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WT/TPR/W /205  
18 February 2022  
(22-1479) Page: 1/14 
Trade Policy Review Body    
 
*In Original language only/ En langue originale seulement /En el idioma original solamente . 
  
OVERVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THE INTERNATIONAL TRADING SYSTEM 
DRAFT MINUTES  OF THE MEETING* HELD ON 9 DECEMBER 2021  
Delegations are invited to submit factual corrections, if any, on their own statement to the 
Secretariat ( Mrs Daniela Salas : danielamariana.salas@wto.org , or to  tprd@wto.org ) no later 
than 4 March 2022 . 
 
Organe d'examen des politiques commerciales  
 
TOUR D'HORIZON DE L'ÉVOLUTION DE L 'ENVIRONNEMENT COMMERCIAL INTERNATIONAL  
PROJET DE COMPTE RENDU DE LA RÉUNION* TENUE LE  9 DÉCEMBRE 2021  
Les délégations sont invitées à soumettre  leurs éventuelles corrections factuelles concernant leurs 
propres déclarations au Secrétariat ( Mme Daniela  Salas : danielamariana.salas@wto.org , ou 
tprd@wto.org ) le 4 mars 2022  au plus tard.  
 
Órgano de Examen de las Políticas Comerciales  
 
REVISTA GENERAL DE LA EVOLUCIÓN DEL ENTORNO COMERCIAL INTERNACIONAL  
PROYECTO DE ACTA DE LA REUNIÓN* CELEBRADA EL DÍA 9 DE DICIEMBRE DE 2021  
Las delegaciones pueden enviar a la Secretaría (Sr a. Daniela Salas : 
danielamariana.salas@wto.org , o tprd@wto.org ) a más tardar el  4 de marzo de 2022 las 
correcciones fácticas que deseen introducir en sus propias declaraciones.  
 
 
_______________  
 
  WT/TPR/W/ 205 • Overview of Developments in the International Trading System  
 
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  OVERVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THE  
  INTERNATIONAL TRADING ENVIRONMENT  
DRAFT  MINUTES  OF THE MEETING  
9 December 2021  
Chairperson: H.E. Dr Athaliah Lesiba Molokomme (Botswana)  
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON  
1. Good afternoon and welcome to this meeting of the TPRB, which was convened by 
Airgram  WTO/AIR/TPR/120 on 22  November  2021.  
2. The purpose of this meeting is for Members and Observ ers of the Trade Policy Review Body 
to undertake their annual overview of developments in the international trading environment which 
are having an impact on the multilateral trading system, as provided in Paragraph  G of Annex  3 of 
the Marrakesh Agreement.   
3. As mentioned in the Airgram, today's discussion is assisted by the Director -General's Annual 
Report which provides a comprehensive overview of the overall state of global trade, of significant 
developments in the implementation of trade policies by WTO M embers and Observers, and an 
up-date on several trade policy issues affecting the trading system for the period between 
mid-October  2020 and mid -October  2021.  
4. This Report has also been produced in the context of the COVID -19 pandemic, and the recent 
emerge nce of a new variant, causing the postponement of the MC12 were stark reminders that we 
live in precarious and uncertain times. Against this backdrop, the ramifications of the pandemic - on 
trade as well as more broadly on the global economy, are covered e xtensively in the Report.  
5. The Report was circulated in document WT/TPR/OV/24 on 22  November  2021.  
6. Let me briefly recall the purpose of the Trade Policy Review Mechanism, which according to 
Annex  3 of the Marrakesh Agreement, is to achieve greater transparency in, and understanding of, 
Members' trade and trade -related policies and measures. The TPRM is not intended to serve as a 
basis for the enforcement of obligations under WTO Agreements, for dispute -settlement purposes 
or to impose new policy com mitments on Members.  
7. These same fundamental principles apply to the periodic reports by the Director -General 
- such as the Annual Report presented today. The trade monitoring exercise is, above all, a 
transparency exercise. It is intended to be purely fact ual and has no legal effect on the rights and 
obligations of WTO Members.  
8. As you know, the preparation of these Reports relies on Members' timely and specific inputs 
to the trade monitoring exercise as well as on their notifications under the various WTO Agreements. 
For the current Report, 60% of the Membership provided input, representing around 94% of world 
trade.  
9. I do not wish to go into detail about the substantive findings of the Director -General's Report. 
It speaks for itself, and I will shortly invi te Director -General Dr  Ngozi  Okonjo -Iweala to present the 
Report and share her views. Before I do so, allow me to make a few observations.  
10. The Report found that there has been encouraging news for a post -pandemic recovery over 
the period covered, although  the outlook for the global economy remains uncertain. As we know, 
the recovery is uneven across regions. Nevertheless, the multilateral trading system has shown 
resilience and played an instrumental role in encouraging restraint in the implementation of 
trade-restrictive measures.  WT/TPR/W/ 205 • Overview of Developments in the International Trading System  
 
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  11. I believe that the findings of the Report, while positive in terms of the world trade and 
economic growth, also reminds us of the fundamental challenges towards ensuring a sustainable 
recovery, including equitable access to COVI D-19 vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics. Although 
immediately after the outbreak of the pandemic Members implemented many measures which 
restricted the flow of trade, today we see a different and more positive picture.  
12. For example, of the 399  COVID -19 trade related measures recorded since the outbreak of the 
pandemic, 66% were of a facilitating nature and 34% were restrictive. Generally, Members have 
shown commitment to providing transparency on these measures and, importantly, to rolling them 
back wh en no longer needed.  
13. The Report shows that, as at mid -October  2021, 205  COVID -19 related trade -facilitating 
measures with an estimated trade coverage of USD  112 billion were still in force compared to 
56 restrictive measures, with an estimated trade covera ge of USD  92 billion. Therefore, it is 
important to note that the trade coverage of the COVID -19 facilitating measures still in place is 
significantly larger than that of restrictive ones.  
14. At the same time, the monitoring of non -COVID -19 trade measures re veals that fewer 
restrictions were put in place during this period. However, the stockpile of previous trade restrictions 
which are still in place remains large.  
15. Overall, I believe the Report provides us with a very important and useful snapshot of the 
latest developments in the implementation of trade policies – specifically in relation to the pandemic, 
but also more broadly. Providing this kind of transparency is what the trade monitoring mechanism 
is about and hopefully that is helpful to the Membership.  
16. Now, let me give the floor to the DG to introduce this Report. Subsequently, I will open the 
floor for comments from delegations.  
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE DIRECTOR -GENERAL  
17. I am pleased to join you today to take stock of recent trade policy developments . 
18. You all will have seen my Report which was circulated to Members on 22  November, in 
document WT/TPR/OV/24.  
19. I won't go through the main findings of the Report in great detail. Ambassador  Molokomme  
has already alluded to many of them, and you have no doubt looked at the report yourselves.  
20. There are a few figures I want to highlight. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, WTO Members 
and observers have implemented 399  COVID -19 trade and trade -related m easures on goods. Of 
these, 262 (66%) were of a trade facilitating nature and 137 (34%) could be considered trade 
restrictive. In other words, trade -facilitating measures outnumbered trade -restrictive ones by nearly 
two to one. This is positive.  
21. Of the res trictive measures recorded, 85% of them – that is, 117  measures, have been export 
restrictions. Although almost 60% of these had been repealed as of mid -October  2021, 45  export 
restrictions are still in place targeting products such as medicines, other med ical supplies, and 
personal protective equipment. I urge Members to roll back these restrictions as soon as possible as 
they may be hampering the COVID -19 response, including vaccine production and deployment. 
I may also add that there are still some impor t restrictive measures related to the pandemic.  
22. Some of the trade -facilitating measures - around 22% of them – have also been unwound.  
23. All told, the value of traded goods covered by the 205  COVID -19 trade -facilitating measures 
still in place as of mid -October 2021 was estimated at USD  112.1  billion while the trade coverage of 
the 56  trade -restrictive measures stood at USD  92.3 billion.  
24. While the report focuses primarily on goods trade, it also finds that 138 of the 153  reported 
pandemic -related measures af fecting services trade remain in force. Most of these appear to be 
trade -facilitating with an eye to minimizing supply chain disruptions, such as quicker entry processes WT/TPR/W/ 205 • Overview of Developments in the International Trading System  
 
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  for transport personnel and business travellers. Despite such efforts, services trade has been slower 
to recover than goods trade, in part due to weak demand and continued limitations on travel and 
tourism.  
25. When it comes to the monitoring of trade measures not directly related to the COVID -19 
pandemic, the Report reveals that Members and Ob servers put fewer restrictions in place between 
October  2020 and October  2021 compared to previous review periods. Nevertheless, the stockpile 
of trade restrictions introduced but unrepealed since 2009 has continued to grow, and now covers 
traded merchandi se worth an estimated USD  1.5 trillion, or close to 9% of world imports as at 
mid-October  2021. This steady accumulation of trade restrictions should be of concern to all of us.  
The Report  
26. First, the Report shows that trade has been central to combatting the pandemic, and that the 
multilateral trading system has played an instrumental role in encouraging restraint in the use of 
trade restrictions in response to the shocks arising from COVID -19.  
27. As we know, the outlook for the global economy remains uncert ain. The postponement of 
MC12 as a result of the new Omicron variant was certainly a stark and disappointing reminder of 
that.  
28. The monitoring report makes clear that the multilateral trading system has been, and 
continues to be, an important factor in our  response to the pandemic. It makes clear how WTO 
Committees have continued operating throughout the health crisis to service Members. But we also 
know that trade and the WTO can and must do more to foster production of, and equitable access 
to, sufficient  quantities of COVID -19 vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics. This is why I have urged 
Members to reach an agreement on pandemic response, including intellectual property issues, by 
the end of February. As Dr  Tedros said the other day "We may be done wit h COVID, but COVID is 
not done with us". Future pandemics are almost certain to emerge as well – and we owe it to the 
people we serve, and to future generations, to ensure the WTO makes its full contribution to 
preparedness and response and the national an d global levels.  
29. Second, this trade monitoring exercise has since day one been about transparency and 
predictability – about collaborating with you, the Members, to reduce uncertainty and bolster 
confidence in how markets are operating. This is one of the WTO's core functi ons to support our 
Members, and it also matters for businesses and consumers. When the pandemic hit in early 2020, 
we all had to adjust and adapt, and for the WTO Secretariat, part of this meant using the Trade 
Monitoring Exercise, with its familiar verifi cation mechanism, to report on the developments with 
regard to trade measures taken in response to the crisis.  
30. Third, while it is true that this multilateral and cross -cutting transparency exercise is only as 
strong as Members want it to be, I believe cre dit is due to delegations for your collaboration with 
this exercise. But like Oliver Twist, I always ask for more – so I will say that with your support we 
can do better, and echo Ambassador  Molokomme on the importance of getting more Members 
involved in t rade monitoring.  
31. Since this exercise started in 2009, it has become an important factual transparency tool for 
Members. As you are aware, the contents of this Report have no legal effect on the rights and 
obligations of WTO Members. The Report does not que stion the explicit right of Members to adopt 
certain trade measures.  
32. I will stop here. I look forward to hearing delegations exchange views on the findings of the 
Report.  
STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS  
SWITZERLAND  
33. First, we would like to thank Director -General Okon jo-Iweala for her introductory remarks, 
and the Secretariat for having produced this new Report on trade -related developments.  WT/TPR/W/ 205 • Overview of Developments in the International Trading System  
 
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  34. This outstanding monitoring report offers once again a comprehensive picture of the situation, 
problems and challenges we are cu rrently facing in the area of international trade almost two  years 
since the outbreak of the pandemic.  
35. The situation remains dramatic worldwide and continues to affect us all, in particular the most 
vulnerable. The emergence of new variants keeps on versin g shadow on our uncertain environment. 
The monitoring report offers once again encouraging perspectives as GDP and world trade growth 
in 2021 may exceed early estimates.  
36. According to the Report, the volume of world merchandise trade is now expected to incr ease 
by 10.8% in 2021, revised up from 8.0% in the previous report. Trade growth should then slow to 
4.7% in 2022, revised up from 4.0%.  
37. As in previous reports, we welcome the section on COVID -19 trade and trade -related 
measures, as well as the section on general economic support measures.  
38. We are somehow relieved to note that Members have exercised restraints in imposing 
trade -restrictive measures on COVID -19 related goods and services over the review period. 
205 COVID -19-related trade -facilitating measure s with an estimated trade coverage of 
USD 112 billion are still in force compared to 56  trade -restrictive measures with an estimated trade 
coverage of USD  92 billion.  
39. Witnessing four  times more trade -facilitating measures than trade restrictive -measures i s 
indeed encouraging. We should however acknowledge that the negative impact of export restrictions 
or export bans significantly outweighs the benefits of facilitating trade. In fact, it is inefficient to 
facilitate trade in a certain type of goods if they , hypothetically under export restrictions, do not 
reach the borders where trade -facilitating measures are in force.  
40. The Report suggests that the multilateral trading system has played an instrumental role in 
encouraging restraint in the implementation of trade -restrictive measures. At the same time, 
WTO Members  have not found a way, yet, to coordinate on an effective response to the pandemic, 
in particular on export restrictions, transparency and trade facilitation. This is where we could do 
better. Switze rland will continue to support a holistic approach in the WTO response to the pandemic. 
Likewise, we remain committed to work out a multilateral solution in the underlying discussions.  
41. The WTO has a central role to play in ensuring that supply chains are k ept open and restrictive 
trade policies are avoided. Maintaining and enhancing transparency is key in contributing to this 
objective. In that regard, I wish to recall the importance of the continuation and strengthening of 
this monitoring exercise.  
42. Empower ing the Secretariat in its monitoring role could benefit the whole Membership. Let me 
emphasize that transparency is a source of confidence and a matter for businesses, consumers and 
policy makers. Therefore, we should not refrain from confirming the Secre tariat's requests for 
verification whenever the underlying measures are sourced in official or reliable websites.  
43. Increasing transparency does not only mean to improve participation to and the quality of the 
monitoring reports. It is also a matter of respe cting our notification obligations. In this respect, let 
me refer to the proposal discussed in the CTG and the General Council to improve compliance with 
notification obligations and of which Switzerland is a co -sponsor.  
REPUBLIC  OF KOREA  
44. My delegation app reciates the Director -General's efforts to present the WTO Trade Monitoring 
Report, which has contributed to enhancing our understanding on developments in the international 
trading environment from mid -October  2020 to mid -October  2021.  
45. This Report covers  a wide range of trade -related policies, including those in response to the 
pandemic. In this difficult time of COVID -19, it not only provides an overall picture of trade -related 
policies and the world trade environment but also helps to reduce the uncerta inty caused by the 
pandemic.  WT/TPR/W/ 205 • Overview of Developments in the International Trading System  
 
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  46. From this Report, we could hear some good news that economic recovery has been boosted 
by governmental support and improvements in the production and dissemination of COVID -19 
vaccines. However, the recent, fast -spreading vari ant Omicron can cause uncertainty again to the 
growth of international trade and GDP. To enable the positive trend to continue, we all need to renew 
our commitment to free trade by exercising restraint in adopting new trade -restrictive measures and 
lifting  such measures to the extent possible.  
47. My delegation supports the Secretariat's continued efforts of publishing its Trade Monitoring 
Report, which will provide an updated picture with more information about trade -related measures 
and the trade environment  in the coming months.  
UNITED  KINGDOM  
48. The United  Kingdom appreciates the work of the Director -General and the Secretariat in 
preparing this annual report on developments in the trading system.  
49. We would also like to acknowledge the efforts of the Director -General, the Secretariat and the 
Membership in maintaining WTO business in the period under review. Although it was not possible 
to hold the Twelfth  Ministerial  Conference as planned last week, the Secretariat and Members did a 
commendable job in Committee work and in ongoing negotiations. Work on most disputes was able 
to follow the schedules developed by the panels and arbitrators in consultation with the disputing 
parties.  
50. Similarly, Trade Policy Reviews for 15  Members went ahead between October  2020 and 
December  2021. This was accomplished despite the challenges of the pandemic, including 
disruptions to both travel and usual working patterns, which complicated the process and prevented 
many delegations from attending their TPRs in person. This e ffort was important to maintaining the 
schedule of reviews to the extent possible and reflects the value of the TPRs to the WTO system.  
51. Noting the Report, the fact that both GDP and world trade growth and continued to exceed 
expectations in the first  half of the year, which resulted in upgraded WTO forecasts for 2021 and 
2022, is a very positive development. Other positive news includes the slowed pace of 
trade -restricting measures implemented because of the pandemic, and the removal of a number of 
COVID -related trade restricting measures, while a large share of the trade facilitating measures 
remain in effect.   
52. The report notes the importance of trade in responding to and recovering from the pandemic. 
The multilateral trading system will remain essential to the global economic recovery. The 
emergence of the Omicron variant reminds us that we cannot take for granted the continued 
recovery of world trade and the global economy. We note in particular the risk to recovery in trade 
in services. WTO Members must  remain committed to ensuring that any trade restrictive measures 
are targeted, proportionate, transparent and temporary in order to prevent disruptions to global 
supply chains and to minimise inflationary effects.  
53. Members have also responded to the pande mic by providing an unprecedented number of 
support measures – measures that have been greater than those observed in the wake of the Global 
Financial Crisis. While the flow of new measures has slowed, many of the measures involve packages 
implemented over  several years. It is important to track the types of measures being put in place, 
including the sectors of the economy that are targeted by these support programmes.  
54. We remain concerned that the stock of trade restricting measures implemented since  2009 
and not related to the pandemic now covers close to 9% of world imports, or about USD  1.5 trillion 
worth of trade.   
55. In conclusion, the United  Kingdom considers that the report continues to make a useful 
contribution to transparency, particularly by indicat ing areas where Members need to be alert 
regarding disruptions to trade and to the multilateral trading system.   
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  JAPAN   
56. To begin with, Japan would like to express its appreciation to the Director -General and the 
Secretariat for developing this Annual Mo nitoring Report  
57. Japan recognizes that the TPR and the monitoring reports are the core of the monitoring 
function for the implementation of trade agreements. We appreciate that the Report has been 
circulated in a timely manner, particularly under the curre nt COVID -19 pandemic which has 
underscored the importance of enhancing transparency in global trade.  
58. As explained by the Chair and the Director -General in their remarks earlier, according to the 
Report, international trade and GDP have recorded higher than  expected growth with a volume of 
trade in goods increasing by 10% and GDP increasing by 5% in 2021.  
59. Since the outbreak of COVID -19, during all  the reporting period, trade -facilitating measures 
significantly outweighed trade -restrictive measures. In total there were 262  cases of the former and 
137 cases of the latter.  
60. Japan values the fact that it shows to the international community the efforts of the Member 
countries to create a predictable and stable trading environment and that the WTO can play a 
meanin gful role in addressing the COVID -19 pandemic.  
61. MC12 has been postponed but, looking ahead to post -pandemic time, Japan would like to 
cooperate with other Members to support the economic recovery from the perspective of trade with 
the aim of ensuring the re covery is beneficial for all Members.  
UNITED  STATES  
62. The Report notes that whatever the trade growth figure is for 2021 we remain in a period of 
remarkable uncertainty, trying to confront rolling and multifaceted challenges that were unforeseen 
not long ag o. Against this backdrop  of uncertainty, we believe the rules -based multilateral trading 
system has made an important contribution to global economic stability. We shouldn't continue to 
overlook these positives; it is important for building confidence.  
63. The Report, again, provides important information on Members' trade measures during the 
pandemic. The data continues to demonstrate that Members , by and large, are  acting responsibly 
during a period of unprecedented challenge and even emergency. This two shou ld give us 
encouragement.  
64. Members put in place relatively few COVID -19 trade and trade -related measures during the 
past year. Of the nearly 400 such measures since the beginning of the pandemic, trade -facilitating 
measures have outpaced trade -restrictive m easures by two to one. Of the trade -facilitating 
measures only 22% had been repealed by October. However, more than 60% of the 
export -restrictive measures had been eliminated. It is clear that Members are eliminating restrictive 
measures as they deem condi tions warrant  and retaining trade -facilitating measures. This too is 
encouraging.  
65. The story for non -COVID -19 trade and trade -related measures also provides some welcome 
news. Trade -facilitating measures outpaced trade -restrictive measures and the compariso n of trade 
coverage isn't even close. The trade coverage of facilitative measures swamps that of 
restrictive -measures by nearly five to one. Of course, none of this means that we cannot or should 
not try to learn trade lessons from the pandemic. We strongl y support starting these discussions in 
the WTO; and in fact, that is why we support and action plan on pandemic resilience and 
preparedness.  
66. Members should have the opportunity in WTO Committees to reflect on and discuss what has 
happened during the crisi s and work together to identify lessons learned. The facts reflected in the 
Report support our view that it is premature to consider new obligations, that Members are 
responding responsibly, and we should be thoughtful in our approach based on facts and a better 
understanding of the important policy objectives being achieved.  WT/TPR/W/ 205 • Overview of Developments in the International Trading System  
 
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  67. We are confident that such an investment of Members' energy and focus will make important 
contributions as we continue to move forward.  
68. I would like to make a few observations specific  to the Report.  
69. Regarding the SPS section, the United  States appreciates the level of detail provided in 
Table  3.13 – New STCs Raised in the TBT Committee Meetings of October  2020, February  2021, and 
June 2021. We would like to suggest that a similar table  be added to the SPS section of the 
document; such an addition will help to highlight new specific trade concerns and promote 
consistency between the sections.  
70. We have a few comments regarding Section  6 - Transparency of Trade Policies. The Report 
notes in paragraph  6.2 that a lack of capacity is a major reason for non -compliance with notification 
obligations and that this is something to be addressed collectively by WTO Members. However, 
through our engag ement with Members on the proposal to enhance transparency and improve 
compliance with notification requirements under WTO Agreements (GC/204/Rev.8 and 
CTG/14/Rev.8), we have observed that lack of capacity often means lack of manpower to prepare 
notificati ons rather than a technical inability to complete notifications. If this is correct, it is not clear 
how this could be addressed collectively.  
71. The Report also allows us to make several horizontal observations. For example, compliance 
with notification obli gations is significantly better in some Committees than in others and it would 
be interesting to hear if other Members have perspectives on why this is so.  
72. Once again, the Report shows that across a number of WTO Committees there is an observable  
trend tha t Members are not submitting required notifications. For example, in the Committee on 
Subsidies and Countervailing Measures the share of Members not making any notification registers 
a substantial increase from 25% to 68% in the period 1995 -2021. We have o ne suggestion for the 
Secretariat to improve this portion of the Report. The subsection on agriculture notifications provides 
extensive detail on the number of questions submitted by Members but has little information on 
Members' compliance with their noti fication obligations and we ask this to be provided in the next 
report.  
73. Finally, we would like to call attention to the Secretariat's statement on page  7 that the Report 
is "first and foremost a transparency exercise. It is intended to be purely factual". And the Report is 
useful in providing salient facts. There are moments, however, when the Secretariat strays into 
advocacy, stating what Members must do. We ask that the Secretariat maintains its neutrality and 
objectivity – traits that sustain well -earned  trust and confidence.  
HONG  KONG,  CHINA   
74. Hong Kong,  China would like to thank the Director -General and her team for the efforts in 
compiling the Annual Report.  
75. As the world continues to battle the COVID -19 pandemic, the outlook  for the global economy 
remains uncertain  
76. The information and analysis in the Report, in particular trade and trade -related measures 
relating to the COVID -19 pandemic, are particularly useful when Members reflect on the latest trends 
in international trade  and prepare for economic recovery. Although there are some encouraging 
signs as world trade and GDP growth exceeded expectations and prompted a more positive forecast, 
risk remain as less developed regions feel left behind.  
77. Moreover, as commercial trade c ontinues to be restricted by limits in international travel, WTO 
Members should bear in mind the need to ensure sustainable as well as inclusive growth for  all. 
78. We are pleased to note that WTO Members have demonstrated restrain in imposing new trade 
restri ctive measures related to the pandemic. As of mid -October  2021, 59% of the trade -restrictive 
measures implemented since the outbreak have been repealed, whereas the number in trade 
coverage of the facilitating measures are higher than that of the trade -restrictive measures . WT/TPR/W/ 205 • Overview of Developments in the International Trading System  
 
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  79. As for non -COVID -19 related measures, we are pleased to note that fewer restrictions were 
put in place during the review period. For example, on goods trade, more new trade -facilitating 
measures compared to trade -restrictive ones have be en recorded.  
80. The trade coverage of the import facilitating measures is much higher than that  for the import 
restrictive measures and represents the second -lowest value recorded since October  2012. That 
said, we continue to be concerned about the large stockpile of  trade restrictions implemented 
since 2009 and which are still in force. These were estimated at USD  1.5 trillion, representing some 
8.7% of world imports as at mid -October  2021.  
81. With that, we call on Members to exercise caution and restraint when  considering taking trade 
remedy actions and to roll back such  measures when circumstances no longer warrant their 
continuation. Members should also consider taking appropriate trade -facilitating and support 
measures instead, especially when the world is s till battling the COVID -19 pandemic.  
82. As one of the Members actively responding to the DG's request for information and for 
verification, we continue to encourage more Members to participate in this exercise to enhance the 
transparency and predictability of  trade policy development worldwide.  
83. The DG's Report notes that compliance with the notifications requirement of WTO Agreements 
remains uneven. This will undermine individual agreements and the effective operation of the 
multilateral trading system. We urg e all WTO Members to work constructively to improve the 
situation   
84. While 57  Members shared COVID -19-related economic support measures in response of the 
DG's request, we are however disappointed that only 33  Members volunteered information on 
regular gener al economic support measures. We reiterate our view that economic support measures 
form an integral part of the trade policy of an economy.  
85. Recognizing that the WTO has an important role to play in ensuring transparency of trade 
measures, we appeal to Memb ers to supports this transparency exercise. We look forward to having 
a separate annex on general economic support measures in future trade monitoring reports.  
EUROPEAN  UNION   
86. The EU would like to express appreciation to the Director -General and the WTO Se cretariat 
for their efforts in preparing and releasing the Annual Report and in particular for the thorough 
analysis of the impact of the global health crisis on trade and trade policy in the world.  
87. We would like to stress the importance of this trade mon itoring exercise as it brings some 
additional transparency to current trade policies and practices, in particular during the pandemic. 
Transparency is vital in this exercise as well as in the overall context of making the WTO function 
effectively.  
88. This Rep ort reflects that the world continues to battle the COVID -19 virus. The pandemic 
represents the greatest threat to the world economy and by extension to the international trade, 
particularly if more dangerous variants emerge over the next months.  
89. MC12 had  unfortunately to be postponed due to a worsening sanitary situation globally. 
However, we need to preserve what was achieved in negotiating texts, as well as maintain 
momentum on a range of subjects, which includes the WTO response to the pandemic.  
90. The EU  is the world's leading exporter of COVID -19 vaccines, having exported more than 
1.45 billion of finished doses by end November, to 156  countries in the world. In total, one in each 
two vaccines produced in the EU has been made available for export, and on e in each two vaccines 
placed on international markets (i.e. outside of domestic markets) originates from the EU.  
91. Paradoxically we are also one of the two WTO Members to have notified an export measure 
on vaccines, in the form of our export authorisation m echanism, which allowed us to keep track of 
exports and to ensure compliance with our public health objectives. That measure has been in WT/TPR/W/ 205 • Overview of Developments in the International Trading System  
 
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  compliance with G20 commitments on COVID -19 trade measures in that it was targeted, 
proportionate, transparent and inde ed temporary. As a demonstration of our commitment to this 
last aspect - the EU has now notified the end of our export authorisation measure for vaccines to 
take effect on 31  December  2021.  
92. We welcome the work done by the WTO Secretariat in reporting on CO VID-19 trade -related 
economic support measures. Transparency of support measures (even though not exhaustive) is 
especially important now, given that we have entered an economic recovery phase and the 
undoubted impact of such measures on trade.  
93. We are ready to further discuss how the WTO should engage in the reporting of economic 
support measures.  
94. Let me now say a few words on specific trade -related measures taken by WTO Members in 
reaction to the pandemic. The Report has highlighted the Secretariat's v aliant efforts to provide 
Members with as comprehensive an overview as possible of national measures taken in reaction to 
the global health emergency. We would like to echo the comments by Switzerland, including on the 
important role that the WTO Secretari at could fulfil if empowered to do so.  
95. The Director -General has made this a personal priority since her arrival in March, and we 
would like to thank her and commend her for her efforts. It is now incumbent on Members to reflect 
how we can do better in fut ure. We have to acknowledge that the WTO's current transparency 
arrangements have not provided for the necessary overview of trade -related measures that 
Members have taken to combat the pandemic within their own countries. As the Report states, 
11 Members have still not notified measures that they have introduced in response to COVID -19, 
and there are doubtless others of which the Secretariat is not aware. In our view, especially Members 
within whose territories there are significant producers of essential medical goods, in particular 
vaccines, should be prepared to provide additional transparency about potential domestic restrictions 
that would affect the supply of essential medical goods to trading partners that are dependent on 
them to treat their own pop ulations. This can help map out the reliability of international supply 
chains and reduce frictions around questions of equitable supply of essential medical goods.  
96. Some further openness by the private sector or by trade associations, in terms of providing  
basic transparency around plans to help diversify production or regarding the number of licensing 
agreements in place, may also be appropriate, of course within the limits of not divulging proprietary 
information.  
97. The upcoming appraisal of the Trade Polic y Review Mechanism in 2022 would be another good 
occasion for Members to engage further on monitoring and the pursuit of transparency.  
98. We thank the WTO Secretariat for its ongoing contribution to the trade monitoring work in 
enhancing transparency. We cal l for the continuation and strengthening of this exercise.  
CHINA  
99. China appreciates the Secretariat's efforts on the comprehensive and updated monitoring 
Report, which plays a very important role in enhancing the transparency of trade and trade -related 
measures, encouraging restraint in the implementation of trade -restrictive measures and monitoring 
international trade -related developments as the world is still battling the COVID -19 pandemic and 
the global economy faces a period of recovery . 
100.  As noted in the  Report, although there is some encouraging news for post -pandemic economic 
recovery, which is mainly world trade and GDP growth continued to exceed expectations in the 
first-half of the year, the outlook for the global economy remains uncertain.  
101.  Fundament al changes, such as equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics, 
remain at the core of the downside risks that  the world faces from the pandemic.  
102.  We note that since the outbreak of the pandemic around 400  trade and trade -related 
measures in  goods have been implemented by WTO Members and Observers. It is encouraging that WT/TPR/W/ 205 • Overview of Developments in the International Trading System  
 
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  two thirds of them were of trade -facilitating nature and only one  third could be considered 
trade -restrictive.  
103.  We also note that export restrictions accounted for 85% of all restrictive measures recorded, 
of which 59% had been repealed by mid -October  2021.  
104.  We call for Member s' elimination of  the remaining export restrictions in order to avoid further 
disruption of the global supply chain.  
105.  As the most serious pandemic in a cent ury is still spreading, we have to make the WTO more 
responsive to the pandemic. It is all the more imperative that Members pull together to tide over 
this very difficult time.  
106.  As a Chines e proverb reads  "the going may be tough when one walks alone, but it  gets easier 
when people walk together".  
107.  China strongly supp orts the rules -based multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core. 
Although MC12 has again been postponed the momentum here in the WTO shall never be lost. China 
stands ready to work with all Members to build and open world's economy and it supports the fair 
distribution of unimpeded trade in vaccines and other key medical supplies across the world. We 
look forward to a greater role of the WTO in fighting against the pandemic and boosting w orld 
economic recovery.  
COLOMBIA  
108.  Expresamos nuestro agradecimiento a la Directora -General y la Secretaría por la preparación 
de este informe, y los esfuerzos por recoger la información de los miembros, cuantificarla y 
sistematizarla.  
109.  Igualmente resaltamos que en este informe hay datos muy interesantes y útiles de análisis 
del desempeño económico global y proyecciones para los próximos meses, que ayudan a nuestras 
autoridades a navegar en medio de estos tiempos inciertos.  No podríamos dejar de decir que, la 
reciente variante de COVID -Omicron - ha generado nuevas incertidumbres y plantea nuevas 
preguntas sobre el desempeño económico y la recuperación de las economías.  
110.  También destacamos la cada vez mayor y mejor información en lo que concierne al comercio 
de servicios y las tendencias en estos sectores. La información sobre los efectos que ha tenido la 
pandemia sobre el comercio de servicios, el turismo y el movimiento de personas, son elementos de 
utilidad para nuestras autoridades.   
111.  Igualmente, resaltamos qu e esta versión del reporte presenta por separado las medidas 
relacionadas con el comercio ordinarias y aquellas extraordinarias adoptadas para responder a la 
pandemia. Esto da claridad, facilita la comprensión y permite hacer comparaciones frente a periodo s 
anteriores.  
112.  Entrando en algunos detalles del documento, destacamos que entre las medidas adoptadas 
para responder a la pandemia, una buena parte de ellas h an sido medidas de facilitación del comercio  
y una proporción importante de las medidas restrictiv as han sido retiradas , lo que evidencia que las 
reglas comerciales son instrumentos efectivos para responder a los retos de la crisis de salud que 
enfrentamos.  
113.  Sin embargo, entre las medidas restrictivas del comercio, mi delegación no puede dejar de 
expre sar su preocupación por las restricciones impuestas a las exportaciones de vacunas y sus 
componentes.  Estas medidas, que han tenido diferentes nombres y variadas características, se han 
reducido en cierta medida recientemente, pero siguen siendo obstáculos  importantes para asegurar 
un acceso oportuno de todos los Miembros a las vacunas. Insistimos en que , son las medidas de 
facilitación, y no las restrictivas, las que nos permitirán abordar de manera colectiva y eficaz esta 
problemática global.  WT/TPR/W/ 205 • Overview of Developments in the International Trading System  
 
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  114.  Por otra pa rte, y t al como lo hemos referi do en reuni ones anteriores  de este mismo Órgano , 
en contexto de la pandemia era de esperarse un incremento medidas de apoyo económico general 
y de emergencia por parte de los Gobiernos. Damos la bienvenida a la información que presenta el 
reporte presenta información sobre las medidas de apoyo otorgadas por los Gobiernos en respuesta 
a la pandemia , así como aquellas que son de carácter transversal.  
115.  El impacto de estas medidas de apoyo es sin ninguna duda muy importante en el comercio 
global, y pueden tener efectos distorsionantes de gran relevancia, afect ando de manera particular a 
economías pequeñas como la de Colombia . Animamos a que en los próximos reportes se siga 
incluyendo información y análisis concretos sobre las medidas de apoyo general y aquellas que se 
siguen tomando para enfrentar la crisis gen erada por el COVID  
116.  Finalmente, permítame indicar que este reporte aporta información relevante para todos los 
Miembros y evidencia ahora más que antes, la importancia del compromiso de transparencia al 
interior de la Organización.  
117.  Mi Delegación ha estado y seguirá comprometida con esta labor de monitoreo  y con la 
transparencia , nos hemos beneficiado del apoyo técnico del personal de la Secretaría para presentar 
la información  correspondiente a las diferentes notificaciones y para la elaboración de e ste reporte;  
y, en este sentido,  resaltamos la importancia de reforzar la cooperación en el seno de esta 
Organización para responder a este reto colectivo . 
RUSSIAN  FEDERATION  
118.  We thank the Director -General and the Secretariat for preparing and circulating the Report. 
We also value the endurance of the Secretariat in obtaining the information from the delegations.  
119.  My delegation is always an active participant of the efforts in the Report. One of the issues 
mentioned in that Report is the COVID pandemic and t he response of Members to it. The issue which 
we need to raise is the recognition of vaccines. Currently the Russian vaccines Sputnik -V is accepted 
in 71  countries, and we believe that worldwide recognition of vaccines without any prejudice, 
especially med ically-effective ones, is a very important point and issue to overcome this bottleneck 
to world trade.  
120.  Apart from COVID, we monitor that trade coverage of trade -restrictive measures is this year 
only USD  105.9  billion. It is much less than in the previous reports, and it means that the amount 
of non -COVID trade -restrictive measures diminishes comparing to previous reports. It is a positive 
sign. 
121.  The Russian  Federation is a staunch supporter of the multilateral trading system and its ability 
to promote trade  in a rules -based manner. Also we value, as said above, the efforts by the 
Secretariat and by our friends, and I would say the friends of all delegations, Peter and Gloria, in 
providing this Report.  
122.  One issue which arose last time and which we raise today is that the Report starts from 
mid-October and finishes in mid -October. It contradicts the astronomical year, because probably it 
would be more convenient and we could think to promote reports for the whole astronomical year. 
When the report was first publ ished in 2009, it was prepared for G20 for the first  two meetings under 
the wave of the world's financial crisis of 2008 -2009 and that is why the Report was prepared directly 
for the meetings which took place, not in the beginning of the year, but during t he year. But now, 
this Report is of separate value of itself and for the Members and that is why probably it would be 
more useful to provide reports from the beginning of the year, from 1  January to 31  December. But 
in general, of course, we understand tha t the Secretariat does tremendous, very important, and 
valuable work for the Members. We thank the Secretariat and we will continue our support.  
TCHAD  AU NOM  DU GROUPE  DES  PMA 
123.  Madame la Présidente, hier nous avons suivi le lancement de l'étude du Secretari at intitulé 
"Assouplir les goulets d'étranglement commerciaux dans les pays en développement sans littoral".  WT/TPR/W/ 205 • Overview of Developments in the International Trading System  
 
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  124.  Ce matin on a suivi avec intérêt le lancement de la troisième phase du Programme des Chaires  
de l'OMC qui offre cette possibilité de sensibiliser d avantage les universités, les instituts académiques 
et de recherche apprenant à nos sociétés  la politique commerciale internationale et de développer 
des passerelles avec les décideurs politiques et les officiels en charge de la formulation et de la mise 
en œuvre de la politique commerciale.  
125.  En ce moment, on est en train de discuter sur le rapport consacré à l'évolution de 
l'environnement commercial international. On voit bien que les travaux multidimensionnels  de l'OMC 
qui ont une pertinence et une cohére nce affirmée, dans une perspective d'ancrer l'esprit de 
développement via le commerce sont vraiment intéressants.  
126.  Au nom du groupe des pays les moins avancés je voudrais féliciter le Secretariat , Madame la 
Directrice Générale  et toute son équipe pour l'engagement et les efforts déployés en vu de renforcer 
ce système commercial multilatéral  qui souffre un petit peu actuellement.  
127.  La pandémie actuelle constitue certainement l'une de plus grandes crises depuis le début de 
ce siècl e. Ses impacts socio -économiques sont encore visibles, notre présente rencontre se tient à 
un moment critique où la pandémie  bat son plein, les PMA représentent  la catégorie des pays à faible 
revenu qui est la plus affectée par cette pandémie.  
128.  Compte tenu  du manque de diversification de leurs économies, les pays les moins avancés 
ont vu leur part de marchés considérablement réduites, l' insuffisance  des mesures de protection 
sanitaire, les perturbations  des systèmes de transport et d'approvisionnement natio naux, le manque 
de numérisation  ont contraint la majorité des entreprises  dans les PMA à fermer pendant la 
pandémie. Le déclin des exportations des biens et des services de PMA a été plus marqué que celui 
du reste du monde, en 2020 16% contre 12% pour le r este du monde et la pandémie a fait tomber 
la part des exportations des PMA dans le commerce mondial à un niveau plancher de 0,9% en 2020. 
Voilà un tableau assez sombre dans lequel végètent les PMA et donc il ne s'agit pas de résultats 
optimaux et il faut y remédier . Cette contraction a laissé aux PMA une faible marge de manœuvre  
budgétaire pour stimuler la reprise. Les PMA ont donc besoin davantage de renforcement des 
capacités productives pour pouvoir diversifier leur base de production et d'exportation, de mieux 
intégrer les chaînes des valeurs mondiales et régionales, créer des emplois  et sortir leur population 
de la pauvreté.  
129.  Permettez -moi également Madame la Présidente de conclure en soulignant que compte tenu 
de l'importance de l'outil numérique dans  notre monde aujourd'hui il nous semble pertinent que 
l'OMC devrait accompagner les PMA pour saisir les opportunités qu'offrent le commerce électronique 
pour être compétitif sur les marchés et atteindre leurs objectifs de développement . Il nous faut donc 
faciliter l'accès aux marchés par le transfert de technologie, de promouvoir le commerce dans nos 
pays qui sont les plus vulnérables.  
CHAIRPERSON 'S CLOSING REMARKS  
130.  I think this has been a constructive meeting and we have heard wide support for the 
transpar ency which this exercise offers. Overall, Members have responded quickly and cooperated 
constructively with the Secretariat to further enhance transparency around COVID -19 related trade 
measures as well as trade -related measures more generally.   
131.  Transparen cy and predictability are essential elements of a healthy and well -functioning 
international trading system – and more so when a situation changes rapidly and unpredictably. The 
ability of the monitoring exercise to deliver factual and up -to-date informati on depends, to a very 
large extent, on the input of Members. This includes, providing and verifying information which can 
only be obtained from you, the Members.  
132.  However, some regions remain underrepresented, and I would like to encourage those who 
have n ot been able to participate - to do so in the preparation of future Reports.  
133.  Your timely contributions to the Trade Monitoring Report and your support to the Secretariat 
is fundamental to ensure and preserve the high quality and accuracy of the Reports.  WT/TPR/W/ 205 • Overview of Developments in the International Trading System  
 
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  134.  Before I close the meeting, I would like to remind you that the next TPRB meeting will take 
place on 12 and 14  January  2022 when the TPRB will review Georgia's trade policies. I wish you all 
a restful end -year break. With those words, I hereby close this me eting. Thank you for your 
participation.  
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