RESTRICTED  
  
G/SG/M/63  
 
29 November  2023 
(23-8095) Page: 1/19 
Committee on Safeguards    
 
 
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING  
HELD ON 25 OCTOBER  2023 
CHAIRPERSON : MR EUNGKIL JEON  
(REPUBLIC OF KOREA ) 
1.  The Committee  on Safeguards (the "Committee")  held a regular meeting on 25 October  2023. 
2.  As the meeting was held in person as well as virtually via Interprefy, the Chair reminded Members 
of the different technical arrangements for participating remotely as reflected in the "Technical 
Guide", a link to which had also been included in the airgra m convening the meeting.  
3.  The Chair reiterated his request to delegations to provide their up -to-date contact details by 
email to the Secretariat, so that it could update the contact details list, currently contained in the 
latest revision of document RD/SG/3 . The Chair added that this system would be replaced in the 
near future by a centralized system.  
4.  The draft agenda was contained in document WTO/AIR/SG/ 17.  
5.  The Republic of Korea  ("Korea") stated that it  wishe d to make a statement under Other Business  
regarding India's measure on imports of Ferro Molybdenum SG . 
6.  The Chair stated that he wished to make an announcement under Other Business  regarding an 
online portal for the submission of safeguards  notifications .  
7.  The Committee adopted  the following agenda:  
1  NATIONAL LEGISLATION  ................................ ................................ .............................  3 
1.1  Review of Notifications of New or Amended Legislation or Regulations Not Previously 
Reviewed by the Committee (Including Supplemental Notifications of Existing Provisions 
Not Previously Reviewed)  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 3 
1.1.1  Japan – Review of New Legislative Notification (G/ADP/N/1/JPN/2/Suppl.12 - 
G/SCM/N/1/JPN/2/Suppl.11 - G/SG/N/1/JPN/2/Suppl.4; and 
G/ADP/N/1/JPN/2/Suppl.13  - G/SCM/N/1/JPN/2/Suppl.12  - G/SG/N/1/JPN/2/Suppl.5)  ................  3 
1.1.2  Mauritania – Review of New Legislative Notification (G/ADP/N/1/MRT/1/Rev.1  - 
G/SCM/N/1/MRT/1/Rev.1  - G/SG/N/1/MRT/1/Rev.1)  ................................ ..............................  4 
1.1.3  Mauritius – Review of New Legislative Notification (G/ADP/N/1/MUS/4  - 
G/SCM/N/1/MUS/4  - G/SG/N/1/MUS/2)  ................................ ................................ ...............  4 
1.1.4  Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Review of New Legislative Notification 
(G/ADP/N/1/SAU/2/Suppl. 2 - G/SCM/N/1/SAU/2/Suppl.2  - G/SG/N/1/SAU/2/Suppl.2; 
and G/ADP/N/1/SAU/2/Suppl.3  - G/SCM/N/1/SAU/2/Suppl.3  - G/SG/N/1/SAU/2/Suppl.3)  ...........  4 
1.2  Review of Notifications of New or Amended Legislation or Regulations with 
Outstanding Written Questions  ................................ ................................ ...........................  4 
1.2.1  Liberia – Review of New Legislative Notification (G/SG/N/1/LBR/1 and 
G/SG/N/1/LBR/1/Corr.1)  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 4 G/SG/M/63  
 
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  2  CONTINUING REVIEW OF LEGISLATIVE NOTIFICATIONS PREVIOUSLY 
REVIEWED BY THE COMMITTEE  ................................ ................................ .......................  5 
2.1  Cameroon – Continuing Review of Previously Reviewed Notifications 
(G/ADP/N/1/CMR/2 - G/SCM/N/1/CMR/2 - G/SG/N/1/CMR/2)  ................................ ..................  5 
2.2  Ghana – Continuing Review of Previously Reviewed Notifications 
(G/ADP/N/1/GHA/2  ‒ G/SCM/N/ 1/GHA/2 ‒ G/SG/N/1/GHA/2)  ................................ .................  5 
3  NOTIFICATIONS OF ACTIONS RELATED TO SAFEGUARD MEASURES  ............................  6 
3.1  Costa Rica – Refined White Sugar (G/SG/N/8/CRI/2/Suppl.1 - 
G/SG/N/10/CRI/2/Suppl.1 - G/SG/ N/11/CRI/2/Suppl.1)  ................................ .........................  6 
3.2  European Union ‒ Certain Steel Products (G/SG/N/8/EU/1/Suppl.3/Corr.1 - 
G/SG/N/10/EU/1/Suppl.17/Corr.1 - G/SG/N/11/EU/1/Suppl.11/Corr.1; and 
G/SG/N/8/EU/1/Suppl.3 - G/SG/N/10/EU/1/Suppl.17 - G/SG/N/11/EU/1/Suppl.11; 
G/SG/283 ) ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  7 
3.3  India – Low Ash Metallurgical Coke  (G/SG/N/6/IND/49)  ................................ ...................  8 
3.4  India – PVC Suspension Resins with Residual VCM above 2 PPM  (G/SG/N/8/IND/34  - 
G/SG/N/10/IND/25 - G/SG/N/11/IND/20)  ................................ ................................ ............  8 
3.5  India – Isopropyl Alcohol  (G/L/1485 - G/SG/N/12/KOR/5; and G/L/1484  - G/SG/282)  ..........  9 
3.6  Indonesia – Carpets and Other Textile Floor Coverings (G/SG/N/6/IDN/35/Suppl.1 
and G/SG/N/11/IDN/24/Supp l.1) ................................ ................................ ........................  9 
3.7  Indonesia – Slag Wool, Rock Wool, And Similar Mineral Wools (Including 
Intermixtures Thereof), In Bulk, Sheets Or Rolls (G/SG/N/6/IDN/39)  ................................ ...... 11 
3.8  Indonesia – Cigarette Paper (G/SG/N/8/IDN/29/Suppl.2 - 
G/SG/N/10/IDN/2 9/Suppl.2 - G/SG/N/11/IDN/27 and G/SG/N/6/IDN/37/Suppl.1)  ....................  11 
3.9  Indonesia – Fructose Syrup (G/ SG/N/11/IDN/23/Suppl.2; 
G/SG/N/8/IDN/26/Suppl.2  - G/SG/N/10/IDN/26/Suppl.2  - G/SG/N/11/IDN/23/Suppl.1; 
and G/SG/N/6/IDN/34/Suppl.1)  ................................ ................................ .........................  11 
3.10  Indonesia – Curtains (Including Drapes), Interior Blinds, Bed Valances, and Other 
Furnishing Articles (G/SG/N/8/IDN/24/Suppl.2  - G/SG/N/10/IDN/24/Suppl.3  - 
G/SG/N/11/IDN/20/Suppl.3)  ................................ ................................ .............................  11 
3.11  Indonesia – Yarn (Other Than Sewing Thread) of Synthetic and Artificial Staple 
Fibre (G /SG/N/8/IDN/25/Suppl.2  - G/SG/N/10/IDN/25/Suppl.3  - 
G/SG/N/11/IDN/19/Suppl.3)  ................................ ................................ .............................  12 
3.12  Indonesia  – Evaporators (G/SG/N/8/IDN/22/Suppl.2  - 
G/SG/N/10/IDN/22/Suppl.3  - G/SG/N/11/IDN/22/Suppl.1)  ................................ ....................  12 
3.13  Madagascar – Pasta (G/SG/N/10/MDG/4/Suppl.4  - G/SG/N/11/MDG/4/Suppl.5 and 
G/SG/N/10/MDG/4/Suppl.3  - G/SG/N/11/MDG/4/Suppl.4 ) ................................ .....................  12 
3.14  Madagascar – Detergent Powder (G/SG/N/10/MDG/3/Suppl.1  - 
G/SG/N/11/MDG/3/Suppl.3)  ................................ ................................ ..............................  12 
3.15  Madagascar – Blankets And Travelling Rugs (G/SG/N/10/MDG/2/Suppl.1 - 
G/SG/N/11/MDG/2/Suppl.3)  ................................ ................................ ..............................  12 
3.16  Madagascar – Concentrated Milk (G/SG/N/8/MDG/9 - G/SG/N/10/MDG/9 - 
G/SG/N/11/MDG/9/Suppl.1)  ................................ ................................ ..............................  12 
3.17  Morocco – Inner Tubes For Bicycles, Mopeds, Motorcycles And Scooters 
(G/SG/N/9/MAR/4)  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  12 
3.18  Morocco – Welded tubes and pipes , of iron or steel (G/SG/N/6/MAR/12/Suppl.1)  ..............  12 
3.19  Morocco – Hot-Rolled Sheets (G/SG/N/10/MAR/7/Suppl.2  - 
G/SG/N/11/MAR/7/Suppl.6 ) ................................ ................................ ..............................  13 
3.20  Peru – Clothing (1) (G/SG/N/9/PER/3)  ................................ ................................ ........  13 G/SG/M/63  
 
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  3.21  Peru – Clothing (2) (G/SG/N/9/PER/4)  ................................ ................................ ........  13 
3.22  South Africa – Threaded fasteners of iron and steel bolt ends & screw studs, screw 
studding and other hexagon nuts (excluding those of stainless steel and those identifiable 
for aircraft) (G/SG/N/8/ZAF/6/Suppl.3  - G/SG/N/10/ZAF/5/Suppl.3  - 
G/SG/N/11/ZAF/5/Suppl.6; and G/SG/N/8/ZAF/6/Suppl.2  - G/SG/N/10/ZAF/5/Suppl.2  - 
G/SG/N/11/ZAF/5/Suppl.5 ) ................................ ................................ ...............................  13 
3.23  Türkiye – Toothbrushes (G/SG/N/6/TUR/23/Suppl.2  - G/SG/N/14/TUR/11/Suppl.1 ) ..........  13 
3.24  Türkiye – Polyethylene Terephthalate Chips (G/SG/N/6/TUR/27/Suppl.1 ) .........................  13 
3.25  Türkiye – Yarns From Nylon and Other Polyamides (G/L/1482 - G/SG/281)  ......................  13 
3.26  United Kingdom – Certain steel products (G/SG/N/6/GBR/1/Suppl.3; 
G/SG/N/10/GBR/1/Suppl.14  - G/SG/N/11/GBR/1/Suppl.14; a nd 
G/SG/N/10/GBR/1/Suppl.13  - G/SG/N/11/GBR/1/Suppl.13 ) ................................ ...................  14 
3.27  United States – Crystalline sil icon photovoltaic cells (G/SG/N/6/USA/11/Suppl.5)  ..............  15 
4  VIET NAM – CERTAIN SEMI -FINISHED AND FINISHED PRODUCTS OF ALLOY 
AND NON -ALLOY STEEL (ITEM REQUESTED BY JAPAN)  ................................ ..................  15 
5  INDONESIA – ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES (ITEM 
REQUESTED BY JAPAN)  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 16 
6  JOINT PR OPOSAL FROM CANADA, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, NEW ZEALAND, 
NORWAY, THE UNITED KINGDOM, AND THE UNITED STATES  ................................ .........  16 
7  DRAFT REPORT BY THE COMMITTEE TO THE COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN GOODS 
("CTG") ON IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FUNCTIONING OF THE COMMITTEE  ......................  17 
8  POSSIBLE REVISION OF THE FORMAT OF ANNEX 3 OF THE ANNUAL REPORT  ............  18 
9  OTHER BUSINESS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 18 
9.1  India's measure on Ferro Molybdenum imports from Korea  ................................ ..............  18 
9.2  Online portal for the submission of safeguards notifications  ................................ .............  19 
10  DATES OF NEXT REGULAR MEETINGS IN 2024  ................................ .........................  19 
11  ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE TO THE COUNCIL  FOR TRADE IN 
GOODS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  19 
 
1  NATIONAL LEGISLATION1 
1.1  Review of Notifications of New or Amended Legislation or Regulations Not Previously 
Reviewed by the Committee (Including Supplemental Notifications of Existing Provisions 
Not Previously Reviewed)  
1.1.1   Japan  – Review of New Legislative Notification ( G/ADP/N/1/JPN/2/Suppl.12  - 
G/SCM/N/1/JPN/2/Suppl.11  - G/SG/N/1/JPN/2/Suppl.4 ; and 
G/ADP/N/1/JPN/2/Suppl.13  - G/SCM/N/1/JP N/2/Suppl.12  - 
G/SG/N/1/JPN/2/Suppl.5 ) 
8.  Written questions regarding this notification had been submitted and can be found in document:  
• G/ADP/Q1/JPN/20  - G/SCM/Q1/JPN/20  - G/SG/Q1/JPN/9  : submitted by the United  States  
 
1 Relevant deadlines for written questions and written answers regarding the notifications of legislation 
can be found in section 1 of document G/ADP/W/508  - G/SCM/W/584  - G/SG/W/254 . G/SG/M/63  
 
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  9.  The Chair stated that the United States had suggested that the review for this question be 
conducted in the Committee on Anti -Dumping Practices.  
10.  No delegation had comments at the meeting.  
11.  Written answers were subsequently received, prior to the deadline, and can be found in 
document:  
• G/ADP/Q1/JPN/21  - G/SCM/Q1/JPN/21  - G/SG/Q1/JPN/10   
1.1.2   Mauritania  – Review of New Legislative Noti fication ( G/ADP/ N/1/MRT/1/Rev.1  - 
G/SCM/N/1/MRT/1/Rev.1  - G/SG/N/1/MRT/1/Rev.1 ) 
12.  The Chair explained that this wa s a "nil" legislative notification , and welcome d Mauritania's 
efforts for having made this notification . 
13.  No delegation had comments.  
1.1.3   Mauritius  – Review of New Legislative Notification ( G/ADP/N/1/MUS/4  - 
G/SCM/N/1/MUS/4  - G/SG/N/1/MUS/2 ) 
14.  Written questions regarding this notification h ad been submitted and can be found in document:  
• G/ADP/Q1/MUS/6  - G/SCM/Q1/MUS/6  - G/SG/Q1/MUS/1 : submitted by the United  States  
15.  Responses had been provided in document:  
• G/ADP/Q1/MUS/7  - G/SCM/Q1/MUS/7  - G/SG/Q1/MUS/2  
16.  At the meeting, the United Stated  thanked Mauritius for the responses and confirmed that it 
had no follow -up questions.  
1.1.4   Kingdom of Saudi Arabia  – Review of New Legislative Notification 
(G/ADP/N/1/SAU/2/Suppl.2  - G/SCM/N/1/SAU/ 2/Suppl.2  - 
G/SG/N/1/SAU/2/Suppl.2 ; and G/ADP/N/1/SAU/2/Suppl.3  - 
G/SCM/N/1/SAU/2/Suppl.3  - G/SG/N/1/SAU/2/Suppl.3 ) 
17.  Written questio ns regarding this notification had been submitted and can be found in document:  
• G/ADP/Q1/SAU/7  - G/SCM/Q1/S AU/7 - G/SG/Q1/SAU/9  : submitted by the United  States  
18.  Responses had been provided in document:  
• G/ADP/Q1/SAU/8  - G/SCM/Q1/S AU/8 - G/SG/Q1/SAU/10  
19.  There were no comments made at the meeting . 
20.  The Committee took note  of the notification, statement, as well as questions.  
1.2  Review of Notifications of New or Amended Legislation or Regulations wi th 
Outstanding Written Questions  
1.2.1   Liberia  – Review of New Legislative Notification ( G/SG/N/1/LBR/1  and 
G/SG/N/1/LBR/1/Cor r.1) 
21.  Written questions regarding this notification had been submitted and can be found in document:  
• G/SG/ Q1/LBR/1  ‒ submitted by the United  States  G/SG/M/63  
 
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  22.  The Chair noted that these questions had been pending since the Commi ttee meeting of 
April 2018.  
23.  The delegation of Liberia  was not present at the time . No written answers have been received  
to date.  
24.  There were no comments made at the meeting.  
25.  The Committee took note  of the notification , statement, as well as questions.  
2  CONTINUING REVIEW OF LEGISLATIVE NOTIFICATIONS PREVIOUSLY REVIEWED BY 
THE COMMITTEE2 
2.1  Cameroon – Continuing Review of Previously Reviewed Notifications 
(G/ADP/N/1/CMR/2  - G/SCM/N/1/CMR/2  - G/SG/N/1/CMR/2 ) 
26.  Written follow -up questions regarding this notification had been submitted and can be found in 
document:  
• G/ADP/Q1/CMR/5  - G/SCM/Q1/C MR/5 - G/SG/Q1/CMR/5  - submitted by the United States  
27.  The delegation of Cameroon was not present at the time. No written answers been received  to 
date. 
28.  There were no comments made at the meeting.  
2.2  Ghana – Continuing Review of Previously Reviewed Notifications 
(G/ADP/N/1/GHA/2  ‒ G/SCM/N /1/GHA/2  ‒ G/SG/N/1/GHA/2 ) 
29.  Written follow -up questions regarding this notification had been submitted and can be found in 
document:  
• G/ADP/Q1/GHA/3  ‒ G/SCM/Q1/GHA/3  ‒ G/SG/Q1/GHA/3  – submitted by 
the United  States  
 
30.  The Chair explained that the United States had asked that the review of the follow -up questions 
be conducted in the Anti -Dumping Committee.  
31.  The Chair informed the Committ ee that 1 7 Members had not yet made a legislative notification .3 
This notification was one of the important obligations of the Agreement  on Safeguards 
("Agreement") . Members that did not yet have any legislation need ed only to submit a simple "nil" 
notificati on. 
32.  The United States  noted that while an increasing number of Members had notified their 
legislation, there still remained many Members which had not yet done so, as indicated in footnote  6 
of the minutes from the May 2023 meeting.  For nearly al l of those  who had not made a notification, 
their Trade Policy Review reports indicated whether they did or did not have any safeguard 
legislation. The United States continued to encourage all of the Members that had yet to make their 
respective notificati ons to review their individual situations and make the applicable notifications. In 
this context, the United States referred to the fact that it had put an agenda item to the Council on 
Trade in Goods (CTG)  that identifie d certain Members ' non-notification s. Many of these notifications 
had been outstanding for over 25 years, and if Members had questions about their notification 
obligations, they should approach the Secretariat for guidance.  Alternatively, if a Member was unable 
to reach out to the Secretari at, Members could reach out to other Members for guidance and/or 
assistance. Timely and complete notifications allow ed the WTO 's negotiating arm to function, 
 
2 Relevant deadlines for written questions and written answers regarding the notifications of legislation 
can be found in section 1 of document G/ADP/W/510  - G/SCM/W/587  - G/SG/W/256 .  
3 These Members were: Antigua and Barbud a, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Democratic  Republic 
of the Congo, Eswatini, Grenada, Guinea -Bissau, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the 
Grenadines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tajikistan, Tanzania, and Yemen.  G/SG/M/63  
 
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  improve d the operation of WTO agreements, and allow ed Members to better understand the trade 
practices of other Members.  Finally, the United States referred to the fact that Mauritania had made 
a legislative notification as taken up at the present meeting. A s a result, it would no longer be 
included on this list of Members that have not made any notification. The United States thanked 
Mauritania for this effort and encouraged other Members to follow Mauritania 's example.  
33.  The Committee took note  of the notifications , statements, as well as questions.  
3  NOTIFICATIONS  OF ACTIONS RELATED TO SAFEGUARD ME ASURES  
34.  China  noted that, according to WTO statistics, a total of four safeguard investigations were 
initiated globally in the first half of 2023, continuing the downward trend over the past two years. 
China considered that this data showed that countries w ere taking a more prudent attitude towards 
safeguards. China noted that nonetheless certain issues required attention: first, the existing 
safeguard measures worldwide remained at a high level. As of June 2023, more than 40 safeguard 
measures and investiga tions still existed globally, involving various sectors such as iron and steel, 
textiles, chemicals and foodstuffs, which disrupted the normal global trade order and the stability of 
supply chains. Second, safeguard measures were being applied for increasi ngly longer periods. The 
extension of measures had become common. Some Members even extended their measure for as 
long as 8 years. On the other hand, some safeguard measures were applied concurrently with 
anti-dumping and countervailing measures. These pra ctices had resulted in multiple and excessive 
remedies.   
35.  China  reiterated that Members should strictly abide by the WTO rules when applying safeguard 
measures. China believed it was necessary to further clarify and improve the WTO safeguard rules , 
improve the notification obligations, and to enhance the Committee 's monitoring functions to prevent 
the improper application of safeguards.  
36.  Japan  stated that although the number s of initiation s of investigations and imposition s of 
measures had increased s lightly in 2023 compared with 2022, the figures had been following a 
decreasing trend in recent years.  However, some problematic measures persist ed. The world 
economy face d various issues such as the Russia -Ukraine conflict.  Japan stated that applying 
WTO-inconsistent trade restrictive measures would invoke retaliatory trade restrictive measures by 
other countries, which in turn would depress world trade and harm both exporters and importers. 
Members should ensure that all the prerequisites under the releva nt WTO rules were met before 
imposing a safeguard measure. The measure should be imposed "to the extent necessary". Japan 
proposed that the Committee closely monitor the process of safeguard investigations.  
37.  Australia  expressed concerns over the frequency of recourse to safeguard measures . Safeguards 
were emergency actions related to imports of otherwise fairly traded goods. These actions were 
subject to strict conditions under WTO rules. Australia reiterated the impor tance of transparency 
and timeliness of notifications. Australia welcomed notifications from Members of a termination of 
measures or a decision not to impose measures as these notifications kept Members apprised of 
current import regimes. Australia also un derscored that it was important that notifications contain 
all relevant information, including contact details and deadlines, so that interested parties can 
participate effectively in the review.  
3.1  Costa Rica – Refined White Sugar ( G/SG/N/8/CRI/2/Suppl.1  - 
G/SG/N/10/CRI/2/Suppl.1  - G/SG/N/11/CRI/2/Suppl.1 ) 
38.  Costa Rica  explained that this notification announced the cessation of the measure applied to 
refined sugar. Costa Rica thanked the deleg ation of Brazil for its collaboration and noted that a 
satisfactory result had been achieved for both parties.  
39.  Brazil  thanked Costa Rica for its cooperation. It noted that the governments of the two countries 
had reached a mutual solution regarding this m easure which had positive implications for regional 
trade and for their bilateral relationship.  G/SG/M/63  
 
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  3.2  European Union ‒ Certain Steel Products ( G/SG/N/8/EU/1/Suppl.3/Corr.1  - 
G/SG/N/10/EU/1/Suppl.17/Corr.1  - G/SG/N/11/EU/1/Suppl.11/Corr.1 ; and 
G/SG/N/8/EU/1/Suppl.3  - G/SG/N/10/EU/1/Suppl.17  - G/SG/N/11/EU/1/Suppl.11 ; 
G/SG/283 ) 
40.  The European Union  (EU) explained that this notification concerned its decision to not terminate 
the safeguard measure on 30 June 2023 following a review investigation of the measure. The EU 
noted that the current expiry was foreseen on 30 June 2024. The purpose of the review investigation 
was to assess if an earlier termination of the measure was justified. The EU Commission 
Implementing Regulation of late June 2023 explained in detail the circumstances that did not allow 
for an early termination.  
41.  Switzerland  referred to consultations held betw een Switzerland and the EU on 2 June 2023. 
Switzerland continued to consider that the EU 's measure should have been terminated by 
30 June 2023 and it regretted the EU's decision to not terminate the measures. Switzerland 
expressed concern that traditional trade flows for certain product categories exported from 
Switzerland to the EU were crowded out as the residual tariff quota continued to be exhausted before 
the end of the tariff quota period. Switzerland considered it in the shared interest of the EU and all 
WTO Members that the EU 's measure  be terminated at the latest by 30 June 2024, as the EU had 
indicated.   
42.  Japan  regretted the EU's decision to extend the measure until June 2024 despite Japan's 
expression of serious concerns through this Committee a nd through its governmental opinion of 
December 2022.  Japan urged the EU to withdraw the measure as soon as possible.  Japan referred 
to the EU's "Status Report" on implementation of the DSB's ruling and recommendations in DS595 
(European Union - Safeguard Measures on Certain Steel Products ), notified to the DSB on 
17 January  2023. Japan stated that according to that Status Report, the EU had simply rewritten 
the relevant parts of the EU's determination in relation to "unforeseen developments" and "threat of  
serious injury".  However, the core problem was that the EU measure had inconsistencies with the 
fundamental prerequisites, which cannot be remedied by such changes in the determination .  
43.  Brazil  noted that it was raising concerns on this measure for the si xth consecutive year. Recalling 
its previous statements, Brazil emphasized that the global problem of overcapacity required 
multilateral rather than bilateral or plurilateral ad hoc  solutions.  
44.  China  noted that it had expressed concerns regarding the EU 's steel safeguard measure in 
various forums. China had actively participated in the relevant investigating procedures to state its 
positions regarding this measure . China viewed the EU 's decision to extend the measure  for 
three  more years as being inconsiste nt with the WTO rules. China considered that in the extension 
review the EU had failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove that the domestic industry was 
adjusting, adequately examine the relationship between the imported products and the injury 
suffer ed by the domestic industry, and properly examine other factors that caused injury to domestic 
industry. Moreover, the changed circumstances indicated that the safeguard measure was no longer 
warranted. Since the agreements between EU and the United States  took effect, the EU was 
exempted from the US Section 232 steel measures and trade restrictions on steel in third countries 
continued to decrease. China further stated that the EU's steel exports, especially export to the US 
had increased significantly. Th us, the EU's downstream industries were in need of imports to 
supplement their demands for steel. Combined with the clear upward price trend of import s in the 
EU, these changed situations showed that the continuation of the safeguard measure was not 
necess ary. China  further stated that the DS595 panel report confirmed that the EU's original 
safeguard measure  was inconsistent with the WTO rules. The EU had not establish ed that the 
increase in imports was "as a result of" unforeseen developments and the deter mination of the threat 
of serious injury was not based on facts. These flaws had seriously affected the legality of the original 
measure  and the EU therefore needed to withdraw the measure  immediately. China expressed 
interest in engaging with the EU on re levant issues during the review process. It urged the EU to 
carefully address Members' concerns and to terminate this measure  as soon as practicable.  
45.  Korea  reiterated its concerns over the EU 's steel safeguard measure. Korea expected that the 
EU would give  full consideration to the Panel's rulings and recommendations in DS595 and would 
terminate the measure  in question without seeking further extensions. Korea stated its readiness to 
further engage with the EU.   G/SG/M/63  
 
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  46.  The Russian Federation  recalled that it had, at previous Committee meetings, drawn the 
Committee's attention to the WTO -inconsistent manner in which  the EU had applied its safeguard 
measure. In particular, the Russian Federation had referred to reallocation, to other WTO Members, 
of the quotas that were originally assigned to Russia in light of the import ban on Russian products 
imposed in March 202 2. The reallocation was made to ensure that import bans did not create a 
shortage of supply in the EU market in the categories affected and that EU's steel users could  
continue sourcing those volumes from other sources. Notably as per the EU's own notificati on, the 
European Commission concluded that should the measure be terminated at this stage, the likely 
increase in the volume of imports could undermine the situation of the EU's industry. This conclusion 
continued to be at odds with the European Commission 's effort to avoid shortage of supply in the 
EU market due to import bans. The Russian Federation reiterated its view that the reallocation of 
quotas in question rendered the measure inconsistent with Articles 2 .2, 5.1, and 5.2 of the 
Agreement. The Russia n Federation referred to its previous statements for the details and urged the 
EU to terminate the measure.  
47.  India expressed concern regarding the EU measure. India recalled its interventions on this issue 
at earlier Committee meetings, stating that the inc rease in global steel capacity over a period of 
17 years could not be considered an unforeseen development. India further stated that import 
volumes into the EU had dropped, the market share of the EU industry had increased, and there was 
a change in circu mstances as the United States Section 232 measures no longer affected the EU. 
Additionally, the DS595 panel had also found the EU safeguard measure  inconsistent with the 
relevant WTO rules. India noted that it had held consultations with the EU on this iss ue since 2020 
and also made written submissions expressing its concerns at every subsequent review of the 
safeguard measure by the EU. Further, India had also notified , under Article 12.5 of the Agreement , 
taking of countermeasures. India urged the EU to t erminate this measure.  
48.  In response  to the comments , the EU clarified that in the June 2023 Regulation the 
European  Commission did not extend the measure until June 2024. Rather, it decided that an earlier 
termination was not justified. The EU considered t his an important nuance because after the 
prolongation review of June 2021, the European Commission had prolonged the measure for 
three  additional years, that is, until 30 June 2024. In the prolongation regulation, the 
European  Commission had incorporated a commitment to assess whether potentially that third year 
of prolongation may not have been necessary. For the reasons set out in detail in the EU Commission 
Implementing Regulation of late June 2023, circumstances did not allow for an early termination.  
The EU then addressed Members' references to the DS595 Panel findings. The EU noted that in the 
European Commission Regulation of January 2023, the European Commission had implemented the 
Panel Reports findings in those instances where it had identified th at some parts of the original 
measure were inconsistent with WTO rules. In the EU's view, that implementation process brought 
the measure into full compliance with WTO rules as required by the panel.  
3.3  India – Low Ash Metallurgical Coke  (G/SG/N/6/IND/49 ) 
49.  India explained that it had initiated a safeguard investigation on imports of low ash metallurgical 
coke; that is , metallurgical coke having ash content below 18%. This product was known as met 
coke or coke in the market parlance. India noted that products with ash content above 18% fell 
outside the scope of the product under consideration.  India had notified the initiation of this 
investigation , including the correction clarify ing the period of investigation (POI). India further noted 
that the POI extended from April 2019 to March 2023 and the most recent POI ran from April 2022 
to March 2023.  India explained that this investigation had been initiated due to the sharp and 
significan t increase in the imports of the subject goods causing serious injury to the domestic 
industry.  
3.4  India – PVC Suspension Resins with Residual VCM above 2 PPM  (G/SG/N/8/IND/34  - 
G/SG/N/10/IND/25  - G/SG/N/11/IND/20 ) 
50.  India stated that  the investigation had been initiated on 16 September 2022 and had been 
notified to the Committee through G/SG/N/6/IN D/48 dated 11 October 2022. Further, the final 
findings had been notified by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies. The safeguard measure 
would be applicable from the date of issue of the notification by India's Directora te General of Foreign 
Trade. This had been  notified to the Committee through G/SG/N/8/IN D/34, inviting Members having 
substantial interest as exporters of the product for consultations. No request had been received for G/SG/M/63  
 
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  consultation from any Member. India noted that the decision for implementing the quantitative 
restrictions was under consideration and would be notified as soon as it was taken.  
3.5  India – Isopropyl Alcohol  (G/L/1485  - G/SG/N/12/KOR/5 ; and G/L/1484  - 
G/SG/282 ) 
51.  Korea  noted that it remained concerned about India's measure. India had made a final 
determination for a safeguard measure on 30 September 2021 but notified the Committee in this 
regard only on 7 February 2022, which was 130 days after the publication of the de termination. 
Korea considered that this delay was inconsistent with the requirements for an immediate 
notification under the Article 12.1 of the Agreement. Further, Korea stated that India's application 
of the safeguard measure on 1 April 2023, three years  and four months after the end of the period 
of investigation in September 2021, could not be justified as a "recent" increase in imports under 
the Article 2.1 of the Agreement. Korea considered that India's safeguard measure was therefore 
inconsistent wit h WTO rules and requested India to promptly withdraw its measure or to terminate 
it in March 2024 as scheduled, without further extensions.  
52.  Singapore  regretted that India had decided to impose a definitive safeguard measure  in the 
form of quantitative res trictions for a year on this product . Singapore noted from India's final finding 
notification that the quantitative restrictions would be monitored on a quarterly basis. Singapore 
sought India's clarification on whether there was an update on quotas pertai ning to the 
fourth  quarter of 2023. Singapore also enquired if any mid -term review had taken place, noting that 
two quarters had elapsed since the implementation of the measure  and that the measure  would 
expire on 31 March 2024. Singapore urged India to re view the safeguard measure  and to terminate 
it as soon as possible.  
53.  India stated that country -wide quantitative restrictions on import of isopropyl alcohol had been 
notified for a period of one year, effective from 1 April 2023 up to 31 March 2024 and woul d cease 
automatically on 31 March 2024.  
3.6  Indonesia – Carpets and Other Textile Floor Coverings ( G/SG/N/6/IDN/35/Suppl.1  
and G/SG/N/11/IDN/24/Suppl.1 ) 
54.  Indonesia  stated that, pursuant to Article 7.2 and Article 12.1(a) of the Agreement, it had 
notified the initiation of an investigation on the extension of safeguard measure  on the importation 
of carpets and other textile floor coverings.  Public hearing in this investigation was held on 
12 September 2023 to provide opportunities for all interested parties to submit their views and 
evidence.  
55.  Türkiye  stated that the Indonesian investigating authority had initiated a review for a safeguard 
measure which had been in force since February 2021. T ürkiye had submitted its views to the 
investigating authority and had attended the public hearing on 1 September 2023. However, at the 
hearing the Turkish government was allocated insufficient time and therefore wanted to take the 
opportunity to express it s views at this meeting . Türkiye  was of the view that unfair protection was 
provided to the domestic industry against the alleged import increase which stemmed mainly from 
China constituting 87% of total imports. Moreover, the level of imports during the i nvestigation 
period had considerably decreased. Currently the volume of imports stood 85% lower than before 
the measure was imposed. Therefore, a surge in imports no longer existed to justify the extension 
of the measure. Given the domestic industry's stab le domestic sales and decrease in workforce, 
other factors responsible for the decline in the petitioner's profitability needed to be analysed  in line 
with Article 4.2 of the Agreement.  Türkiye  also expressed concern that the petitioner had not taken 
neces sary steps to adjust their production towards efficiency and innovation contrary to the 
Article  7.2 of the Agreement. Türkiye considered that conditions set forth in the relevant provisions 
of the Agreement for extending the existing safeguard measure were  not met and therefore it 
expected Indonesia to terminate the proceeding.  
56.  The EU noted that its comments were not related only to this investigation but to all 
seven  investigations for which Indonesia had submitted notifications since the last Committee 
meeting. At the outset, the EU recalled that, given that the WTO safeguards instrument was aimed 
at imports from all origins, it was the most restrictive of all trade remedies and therefore should only 
be used as a response to an unforeseen development and when the relevant criteria were met. G/SG/M/63  
 
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  Regardless of the requirements of Article 2 of the Agreement, in Indonesia, safeguards measures 
were increasingly being imposed for a long period, with extensions becoming a routine matter. The 
EU referred, by way of ex ample, to measures pertaining to "fructose syrup ", "curtains ", "yarn other 
than sewing thread ", "H&I sections of other alloy steel ", "evaporators ", "ceramic tiles ", "cigarette 
paper ", "carpets ", and "fabrics ". Systemic problems and shortcomings existed in Indonesia's 
investigations. It further noted that Indonesia regularly disregarded Article 12.1 of the Agreement 
by not immediately notifying the Committee of the initiation or imposition of measures. This was th e 
case, for instance, in the investigations pertaining to "cigarette paper ", "apparel and clothing ", and 
"fructose syrup ". The delays of usually around 10 days in notification to the WTO and to the 
interested parties were a constant concern in the investig ations initiated by Indonesia, as interested 
parties were being deprived of the fullest possible period to reflect upon and react to the investigation. 
Further, the EU stated that Indonesia was routinely violating Article 12.3 of the Agreement by not 
providing adequate opportunity for prior consultations and not allowing sufficient time prior to the 
application or extension of the measure to have a meaningful exchange with interested parties, for 
example, in the review investigation pertaining to cigarette paper. The EU further  stated that the 
Indonesian authorities were violating domestic law. It stated that Indonesia's Government 
Regulation No. 34 2011 stipulate d that a decree to apply or extend the safeguard measure should 
be published in the Official Gaz ette within 74 working days of the final recommendation issued by 
the investigating authority. However, Indonesia consistently failed to conclude the investigation 
within the deadline provided for in Indonesian law. A decree was often issued 6 to 12 months  after 
the final recommendation ha d been made, for instance, in the investigations relating to curtains, 
cigarette paper, and evaporators. These situations created legal uncertainty and put in question the 
legality of the measures finally imposed by the In donesian authorities. The EU urged the Indonesian 
authorities to review their practice and make sure that the relevant WTO rules and the Indonesian 
domestic law were complied with.  Finally, the EU reiterated its view that the recommendation to 
extend the measure  on imports of cigarette paper was unwarranted as the domestic industry did not 
seem to be suffering any injury due to imports. The EU hoped that the Indonesian authorities would 
refrain from an unjustified prolongation of the current measure  on impo rts of cigarette paper.  
57.  Japan  noted that it had expressed its concerns in this Committee several times with regard to 
Indonesia's measure but there had been no improvement. Japan had also expressed its 
governmental opinion at the public hearing in the exte nsion review on 12 September 2023. Japan 
urged Indonesia to terminate the measure in question at the earliest possible  time. Japan  further 
stated that the measure in question applied extremely heavy tariff duties of around 150% -200% 
ad valorem  and could be  viewed as quantitative restrictions prohibited under the WTO agreement. 
Furthermore, since 2020, the exports of carpets sharply decreased by one -tenth of that in 2019, 
due to the import registration and approval system provided in Indonesia's Ministry of Trade Order 
No. 77 of 2019. It was thus hard to assume that imports would have risen to an increased quantity 
as to cause or threaten to cause serious injury. Therefore, no causal link existed between increased 
imports and the threat of serious injury. Nev ertheless, the investigating authority set the period of 
investigation as 2017 to 2019, immediately prior to the aforementioned decrease of imports, so as 
to arbitrarily find the increase of imports. Japan  also noted that at the Committee meeting in 
October  2022, Indonesia stated that imports from Japan had begun to increase by 14% compared 
to the past year. In reality, however, high tariffs had almost completely disrupted exports from 
Japan. In addition, at the public hearing, there was a statement t hat implied that the injury was 
caused by the increased imports from developing countries. Japan did not agree. Japan requested 
that Indonesia provide the relevant data pursuant to Article 3.1 of the Agreement, so that Japan had 
an opportunity to comment a nd rebut.  Japan further stated that it appeared that Indonesia's import 
registration and approval system had been succeeded by the Commodity Balance System provided 
in Indonesia's Ministerial Decree No. 25 of 2022 of the Minister of Trade. Japan noted that  for some 
commodities, the import approval procedure had been delayed and importation had not been 
possible. Textile products also seemed to be subject to this system. Japan requested Indonesia to 
explain clearly as to whether carpets and rugs had been sub ject to this system concurrently with the 
safeguard measure . Japan considered that it could not envision the need for a safeguard measure 
in a situation where import restrictions and the import registration system continued to be 
implemented. Japan strongl y urged the early elimination of the measure.  
58.  Indonesia  took note of all the concerns expressed, and invited Türkiye, EU and Japan for a 
bilateral meeting if they wanted to discuss further.  G/SG/M/63  
 
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  3.7  Indonesia – Slag Wool, Rock Wool, And Similar Mineral Wools (Inclu ding 
Intermixtures Thereof), In Bulk, Sheets Or Rolls ( G/SG/N/6/IDN/39 ) 
59.  Indonesia  stated that it had notified, on 27 July 2023, its initiation of this investigation. It noted 
that it had also provided a public hearing for all interested parties to s ubmit views and evidence 
regarding the investigation. Indonesia stated that the investigation would be carried out in an 
objective and transparent manner.  
3.8  Indonesia – Cigarette Paper ( G/SG/N/8/IDN/29/S uppl.2 - 
G/SG/N/10/ID N/29/S uppl.2 - G/SG/N/11/IDN/27  and G/SG/N/6/IDN/37/Suppl.1 )4 
60.  Indonesia  stated that it had notified the initiation of an investigation on the extension of 
safeguard measure  on cigarette p aper. The notification also provided opportunities for all interested 
parties to submit their comments and evidence concerning the investigation. The public hearing was 
held on 18 July 2023 where the investigating authority took note of all views and comme nts 
expressed.  Indonesia explained that after the investigation was complete, it submitted its 
Article  12.1(b) notification, circulated on 11 September 2023. The notification provide d all relevant 
information on the investigation. Having found that the con ditions for extending the imposition of 
safeguard measure  had been met , the investigating authority recommended the extension of 
safeguard measure  for three years. Indonesia noted that it had also offered consultations to relevant 
WTO Members, as well as opportunities to submit comments on the findings made by the 
investigating authority. The investigating authority's recommendation was currently su bject to 
discussion, particularly for the consideration of national interest, and a final decision was pending.  
Indonesia would notify the Committee when a decision was made.  
3.9  Indonesia – Fructose Syrup ( G/SG/N/11/IDN/23/Suppl.2 ; 
G/SG/N/8/IDN/ 26/Suppl.2  - G/SG/N/10/IDN/26/Suppl.2  - 
G/SG/N/11/IDN/23/Suppl.1 ; and G/SG/N/6/IDN/34/Suppl.1 ) 
61.  Indonesia  stated that its notification on the initiation of the investigation of a review regarding 
the extension of safeguard measure  on fructose syrup had been circulated on 1 May 2023. A public 
hearing was held on 10 May 2023 to provide opportunities for all int erested parties to submit their 
comments and evidence concerning the investigation. After completing the investigation , Indonesia  
submitted its Article 12.1(b) notification on finding a serious injury or threat thereof caused by 
increased imports of fructo se syrup. This notification include d information on the proposed safeguard 
measure  as well as prior consultations as provided in Article 12.3 of the Agreement. This notification  
explained that  the investigating authority found that the conditions for the i mposition of a safeguard 
measure had been satisfied, and therefore the authorities  recommended to the government that a 
definitive safeguard measure be imposed for a period of three years. The imposition of safeguard 
measure would be carried out in accorda nce with Article 2.2 and Article 9 of the Agreement, and the 
measure w ould be progressively liberalized as required by Article 7.4 of the Agreement. The 
notification contain ed all relevant information on the investigation including offers of prior 
consulta tion. Before making the final decision, the Indonesian government would take into 
consideration any responses, comments, evidence, or views submitted to or received by the 
investigating authority during the investigation.  
3.10  Indonesia – Curtains (Including Dr apes), Interior Blinds, Bed Valances, and Other 
Furnishing Articles  (G/SG/N/8/IDN/24/Suppl.2  - G/SG/N/10/IDN/24/Suppl.3  - 
G/SG/N/11/IDN/20/Suppl.3 ) 
62.  Indonesia  stated that it had notified its decision to extend the imposition of safeguard measure  
for a three -year period from 22 May 2023 until 21 May 2026. This notification had been circulated 
on 22 May 2023. Indonesia noted that it reserved its right to modify t he list of developing Members 
excluded from the measure  when a change in import volume as stipulated under Article 9 of the 
Agreement  occur red.  
 
4 The EU commente d on this investigation under item 3.6 . G/SG/M/63  
 
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  3.11  Indonesia  – Yarn (Other Than Sewing Thread) of Synthetic and Artificial Staple Fibre  
(G/SG/N/8/IDN/25/Suppl.2  - G/SG/N/10/IDN/25/Suppl.3  - 
G/SG/N/11/IDN/19/Suppl.3 ) 
63.  Indonesia  stated it had notified its decision to extend the imposition of safeguard measure  for 
a three -year period, from 22 May 2023 until 21 May 2026. This notification had been circulated on 
22 May 2023. Indonesia reserved the right to modify the list of developing Members excluded from 
the measure when there a change in import volume as stipulated under Article 9 of the Agreemen t 
occur red.  
3.12  Indonesia  – Evaporators ( G/SG/N/8/IDN/22/Suppl.2  - 
G/SG/N/10/IDN/22/Suppl.3  - G/SG/N/11/IDN/22/Suppl.1 ) 
64.  Indonesia  stated that it had decided to extend the imposition of safeguard measure  on 
evaporators for three years. It had submitted its Article 12.1(c) notification in this regard on 
6 September 2023 which had been circulated on 11 September 2023. Indonesia noted t hat it 
reserved its right to modify the list of developing Members excluded from the measure when there 
a change in import volume as stipulated under Article 9 of the Agreement  occurred.  
3.13  Madagascar  – Pasta ( G/SG/N/10/MDG/4/Suppl.4  - G/SG/N/11/ MDG/4/Suppl.5  
and G/SG/N/10/MDG/4/Suppl.3  - G/SG/N/11/MDG/4/Suppl.4 ) 
3.14  Madagascar – Detergent Powder ( G/SG/N/10/MDG/3/Suppl.1  - 
G/SG/N/11/MDG/3/Suppl.3 ) 
3.15  Madagascar – Blankets And Travelling Rugs ( G/SG/N/10/MDG/ 2/Suppl.1  - 
G/SG/N/11/MDG/2/Suppl.3 ) 
65.  Madagascar  wished to explain  items 3.13 , 3.14 and 3.15 together. Regarding the investigation 
on pasta, the initial measure was until 31 July 2023, and so Madag ascar  had conducted a review 
investigation with a view to extending the measure. Madagascar had notified the results of this 
investigation on 20 July 2023.  The measure was extended  with a less restrictive measure than the 
initial one by increasing the volu me of the allocated quota by 50%. Madagascar further explained 
that the same applie d to the measures concerning detergent powder and blankets provided for in 
items 3.14 and 3.15 of the agenda, notifications for which were submitted on 2 June 2023.  
3.16  Madagasc ar – Concentrated Milk ( G/SG/N /8/MDG/9  - G/SG/N/10/MDG/9  - 
G/SG/N/11/MDG/9/Suppl.1 ) 
66.  Madagascar  explained that it had notified the results of the safeguard investigation concerning 
imports of concentrated milk on 18 September 2023. This was a notification under Articles 12.1(b) 
and 12.1(c) regarding the results of the determination of the existence of serious injury caused by 
increased imports and the definitive safeguard measure put in place.  
3.17  Morocco – Inner Tubes For Bicycles, Mopeds, Motorcycles And Scooters 
(G/SG/N/9/MAR/4 ) 
67.  Morocco  stated that this investigation had been initiated on 3 October 2022 following a request 
submitted by the relevant domestic industry. Upon completion of the investigation , Morocco had 
decided not to apply any safeguard measure . Thereafter, the domestic industry had withdrawn its 
request for the application of a safeguard measure.  
3.18  Morocco – Welded tubes and pipes , of iron or steel ( G/SG/N/6/MAR/12/Suppl.1 ) 
68.  Morocco  stated that the investigating authority had found that the conditions for the extension 
of this measure  were satisfied. The investigating authority believed that there was a strong 
probability of resumption of imports if the safeguard measur e were lifted, and continued to believe 
that this measure was necessary to prevent serious injury to the domestic industry.  G/SG/M/63  
 
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  3.19  Morocco – Hot-Rolled Sheets ( G/SG/N/10/MAR/7/Suppl.2  - 
G/SG/N/11/MAR/7/Suppl.6 ) 
69.  Moroc co stated that the investigating authority had found that the conditions for the extension 
of this measure  were satisfied. The investigating authority ha d concluded that the safeguard 
measure continue d to be necessary in order to  prevent serious injury to the domestic industry.  
3.20  Peru – Clothing (1) ( G/SG/N/9/PER/3 )  
3.21  Peru – Clothing (2) ( G/SG/N/9/PER/4 ) 
70.  The Chair suggested addressing together Peru's two notifications regarding clothing, as reflected 
in agenda items 3.20 and 3.21, as these notifications were closely related to each other.  
71.  Brazil  thanked Peru for its cooperation on this investigation, and for deciding to terminate the 
investigation without applying any measures.  
3.22  South Africa  – Threaded fasteners of iron a nd steel bolt ends & screw studs, screw 
studding and other hexagon nuts (excluding those of stainless steel and those identifiable 
for aircraft)  (G/SG/N/8/ZAF/6/Suppl.3  - G/SG/N/10/ZAF/5/Suppl.3  - 
G/SG/N/11/ZAF/5/Suppl.6 ; and G/SG/N/8/ZAF/6/Suppl.2  - 
G/SG/N/10/ZAF/5/Suppl.2  - G/SG/N/11/ZAF/5/Suppl.5 ) 
72.  There were no comments or questions raised at the meeting.  
3.23  Türkiye – Toothbrushes  (G/SG/N/6/TUR/23/Suppl.2  - 
G/SG/N/14/TUR/11/Suppl.1 ) 
73.  Türkiye  explained that it had initi ated, on 16 July 2023, upon the request of domestic industry, 
an investigation for the extension of the current safeguard measure on toothbrushes. The 
investigation was currently underway. Türkiye noted that a virtual public hearing was conducted on 
6 Octo ber 2023 and all views expressed by the interested parties had been taken into consideration. 
Türkiye assured that the investigation would be concluded in a timely manner.  
74.  The EU remarked that the safeguard instrument, due to its very restrictive nature, should be 
used exceptionally as a response to an unforeseen increase in imports which cause d serious injury 
or threat thereof to the domestic industry, as provided for in Article 2 of the Agreement. The EU 
stated that after this measure was imposed in 2017 and following the first extension in 2021, the 
situation of the domestic industry had improved considerably. Imports had decreased by around 
31% and further by an additional 26% between 2021 and 2022. At the same time, the main injury 
indicators of the domestic industry, such as production, sales capacity or capacity utilisation, had 
developed positively. The industry had adjusted and had become highly profitable, with profits 
increasing by 290%. The measure had been, therefore, effective and the domestic industry had 
recovered. The EU took the view that the prolongation of the measure was therefore unwarranted.  
3.24  Türkiye  – Polyethylene Terephthalate Chips (G/SG/N/6/TUR/27/Suppl.1 ) 
75.  Türkiye  stated that it had initiated, on 11 May 2023, upon the request of domestic industry an 
investigation for the extension of the current measure on polyethylene terephthalate , or PET chips. 
Türkiye explained that the investigati ng authority was in the process of collecting evidence pertaining 
to whether the measure should be extended or not.  
3.25  Türkiye – Yarns From Nylon and Other Polyamides ( G/L/1482  - G/SG/281 ) 
76.  There were no comments or questions raised at the meeting.  G/SG/M/63  
 
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  3.26  United Kingdom – Certain steel products  (G/SG/N/6/GBR/1/Suppl.3 ; 
G/SG/N/10/GBR/1/Suppl.14  - G/SG/N/11/GBR/1/Suppl.14 ; and 
G/SG/N/10/G BR/1/Suppl.13  - G/SG/N/11/GBR/1/Suppl.13 ) 
77.  The United  Kingdom  explained that its Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) had initiated an 
extension review of the steel safeguard measure on 4 September 2023. The review w ould conclude 
by 30 June 2024, when the safeguard was due to expire. The United Kingdom stated that the 
authority w ould examine whether the safeguard measure should be extended beyond that date. The 
TRA had also initiated a revi ew of the safeguard measure assessing the exemption status of 
developing country Members pursuant to Article 9.1 of the Agreement. The outcomes were 
implemented from 1 July  2023. The United Kingdom recalled that it had made a more detailed 
statement on thi s review in the spring meeting of this Committee earlier this year.  
78.  Korea  reiterated its concerns over this measure, noting that the TRA announced on 
4 September  2023 its plan to consider a further extension of the existing measure and was currently 
soliciting comments from stakeholders. Korea urged the U nited Kingdom  to withdraw its measure as 
it considered that the measure did not, from the outset, satisfy the criteria set out in the Agreement. 
Korea stated that, for instance, the discrepancy between the scope of the investigation and the 
scope of the safeguard measure did not adhere to the principle of parallelism. Moreover, the TRA 's 
review report did not explicitly establish the causal link between the surge in imports and the injury, 
rendering it seemi ngly inconsistent with Articles 2.1 and 4.2 of the Agreement. Korea urged 
the United Kingdom to terminate its measure promptly without seeking further extensions. Korea 
indicated that it st ood ready to further engage with the U nited Kingdom .  
79.  Japan  stated that when  the United Kingdom 's investigating authority had begun the extension 
review in September this year, the Japanese government registered itself as an interested party and 
had been following the process. Japan hoped that the measure would not be ext ended and be 
eliminated as soon as possible. The United Kingdom had imposed the safeguard measure  since 
January 2021 without examining the prerequisites such as serious injury to the domestic industry in 
the United Kingdom. Japan regretted the fact that th e United Kingdom ha d extend ed the measure , 
in July 2022 and in July 2023. Japan stated that it was hard to consider that the measure  continue d 
to be necessary if the basic prerequisites of the Agreement were not satisfied. Calling attention to 
the negative effects of the measure  on world trade, Japan urged the United Kingdom to eliminate 
them as soon as possible.  
80.  The Russian Federation  recalled that it had raised concerns about this measure several times 
within this Committee. It considered that the United Kingdom had no grounds for application of the 
measure since it's exit from the EU and the Russian Federation failed to see any justification f or the 
review. Having banned imports of Russian steel in April 2022, the United Kingdom redistributed the 
quotas in product categories 1 and 13 that were originally assigned to Russia proportionally among 
other country -specific quotas and residual quotas. In doing so, the United Kingdom referred to a 
likely shortage of goods falling under the mentioned  categories. The Russian Federation stated that 
considering that quotas were redistributed to prevent a shortage of goods, an allegation that the 
expiry of th e measure would likely result in a continuation or recurrence of serious injury to 
United Kingdom  producers appeared unreasoned. The Russian Federation reiterated that the 
reallocation of quotas led to an inconsistency of the measure with Articles 2.2, 5.1  and 5.2 of the 
Agreement  and urged the United Kingdom to withdraw the measure . 
81.  India recalled that it had expressed concerns regarding this measure during its bilateral 
meetings with the United Kingdom as well as at this Committee's meetings. India had al so held 
consultations with the United Kingdom under Article 12.3 of the Agreement. As the United Kingdom 
had disagreed with India's views on the review of the measure, India had reserved its right to 
suspend , under Article 8.2 of the Agreement , concessions  or other obligations substantially 
equivalent to the adverse effects of the measure. India had notified the estimated compensation 
and the products identified for imposing additional duties to the Committee through its notifications 
made in September 2022 . India noted that the United Kingdom had expressed concerns regarding 
the compensation estimated by India and the two countries were engaged in bilateral consultations.  
82.  Brazil  reiterated its serious concerns regarding this measure, which it considered to be 
inconsistent with WTO rules. Brazil referred the Committee to its previous statements made in 
connection with this measure.  G/SG/M/63  
 
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  83.  The United Kingdom  took note of the interventions.  As regards the comments on the current 
extension review of the measure, it no ted that the investigation in question was currently ongoing 
and therefore it chose not to comment further at this stage.  
3.27  United States – Crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells  (G/SG/N/6/USA/11/Suppl.5 ) 
84.  Japan  stated that given that market environment ha d changed since the imposition of the 
measure  in question, Japan hoped for a review as to whether the measure  continue d to be necessary.  
Japan also hoped for progress in the discussions on early termination in l ight of the impact on the 
business sector. Japan understood that, since July 2022, the imports of the subject goods from 
Canada had been exempted from the measure  based on the United States' bilateral agreement with 
Canada. Japan reiterated its concerns  that this was inconsistent with Article 2.2 of the Agreement, 
which provided that safeguard  measure s should be applied to an imported product "irrespective of 
its source".  
85.  The United States  took note of Japan's statement.  
86.  The Chair noted that any questions c oncerning the notifications of actions taken, for which 
written responses were requested, were required to be submitted to the Member concerned and to 
the Secretariat no later than 17 November 2023. Written answers were required to be submitted to 
the Secr etariat no later than 8 December 2023. The latter included Members, if any, who had not 
yet submitted written responses to the questions submitted in writing prior to this meeting. The 
Chair noted that as with the legislative notifications, he had asked th e Committee Secretary to 
indicate in the draft annotated agenda of the subsequent Committee meeting if there were any 
questions left unanswered.   
87.  The Committee took note  of the notifications and statements, as well as questions and answers 
provided.  
4  VIET N AM – CERTAIN  SEMI -FINISHED AND FINISHED PRODUCTS OF ALLOY AND 
NON-ALLOY STEEL (ITEM REQUESTED BY JAPAN)  
88.  Japan  believed that the measure, since it was imposed in 2016, did not fulfil the requirements 
under Article XIX(1)(a) of the GATT, which require d that the increase in imports be logically 
connected to "unforeseen developments" and "effects of obligations under the GATT".  Japan had 
raised these issues in its written opinions and at public hearings. Japan regretted  that the measure 
had nonetheless been imp osed. Moreover, in 2019, the scope of the safeguard measure ha d been 
expanded in the name of anti -circumvention and the measure was extended again from March 2023.  
Japan understood that there was no clear provision for circumvention in the WTO Agreement, a nd 
that it had been discussed as part of the rule -making process in the area of anti -dumping. Japan 
took the view that since  safeguard s were imposed on a product "irrespective of its source", there 
was no need for anti -circumvention tools. Due to the anti-circumvention measure in question, the 
subject products had been changed. Japan believed  that in such a case, a new safeguard 
investigation should be conducted as necessary. Japan expressed concern that with the expansion 
of the scope of a safeguard m easure in the name of anti -circumvention , the essence of a safeguard 
measure as an emergency import restriction would be lost. Japan urged Viet Nam to correct the 
measure  as soon as possible .  
89.  Viet Nam  stated that it understood that Japan's concerns pertai ned to the expansion of the 
product scope of the safeguard measure because of the application of anti -circumvention measures. 
In this regard, Viet Nam had set out in the investigation report the opinion of the relevant interested 
parties. The investigation  report had been sent to Japan, as well as to the interested parties. 
Viet Nam believed that the safeguard measure complie d with Viet Nam's national regulations as well 
the WTO rules, particularly Article s 7.1 and 7.2 of the Agreement. This was so for the following 
reasons: First, Viet Nam had stopped applying the safeguard measure on certain semi -finished 
products of alloy and non -alloy steel. Second, Viet Nam had decided to extend the safeguard 
measure currently being applied to imports of finished produc ts of alloy and non -alloy steel. Certain 
data were indicative of the volume of imports and performance of the domestic industry. Imports of 
the finished product rose in absolute terms in the last three -month period of 2022.  The quantity of 
imports increase d by 16% compared to the same period of the previous year. Product output 
declined in 2022 compared to 2021. Profits fell sharply in 2022 compared to 2021. Statistics show ed G/SG/M/63  
 
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  that the most recent imports of the finished product rose in absolute terms in the  last three -month 
period of 2022. In 2022, the domestic industry ha d reduced its workforce with the number of 
employees decreasing by 6.8% compared to 2021. The domestic industry had conducted adjustment 
plans increasing its productivity and improving qual ity of the product. Viet Nam had notified the 
Committee and all relevant interested parties. The Vietnamese investigating authority had not 
received any comments during the investigation period. On that basis, the investigating authority 
concluded that it was necessary to extend the anti -circumvention measures in question. Viet  Nam 
affirmed that the measure in question was consistent with WTO rules.  
5  INDONESIA – ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES (ITEM REQUESTED 
BY JAPAN)  
90.  Japan  stated that during the investigation, the Indonesian investigating authority had requested 
the interested parties to submit trade data covering the period "January -June 2019 and 
January -June 2020". The investigating authority subsequently found that the amount of imports of 
the relevant products in 2020 had decreased from 2019 by 13%. Having recognized these data, 
Indonesia then set the period of investigation as 2017 -2019 so that it could arbitrarily determine an 
increase of imports. Japan thus requested that the measure be corrected. Japan  further noted that 
Ministerial Decree No. 25 of 2022 of Indonesia's Ministry of Trade introduced the "commodity balance 
system" for imports of various commodities, whereby only quantities in line with the supply -demand 
balance set by the g overnment were approved.  Textile products also appeared to be subject to this 
system.  However, although the existing import application and approval system had ceased to 
operat e in December 2022, no alternative mechanism had been launched, and some products could 
not be imported at all because the applications for import approval were not even accepted.  Japan 
noted that while it was strongly concerned about such a serious import restriction system which was 
a problem by itself, it also considered that there was no need to continue applying a separate 
safeguard measure any longer.  
91.  Indonesia  stated that the Indonesian government had given serious consideration to all 
concerns raise d by Japan. Indonesia always considered the procedural and substantial aspects of 
safeguard measures before deciding to apply them. Regarding the specific question from Japan on 
increased imports, Indonesia emphasized that it had demonstrated the increase in imports during 
the investigation period as reflected in its notification under Article 12.1(b) of the Agreement. 
Indonesia was convinced that the whole process had been  carried out in an objective and transparent 
manner and in compliance with WTO rules.  Indonesia  also explained that the domestic industry had 
not so far submitted an application for a review investigation to extend the safeguard measure. 
Indonesia further clarified that Ministerial Decree No. 25 of 2022 of the Ministry of Trade had a 
different objective from the safeguard instruments. Indonesia  invited Japan for further discussion 
on this issue in a bilateral meeting.  
92.  The Committee took note of the statements.  
6  JOINT PROPOSAL FROM CANADA, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, NEW ZEALAND, NORWAY, 
THE UNITED KINGDOM, AND THE UNITED STATES  
93.  The United States  explained the proposal  that an informal technical discussion group regarding 
safeguard proceedings take place in  conjunction with the formal meeting of the Committee on 
Safeguards, with discussant and topics to be selected by Members through Chair and Secretariat 
coordination . It stated that this proposal was consistent with what the CTG subsidiary bodies had 
been d iscussing regarding the need to increase the opportunity for technical discussions. The 
informal discussion group on safeguards among interested Members had been meeting since 2013, 
for 11 sessions covering 10 different topics. The discussion s were informa l and technical, and had a 
broader perspective than the discussion s that took place in Committee meetings. This afforded a 
good learning opportunity for those new to safeguards, whether as an authority or as a respondent. 
The feedback that the proponents h ad received so far was that these sessions had been particularly 
helpful to least -developed countries, since most least -developed countries were not familiar with 
how certain provisions in the Agreement were being utilized or viewed by other Members. The 
proposal was not meant to impose any requirement to participate. Delegates could simply listen and 
learn. It appeared that Members had become comfortable with this format. However, the current 
process had been managed by only a few Members. The proponents b elieved that every Member 
should have a role in topic selection as well as discussant selection. Therefore, the proponents were 
proposing that the informal discussion be migrated to the Committee to facilitate such management.  G/SG/M/63  
 
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  94.  Canada , Korea , the United Kingdom , New Zealand , Japan , Singapore , Brazil , and Australia  took 
the floor to express their support of the proposal. Japan added that it had now joined as a proponent 
of this proposal.5  
95.  The Russian Federation  stated that it generally supported t he idea . The group should contribute 
to the better functioning of the Agreement without creating additional obligations or opportunities 
to deviate from the existing ones.  The Russian Federation  understood from the proposal that the 
discussant and topics were to be selected by Members by consensus in advance of the group 's 
meetings through Chair and Secretariat coordination. The group would work only in informal mode, 
and no formal sessions would be held. The Russian Federation noted that the proposal was s ilent 
about whether any summary should be circulated following the meetings of the group, or whether 
any reports of the Chair at the Committee meetings were envisaged. The Russian Federation wished 
to hear clarifications on this issue.  
96.  India stated that i t understood that the current mode of informal discussion was working without 
a problem. India was of the view that the burden on the Secretariat should not be increased. India 
also pointed out that the Rules Week – i.e., the week when this Committee, the Committee on 
Anti-Dumping Practices and the Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures  meet – were 
already been full of business. India stated it was open to more discussion, but could not agree to 
the proposal at the meeting.  
97.  Switzerland  stated t hat it was of the view that having informal discussions as proposed was a 
good idea.  
98.  The Chair stated that it appeared that the Committee needed more time to think about this 
proposal. In light of  the discussion, he suggested that this issue be briefly referred to in the very 
final part of the report as an issue that the Committee would continue to discuss.  
99.  The Committee took note  of the statements.  
7  DRAFT REPORT BY THE COMMITTEE TO THE COUNCIL FOR  TRADE IN GOODS ("CTG") 
ON IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FUNCTIONING OF THE COMMITTEE  
100.  The Chair explained the background of this issue. On 4 May 2023, the outgoing Chair of the 
Committee issued document RD/SG/65  attaching the list of four items that Members instructed the  
Secretariat to explore as well as the three issues that were still under Members' consideration. On 
8 June 2023, immediately following his election, the Chair, together with the chairs of the 
Anti-dumping and Subsidies Committees, invited Members to a joi nt informal meeting which was 
held on 20 June 2023. Based on the informal discussions that took place at that meeting, 
two documents were issued on 21 June 2023. The first document was a written process listing the 
four issues that garnered consensus at th e joint informal meeting and providing the deadline of 
3 July 2023 for any views, objections or comments. The second document was a room document 
RD/ADP/37  - RD/SG/67  - RD/SCM/64  listing the issues which remained under Members' 
consideration for future discussion. On 4 J uly 2023, document G/ADP/32  - G/SCM/165  - G/SG/284  
was issued reflecting the four issues agreed upon by the three Committees in the context of the 
reform of the functioning of these Committees. On 21 July 2023 the three Chairs sent an invitation 
to a joint informal meeting  to continue consideration of the remaining issue: that is, the use of 
e-agenda. After some change of date, this informal meeting was held on 2 October 2023. At that 
meeting, on the issue of e -agenda, it was agreed to use, as of the spring 2024 meeting and on a 
trial basis to be reviewed by the Spring 2025 meeting, the feature of uploading Members' statements 
and facilitating access to relevant documents for meetings. This outcome was issued in document 
RD/ADP/39  - RD/SG/69  - RD/SCM/67 , and was also subject to a written procedure which ended in 
the approval by the Committee of the use of these features of the e -agenda tool. This was later 
circulated as an issue agreed upon by the three Committees in document G/ADP/33  - G/SCM/166  - 
G/SG/285 .  
101.  The Chair continued to explain that as agreed upon in document G/ADP/32  - G/SCM/165  - 
G/SG/284 , a presentation by the Secretariat on the functioning of the Committee was delivered 
 
5 See document RD/SG/66/Rev.2 . G/SG/M/63  
 
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  on 2  October 2023. An audio/video recording of this presentation and the presentation itself were 
available on this Committee's webpage.  
102.  The Committee then proce eded to discuss the report to the CTG on the improvements in the 
functioning of the Committee, using as a basis the draft sent on 11 October 2023 in document 
RD/SG/70  and taking into consideration the discussion that took place under the previous item. The 
Commit tee discussed the wording of the report in informal mode, and then adopted the report .6 The 
Committee also took note  of the Chair's statement.   
8  POSSIBLE REVISION OF THE FORMAT OF ANNEX 3 OF THE ANNUAL REPORT  
103.  The Chair explained that this item was a follow -up to the discussion that took place in the 
Committee meeting held in October 2022. More specific ally, it related to the United States' 
suggestion that additional information could be included into Annex 3 of the annual report regarding 
whether a measure had expired or was extended. At the May 2023 meeting, the Committee 
discussed this matter7 but did not reach  agreement. In order to facilitate the Member's discussion 
on this issue, the Chair had produced a revised example of the possible new format.8 The column 
named "Duration of the final measure as currently notified" was new.  
104.  Switzerland , Chinese Taipei , Brazil , Singapore , and the European Union  took the floor to 
express their support to the draft.  
105.  The Chair stated that he heard no objection to this idea, and therefore, he would ask the 
Secretariat to prepare Annex 3 of the 2024 Annual Report using this new template. As usual, the 
draft would be made available for the Members' review before the autumn 2024 meeting.  
106.  The Committee took note  of the state ments.  
9  OTHER BUSINESS  
9.1  India 's measure on Ferro Molybdenum imports from Korea  
107.  Korea  expressed its concerns over India 's recent "safeguard" measure on Ferro Molybdenum 
imposed on 10 October 2023 on imports from Korea. Korea had continuously raised its concerns in 
bilateral consultations and other channels. Korea regretted that the Indian investigating authority 
determined the finding of increase in imports, serious injury to its domestic industry, and the causal 
link, without adequately evaluating all r elevant factors and without providing a reasoned and 
compelling explanation. In Korea's view, India 's measure did not comply with the relevant norms, 
including those in the WTO Safeguards Agreement Article 4.2 and Korea -India Comprehensive 
Economic Partner ship Agreement (CEPA) Article 2.22 and 2.23. Specifically, India had determined 
the existence of increase in imports by using specific methodology, which annualized half -yearly 
data for certain periods to compare with figures from the previous year arbitra rily. That was not an 
objective analysis. Further, the Indian investigating authority had conducted a selective analysis of 
serious injury for "overall impairment " by only highlighting the negative performance of the domestic 
industry while disregarding va rious mitigating factors such as robust profits without providing 
adequate and reasoned explanation. In addition, although the Safeguards Agreement Article 4.2 
requires that factors other than increased imports that cause injury shall not be attributed to 
increased imports, India had simply concluded that there was no factor other than increased imports 
from Korea that caused the serious injury. In Korea's view, India had not complied with the 
obligations under relevant norms including the WTO Safeguards Ag reement and Korea -India CEPA. 
Korea requested the early withdrawal of the measure.  
108.  India took note of Korea's statement. In addition, India pointed out that this was a bilateral 
safeguard measure taken in line with the Korea -India CEPA and that bilateral c onsultations in that 
context had been held.  
 
6 Subsequently circulated in document G/L/1502  - G/SG/286 . 
7 The draft was circulated in RD/SG/64 . 
8 See document RD/SG/64/Rev.1 . G/SG/M/63  
 
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  9.2  Online portal for the submission of safeguards  notifications  
109.  The Chair made an announcement regarding an online portal for the submission of safeguards  
notifications. The Chair recalled that an online portal fo r submission of anti -dumping semi -annual 
reports was launched in January 2021. A comparable online tool for submission of semi -annual 
reports of countervailing duty  (CVD) actions  had been launched shortly thereafter. Many Members 
were currently using these  online portals to produce their semi -annual reports. Against this 
background, the Secretariat had recently embarked on a project to build an online portal for the 
submission of safeguards  notifications. Semi -annual reports were not what the Agreement obli ged 
Members to submit. Rather, it was the individual action notifications – such as initiation of an 
investigation or imposition of a measure – that the Agreement obliged Members to submit. As such, 
the structure and design of the online notification porta l would be different than the ones for anti -
dumping or CVD. But the spirit was the same: this tool would be there to make it easier for Members 
to submit their notifications. The Chair stated that the Secretariat would keep the Members abreast 
of the devel opments on this issue.  
110.  The Committee took note  of all the statements made under Other Business.  
10  DATES OF NEXT REGULAR MEETINGS IN 2024  
111.  The Chair recalled that by decision of the Committee, its two regular meetings take place in 
the spring and the autumn of  each year, in the last week of April and the last week of October, 
respectively. He further recalled that the Committee agreed in July 2023 in document G/ADP/32  - 
G/SCM/165  - G/SG/284  that the meeting weeks of the regular and special formal spring and autumn 
meetings of the Committees for the following year shall be proposed in the annotated draft agendas 
of the October meetings. In line with the annotated draft agenda circulate d on 15  September  2023, 
the Chair proposed that the next spring and autumn regular meetings of the Committee in 2024 be 
held in the weeks of 22 April and 28 October 2024, respectively. The exact scheduling of these 
meetings will be communicated to Members in due course.  
112.  The Committee so decided .  
11  ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE TO THE COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN GOODS  
113.  The Committee adopted  its Annual Report for 2023 to the CTG.9 
114.  Before closing the meeting, the Chair reminded delegates that they were very much 
encouraged to submit written version of their statements, unless they have done so already. As was 
highlighted by many Members during the Reform discussion, submitting written versions would help 
the other delegates and would also speed up the production of th e minutes. He reported that 
according to the Secretariat, only three  delegations had submitted written statements as of 3  p.m. 
of the day.  
 
__________  
 
9 G/L/1503  - G/SG/287 .