Order%2C%202020%20%28No.%203%2
9.pdf Effective 30 March 2020  
Note: The United Kingdom withdrew from the European Union as of 1 February 2020. During the transition period, which ends on 31 Decembe r 2020, European Union law, 
with a few limited exceptions, continues to be applicable to and in the United Kingdom. During the tran sition period, the information provided by the European Union 
which is relevant to this document continues to cover the United Kingdom.   
Recorded, but not confirmed information3 
Member/  
Measure  Source/Date  Status  
Observer  
Armenia  Temporary export ban on  certain personal protective equipment, 
pharmaceutical products and medical equipment  (HS Chapters 29; 
30; 35; 38; 39; 40; 56; 59; 62; 63; 84; 85; 87; 90; 94), due to 
the COVID -19 pandemic  Press reports referring to Decision No. 31 (3 April 20 20). 
Viewed at: 
https://www.arlis.am/DocumentView.aspx?DocID=141432  Effective 3 April 2020  
Bahrain , 
Kingdom of  Temporary export ban on face masks, due to the COVID -19 Press reports referring to Official Gazette 3466. Viewed at: 
https://www.mia.gov.bh/wp -
content/uploads/2020/04/official -gazette -3466.pdf  Effective 9 April 2020, 
for 3 months  
Bangladesh  Temporary export ban on certain drugs (e.g. hydroxychloroquine) 
used in the treatment of COVID -19  Bangladesh Sangbad Sanstha (19 April 2020)    
Bolivia , 
Plurinational 
State of  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on certain pharmaceutical 
products, due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Emol.mundo (18 March 2020)    
Cambodia  Temporary export ban on rice,  paddy rice and fish, due to the 
COVID -19 pandemic  Reuters (30 March 2020) and Khmer Times (6 April 2020)  Effective 5 April 2020  
Cambodia  Termination of temporary export ban on rice, due to the COVID -
19 pandemic  Reuters (13 May 2020)  Effective 20 April 2020  
 
3 This Section includes information which has been obtained from public sources but has not yet been confirmed by the delegation concerned.   
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 208 - Member/  
Measure  Source/Date  Status  
Observer  
Cameroon  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on  pharmaceutical 
products and medical equipment, due to the COVID -19 pandemic. 
Impor ts also exempted from VAT and other import duties  Radio Okapi (28 March 2020)    
Côte d'Ivoire  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on pharmaceutical 
products and medical equipment, due to the COVID -19 pandemic. 
Imports also exempted from VAT and other import duties  Press reports referring to Ordonnance Ministérielle and 
Communiqué du Conseil de s Ministres (8 April 2020)    
Côte d'Ivoire  Temporary export ban on  disinfectant alcohol based gel, due to 
the COVID -19 pandemic  abidj@n.net referring to Mesure No. 6 du Conseil National de 
Sécurité (24 March 2020)  Effective 25 March 
2020 
Democratic 
Republic of 
the Congo  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on certain pharmaceutical 
products and medical equipment, due to the COVID -19 pandemic. 
Imports also exempted from VAT  Financial Afrik (30 March 2020)  Effective 3 months  
Democratic 
Republic of 
the Congo  Temporary elimination of VAT and other imports charges on 
certain basic food products, due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Financial Afrik (30 March 2020)  Effective 3 months  
Guatemala  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on maize ( maíz blanco y 
amarillo ), under certain import quotas, due to the COVID -19 
pandemic  República (22 March 2020)   
Guyana  Temporary elimination of VAT on imports of pharmaceutical and 
medical products used in the treatment of COVID -19 Guyana Times (23 April 20 20)  
Iran, Islamic 
Rep. of  Temporary export ban on  certain personal protective equipment  
(e.g. face masks), due to the COVID -19 pandemic  The Tehran Times (10 March 2020)   
Iran, Islamic 
Rep. of  Elimination of the import ban on ethanol, due to the COVID -19 
pandemic  Azer press (18 March 2020)   
Jordan  Temporary export ban on certain personal protective equipment  
(e.g. face masks, disinfectants, sanitizers), due to the COVID -19 
pandemic  The Jordan Times (25 March 2020)   
Kenya  Temporary export ban on face masks, due to the COVID -19 
pandemic  The East African (3 March 2020)   
Laos  Temporary elimination of import tariffs and other duties on 
medical devices and other products for prevention, control (e.g. 
masks, sanitizers, medical equipment), due to the COVID -19 
pandemic  Tilleke & Gibbins (3 April 2020)   
Lebanon  Temporary export ba n on medical supplies and protective 
equipment, due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Naharnet (22 February 2020)   
Libya  Temporary export ban on face masks and sterilization materials, 
due to the COVID -19 pandemic  The Libya Observer (16 March 2020)   
Mali Temporary export ban on certain food products (e.g. sugar, meat, 
wheat, rice), face masks, disinfectants, gas and cattle, due to the 
COVID -19 pandemic  L'Essor (21 April 2020)   
Morocco  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on wheat  Le Temps (25 March 2020)    
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 209 - Member/  
Measure  Source/Date  Status  
Observer  
Norway  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on certain personal 
protective equipment and pharmaceutical products, due to the 
COVID -19 pandemic (HS Chapters 39; 40; 61; 62; 63; 90)  Press reports referring to Regulation Ministry of Health a nd 
Care (6 March 2020)  Effective 20 March 
2020 to 1 January 
2021 
Pakistan  Temporary export ban on edible products, due to the COVID -19 
pandemic  Dawn and Daily Times of Pakistan (1 May 2020)   
Pakistan  Termination of the temporary export ban on rice and certain 
sanitizers, due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Pakistan Today (6 May 2020)   
Russian 
Federation  Temporary export ban on wheat and meslin, rye, barley and 
maize (HS 1001; 1002; 1003; 1005), due to the COVID -19 
pandemic  La Croix (France) and Bloomberg (28 April 2020)  Effective May to July 
2020 
South Africa  Elimination of the temporary export ban on wine and fresh 
products, imposed due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Business Day (South Africa) (9 April 2020)    
Sudan  Temporary export ban on maize  Middle East Monitor (UK) (3 April 2020)  Effective 15 April 2020  
Syrian Arab 
Republic  Temporary export ban on vegetables eggs, milk, cheese and 
sterilization items, due to the COVID -19 pandemic  OCHA Services - Reliefweb (10 April 2020). Viewed at: 
https://reliefweb.int/report/syrian -arab-republic/syrian -arab-
republic -covid-19-update -no-05-10-april-2020   
Tajikistan  Temporary export ban on food products (e.g. vegetables, cereals, 
meat, flour, eggs, wheat), due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Asia-Plus (5 May 2020)  Effective 25 April 2020  
The Gambia  Temporary export ban on essential commodities and petroleum 
products, due to the COVID -19 pandemic  The Chronicle (24 March 2020) referring to the Essential 
Commodities Emergency Power Regulations, 2020    
United Arab 
Emirates  Temporary elimination of cust oms fees on imported goods  KPMG - jurisdictional tax measures and government reliefs in 
response to COVID -19 Effective 12 March 
2020 
Viet Nam  Temporary export ban on certain drugs used in the COVID -19 
treatment  Nhan Dan (16 April 2020)   
Viet Nam  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on non -woven fabrics for 
the production of protection clothing used in the fight of COVID -19 
pandemic (HS 5603)  Viet Nam News Summary (17 April 2020) referring to Decision 
No. 436/QD -BCT - Ministry of Finance (27 Ma rch 2020). 
Viewed at: https://luatvietnam.vn/thue/quyet -dinh-436-qd-
btc-2020-bo-sung-hang-duoc-mien-thue-nhap-khau-phong -
chong -covid-182246 -d1.html  Effective 27 March 
2020 
Viet Nam  Termination of the temporary export ban on certain drugs (37) 
used in the COVID -19 treatment  Tuoi Tre Newspaper (7 May 2020) referring to Drug 
Administration of Viet Nam   
Zambia  Temporary elimination of excise duties on imports of ethanol for 
use in sanitizers, due to the COVID -19 pandemic  Zambia Reports (27 March 2020)   
 
  
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 210 - ANNEX 6 – COVID -19 TRADE AND TRADE -RELATED MEASURES (SERVICES )1 
Member  Sector  Measure  Source  Date Verified by 
Member  
Australia  All sectors  On 29 March 2020, the Australian Government announced temporary 
changes to the foreign investment review framework that are designed 
to safeguard Australia’s national interest during the COVID -19 pandemic 
crisis. During this period the monetary threshold a mounts under the 
Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 will be AUD 0 for proposed 
foreign investments made on or after 10:30pm (AEDT) 29 March 2020.  Viewed at:  
https://firb.gov.au/qa -temporary -
changes -foreign -investment -
framework  Effective from 
10:30pm (AEDT) 
29 March 2020  YES 
Australia  Financial services  On 19 March, the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority (APRA) 
announced support for use of capital buffers to promote ongoing lending 
to the economy.  Viewed at:  
https://www.apra.gov.au/news -and-
publications/apra -adjusts -bank-
capital -expectations  19 Marc h 2020  YES 
Australia  Selected sectors  The government has introduced new measures in response to COVID -19 
to allow some temporary work visa holders employed in critical sectors 
including agriculture, food processing, health, aged and disability care 
and childcare to remain in Australia and continue working until it is safe 
and practicable for them to return to their countries. Visas may be 
granted for stays of up to 12 months.  Viewed at: 
https://covid19.govcms.gov.au/stayin
g-australia#15  Initiated 1 April 
2020 YES 
Austria  Telecommunication 
services  Austria’s Regulatory Authority for Broadcasting and Telecommunications 
(RTR) has delayed its upcoming second 5G auction due to the COVID -19 
pandemic. The spectrum auction had been expected to take place in 
April.  Viewed at: 
https://www.rtr.at/en/pr/pinfo310320
20TK 
  
https://www.commsupdate.com/articl
es/2020/03/27/austria -postpones -
multiband -5g-spectrum -auction/   17 March 2020  YES 
Belgium  Financial services  On 11 March, the National Bank of Belgium (NBB) announced that it 
would release the CCyB buffer by lowering the CCYB rate from 0.5% RWA 
to 0% RWA. This measure was enacted by Royal Decree and became 
applicable from 1 April 2020. By releasing the CCyB, the NBB aims at 
supporting the provision of credit and at avoiding potential procyclical 
effects that may arise from the COVID -19 crisis.  Viewed at: 
https://www.nbb.be/en/articles/natio
nal-bank-belgium -releases -full-
countercyclical -buffer  11 March 2020  YES 
Belgium  Financial services  On March 17, the Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) 
prohibited short selling of securities and similar transact ions on the 
regulated market of Euronext Brussels for one month. On 15 April 2020, 
the FSMA renewed this measure for another month.  Viewed at: 
https://www.fsma.be/en/news/prohib
ition-short-selling -update -19032020   
https://www.fsma.be/fr/ news/renewa
l-prohibition -short-selling  17 March and 15 
April 2020  YES 
 
1 This table has been compiled by the WTO Secretariat and is an informal situation report and an attempt to provide transparenc y with respect to measures affecting trade in 
services  taken in the context of the COVID -19 crisis. It does not pass judgment on or questions the right of WTO members to take such actions.  The Secretariat has not sought to 
determine and indicate whether the measures listed in the table have trade -restrictive or trade -facilitating effects. The information in this  table is not exhaustive and  does not 
include  information on general support measures relating to services.   Further, the objective of this table is not to list all COVID -related measures taken by gover nments around the 
world to limit movement, nor all the measures taken to ease the impact of border restrictions or other limits on movement.  The measures listed in this table p rovide a situation report 
up to 15 May  2020. A consistent feature of the trade a nd trade -related measures taken in response to the COVID -19 crisis has been the frequent changes, adjustments and occasional 
roll-back of such measures to reflect the evolving situation. The updated lists of measures implemented in the context of the curr ent pandemic are available on the COVID -19 page 
of the WTO website : https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/covid19_e/covid19_e.htm#measures .  
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 211 - Member  Sector  Measure  Source  Date Verified by 
Member  
Brazil  Financial services  On 16 March, the Central Bank of Brazil reduced the Conservation Capital 
Buffer from 2.5% to 1.25% for one year.  Viewed at: 
https://www.bcb.gov.br/en/pressdeta
il/2322/nota  16 March 2020  YES 
Brazil  Health services  To deal with the health emergency, the use of telemedicine for medical 
services, including medical consultation and digital medicine 
prescription, is permitted on an exceptional and temporary basis through 
ordinance 467/20.  Ordinance 46/20  
 
Viewed at: 
http://www.in.gov.br/en/web/dou/ -
/portaria -n-467-de-20-de-marco -de-
2020-249312996  20 March 2020  YES 
Bulgaria  Financial services  The Governing Board of the Bulgarian National Bank approved the 
deferral and settlement of repayments to banks and other financial 
institutions; this will constitute private moratorium in accordance with 
European Banking Authority (EBA) Guidelines on legislative and non -
legislative moratoria on loan repayments applied in the light of the 
COVID -19 crisis.  Viewed at: 
http://bnb.bg/PressOffice/POPressRel
eases/POPRDate/PR_20200410_BG  10 March 2020  YES 
Cana da All sectors  On 18 April 2020, the government issued a Policy Statement indicating 
that, in the context of the pandemic, it would subject certain foreign 
investments into Canada to enhanced scrutiny under the Investment 
Canada Act.  The government will scrutinize with particular attention 
foreign direct investments of any value, controlling or non -controlling, in 
Canadian businesses that are related to public health or involved in the 
supply of critical goods and services to Canadians or to the government. 
The government will also subject all foreign investments by state -owned 
investors, regardless of their value, or private investors assessed as 
being closely tied to or subject to direction from foreign governments, to 
enhanced scrutiny u nder the Act. This may involve the Minister 
requesting additional information or extensions of timelines for review as 
authorized by the ICA, in order to ensure that the government can fully 
assess these investments.  This enhanced scrutiny of certain forei gn 
investments is to apply until the economy recovers from the effects of 
the COVID -19 pandemic.  Viewed at:  
https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/ica -
lic.nsf/eng/lk81224.html  18 April 2020  YES 
Canada  Financial services  On 13 March, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions 
(OSFI) lowered the stability buffer requirement from 2.25% to 1% of 
risk-weighted assets.  Viewed at:  
https://www.osfi -bsif.gc.ca/Eng/osfi -
bsif/med/Pages/nr_20200313.aspx  13 March 2020  YES 
Canada  Financial services  On 27 March, OSFI announced a suite of adjustments to exist ing capital 
and liquidity requirements (e.g., liquidity coverage ratio and net stable 
funding ratio) to afford institutions further flexibility in addressing 
conditions precipitated by the COVID -19 pandemic while promoting 
financial resilience and stabilit y. Viewed at:  
https://www.osfi -bsif.gc.ca/Eng/fi -
if/in-ai/Pages/DTI20200327_let.aspx  27 March 2020  YES 
China  Air transport 
services  The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has recognized the 
need for flexibility in the delivery of classroom training and for the 
completion of recurrent training requirements.  It has also granted the 
ability to extend the validity periods to some elements of train ing 
applicable to pilots, engineers, cabin crew and dispatchers.  Viewed at: 
https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/p
r/2020 -03-21-01/ 21 March 2020  YES  
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 212 - Member  Sector  Measure  Source  Date Verified by 
Member  
China  All sectors  On 10 February 2020, the MOFCOM General Office issued the Circular on 
Strengthening the Services for Foreign -Invested Enterprises and 
Investment Attraction Work While Actively Fighting Against COVID -19 
Pandemic, requiring local departments of commerce to provide 
necessar y services for foreign -invested enterprises and attract 
investment on the condition of effectively preventing and controlling the 
COVID -19 pandemic.  
 
Specifically, the Circular requires local departments of commerce to: 1) 
actively help foreign -invested en terprises to resume normal production 
and operation; 2) strengthen services for large foreign -invested projects; 
3) innovate and improve the work of investment promotion; 4) offer 
targeted assistance based on local conditions; and 5) continue to 
improve th e business environment.  Circular on Strengthening the 
Services for Foreign -Invested 
Enterprises and Investment Attraction 
Work While Actively Fighting Against 
COVID -19 Pandemic  
 
Viewed at:  
http://english.mofc om.gov.cn/  10 February 
2020 YES 
China  Financial services  On 3 April 2020, the People's Bank of China decided to cut the Required 
Reserve Ratio by 1 percentage point, with a cut of 0.5 percentage points 
on April 15 and May 15 each time, for rural credit cooperatives, rural 
commercial banks, rural cooperative banks, village banks, as well as city 
commercial banks operating solely within provincial -level administrative 
regions.  Viewed at: 
http://www.pbc.gov.cn/en/3688110/
3688172/4002931/index.html  03 April 2020  YES 
Colombia  Telecommunication 
services  A new measure requires mobile telephony operators (voice and data) to 
maintain minimum service levels despite not receiving adequate 
remuneration from the user.  Decree 464 of 23 March 2020  
 
Viewed at: 
https://dapre.presidencia.gov.co/nor
mativa/nor mativa/DECRETO%20464
%20DEL%2023%20DE%20MARZO%
20DE%202020.pd f 23 March 2020  YES 
Costa Rica  Tourism services  The Costa Rica Tourism Board adopted a number of measures in 
response to COVID -19, including agreeing to a moratorium on the 
payment of the tourism tax on airfare from April to June 2020 for 
companies experiencing liquidity problems.  Viewed at:  
https://www.ict.go.cr/es/noticias -
destacadas -2/1684 -ict-acuerda -
moratoria -a-empresas -en-pago-de-
impuestos -turisticos.htm l 31 March 2020  YES 
Costa Rica  Distribution of fuel  The government has granted automatic extensions of 3 months to 
concessions, authorizations and operating permits for suppliers of fuel, 
including service stations.  Viewed at: 
http://direcciondecombustiblesminaec
r.blogspot.com/2020/03/prorroga -de-
3-meses -las-concesiones.html  31 March 2020  YES 
Costa Rica  Financial services  The government issued a directive urging banks, at the request of 
debtors affected by COVID -19, to undertake measures to readjust loan 
conditions and reduce interest rates.  Directive No. 075 -H 
 
Viewed at: 
http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/Busque
da/Normativa/Normas/nrm_texto_co
mpleto.aspx?param1=NRTC&param2
=1&nValor1= 1&nValor2=90784&nVal
or3=119725&strTipM=TC&lResultado
=4&nValor4=1&strSelect=sel  18 March 2020  YES  
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 213 - Member  Sector  Measure  Source  Date Verified by 
Member  
Costa Rica  Financial services  Authorities have taken temporary monetary and financial policy 
measures to mitigate the economic impact of COVID -19, including 
lowering the countercyclical buffer level to 0% to support banks in 
extending credit facilities to customers.  Resolution SGF -0902-2020;  
Agreement No. SGV -A-239 of the 
General Securities Superintendence   
 
Viewed at: 
https://www.sugef.fi.cr/normativa/ac
uerdos_superintendente.aspx  
https://www.sugeval.fi.cr/noticiasyev
entos/Noticias/Modificación%20tempo
ral%20en%20el%20plazo%20de%20
entrega%20de%20reportes%20regul
atorios%20e n%20el%20contexto%20
del%20COVID -19.pdf  
 
http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/Busque
da/Normativa/Normas/ nrm_texto_co
mpleto.aspx?param1=NRTC&param2
=1&nValor1=1&nValor2=91074&nVal
or3=120164&strTipM=TC&lResultado
=1&nValor4=1&strSelect=sel  
 
http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/Busque
da/Normativa/Normas/nrm_texto_co
mpleto.aspx?param1=NRTC&param2
=1&nValor1=1&nValor2=91082&nVal
or3=120171&strTipM=TC&lResultado
=2&nValor4=1&str Select=sel  March -April 2020  YES 
Costa Rica  All sectors  A new measure directs relevant public entities to consider simplifying 
procedures and requirements and to review the validity of permits, 
licenses, authorizations or concessions that enable natural or legal 
persons to carry out any economic or commercial a ctivity.  Directive No. 079 -MP-MEIC 
 
Viewed at:  
http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/Busque
da/Normativa/Norm as/nrm_texto_co
mpleto.aspx?param1=NRTC&nValor1
=1&nValor2=91015&nValor3=120088
&strTipM=TC   8 April 2020  YES 
Czech 
Republic  Financial services  On 16 March 2020, the Czech National Bank (CNB) Bank Board revised 
its earlier decision adopted in May 2019 to increase the countercyclical 
capital buffer rate for exposures located in the Czech Republic to 2% with 
effect from 1  July 2020. This decision meant that banks continued to 
maintain the currently applicable rate of this buffer at 1.75%. On 26 
March 2020 th e rate of this buffer was lowered to 1 % as of 1 April 2020.  Viewed at:  
 https://www.cnb.cz/en/  March -April 2020  YES 
European 
Union  All sectors  The European Commission issued new  guidelines for screening foreign 
direct investment in companies and critical assets located in the 
European Union, including those operating in the fields of health, medical 
research, biotechnology and infrastructures deemed essential for 
security and public order.  This aims to re spond to the increased potential 
risk to strategic industries, as a result of the economic shock posed by Viewed at: 
https://trade.ec.europa.eu/do clib/doc
s/2020/march/tradoc_158676.pdf  25 March 2020  YES  
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 214 - Member  Sector  Measure  Source  Date Verified by 
Member  
COVID -19. 
 
The guidelines offer guidance to be applied within the context of the 
recently adopted framework for EU screening and review of FDI.  Among 
other things, the new guidelines:  
- Call on Member States to make full use of existing FDI screening 
mechanisms and take fully into account the risks to critical health 
infrastructures, supply of critical inputs, and other critical sectors;  
- Call on thos e Member States without screening mechanisms to set up 
a full-fledged screening mechanism and in the meantime to use other 
available options to address cases where the acquisition or control of a 
particular business, infrastructure or technology would crea te a risk to 
security or public order in the EU, including a risk to critical health 
infrastructures and supply of critical inputs.  
European 
Union  Air transport 
services  On 30 March, the European Union suspended its rule that require air 
carriers to operate slots for at least 80 percent of the time to keep the 
entitlement in the next equivalent season for the whole summer season, 
until 24 October 2020.  Regulation of the European 
Parliament and the Council Amending 
Council Regulation (EEC) NO 95/93 
on Common Rules for the Allocation 
of Slots at Community Airports . 
  
Viewed at: 
http://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/
document/PE -4-2020-REV-1/en/pdf  Effective 1 March 
2020, and 
retroactively 
from 23 January 
for flights 
between the EU 
and China or 
Hong Kong, 
China.  YES 
European 
Union  Air transport 
services  The European Commission has published guidelines setting out 
operational measures to facilitate the operation of air cargo during the 
COVID -19 outbreak  Viewed at: 
https://ec.europa.eu/transport/sites/t
ransport/files/legislation/c20202010_
en.pdf  26 March 2020  YES 
European 
Union  Air transport 
services  The European Aviation Safety Agency allowed the extension of the 
validity periods for licences, ratings, endorsements, certificates and 
attestations of aircrew, instructors, examiners, aircraft maintenance 
licence holders and air traffic controllers as well as extensio n of 
airworthiness review certificates.  Viewed at:  
https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/p
r/2020 -03-21-01/ 21 March 2020  YES 
European 
Union  Financial services  On 12 March, the European Central Bank said banks directly supervised 
by the ECB can fully use capital buffers and that banks will benefit from 
relief in the composition of capital for Pillar 2 Requirements. Banks are 
also expected not to increase capital distributions in response to these 
measures. Banks will also be allowed to operate temporarily below the 
liquidity coverage ratio.  Viewed at: 
https://www.bankin gsupervision.euro
pa.eu/press/pr/date/2020/html/ssm.p
r200312~43351ac3ac.en.html  12 March 2020  YES 
European 
Union  Road transport 
services  On 16 March 2020, the European Commission issued guidelines for 
border measures to protect health and keep goods and essential services 
available. The guidelines set out principles for an integrated approach to 
an effective border management to protect health while preserving the 
integrity of the internal market.  Viewed at:  
https://ec.europa.eu/home -
affairs/sites/homeaffairs/files/what -
we-do/policies/european -agenda -
migration/20200316_covid -19-
guide lines-for-border -
management.pdf  16 March 2020  YES  
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 215 - Member  Sector  Measure  Source  Date Verified by 
Member  
European 
Union  Road transport 
services and 
environmental 
services  On 30 March 2020, the European Commission issued some specific 
guidelines in order to ensure the continuation of national and cross-
border waste shipments in the EU. The guidelines indicate that the Green 
Lanes apply mutatis mutandis to the shipments of waste, and invite 
Member States to implement this principle.   Viewed at: 
https://ec.europa.eu/environment/wa
ste/shipments/pdf/waste_shipment_a
nd_COVID19.pdf?utm_source=POLITI
CO.EU&utm_campaign=7ef90fbd23 -
EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_31_02_
49&utm_medium=email&utm_term=
0_10959edeb5 -7ef90fbd23 -
190580935  30 March 2020  YES 
Finland  Financial services  On 16 March, the Financial  Supervisory Authority (FIN -FSA) exempted 
temporarily banks from fulfilling certain additional capital and liquidity 
requirements.  Viewed at: 
https://www.finanssivalvonta.fi/en/pu
blications -and-press -releases/Press -
release/2020/financial -supervisory -
authority -enhances -monitoring -of-
financial -sector/  16 March 2020 YES 
Finland  Financial services  On 17 March, the Financial  Supervisory Authority (FIN -FSA) lowered 
bank capital requirements by 1% by removing the systemic risk buffer.  Viewed at: 
https://www.finanssivalvonta.fi/en/pu
blications -and-press -releases/P ress-
release/2020/macroprudential -
decision -fin-fsa-board -lowers -credit -
institutions -capital -requirements/  17 March 2020  YES 
France  All sectors  The Minister for the Economy and Finance announced on 29 April 2020 
an update to the screening procedure for for eign direct investment (FDI) 
in the context of the current health and economic crisis.  
 
The new measure includes biotechnologies in the list of critical 
technologies that are likely to be subject to FDI screening. It also lowers, 
from 25% to 10%, the thre shold of voting rights in the acquired company 
that triggers the screening procedure. This change in the threshold will 
apply for a limited period of time, only for listed companies, and for 
investors from third countries (European Union and European Econo mic 
Area investors are exempted).  Text no. 22 of the French Official 
Journal no. 0105 dated 30 April 2020.  
 
Viewed at:  
https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/
Articles/2020/04/30/covid -19-update -
of-the-foreign -direct -investment -
screening -procedure -in-france  Effective 30 April 
2020 YES  
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 216 - Member  Sector  Measure  Source  Date Verified by 
Member  
France  Health services  The government has relaxed the rules on the use of telemedicine 
services. Until 31 May 2020, all persons affected by Covid -19 (and other 
patients under certain circumstances) can benefit from telemedicine 
services even if there is no prior relation between the healthcare provider 
and the patient. This can be done using video transmission tools 
(equipped location for the health service provider, dedicated platform or 
Internet website or app). If the patient is not duly equipped, the service 
can be provided by phone.  Decree No. 2020 -227 of 9 March 
2020;  
Decre e No. 2020 -277 of 19 March 
2020;  
Order (Arrêté) of 23 March 2020  
 
Viewed at: 
https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affich
Texte.do?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000041
704122&categorieLien=id  
 
https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affich
Texte.do?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000041
737421&dateTexte=20200410  
 
https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affich
Texte.do?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000041
746744&categorieLien=id  9, 19 and 23 
March 2020  YES 
France  Financial services  On 18 March, the Haut Conseil de Stabilité Financière (the French 
macroprudential authority) reduced the countercyclical capital buffer 
from 0.25% of risk -weighted assets (RWA) to 0% RWA.  Viewed at: 
https://www.economie.gouv.fr/files/fi
les/directions_services/hcsf/HCSF_20
200318_Communique_de_presse_de
_seance.pdf  18 March 2020  YES 
France  Financial services  On 17 March, the Autorité des marchés financiers (the French financial 
markets authority) announced the prohibition of short selling for one 
month.    Viewed at:  
https://www.amf -
france.org/en/news -
publications/news -releases/amf -
news-releases/amf -announces -short-
selling -ban-one-month  17 March 2020  YES 
Germany  Financial services  On 18 March, Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) lowered 
the countercyclical capital buffer from 0.25% to 0% as of 1 April.  Viewed at: 
https://www.bundesbank.de/en/tasks
/topics/statement -on-the-
countercyclical -capital -buffer -by-the-
german -financial -stability -committee -
828822  
  01 April 2020  YES 
Ghana  Financial services  The Bank of Ghana modified policies in relation to mobile money 
transactions for a period of three months. Since 20 March 2020, smaller 
withdrawals and transactions (below GHS100) do not carry a charge. 
This is alongside an increase in maximum transaction limits and b alance 
levels for all customers.   Viewed at:  
https://www.mobileworldlive.com/fea
tured -content/money -home -
banner/african -nations-back-mobile -
money -in-virus-battle/  20 March 2020    
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 217 - Member  Sector  Measure  Source  Date Verified by 
Member  
Ghana  Telecommunication 
services  The National Communications Authority of Ghana has temporarily 
granted additional spectrum at no cost for three months to the country's 
two largest mobile network operators (Vodafone and MTN Ghana) to help 
cope with a significant increase in internet traffic during the COVID -19 
lockdown.  Viewed at:  
http://www.africanwirelesscomms.co
m/news -
details?itemid=3149&post=two -
ghanaian -operators -receive -
additional -temporary -spectrum -
293333  15 April 2020   
Hong Kong, 
China  Financial services  On 16 March, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority lowered the counter -
cyclical buffer level from 2.0% to 1.0% to support banks in extending 
credit.  Viewed at: 
https://www.hkma.gov.hk/eng/news -
and-media/press -
releases/2020/03/20200316 -5/ 16 March 2020  YES 
Hong Kong, 
China  Financial services  On 3 April, the Hong Kong Monet ary Authority wrote to the industry to 
encourage banks to consider utilising liquidity buffers built up under the 
regulatory liquidity framework to meet their liquidity demand and 
support business activities. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority is 
prepared to  accept banks operating temporarily with a lower level of 
liquidity ratios as a result.  Viewed at: 
https://www.hkma.gov.hk/media/eng
/doc/key -information/guidelines -and-
circular/2020/20200403e1.pdf  3 April 2020  YES 
Hong Kong, 
China  Financial s ervices  On 8 April, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority lowered the regulatory 
reserve requirement on locally incorporated authorized institutions 
(“AIs”) by 50%.  Viewed at:  
https://www.hkma.gov.hk/media/eng
/doc/key -information/guidelines -and-
circular/2020/20200408e1.pdf  8 April 2020  YES 
India  All sectors  The government amended its Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy in 
order to curb takeovers or acquisitions of Indian companies as a result 
of the COVID -19 pandemic.  The amendment provides that an entity of a 
country that shares a land border with India - or where the beneficial 
owner of an investment into India is situated in or is a c itizen of any such 
country - can invest only with prior government permission.  Viewed at:  
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.a
spx?PRID=1615711  18 April 2020   
India  Telecommunication 
services  To ensure uninterrupted service for prepaid phone users amid the 
lockdown, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has asked 
telecom operators to extend the validity of pre -paid services.  Further, 
India's Congress asked telecom operators to waive call charges for 
migrant workers for a month as hundreds of thousands attempt to leave 
cities and return home.  Viewed at: 
https://www.commsupdate.com/articl
es/2020/03/30/india -industry -adapts -
to-pandemic -challenges/  30 March 2020   
India  Telecommunication 
services  The Department of Telecommunications relaxed the guidelines for Other 
Service Providers [OSP] (companies providing 'Applications Services' like 
tele-banking, tele -medicine, tele -education, tele -trading, e -commerce, 
call centre, network operation centre and other IT Enabled Services).  
 Viewed at:  
https://dot.gov.in/sites/default/files/R
elaxation%20inT%26C%20of%20OSP
%2013.3.20.PDF?download=1  13 March 2020  YES 
India  Financial services  The Reserve Bank of India has allowed banks to temporarily maintain 
lower levels of liquidity and has introduced additional flexibility in the 
implementation of banks' capital requirements, in particular the 
countercyclical capital buffer and the capital conservation buffer, among 
various measures to a ssist banks in the context of the shutdown in India 
following the Covid -19 outbreak.  Viewed at:  
https://www.rbi.org.in/home.aspx  March -April 2020  YES  
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 218 - Member  Sector  Measure  Source  Date Verified by 
Member  
India  Financial services  The Reserve Bank of India has a uthorized banks to deal in offshore non -
deliverable rupee derivative markets (Offshore NDF Rupee Market). 
Banks in India that operate International Financial Services Centre 
(IFSC) Banking Units (IBUs) will be able to participate in the NDF market 
with eff ect from 1 June 2020. Banks may participate through their 
branches in India, their foreign branches or through their IBUs.  
Previously, Indian banks were not permitted to participate in Indian 
rupee derivative market or the off -shore Non -Deliverable Forward  
market.  Viewed at:  
https://www.rbi.org.in/home.aspx  March 2020; 
Effective 1 June 
2020 YES 
Indonesia  Internet and other 
network -enabled 
services  As part of the COVID -19 emergency bill signed by the President on 31 
March 2020, a new regulation requires foreign suppliers of digital 
services to register and charge the value added tax.  The measure also 
provides for the imposition of a tax on e -commerce activities carried out 
by foreign suppliers with a s ignificant economic presence in Indonesia.  
 
Significant economic presence will be determined further by authorities, 
taking into account such factors as gross revenue, sales and active users 
in Indonesia. Those with a significant economic presence will be declared 
permanent establishments and, thus, subject to domestic tax 
regulations. The regulation provides that an electronic transaction tax on 
the company's sales in Indonesia would be charged if tax treaties prevent 
declaring a company as a permanent est ablishment.  
 
The Regulation in lieu of law (Perppu) aims to relax some regulations 
needed to manage COVID -19 and maintain financial system stability in 
Indonesia. The regulation covers measures on budgeting and financing, 
taxation including reduction in ge neral corporate income tax rates, 
extension of the period of application/settlement of tax administration, 
and customs facilities. Further provisions are regulated in the Ministry of 
Finance regulation No. 46/2020, 38/2020, 36/2020, 35/2020, and 
43/2020.  Regulation in lieu of law (Perppu) No. 
1 Year 2020 on State Financial and 
Financial System Stability Policy to 
Manage Corona Virus Disease 2019 
(COVID -19) Pandemic and/or to 
Anticipate Threats that Will Endanger 
National Economy and/or Financial 
System Stab ility. 
 
Viewed at: 
https://www.thejakartapost.com/new
s/2020/04/01/indonesia -taxes -tech-
companies -through -new-
regulation.html  
 
https://www.taxathand.com/article/1
3314/Indonesia/2020/Measures -
introduced -in-response -to-COVID -19-
include -immediate -CIT-rate-reduction  31 March 2020  YES 
Indonesia  Financial services  On 23 March, the Financial Services Authority (OJK) prohibited short 
selling transactions until a date to be determined.  Viewed at:  
https://www.ojk.go.id/en/berita -dan-
kegiatan/siaran -pers/Pages/Joint -
Press -Release -OJK-and-SRO-
Maintain -Continuous -Stock -
Exchange%e2%80%99s -Orderly, -
Fair.aspx  23 March 2020   
Italy  Selected sectors  On 9 April 2020, the government widened, during the emergency period, 
its foreign investment screening powers to new sectors, such as food 
security, health, banks and insurance companies, financial 
infrastructure, as well as to acquisitions within the European Union not 
only for control but also for the acquisition of shares of 10% or more.  
The new measure also makes it possible for the government to start 
exerting spec ial powers ex officio for non -notified operations. The new 
measure is valid until 31 December 2020.  Law Decree No. 23 of 2020  
 
Viewed at: 
https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/gazze
tta/serie_generale/caricaDettaglio?da
taPubblicazioneGazzetta=2020 -04-
08&numeroGazzetta=94&elenco30gio
rni=tru  09 April 2020  YES  
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 219 - Member  Sector  Measure  Source  Date Verified by 
Member  
Italy  Financial services  On 20 March, Banca d’Italia allowed all banks and non -bank 
intermediaries to operate temporarily below the level of the Pillar 2 
Guidance and the capital conservation buffer, as well as below the 
liquidity coverage ratio.  Viewed at: 
https://www.bancaditalia.it/media/co
municati/documenti/2020 -
01/Deadlines -extension -COVID -
19.pdf?language_id=1  20 March 2020  YES 
Italy  Financial services  On 17 March, Consob, the public authority responsible for regulating the 
Italian securities markets, prohibited the taking or increasing of net short 
positions (short -selling and other bearish transactions) on all stocks 
traded on the Italian regulated market fo r a duration of 3 months.  Viewed at: 
http://www.consob.it/documents/461
80/46181/press_release_20200317.p
df/0f50bec8 -8dda-439a-a2fd-
f63bbd39f2e3  17 March 2020  YES 
Japan  Financial services  In response to the recent spread of COVID -19, relevant authorities have 
taken measures, including:  (i) Minister for Financial Services issued a 
statement on maintaining the function of the financial sy stem and 
financial markets under the Declaration of a State of Emergency 
Responding to the Spread of COVID -19 on 16 April;  (ii) The Financial 
Services Agency (FSA) made a leaflet become available for those facing 
difficulties with cash flow as impact of th e ongoing COVID -19 epidemic 
spreads on 8 April;  (iii) The FSA established the Consultation Hotline 
Related to COVID -19 for financial services users on February 28;  (iv) The 
FSA made requests to financial institutions to take prompt and flexible 
measures re lated to cash flow support for companies and individuals in 
consideration of COVID -19 spreads by publishing notices on 7 February, 
6 March, 13 March, 24 March, 7 April, 10 April, 16 April, and 21 April;  
(v) The FSA published a reference casebook on a colle ction of financial 
institutions' favorable response -practices to deal with COVID -19 affected 
parties on 27 March;  (vi) The FSA put forth the conditions for the 
extension of deadline for submitting annual securities and other reports 
in connection with the COVID -19 infection due to unavoidable reasons 
on 10 February; and  (vii) The FSA established the Networking Group on 
the corporate disclosure, financial reporting and audit of listed companies 
in consideration of the impact of the COVID -19 Infection on 3 Ap ril. Viewed at:  
https://www.fsa.go.jp/en/ordinary/co
ronavirus202001/press.html   Updated 19 May 
2020 YES 
Kenya  Telecommunication 
services  To ensure that effective health -related information can be transmitted to 
and from rural areas, Kenya has fast -tracked the issuance of an 
operating license to Alphabet’s Loon services to extend availability of Wifi 
to remote locations.  Viewed at: 
https://www.president.go.ke/2020/03
/23/kenya -approves -roll-out-of-
google -loon-4g-to-mitigate -
coronavirus -work-disruptions/  
 
https://www.developingtelecoms.com
/telecom -technology/wireless -
networks/9362 -internet -connectivity -
comes -to-rural-kenya -by-
balloon. html 24 March 2020    
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 220 - Member  Sector  Measure  Source  Date Verified by 
Member  
Korea , Rep. 
of Financial services  On 16 March, FSC announced that the government will tighten 
regulations on stock short selling for six months beginning on March 16.  Viewed at: 
http://www.fsc.go.kr/eng/new_press/
releases.jsp  16 March 2020  YES 
Korea , Rep. 
of Financial services  On 19 March, Korean regulator raised the cap of foreign exchange (FX) 
derivatives positions for local banks from 40% to 50%, and from 200% 
to 250% for foreign banks.  Viewed at: 
http://www.mo ef.go.kr/nw/nes/detail
NesDtaView.do?menuNo=4010100&s
earchNttId1=MOSF_00000000003270
5&searchBbsId1=MOSFBBS_0000000
00028  19 March 2020  YES 
Lithuania  Financial services  On 31 March, the National Bank of Lithuania lowered the countercyclical 
buffer level from 1 % to 0% as of 1 April.  Viewed at:  
https://www.lb.lt/en/  Effective 1 April 
2020 YES 
Malta  Health Services  Live-in carers and healthcare professionals whose single permit is about 
to expire can send an email to medical.ima@gov.mt to have their permit 
extended by a return email for a period of three months.  Viewed at: 
https://lovinmalta.com/news/foreign -
healthcare -workers -living-on-work-
permit -in-malta -get-automa tic-three-
month -extension -amid-covid-19-
concerns/  19 March 2020  YES 
Malta  All sectors  Following the Government’s decision, Identity Malta Agency is not 
accepting new single permit applications except for highly skilled workers 
(Key Employee Initiative) an d medical professionals. Such applications 
should be submitted online on https://singlepermit.gov.mt , once the 
employer has registered on onlinesinglepermit.im a@gov.mt . Viewed at:  
https://identitymalta.com/covid -19-
change -in-expatriates -unit-central -
visa-unit-service -provision/  16 March 2020  YES 
Mexico  Air transport 
services  In Mexico, the Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil  (AFAC) is extending the 
validity of permits, licenses and/or certificates for technical personnel for 
three months.  Viewed at:  
https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/p
r/2020 -03-21-01/ 21 March 2020   
Moldova , 
Republic of  Financial services  The government undertook a number of measures in the financial 
services sector, such as allowing commercial banks to reschedule 
mortgage loans for physical persons, giving banks the possibility to defer 
credit rates to individuals for 3 months (until 30 June 2020), and 
encouraging lending by non -banking entities (microfinance 
organizations) at lower interest rates.    Decision No. 69 of 17 March 2020 of 
the National Bank of Moldova;  
Decision No. 81 of 27 March 2020 of 
the Executive Committee Board of the 
National Bank of Moldova;  
Decision the National Commission for 
Financial Markets (NCFM) no. 13/5 of 
24 March 2020.  Adopt ed in March 
2020 YES 
Moldova , 
Republic of  Tourism services  The government reduced the VAT rate from 20% to 15% for the sector 
of hotels, restaurants, and cafes.  Law No. 60 of 23 April 2020  Effective 1 May 
2020 YES  
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 221 - Member  Sector  Measure  Source  Date Verified by 
Member  
Moldova , 
Republic of  Transport services  The government introduced various measures affecting transport 
services in the context of the crisis.  For example, cargo drivers and 
transport service personnel that carry out transport of goods, as well as 
the aircraft/ships/train crews, have bee n exempted from the 
requirement of self -isolation and 14 day of quarantine (if they do not 
present any clinical signs of respiratory infection).  Provisions No. 2 of 20 March 2020 
and No. 6 of 26 March 2020 of the 
Commission on Exceptional Situations 
of the Republic of Moldova  
 
Viewed at:  
https://gov.md/sites/default/files/dis
pozitia_2_din_20.03.2020_a_cse_a_r
m_cu_modificari_0.pdf   
 
https://gov.md/sites/default/files/dis
pozitia_cse_nr.6.pdf  20 and 26 March 
2020 YES 
Moldova , 
Republic of  Various sectors  The government adopted a series of measures to respond to the crisis, 
including with respect to public digital signatures, the movement of 
natural persons, the activities of lawyers, notaries and bailiffs, and 
medical/healthcare workers.  Provisions No. 6 of 26 March 2020, 
No. 8 of 28 March 2020, No. 10 of 31 
March 2020, and No. 16 of 10 April 
2020 of the Commission on 
Exceptional Situations of the Republic 
of Moldova  
Decision no. 9 of 15 March 2020 of 
the Extraordinary National 
Commission on public health of the 
Republic of Moldova  
 
Viewed at:  
https://gov.md/sites/default/files/dis
pozitia_nr_8.pdf   
https://gov.md/sites/default/files/dis
pozitia_cse_nr.6.pdf   
https://gov.md/sites/default/files/dis
pozitia_cse_nr.10.pdf   
https://gov.md/sites/default/files/dis
pozitia_cse_nr.3_anexa.pdf  March -April 2020  YES 
Nepal  Road transport 
services  All border crossing points are closed. These restrictions also apply to 
international freight movements.   Viewed at:  
https://www.iru.org/apps/flash -
getfile -action?id=889&file=global -
coronavirus -covid-19-outbreak.pdf   24 March 2020   
Netherlands  Financial services  On 17 March, the Central Bank lowered systemic buffers from 3% of 
global risk -weighted exposures to 2.5% for ING, 2% for Rabobank and 
1.5% for ABN Amro.  Viewed at:  
https://www.dnb.nl/en/news/news -
and-archive/persberichten -
2020/dnb387870.jsp  17 March 2020  YES  
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 222 - Member  Sector  Measure  Source  Date Verified by 
Member  
Oman  Telecommunication 
services  Oman's Telecom regulator has unblocked access to VoIP apps, including 
Skype, Google Meet and Zoom, to facilitate continuity for organisations, 
private and educational institutions, and government bodies during the 
pandemic.  Viewed at:  
https://www.tra.gov.om/media -
center/media -center/1848 -notice -
issued -by-tra-oman -on-the-
measures -taken -by-the-sultanate -of-
oman -to-guarantee -the-provision -of-
telecommunication -services -limit-the-
spread -of-the-coronavirus -covid-19-
pandemic -and-mitigate -its-effects  18 March 2020   
Oman  Telecommunication 
services  The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has allocated 
additional mobile spectrum to the licensed network operators on a 
temporary basis and at no financial cost.  Viewed at:  
https://www.tra.gov.om/media -
center/media -center/1848 -notice -
issued -by-tra-oman -on-the-
measures -taken -by-the-sultanate -of-
oman -to-guarantee -the-provision -of-
telecommunication -services -limit-the-
spread -of-the-coronavirus -covid-19-
pandemic -and-mitigate -its-effects  26 March 2020   
Peru  Telecommunication 
services  A new decree requires telecommunication operators to prioritise 
telecommunications traffic from public entities, in particularly those in 
the health sector, to prevent vital communications from being slowed by 
the increasing use of networks for tele -work, tele -education and leisure 
activities. The decree also requires operators to provide better access to 
telecommunications services for governme nt ministries involved in 
combating the pandemic, including those for the interior, defence and 
education.  Emergency Decree No. 035 -2020 
 
Viewed at:  
https://busquedas.elperuano.pe/no
rmaslegales/decreto -de-urgencia -
que-establece -medidas -
complementarias -pa-decreto -de-
urgencia -n-035-2020-1865377 -1/ Published:  3 April 
2020 
 
Entry into force:  
4 April 2020 
 
Expiration: 31 
December 2020  YES 
Philippines  Financial services  The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP - Central Bank of the Philippines) 
adopted a series of new measures affecting banking and other financial 
services. These relate, for example, to regulatory relief for BSP -
supervised financial institutions (BSFIs) affected by COVID -19 situation, 
and to the facilitation of access to foreign exchanges resources for 
financial transactions.  
 
In addition, the Monetary Board adopted a series o f measures, including 
increases in single borrower limits, relaxing maximum penalties for 
reserve deficiencies, relaxation of certain notification requirements, 
extension of the period of compliance with BSP supervisory 
requirements, measures to facilitate  loans to MSMEs.  Memoranda Nos. M -2020-008, 011 –
013, 015, 017, 039;  
Circulars No. 1079, 1080, 1083;  
Monetary Board Resolution No. 403.A  
 
Viewed at:  
http://www.bsp.gov.ph/  March -May 2020  YES 
Portugal  Telecommunication 
services  The telecommunications regulator (ANACOM) has suspended digital 
migration and postponed release of 700MHz band (originally scheduled 
for June) for 5G services, saying that resumption will take place as soon 
as conditions associat ed with the pandemic permit.  Viewed at: 
https://www.commsupdate.com/articl
es/2020/03/17/anacom -suspends -
digital -migration -postpones -release -
of-700mhz -band/  17 March 2020   
Romania  Financial services  An emergency ordinance delays the instalment payments for loans, for 
a period between 1 and 9 months. The initiative is aimed at both citizens 
and legal persons affected economically by the COVID -19 pandemic.  Emergency Ordinance No 37/2020  30 March 2020  YES  
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 223 - Member  Sector  Measure  Source  Date Verified by 
Member  
Russian 
Federation  Air transport 
services  The Russian Federation has exempted flight crews from the 14 -day 
quarantine.  Viewed at:  
https://tiaca.org/news/covid -19-
tiacas -weekly -update -governments -
are-urged -to-facilitate -the-flow-of-
air-cargo -to-fight-covid-19-and-its-
effects/  26 March 2020  YES 
Rwanda  Financial services  Rwanda temporarily removed fees on transfers between bank accounts 
and mobile wallets and on mobile money transfers.  Merchant fees on 
payments for all contactles s transactions were also removed to reduce 
chances of COVID -19 transmission.  Viewed at:  
https://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/m
obile-money -transfers -made -free-
boost -cashless -payments  18 March 2020   
South Africa  Telecommunication 
services  The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) is 
extending the validity of existing frequency spectrum licences by three 
months, due to South Africa's Covid -19 lockdown. The due date for the 
renewal of radio frequency spectrum licences a nd payment of the 
renewal fees is normally 31 March of each year.  Viewed at: 
https://www.icasa.org.za/news/2020/
due-date-for-the-renewal -of-radio-
frequency -spectrum -licences -
extended  31 March 2020   
South Africa  Health services  The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) issued a 
guidance note on the application of telemedicine during the COVID -19 
pandemic, and which facilitates the use of video or phone calls by doctors 
and therapists to treat p atients.  Previously, such services were 
essentially to cases where there was an already established practitioner -
patient relationship.  Viewed at:  
https://ahpcsa.co.za/wp -
content/uploads/2020/03/GUIDELINE
S_TELEHEALTH -
TELEMEDICINE_1_24Mar2020.pdf  25 March 2020   
Spain  All sectors  The Spanish government changed its rules on foreign investment to 
prevent investors from non -EU and non -EFTA countries from taking 
control of strategic Spanish companies.  A new Royal Decree has 
developed Law 19/2003 concerning the criteria and circumstances under 
which the Government could suspend the FDI regime and therefore the 
investment at stake would need a prior authorisation. The aim of the 
government is to avoid that prospective investors take advantage of 
market volatility and decline in equity valuations resulting from COVID -
19 to acquire Spanish companies.   
 
The new requirement concerns situations where  foreign investors come 
to hold a stake of 10% or more of the share capital of a Spanish company 
or where, as a result of the transaction, they participate effectively in the 
management or controls the Spanish company.  Prior authorizations 
would be require d for investments in the following sectors:  
 - critical infrastructure, including energy, transportation, water, health, 
communications, media, data processing or storage, aerospace, defence, 
electoral or financial infrastructures, and sensitive facilities , as well as 
land and real estate that are key to the use of such infrastructures;  
- critical technologies and dual -use items, including artificial intelligence, 
robotics, semiconductors, cyber security, aerospace, defence, energy 
storage, quantum and nucl ear technologies, as well as nanotechnologies 
and biotechnologies;   
- supply of fundamental inputs, in particular energy, commodities and 
food safety;   Spanish Royal Decree -Law 8/2020, of 
17 March, on Urgent Extraordinary 
Measures to Address the Economic 
and S ocial Impact of COVID -19. 
 
Spanish Royal Decree -Law 11/2020, 
of March 31, adopting urgent 
additional measures in the social and 
economic sphere to confront COVID -
19. 
 
Viewed at:  
https://www.reuters.com/article/healt
h-coronavirus -spain-bme/update -1-
spains -move -to-stop-foreign -
companies -swooping -spooks -bme-
investors -idUSL8N2BA7FD  
 
https://www.lexology.com/library/det
ail.aspx?g=6e34f7ee -7fe9-4155-
98c7-aa37aef764d0  Approved by the 
government on 
18 March 2020; 
approved by the 
Parliament on 9 
April 20 20 YES  
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 224 - Member  Sector  Measure  Source  Date Verified by 
Member  
- sectors with access to sensitive information, in particular personal data, 
or with the capacity to con trol such information;   
- media;  
- other sectors if the government considers the investment may affect 
public security, public order and public health.   
 
In addition, prior authorisation will also be required, irrespective of the 
sector, if the foreign inv estor: is directly or indirectly controlled by 
a foreign  government; has made investments affecting security, public 
order and public health in another EU Member State; or has open 
administrative or judicial proceedings for criminal or illegal activities.   
 
The Royal Decree -Law 11/2020, of March 31, clarified the following 
elements contained in the Royal Decree -Law 8/2020:  (i) the definition of 
the FDI (EU investor whose ultimate owner is a non -resident is 
considered as an FDI. Ultimate owner would hold mor e than 25% equity 
participation, as well as the effective control over the vehicle);  
(ii) the transitional period for the ongoing transactions.  
 
The previous legal framework would apply to agreements that have 
already been signed between both parties and where the price has been 
fixed prior to the stock market crash at the beginning of March. The new 
measure also introduced a de minimis rule – i.e. investments in the 
sectors listed in RDL 8/2020 which are lower than EUR 1 million are 
exempted from prior au thorisation and for investments higher than EUR 
1 million and lower than EUR 5 million, a fast -track procedure of a 
maximum of 30 days is in place.  
Spain  Telecommunication 
services  The Spanish government has delayed plans to auction spectrum for 5G 
services in the 694MHz -790MHz (700MHz) spectrum – referred to as the 
'second digital dividend band' due to operational and financial concerns. 
Similar decisions have been taken by other European countries. The 
second digital dividend band is currently used by free -to-air television.  
Free-to-air broadcasts are viewed as essential during the pandemic.   Viewed at:  
https://www.televisiondigital.gob.es/
ayuda -ciudadano/sala -
prensa/Paginas/comunicado -
aplazamiento -fecha -limite.aspx  20 March 202 0 YES 
Spain  Telecommunication 
services  The Spanish government temporarily suspended portability for fixed and 
mobile operators for the duration of the pandemic. The  government also 
prohibited price increases on the services, given that subscribers were 
unable to switch  operators.  This temporary measure has subsequently 
been withdrawn on 26 May 2020.  Royal Decree -Law 8/2020  
 
Spanish Royal Decree -Law 11/2020, 
of March 31, adopting urgent 
additional measures in the social and 
economic spher e to confront COVID -
19 
 
Viewed at: 
https://www.commsupdate.com/articl
es/2020/03/19/spanish -govt-
suspends -portabil ity-during -
pandemic -9-5m-numbers -ported -in-
2019/  Approved by 
Government on 
18 Mar ch 2020 
and by 
Parliament on 9 
April 2020; 
withdrawn on 26 
May 2020.  YES  
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 225 - Member  Sector  Measure  Source  Date Verified by 
Member  
 
Royal Decree -Law 19/2020 of 26 May 
2020 
 
Viewed at:  
https://www.boe.es/buscar/doc.php?i
d=BOE -A-2020-5315 
Spain  Financial services  On 31 March, the Central Bank announced that the counter -cyclical 
capital buffer will be kept to 0%.  Viewed at: 
https://www.bde.es/f/webbde/GAP/S
ecciones/SalaPrensa/NotasInformativ
as/20/presbe2020_29en.pdf  31 March 2020  YES 
Spain  Financial services  On 16 March, the government banned temporarily short selling.  This 
temporary measure was subsequently withdrawn on 18 May 2020.  Viewed at:  
http://cnmv.es/portal/verDoc.axd?t=
%7b5baf609e -ed4e-4dad-a697-
80c55548e181%7d   
 
http://www.cnmv.es/Portal/verDoc.ax
d?t=%7bfcdd0a76 -57cb-4603-b0fa-
191527c9cf86%7d  Introduced on 16 
March 2020; no 
longer in force 
from 23h59 on 
18 May 2020  YES 
Sweden  Financial services  On 16 March, the Financial Supervisory Authority lowered the 
countercyclical capital buffer rate from 2.5% to 0% to support banks in 
extending credit.  Viewed at: 
https://www.fi.se/en/published/press
-releases/2020/fi -lowers -the-
countercyclical -capital -buffer -to-zero/ 16 March 2020  YES 
Sweden  Financial services  On 16 March, the Financial Supervisory Authority allowed banks to 
temporarily  operate below the liquidity coverage ratio.  Viewed at:  
https://www.fi.se/en/published/press
-releases/2020/fi -on-liquidity -
coverage -ratios -lcr-for-swedish -
banks/  16 March 2020  YES 
Sweden  Financial services  On 14 April, the Financial Supervisory Authority decided that banks will 
have the possibility of offering all new and existing mortgagors an 
exemption from the amortisation requirements due to the spread of the 
coronavirus and its effects on  the Swedish economy. The exemption will 
be in force until the end of august 2021.  Viewed at: 
https://www.fi.se/en/published/news/
2020/banks -may-now-grant -
amortisation -exemption/   14 April 2020  YES 
Switzerland  Financial services  On 26 March, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) introduced the new SNB 
COVID -19 refinancing facility. The measure is aimed at strengthening 
the supply of credit to the Swiss economy by providing the banking 
system with additional liquidity.  After consulting with the Financial 
Market Supervisory Authority, the SNB also submitted a proposal to the 
Federal Council requestin g that the countercyclical capital buffer be 
reduced to 0% with immediate effect. The measure is designed to further 
support the banks in their key role as lender.  The Federal Council 
approved the proposal on 27 March 2020.  Viewed at:  
https://www.snb.ch/en/mmr/referenc
e/pre_20200325/source/pre_202003
25.en.pdf  
 
https:// www.efd.admin.ch/efd/en/ho
me/dokumentation/nsb -
news_list.msg -id-78604.html  26 and 27 March 
2020 YES 
Tajikistan  Road transport 
services  Registration and other customs operations with goods and products 
imported into the country are carried out at border terminals, and their 
further transportation to the destination must be carried out by national 
operators.  Viewed at:  
https://www.iru. org/apps/flash -
getfile -action?id=889&file=global -
coronavirus -covid-19-outbreak.pdf  16 March 2020    
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 226 - Member  Sector  Measure  Source  Date Verified by 
Member  
Turkey  Financial services  On 26 March, Turkish authorities introduced flexibility in the compliance 
of liquidity ratios until the end of 2020.  Viewed at:  
https://www.reuters.com/article/healt
h-coronavirus -turkey -banks/turkish -
banking -watchdog -eases -banks -
liquidity -ratio-due-to-coronavirus -
idUSL8N2BJ8BU  
 
https://www.bddk.org.tr/ContentBdd
k/dokuman/mevzuat_0954.pdf  26 March 2020  YES 
Ukraine  Distribution 
services  Licensees who have a license to carry out business activities in the retail 
trade of medicines are allowed to trade in medicines and related products 
remotely, to organize and carry out delivery of medicines and related 
products directly to consumers in accordance with the conditions of 
storage of medicines defined by the manufacturer during their 
transportation, in partic ular, with the involvement of postal operators on 
a contractual basis.  Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers 
of Ukraine No. 220 of 23 March 2020  
 
Viewed at:  
https://www.kmu.gov.ua/npas/pro -
vnesennya -zmin-do-licenzijnih -umov -
provadzhennya -gospodarskoyi -
diyalnosti -z-virobnictva -likarskih -
zasobiv -optov oyi-ta-rozdribnoyi -
torgivli -likarskimi -i230320 -220 Effective 10 April 
2020 YES 
United Arab 
Emirates  Air transport 
services  The United Arab Emirates General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) 
published a Decision allowing for flexibility to the validity perio ds for 
licenses, ratings, certificates applicable to Flight Crew and Cabin Crew.  Viewed at:  
https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/p
r/2020 -03-21-01/ 21 March 2020   
United Arab 
Emirates  Telecommunication 
services  The United Arab Emirates lifted certain restrictions on Voice over Internet 
Protocol (VoIP) services.  The Telecommunications Regulatory Auth ority 
decided to allow certain VoIP applications so as to facilitate work from 
home and help prevent spread of COVID -19. Permitted applications 
include Microsoft Teams, Skype for Business, Google Hangouts Meet, 
Cisco Webex, and Zoom.  VoIP applications like Skype, WhatsApp and 
FaceTime remain banned.  Viewed at:  
https://www.tra.gov.ae/en/media -
hub/dgspeech/2020/3/30/additional -
apps-for-distance -learning.aspx  
 
https://www.gsmarena.com/uae_has
_unbanned_google_hangouts_meet_c
isco_webex_and_a_few_other_serv ic
es-news-42364.php  
 
https://www.tahawultech.com/region
/uae/uae -tra-authorises -voip-tools-
amid-the-coronavirus -pandemic/  24 March 2020  YES  
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 227 - Member  Sector  Measure  Source  Date Verified by 
Member  
United 
Kingdom  Telecommunication 
services  The Government has agreed measures with telecoms companies to 
support vulnerable consumers thro ugh COVID -19. The UK’s major 
internet service and mobile providers, namely BT/EE, Openreach, Virgin 
Media, Sky, TalkTalk, O2, Vodafone, Three, Hyperoptic, Gigaclear, and 
KCOM have all agreed the following commitments, effective 
immediately:  
- All providers  have committed to working with customers who find it 
difficult to pay their bill as a result of Covid -19 to ensure that they are 
treated fairly and appropriately supported;  
- All providers will remove all data allowance caps on all current fixed 
broadband  services;  
- All providers have agreed to offer some new, generous mobile and 
landline packages to ensure people are connected and the most 
vulnerable continue to be supported. For example, some of these 
packages include data boosts at low prices and free  calls from their 
landline or mobile;  
- All providers will ensure that vulnerable customers or those self -
isolating receive alternative methods of communication wherever 
possible if priority repairs to fixed broadband and landlines cannot be 
carried out. Viewed at: 
https://www.gov.uk/government/new
s/government -agrees -measures -with-
telecoms -companies -to-support -
vulnerable -consumers -through -covid-
19 29 March 2020   
United 
Kingdom  Health services  Since 31 March 2020, visas for doctors, nurses and paramedical 
personnel with visas due to expire before 1 October 2020 are 
automatically extended for one year, free of charge. This also concerns 
the personnel's family members.  Viewed at: 
https://www.gov.uk/government/new
s/nhs -frontline -workers -visas-
extended -so-they-can-focus-on-
fighting -coronavirus   31 March 2020   
United 
Kingdom  Air transport 
services  The UK Civil Aviation Authority have issued a number of regulatory 
exemptions to support the sector including extending the valid ity periods 
of licences, certificates and ratings.  Viewed at: 
https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/modalap
plication.aspx?catid=1&pagetype=65
&appid=11&mode=list&type=sercat&i
d=17   23 March 2020  YES 
United  
Kingdom  Financial services  On 11 March, the Bank of England lowered the countercyclical capital 
buffer rate from 1% to 0%, and introduced flexibility in the compliance 
of liquidity requirements, so as to support banks in extending credit.  Viewed at: 
https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/ne
ws/2020/march/boe -measures -to-
respond -to-the-economic -shock -
from-covid-19 11 March 2020  YES 
United 
States  Telecommunication 
services  The Federal Communication Commission launched the "Keep Americans 
Connected Initiative" to ensure that Americans do not lose their 
broadband or telephone connectivity in the context of COVID -19. As of 
mid-March, mor e than 550 companies and associations have pledged to 
keep Americans connected.  Viewed at:  
https://www.fcc.gov/keep -americans -
connected  13 March 2020   
United 
States  Telecommunication 
services  The FCC has temporarily altered regulations for its Rural Health Care and 
E-rate programmes to make it easier for broadband providers to offer 
participants improved connections or additional equipment for 
telemedicine and remote learning during the pandemic. The changes will 
remain in effect through 30 September.  Viewed at:  
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachme
nts/DOC -363137A1.pdf  16 March 2020    
  WT/TPR/OV/W/14  
 
- 228 - Member  Sector  Measure  Source  Date Verified by 
Member  
United 
States  Telecommunication 
and health services  The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to adopt a 
USD 200 million telehealth program to support healthcare providers 
responding to the coronavirus pandemic.  Funds were appropriated by 
Congress as part of the CARES Act. The program aims to help healthcare 
providers purchase telecommunications, broadband connectivity, and 
devices necessary for providing telehealth services . 
 
The FCC also launched a Connected Care Pilot Program. This three -year 
Pilot Program will provide up to USD 100 million of support from the 
Universal Service Fund (USF) to help defray health care providers' costs 
of providing connected care services and to help assess how the USF can 
be used in the long -term to support telehealth.  Viewed a t: 
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachme
nts/DOC -363498A1.pdf  02 April 200   
United 
States  Telecommunication 
services  The Federal Communications Commission granted special temporary 
authority (STA) to T -Mobile U.S.A. to use additional spectrum in the 600 
MHz Band to help it meet increased customer demand for broadband 
during the coronavirus pandemic. The company requested this authority 
to make it easier for Americans to par ticipate in telehealth, distance 
learning, and telework, and remain connected while practicing 
recommended 'social distancing'.  On 18 March, the FCC announced that 
US Cellular was granted a similar STA to use additional spectrum to help 
meet increased cust omer demand for mobile broadband during the 
coronavirus pandemic.  Viewed at: 
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachme
nts/DOC -363051A1.pdf  
 
https://www.commsupdate.com/articl
es/2020/03/18/fcc -grants -us-cellular -
access -to-extra-aws-3-spectrum/  15 and 18 March 
2020  
United 
States  Telecommunication 
services  Verizon has received a temporary (60 -day) spectrum boost from the FCC 
to help meet increased customer demand for mobile broadband access 
during the pandemic.  FCC had already issued temporary, 60 -day 
spectrum to two companies, T -Mobile and US Cellular.  Viewed at:  
https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc -
grants -verizon -temporary -spectrum -
access -during -covid-19-pandemic  
 
https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc -
grants -t-mobile -temporary -spectrum -
access -during -coronavirus  
 
https://www.commsupdate.com/articl
es/2020/03/20/verizon -is-the-latest -
us-cellco -to-receive -temporary -
spectrum -boost/  20 March 2020   
United 
States  Air transport 
services  On 11 March, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) waived its 
slot-use requirements through 31 May for US and foreign airlines that 
operated affected flights.  The FAA expects that US carriers will be 
accommodated with reciprocal relief by foreign authorities at airports in 
their countr ies and may determine not to grant a waiver to a foreign 
carrier whose home jurisdiction does not reciprocate.  Viewed at: 
https://www.faa.gov/news/press_rele
ases/news_story .cfm?newsId=24736  Effective 11 
March 2020   
__________  