WT/TPR/OV/W/10  
 
4 July 2016  
(16-3569)  Page: 1/136  
Trade Policy Review Body    
 
 REPORT TO THE TPRB FROM THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL ON 
TRADE-RELATED DEVELOPMENTS 
 
(Mid-October 2015 to mid-May 2016)  
Table of contents 
KEY FIND INGS ................................................................................................................. 3 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................... 7  
1   INTROD UCTION  .......................................................................................................... 8  
2   RECENT ECONOMIC AND TRADE DEVELOPMENTS ...................................................... 10  
2.1 Overview ............................................................................................................... 10 
2.2 Economic Developments ........................................................................................... 11 
2.3 Merchandise Trade .................................................................................................. 13 
2.4   Trade in Commercial Services..................................................................................... 16 
2.5   Trade Forecast and Economic  Outlook ......................................................................... 16 
3   TRADE AND TRADE-RELATE D POLICY DEVE LOPMENTS ............................................. 20  
3.1   Overview ................................................................................................................. 20 
3.2   Trade Remedies ....................................................................................................... 24 
3.3   Sanitary and Phytos anitary Measur es (SPS) ................................................................. 36 
3.4   Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) ................................................................................ 43 
3.5   Trade Concerns Rais ed in Other WTO Bodies ................................................................ 50 
3.6   Policy Developments in Agriculture .............................................................................. 55 
3.7   General Ec onomic Support ......................................................................................... 63 
3.8   Other Selected Trade Policy Developments ................................................................... 66 
4   POLICY DEVELOPMENTS IN TRADE IN SERVICES ...................................................... 70  
5   POLICY DEVELOPMENTS IN TRADE AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY .......................... 72  
ANNEX 1 : MEASURES FACILITATING TRADE…………………………………………………………………………………..75 
ANNEX 2 : TRADE REMEDIES….………………………………………………………………………………………………………..86 
ANNEX 3 : OTHER TRADE-RELATED ME ASURES ………………………… …………………………………………………103 
ANNEX 4 : GENERAL ECONOMIC SUPPORT  MEASURES……………… …………………………………………………117 
ANNEX 5 : MEASURES AFFECTING TRADE IN  SERVICES…………… ………………………………………………...127 
 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  KEY FINDINGS 
• Between mid-October 2015 and mid-May 2016 ("review period"), WTO Members applied 154 
new trade-restrictive measures, amounting to 22 new measures per month.   
• This constitutes a significant increase compared to the previous review period, which 
recorded an average of 15 measures per month. It is the highest monthly average registered since 2011, when WTO recorded a peak in the monthly average of new 
trade-restrictive measures. 
 
• A total of 132 measures aimed at facilitating trade were taken during the review period, 
amounting to 19 measures per month. Although this shows a slight increase compared to 
the previous review period, the figure is lower than the recorded monthly average of 
trade-restrictive measures.  
• WTO Members initiated a higher number of trade remedy investigations per month during 
this review period compared to the previous  period. The overwhelming majority of these 
were anti-dumping measures.  
 
• The overall stockpile of restrictive measures introduced by WTO Members grew by 11% 
during the review period. Of the 2,835 trade-restrictive measures, including trade remedies, recorded for WTO Members since 2008 by this exercise, only 708, or 25%, had been 
removed by mid-May 2016. The rate by which WTO Members have been eliminating trade 
restrictions remains too low to make a dent in the stockpile. The total number of restrictive measures still in place today stands at 2,127.  
 
• General economic support measures implemented by WTO Members are on the rise. A 
monthly average of 14 such measures were record ed for this review period, thus confirming 
an upward trend since the end of 2013 and edgi ng closer to the highest monthly average of 
such measures recorded immediately after the onset of the global financial crisis.   
• World trade remained volatile in 2015 as diverging outlooks for developed and developing 
economies unsettled global financial markets and prompted sharp movements in commodity 
prices and exchange rates. The volume of world merchandise trade grew 2.8% last year as trade fell sharply in the first half of the year  before recovering in the second half.   
 
• World trade prospects for 2016 and beyond remain uncertain. The most recent WTO trade 
forecast of 7 April 2016 predicted merchandise trade volume growth of 2.8% in 2016, at a 
rate unchanged from 2015. Despite a number of positive developments, the global economic 
environment remains challenging and continued vigilance is required.   
• In the midst of this uncertainty, WTO Members must individually and collectively resist 
protectionist pressures. The best safeguard we have against protectionism is a strong 
multilateral trading system. 
 
 
 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  Trade-restrictive measures, excluding trade remedies 
(average per month) 
 
131423
14151420
1522
0510152025
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 mid-Oct14 to
mid-May15mid-Oct15 to
mid-May16 
Note: Values are rounded. 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
Restrictive measures, mid-October 2015 to mid-May 2016 
Import tariff Import customs procedures Import taxes
Import QRs Import other Export duties
Export QRs Export other Other154
 
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  Trade-facilitating measures , excluding trade remedies 
(average per month) 
 
111823
18
141722
1619
0510152025
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 mid-Oct14 to
mid-May15mid-Oct15 to
mid-May16 
Note: Values are rounded. 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
 Facilitating measures, mid- October 2015 to  mid-May 2016 
Import tariff Import customs procedures Import taxes
Import QRs Export duties Export QRs
Export other Other132
 
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  Stockpile of trade-restrictive measures 
Effectively  eliminated  measures Stockpile of restrictive  measuresBy mid-October 2010 By mid-May 2016
82
464708
2,127
546 measures 2,835 measures15.0%
85.0%25.0%
75.0%
 
 
 
Note: Stockpile of restrictive measures includes measures listed in Annex 3 and initiations of trade remedy 
actions. 
Source: WTO Secretariat. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
This trade-monitoring report reviews trade-re lated developments during the period from 
16 October 2015 to 15 May 2016 ("review period"). 
During this seven-month period, there seems to ha ve been a relapse in WTO Members' efforts at 
containing protectionist pressures. Not only is the stockpile of trade-restrictive measures 
continuing to increase, but also more new trade restrictions were recorded during the period, 
covering both import and export measures. 
 
The implementation of new trade-restrictive measures by WTO Members increased over the review period. Since mid-October 2015, WTO Members applied 154 new trade-restrictive measures – an average of 22 new measures per month compared to 15 in the previous interim report. Import 
tariff increases, customs procedures and various local content measures constitute the main 
factors behind this upward trend in the overall monthly figure. The 22 new trade-restrictive measures adopted per month by WTO Members are close to the peak observed in 2011 of 23 new 
measures per month. 
During the same period, WTO Members implemented 132 measures aimed at facilitating trade. At 
almost 19 trade-facilitating measures per month, this represents an increase over the previous 
mid-year report's monthly average of 16 measures. However, the trade-facilitating monthly 
average remains below the monthly average of trade-restrictive measures, thus reversing the positive trend identified over the past years.  
Overall, the stockpile of restrictive measures introduced by WTO Members continues to grow. Of 
the 2,835 trade-restrictive measures (including trade remedies) recorded for WTO Members since 
2008, only 708 had been removed by mid-May 2016. The total number of these restrictive measures still in place now stands at 2,127 – an increase of more than 11% during the review 
period. Although some WTO Members have been eliminating trade-restrictive measures, the rate 
at which this is done is far too low to dent the overall stockpile of restrictive measures. Of the total number of trade-restrictive measures recorded for WTO Members since 2008, the share of 
eliminations, or roll-back, makes up 25%. 
 World trade was volatile in 2015 as diverging outlooks for developed and developing economies unsettled global financial markets and prompted sharp movements in commodity prices and 
exchange rates. The volume of world merchandise trade grew by 2.8% last year as trade fell 
sharply in the first half of the year before recovering in the second half. Weak import growth in developing economies (0.2%) was cushioned by stronger import demand in developed countries 
(4.5%). Import growth was particularly weak in large emerging economies such as China (-4%) 
and Brazil (-15%). Meanwhile, exports grew slightly faster in developing economies (3.3%) than in developed countries (2.6%). This was balanced by stronger positive import growth in the 
United States (6.5%) and the European Union (4.5%). Despite positive trade growth in volume 
terms, the dollar value of world trade fell sharply (-13% for merchandise, -6% for services), largely as a result of lower commodity prices and the general appreciation of the U.S. dollar.  
Prospects for 2016 and beyond remain uncertain. The most recent WTO trade forecast of 
7 April 2016 predicted merchandise trade volume growth of 2.8% in 2016, unchanged from 2015, 
but volatility is likely to persist. Exports of developed and developing economies should grow at 
around the same rate (2.9% in the former and 2.8% in the latter). Meanwhile, imports of 
developed economies are expected to outpace those of developing countries, with an increase of 
3.3% compared to a rise of 1.8%. Preliminary trade volume statistics for the first quarter of 2016 
indicate that world trade fell around 1% in the first quarter of 2016 compared to the last quarter of 
2015.  The number of trade remedy investigations initiated by WTO Members has increased during the 
review period. Metal products, and in particular  steel products, chemicals and plastics and rubber 
account for the largest shares of these initiations. As for previous review periods, more initiations were recorded than terminations, and anti-dumping  measures made up the overwhelming majority 
of trade remedy actions. 
 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  The analysis of sunset reviews of anti-dumping and countervailing measures initiated in 2008 and 
2009 seems to indicate that there is no discernible change in extensions versus expiry of measures coinciding with the financial crisis.  
During the review period, the Committees on Sa nitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures and on 
Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) saw significant developments. The share of SPS notifications from developing countries remained high, accounting for about two-thirds of all notifications, and 
confirming the increased participation of developing countries in the total number of notifications  
since 2007. An increase in the number of notifications does not, however, automatically imply greater use of measures taken for protectionist purposes. In the TBT area, the Committee has recorded a significant increase in the number of  specific trade concerns (STCs). The 116 new and 
previously-raised STCs discussed during review pe riod confirm the upward trend, observed over 
the past years, of a greater number of STCs being raised in the TBT Committee. 
 
In the area of agriculture, despite poor notifications' compliance recorded for some Members, the 
whole membership continued to use Article 18.6 of the Agreement on Agriculture (AoA) to ask questions on the implementation of commitments. A large number of these questions focused in 
particular on Members' domestic support policies. 
 This report suggests that general economic su pport measures implemented by WTO Members are 
on the rise. The monthly average of 14 such measur es recorded in the review period approaches 
the number recorded immediately after the onset of the global financial crisis. However, the 
numerical counting of such measures and programm es does not provide any indication regarding 
the extent of these measures, nor their potential impact. The main beneficiaries of such support 
during the review period included multiple sectors, infrastructure programmes (including several 
energy-related projects), various industries in the manufacturing sector, the agricultural sector and the telecommunications sector. Several programmes provided specific support to 
export-related activities or enterprises, including SMEs. 
Several important policy developments in a very diverse range of services sectors took place 
during the review period. The overwhelming majority  of these services measures see either further 
liberalization of trade in services or the strengthening and clarification of relevant regulatory 
requirements. 
The OECD has contributed two topical boxes to this report. The first looks at the evolving 
agricultural policies and markets and the implications for multilateral trade reform. The second 
seeks to assess the gains from implementing the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). 
Several other important trade-related developments also took place during the review period, 
including in the areas of the Trade Facilitation Agreement, the Information Technology Agreement 
expansion and the Agreement on Government Procurement.  
The overall assessment of this monitoring report has outlined the profound volatility which 
characterizes world trade today and the current unse ttled nature of international financial markets. 
Despite a number of positive developments, th e global environment remains challenging. To 
address slow economic growth, Members need to  get trade moving again, not put up barriers 
between economies. The best safeguard we have against protectionism is a strong multilateral 
trading system.  
1  INTRODUCTION 
1.1.  This monitoring report1 reviews trade and trade-related developments during the period 
mid-October 2015 to mid-May 2016.2 It is a mid-year preparatory contribution to the annual 
report by the Director-General provided for in paragraph (g) of the Trade Policies Review 
                                               
1 The previous interim trade monitoring report presented to the TPRB (WT/TPR/OV/W/9, 3 July 2015) 
covered measures taken over the period from mid-October 2014 to mid-May 2015. The WTO trade monitoring 
reports have been prepared by the WTO Secretariat since 2009. On 21 June 2016, the WTO Secretariat, together with the Secretariats of the OECD and UNCTAD, issued a report on trade and investment measures 
implemented by G20 economies during the period mi d-October 2015 to mid-May 2016 (available on the WTO 
website). The relevant G20 measures identified in that document are reproduced in this report.  
2 Unless otherwise indicated in the relevant section. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  Mechanism (TPRM) mandate which aims to assist the TPRB in undertaking an annual overview of 
developments in the international trading environment that are having an impact on the multilateral trading system. This report is intended to be purely factual and is issued under the sole responsibility of the Director-General. It has no legal effect on the rights and obligations of 
Members, nor does it have any legal implication with respect to the conformity of any measure 
noted in the report with any WTO Agreement or any provision thereof. This report is without prejudice to Members' negotiating positions. 
1.2.  Section 2 of the report provides an overvi ew of recent economic and trade trends. Section 3 
presents an account of selected trade and trad e-related policy developments during the review 
period. Policy developments in trade in services and trade in intellectual property are included in Sections 4 and 5, respectively. Annexes to the report list specific trade policy measures of 
individual Members implemented during the peri od under review in five categories: trade-
facilitating measures (Annex 1); trade remedy actions (Annex 2); other trade and trade-related 
measures (Annex 3); general economic support measures (Annex 4); and services measures 
(Annex 5). The country-specific measures listed in the five annexes are new measures 
implemented by Members and Observers during the period under review.3 The compilation of all 
measures that have been recorded by the trade-monitoring reports since October 2008 is available 
in the Trade Monitoring Database.4 
1.3.  Specific developments related to Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures and Technical 
Barriers to Trade (TBT) are covered separately in Section 3.  
1.4.  Information on the measures included in this report has been collected from inputs submitted 
by Members and Observers, as well as from other official and public sources. Replies to the 
Director-General's request for information on meas ures taken during the period under review were 
received from 70 Members5 (Box 1), which represents 43% of the membership and covers almost 
90% of world imports.6 Two Observers also replied to the request for information. The WTO 
Secretariat has drawn on these replies, as well as on a variety of other sources, to prepare this 
report. Country-specific information was sent for verification to 84 delegations. Participation in the 
verification process was uneven, and in several instances the Secretariat received only partial 
responses and often after the indicated deadline.7 Where it has not been possible to confirm the 
information, this is noted in the Annexes. 
                                               
3 The inclusion of any measure in this report or in  its annexes implies no judgement by the WTO 
Secretariat on whether or not such measure, or its intent , is protectionist in nature. Moreover, nothing in this 
report implies any judgement, either direct or indirect, as to the cons istency of any measure referred to in the 
report with the provisions  of any WTO Agreement. 
4 http://tmdb.wto.org/ 
5 The European Union and its Memb er States counted separately. 
6 This figure includes intra-EU trade. 
 7 The information contained in the annexes reflects  the overall participation in the exercise and 
responses to the verification request and shou ld therefore not be considered exhaustive. 
 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  Replies to the Director-Gener al's request for information 
Argentina 
Australia 
Azerbaijan* 
Botswana 
Brazil 
Canada 
Chile 
China 
Colombia 
Costa Rica 
Dominican Republic 
Egypt 
European Union 
Hong Kong, China 
India Indonesia 
Jamaica 
Japan 
Kazakhstan 
Korea, Republic of 
Macao, China 
Madagascar 
Mali 
Mauritius 
Mexico 
Moldova, Republic of 
Montenegro 
Norway 
Peru 
Philippines Russian Federation 
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of 
Serbia* 
Seychelles 
Singapore 
South Africa 
Switzerland 
Chinese Taipei 
Thailand 
Tunisia 
Turkey 
Ukraine 
United States of America 
Uruguay 
* Observer 
WTO Members and Observers Participatin g in the WTO Monitoring Exercise 
 
 
 
 
2  RECENT ECONOMIC AND TRADE DEVELOPMENTS 
2.1 Overview 
2.1.  The volume of world merchandise trade partially recovered in the second half of 2015 
following a sharp decline in the first half that affected all major economies to varying degrees. Import growth was sluggish in developing Asia an d negative in regions that predominantly export 
natural resources. These slowdowns were cushione d by stronger import demand in Europe and 
North America as economic activity picked up in those regions. Global trade volume growth for the 
whole of 2015 was 2.8%, in line with WTO projecti ons at the time of the last Monitoring Report.
8 
Imports of developing economies stagnated (0.2 % growth) while those of developed countries 
strengthened (4.5%). Meanwhile, exports grew sl ightly faster in developing economies (3.3%) 
than in developed ones (2.6%). Import volume growth was notably weak in China (-4%) and Brazil (-15%), but these declines were balanced by  stronger import growth in the United States 
(6.5%) and the European Union (4.5%).  Despite the modest, positive growth in global trade 
volumes, the dollar value of world merchandise trade fell sharply in 2015, dropping by 13% to US$16.0 trillion largely as a result of lower commodity prices and a general appreciation of the U.S. dollar. The value of world commercial services trade also declined by 6% to US$4.7 trillion in 
2015.  
                                               
8 See also Trade Forecast Press Release 752, 30 September 2015. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  2.2.  Several factors contributed to the lacklustre  performance of trade in 2015, including: slowing 
economic growth in China and the rebalancing of the country's economy away from investment and towards consumption; recessions in other large developing economies, particularly Brazil; falling petroleum prices, which reduced the export revenues of oil producing countries; and 
volatility in exchange rates and financial market s, possibly exacerbated by divergent monetary 
policies in the United States, Europe and China. 
2.3.  The outlook for trade this year and next re mains unsettled. In its most recent trade forecast 
of 7 April 2016, the WTO estimated that merchandise trade would grow 2.8% in 2016 and 3.6% in 
2017. This pace of growth remains well below the average rate of 5.0% since 1990. WTO forecasts are premised on consensus estimates of world real  GDP at market exchange rates over the next 
two years (2.4% in 2016 and 2.7% in 2017). 
2.2 Economic Developments 
2.4.  2015 marked the fourth consecutive year with world trade volume growth below 3%, as well 
as the fourth year in a row with world trade growing at close to the same rate as world GDP. 
Growth rates for trade and output in 2015 were also below their average rates since 1990 of 5% 
and 2.7%, respectively. The slow pace of trade grow th relative to GDP growth over the past four 
years stands in contrast to the period from 1990 to 2008, during which merchandise trade grew 
2.1 times as fast as world GDP on average.  
2.5.  The recent spell of slow trade growth is unusual, but not unprecedented, and as a result its 
importance should not be exaggerated. World tr ade volume growth was in fact weaker between 
1980 and 1985, when five out of six years saw trade growth below 3%, including two years of 
outright contraction. 
2.6.  During the review period, economic activity continued to be uneven across countries, regions 
and levels of development. In the United States, GDP growth (seasonally adjusted and annualized) 
slowed to 0.5% in the first quarter of 2016 after averaging 2.4% in the previous three quarters. 
Employment gains were also smaller than expected in April, although wages have started to pick 
up. Meanwhile, economic conditions in the European Union (EU) continued to improve gradually. 
EU GDP growth increased to 1.9% in Q1 while the unemployment rate dipped below 9%. Japan 
avoided a technical recession in the first quarter of 2016, recording a 1.7% rise in output after a 1.7% decline the previous period. Japan's unemployment rate also remained low, falling to 3.2% in March 2016. 
2.7.  Quarter-on-quarter GDP growth in China fell to 1.1% (not annualized) in the first quarter of 
2016, down from 1.5% in the fourth quarter and 1.8% in the third quarter of 2015. The Q1 rate 
was equivalent to 4.5% on an annual basis.  Despite the recent slowdown, forward-looking 
measures of economic activity, including composite leading indicators (CLIs) from the OECD, 
suggest that China's growth is stabilizing. Meanwh ile, India's CLI pointed to a firming of economic 
activity with growth rising above trend. Brazil's economic situation has remained dire, with output 
falling 6% on an annualized basis in the fourth quarter. On a more positive note, Brazil's CLI 
shows signs of a turnaround in growth momentum.  
2.8.  Strong fluctuations in exchange rates si nce 2014 have had a strong impact on nominal trade 
statistics, most of which are denominated in current U.S. dollars. These developments are 
illustrated by Chart 2.1, which shows nominal effective exchange rate indices for selected 
economies through April 2016. In January 2016, the U.S. dollar was up 19% compared to January 2014. Although the dollar has weakened some what since then, it was still up 13% in April 
2016 compared to January 2014. The appreciation of China's yuan has also moderated since the 
last monitoring report. Meanwhile, Japan's yen appreciated and the euro was stable in nominal effective terms. The Brazilian real and the Russi an rouble also rebounded from recent lows. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  Chart 2.1 Nominal effective exchange rate in dices for selected economies, January 2014 
– April 2016a 
(index, January 2014 = 100) 
405060708090100110120130
United States China Japan Euro area Brazil Russian  Federation
 
 
a Nominal effective exchange rate indices against a broad basket of currencies. 
Source:   Bank for International Settlements (BIS). 
2.9.  Dollar appreciation can cause trade denominated in other currencies (e.g. intra-EU trade) to 
be undervalued when measured in dollar terms. As a result, trade statistics in nominal dollar terms 
should be interpreted with care  under current circumstances.  
2.10.  Prices for oil and other primary commodities bottomed out in January-February but have 
rebounded somewhat since then. These trends are illustrated in Chart 2.2, which shows 
commodity price indices through April 2016. The trad itional inverse relationship between the level 
of the U.S. dollar and the price of oil has conti nued to hold, with the recent easing of the dollar 
mirrored by a modest rise in fuel prices. Despite the rebound, fuel prices were still down around 
60% in April compared to the beginning of 2014. Investment in oil production from unconventional 
sources in the United States has fallen off as energy prices have eased, but output from existing facilities remains high. Further production declines could bring about a partial recovery in fuel prices, although a return to US$100 oil/barrel is unlikely. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  Chart 2.2 Prices of primary commodities, January 2014 - April 2016 
(index, January 2014 = 100) 
20406080100120
Food and beverages Agricultural raw materials Metals Fuel 
Source: International Monetary Fund  (IMF) Primary Commodity Prices. 
 
2.11.  The IMF released its most recent economic forecasts in the World Economic Outlook (WEO)9 
in April. A modest growth of 3.2% in world output  for 2016 at purchasing power parity is forecast, 
with growth picking up to 3.5% in 2017 as emerging economies recover from recent setbacks. 
However, risks continue to be mostly on the downside, and slower growth scenarios are possible 
as economic and financial uncertainty remains high. 
2.3 Merchandise Trade 
2.12.  Chart 2.3 shows year-on-year growth in th e dollar value of merchandise trade (red line), as 
well as relative contributions to nominal trade growth from developed and developing economies (stacked bars). The dollar value of world trade fell sharply in 2015 and remained down around 
13% year-on-year through the fourth quarter. Thes e declines were explained by a combination of 
falling export and import prices and slow real tr ade growth. Under current circumstances of strong 
dollar appreciation and declining commodity prices, nominal trade statistics provide few clues about trends in the volume of world trade. However, they are more relevant for explaining the 
economic situations of natural resource exportin g countries, where quantities of goods exported 
tend to not fluctuate much over time.  
2.13.  Trade statistics in volume terms often provide a more accurate picture of trade 
developments since they exclude the influence of commodity prices and exchange rates. Chart 2.4 
shows seasonally-adjusted quarterly merchandise trade volume indices for selected economies through 2015Q4 based on data jointly prepared by the WTO and UNCTAD. The data show that 
imports and exports declined sharply in the first ha lf of 2015, particularly in the second quarter, 
but these setbacks were mostly reversed by the en d of the year. A noteworthy exception is Brazil, 
whose imports continued to slide over the course of the year as the country's economic crisis deepened. 
                                               
9 http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2016/01/  WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  Chart 2.3 Contributions to year-on-year growth in world merchandise exports and 
imports, 2012Q1 - 2015Q4 
(percentage change in US$ values) 
02
-02
-03000002 02 020201 01
-02
-07 -06 -06-0504
01
-010201000101
0001 02
-02
-06 -07-09-0706
-01
-0401
00020304
0102 02
-04
-12
-13
-15-13
-20-15-10-50510
2012Q1 2012Q2 2012Q3 2012Q4 2013Q1 2013Q2 2013Q3 2013Q4 2014Q1 2014Q2 2014Q3 2014Q4 2015Q1 2015Q2 2015Q3 2015Q4
Developed economies Developing economiesa
World, year-on-year percentage change
02
-02 -0300 -02 0001 0102 0201
-02
-07 -07 -07-0504
02 000202 020201
00 0000
-01
-05-06-07-0706
-01 -0301
00010303 02 0202
-03
-12-13
-13-12
-20-15-10-50510
2012Q1 2012Q2 2012Q3 2012Q4 2013Q1 2013Q2 2013Q3 2013Q4 2014Q1 2014Q2 2014Q3 2014Q4 2015Q1 2015Q2 2015Q3 2015Q4Exports
Imports
 
 
a Includes significant re-exports. Also includes the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). 
Note: Due to scarce data availability, Africa and Middle East are under-represented in world totals. 
Source: WTO Secretariat estimates, based on data compiled from IMF International Financial Statistics; 
Eurostat Comext Database; Global Tr ade Atlas; and national statistics. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  Chart 2.4 Volume of exports and imports of selected economies, 2012Q1 - 2015Q4 
(seasonally adjusted volume indices, 2012Q1 = 100) 
 
80859095100105110115120125130
2012Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2013Q1
Q2
Q3Q4
2014Q1
Q2Q3Q4
2015Q1
Q2Q3
Q4
80859095100105110115120125130
2012Q1
Q2
Q3Q4
2013Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2014Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2015Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4Exports
Imports
JapanEU-extra trade EU-intra trade United States
Developing Asia Brazil
 
Note: Data for the United States, Japan and the Euro pean Union were obtained from national statistical 
sources while figures for Brazil and Developing Asia are se asonally adjusted Secretariat estimates. 
Source: Source: WTO and UNCTAD Secretariats. 
2.14.  Import volumes for the United States and Japan were mostly flat in 2015, with growth 
alternating between positive and negative, but intra-EU trade continued to recover gradually. On the export side, developing Asia and Brazil saw sh ipments of goods increase in the second half of WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  the year. Seasonally-adjusted quarterly figures for China are not available, but for the year as a 
whole the country's exports were up 4.6% in vo lume terms, although imports were down 4.2%. 
2.15.  Monthly merchandise trade statistics in current U.S. dollar terms are more timely than 
quarterly statistics in volume terms. These are shown in Chart 2.5. However, since these data are 
subject to distortion from commodity prices and ex change rates, they should be interpreted with 
caution. Export and import values declined steadily in most countries throughout 2015, but values appear to have turned up in many countries the first quarter.  
2.4  Trade in Commercial Services 
2.16.  Chart 2.6 shows year-on-year growth in th e dollar value of commercial services trade for 
selected economies through 2015Q4. These data are also subject to distortion from dollar 
appreciation, and as a result they should be used with care. Large declines in countries such as 
Brazil and the Russian Federation mostly reflect depreciation of these countries' currencies. There 
is no volume indicator for services trade akin to the WTO's merchandise trade indices, but physical measures of services trade such as air passenger arrivals and container port throughput point to a 
resumption of services trade growth following a slowdown in the middle of 2015, similar to the 
trend observed for merchandise trade. 
2.5  Trade Forecast and Economic Outlook 
2.17.  The WTO's most recent trade forecast of 7 April 2016 predicted that the volume of world 
merchandise trade would grow 2.8% in 2016 and 3.6% in 2017. These projections depend on consensus estimates of world GDP by economic fo recasters (Table 2.1). Exports of developed and 
developing economies should grow at around the same rate in 2016, 2.9% in the former and 2.8% 
in the latter. Meanwhile, imports of develope d economies are expected to outpace those of 
developing countries in 2016, with a 3.3% rise compared to 1.8%. 
2.18.  Asia is expected to have the fastest export volume growth of any region this year at 3.4%, 
followed by North America and Europe, each at 3.1%. South America and Other regions
10 will lag 
further behind at 1.9% and 0.4%, respectively. North America should record import growth of 
4.1% this year, while Asian and European imports should both grow by 3.2%. Finally, imports of 
South America and Other regions are set to contract again in 2016 as the prices of oil and other 
commodities remain low, but the pace of contraction should be less than in 2015. Risks to the trade forecast remain mostly on the downside due to weaker indicators of business and consumer confidence. The financial turbulence that hit global markets in 2015 has mostly abated, but could 
return at any time, with negative consequences for trade. Trade volume statistics for the first 
quarter of 2016 were not available at the time of writing, but preliminary data suggest that world 
trade volume fell around 1% in the first quarter of 2016 compared to the last quarter of 2015. 
                                               
 10 Other regions comprise Africa, the CIS and the Middle East. 
 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 17 - 
 
  Chart 2.5 Merchandise exports and imports of selected economies, January 2011 – 
April 2016 
(US$ billion) 
United States Japan
European Union (extra-trade) China
Canada Turkey
050100150200250
Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16
0102030405060708090
Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16
050100150200250
Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16
050100150200250
Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16
0102030405060
Jan-11 J an-12 J an-13 Jan-14 J an-15 Jan-16
05101520
Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16Australia Republic of Korea
051015202530354045
Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16
0510152025
Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16
05101520
Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16Indonesia
051015202530
Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16Brazil
 
 
 
  WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 18 - 
 
  Russian Federation India
Chinese Taipei Malaysia
Thailand Argentina
Imports Exports
0102030405060
Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16
05101520253035404550
Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16
024681012
Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16South Africa
051015202530354045
Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16Singapore
05101520253035
Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16
0510152025
Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16
051015202530
Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16
0123456789
Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16
 
 
Source: IMF International Financial Statistics, Global Trade Information Services Global Trade Atlas database, 
national statistics. 
 
 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 19 - 
 
  Chart 2.6 Commercial services exports and imports of selected economies, 2014Q4 - 
2015Q4 
(year-on-year percentage change in current US$ values) 
-35-30-25-20-15-10-5051015202530
United States European Union
(extra)Japan China India Brazil Russian
Federation
-30-25-20-15-10-5051015202530
United States European Union
(extra)Japan China India Brazil Russian
FederationExports
Imports
2015Q3 2014Q4 2015Q1 2015Q2 2015Q4
 
 
Source: WTO and UNCTAD Secretariats. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 20 - 
 
  Table 2.1 Merchandise trade volume and real GDP, 2012-2017 
(annual percentage change) 
  2012 2013 2014 2015 2016a 2017a 
Volume of world merchandise trade 2.2 2.4 2.8 2.8 2.8 3.6 
Exports       
Developed economies 1.1 1.7 2.4 2.6 2.9 3.8 
Developing and emerging economies 3.8 3.8 3.1 3.3 2.8 3.3 
North America 4.5 2.8 4.1 0.8 3.1 4.0 
South and Central America 0.9 1.2 -1.8 1.3 1.9 1.9 
Europe 0.8 1.7 2.0 3.7 3.1 4.1 
Asia 2.7 5.0 4.8 3.1 3.4 4.0 
Other regionsb 3.9 0.7 0.0 3.9 0.4 0.4 
Imports       
Developed economies -0.1 -0.2 3.5 4.5 3.3 4.1 
Developing and emerging economies 4.9 5.0 2.1 0.2 1.8 3.1 
North America 3.2 1.2 4.7 6.5 4.1 5.3 
South and Central America 0.7 3.6 -2.2 -5.8 -4.5 5.1 
Europe -1.8 -0.3 3.2 4.3 3.2 3.7 
Asia 3.7 4.8 3.3 1.8 3.2 3.3 
Other regionsb 9.9 3.7 -0.5 -3.7 -1.0 1.0 
Real GDP at market exchange rates (2005) 2.2 2.2 2.5 2.4 2.4 2.7 
Developed economies 1.1 1.0 1.7 1.9 1.8 2.0 
Developing economies 4.7 4.5 4.2 3.4 3.5 4.2 
North America 2.3 1.5 2.4 2.3 2.3 2.5 
South and Central America 2.8 3.3 1.0 -1.0 -1.7 1.1 
Europe -0.2 0.4 1.5 1.9 1.8 2.0 
Asia 4.4 4.4 4.0 4.0 4.0 3.9 
Other regionsb 3.8 2.6 2.5 0.9 1.7 2.9 
a Figures for 2016 and 2017 are projections. 
b Other regions comprise Africa, the CIS and the Middle East. Sources:  WTO Secretariat (for tr ade), consensus estimates for GDP. 
3  TRADE AND TRADE-RELATE D POLICY DEVELOPMENTS 
3.1  Overview 
3.1.  The following sections provide a more in-depth analysis of selected trade and trade-related 
policy developments, including some areas which saw especially noteworthy events during the 
review period from mid-October 2015 to mid-May 2016.  
3.2.  The trade measures compiled for this report are presented in three categories: (i) measures 
that clearly facilitate trade (Annex 1); (ii) trade remedy measures (Annex 2); and (iii) other trade and trade-related measures (Annex 3).
11 The total number of measures in these three categories 
recorded over the review period was 460, i.e. 132 trade-facilitating measures, 174 trade remedy 
measures and 154 other trade and trade-related measures. 
                                               
 11 Annexes 1, 2 and 3 do not include SPS and TBT measures. These are covered separately in 
Sections 3.3 and 3.4.  Services measures are dealt with in Section 4 and listed in Annex 5. Subsidies and other forms of general economic support are outlin ed in Section 3.7 and listed in Annex 4. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 21 - 
 
  3.3.  The 132 trade-facilitating measures (Table 3.1) recorded during the period covered by this 
report represent a significant increase compared to the previous interim report, confirming the accelerating trend already observed in 2015. This equates to an average of almost 19 new trade-facilitating measures per month and represents the third highest average recorded by the 
monitoring exercise. As much as 56% of these trade-facilitating measures are tariff reductions, 
often applied on a temporary basis. The trade-faci litating measures recorded by this monitoring 
report cover 0.8% of world merchandise imports (US$148 billion)
12 compared to 0.7% reported for 
the same period last year.13 
Table 3.1 Measures facilitating trade (Annex 1)  
Type of measure Mid-
October 
2011 to 
mid-
October 
2012 Mid-
October 
2012 to 
mid-
November 
2013 Mid-
November 
2013 to 
mid-October 
2014 Mid-October 
2014 to 
mid-October 
2015 Mid-
October 
2014 to 
mid-
May 2015 
(7 months) Mid-
October 
2015 to 
mid-May 
2016 
(7 
months) 
Import 136 101 168 192 97 103 
- Tariff 120 82 145 160 83 74 
- Customs procedures 13 15 18 24 10 23 
- Tax 2 3 1 4 2 4 
- Quantitative restrictions 1 1 4 4 2 2 
Export 18 6 9 26 12 26 
- Duties 7 3 4 13 7 7 
- Quantitative restrictions 11 3 3 1 0 3 
- Other 0 0 2 12 5 16 
Other 8 0 0 4 5 3 
Total 162 107 177 222 114 132 
Average per month  13.5 8.2 16.1 18.5 16.3 18.9 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.4.  The principal sectors (HS chapters) benefiting from the trade-facilitating measures during this 
review period were: machinery and mechanical appliances, mineral fuels and oils, electrical 
machinery and equipment, and precision equipment.14 
3.5.  Trade remedy measures taken between mid-October 2015 and mid-May 2016 are listed in 
Annex 2.15 As a share of all trade and trade-related measures recorded for the review period, 
trade remedies make up 38%, which is a slightly smaller share compared to the 44% reported in 
the interim report last year. Out of the 174 trade remedy measures recorded (Table 3.2), 133, or 
more than three-quarters, were anti-dumping action s. In line with the trend identified in recent 
monitoring reports, more initiations were reco rded than terminations. Almost 17 trade remedy 
actions were initiated per month during the period under review, a significant increase compared 
                                               
12 The value of trade is calculated using the UNSD Comtrade database, and is counted at the six-digit 
tariff line level. In cases where the same product is subject to more than one measure, the trade coverage is counted only once. When the relevant HS codes were not provided or could not be clearly identified, no 
calculation was done. Import-facilitating measures in clude one measure by Ukraine (elimination of BOP 
temporary import tariffs) accounting  for 36.7%, two measures by Brazil (reduction of import tariffs on 
informatics and telecommunications) accounting for around 20%, and one from the Republic of Korea 
(reduction of import tariffs un der the APEC Environmental Goods initiative) accounting for 13.2%. 
13 WTO document WT/TPR/OV/W/9, 3 July 2015. 
14 In the previous mid-term report the sectors we re: machinery and mechanical appliances, precious 
metals (gold), transport equipment (parts and accessories of motor vehicles), precision instruments, and chemical products.  
15 The trade remedy actions that are included in Annex 2 are initiations of investigations that may lead 
to the imposition of anti-dumping, countervailing or safeguard measures. The imposition of a provisional or 
final measure following an investigation is not treated as a separate measure for th e purposes of Annex 2 (to 
avoid double-counting). In this section of the report, th e number of trade remedy actions is counted based on 
a methodology that treats an investigation involving im ports from more than one country as one trade remedy 
action, thus producing lower figures c o m p a r e d  t o  t h o s e  i d e n t i f i e d  i n  S e c t i o n  3 . 2 .  A n  a d d i t i o n a l  d i f f e r e n c e  
relates to the period covered. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 22 - 
 
  to the previous mid-year report's average of 13 measures, contrasting with the decelerating trend 
observed in 2015.    
Table 3.2 Trade remedy measures (Annex 2)  
Type of 
measure  Mid-November 
2013 to mid-
October 2014  Mid-October 2014 to 
mid-October 2015  Mid-October 2014 
to mid-May 2015 
(7 months)  Mid-October 2015 
to mid-May 2016 
(7 months)   
Initiations 
Terminations 
Initiations 
Terminations 
Initiations 
Terminations 
Initiations 
Terminations 
Trade remedy         
Anti-dumping 134 133 130 111 74 62 88 45 
Countervailing 21 15 21 14 13 9 17 5 
Safeguard 16 18 14 7 5 6 13 6 
Total 171 166 165 132 92 77 118 56 
Average per month  15.5 15.1 13.8  11.0 13.1 11.0 16.9 8.0  
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.6.  Out of the total number of trade remedy measures, 118 were initiations of new trade remedy 
investigations covering 0.38% of world merchandise imports (US$70.3 billion)16, and 56 measures 
were terminations of either investigations or existing duties covering 0.08% of world imports 
(US$14.5 billion).17 
3.7.  The number of other trade and trade-relate d measures recorded during the review period 
(Annex 3) was 154, i.e. a sharp increase in the monthly average of the introduction of such 
measures. Importantly, the monthly average of these types of measures (22) remains above the monthly average of trade-facilitating measures (Table 3.1), thus reversing the positive trend 
identified over the past couple of years. Out of the 154 measures listed in Annex 3, 116 measures 
were applied to imports with the remainder applied to either exports or in the shape of local content measures. As has been the case in the past, the most prevalent import measure remains tariffs, accounting for almost 57% of import measures in Annex 3 (Table 3.3). The 22 new 
trade-restrictive measures adopted per month by WTO Members during the review period, fall not 
far behind the peak observed in 2011 of 23 new measures per month.  
 
                                               
16 The value of trade is calculated using the UNSD Comtrade database, and is counted at the six-digit 
tariff line level. In cases where the same product is subject to more than one measure, the trade coverage is counted only once. When the relevant HS codes were not provided or could not be clearly identified, no 
calculation was done. 
17 In the previous mid-term repo rt, initiations represented 0.1% of world merchandise imports and 
terminations 0.04% of world merchandise imports. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 23 - 
 
  Table 3.3 Other trade and trade-related measures (Annex 3)  
Type of measure Mid-Oct. 
2011 to 
mid-Oct. 
2012 Mid-Oct. 
2012 to 
mid-Nov.  
2013 Mid-Nov. 
2013 to 
mid-Oct. 
2014 Mid-Oct. 
2014 to 
mid-Oct. 
2015 Mid-Oct. 
 2014 to 
mid-May 
2015 
(7 months) Mid-Oct. 
2015 to 
mid-May 
2016 
(7 months) 
Import 118 153 119 136 77 116 
- Tariff 54 106 74 88 52 66 
- Customs 
procedures 38 25 26 20 10 25 
- Tax 6 6 7 11 4 11 
- Quantitative 
restrictions 20 15 11 11 6 10 
- Other 0 1 1 6 5 4 
Export 32 27 36 31 18 24 
- Duties 8 4 12 13 8 4 
- Quantitative 
restrictions 24 11 12 5 1 7 
- Other 0 12 12 13 9 13 
Other 14 10 13 11 9 14 
Total 164 190 168 178 104 154 
Average per month  13.7 14.6 15.3 14.8 14.9 22.0 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.8.  Other trade and trade-related measures recorded in this review period cover a wide range of 
products. The main sectors (HS chapters) targeted were iron and steel, articles of iron and steel, 
machinery and mechanical appliances, and electrical machinery and equipment, accounting for 0.5% of world merchandise imports (US$89.9 billion).
18  
3.9.  Despite registering one of the highest monthly averages of trade-facilitating measures 
recorded by the monitoring exercise, the findings of this mid-term report show a higher number of other trade and trade-related measures. This reverses  a positive trend first identified in the 2014 
annual overview with the number of trade-facilitating measures now lower than the number of 
other trade and trade-related measures.
  
3.10.  The total number of what may be considered as trade-restrictive measures (including trade 
remedy measures) introduced by WTO Members since October 2008, and recorded by the periodic 
monitoring reports is 2,835.19 According to information recorded for this exercise, as of 
mid-May 2016, 708, or one-quarter of these measures had been removed leaving the stockpile of measures still in place at 2,127 – an increase of more than 11% during the review period. 
Chart 3.1 compares the stockpile of restrictive measures at mid-October 2010 with that of 
mid-May 2016.  
                                               
18 See footnote 16 above for the calc ulation of trade. The trade covera ge calculation for other trade and 
trade-related measures includes one measure by the Euro pean Union ("prior union surveillance" on imports of 
certain iron and steel products) accounting for 31.8% , one measure by Argentina (non-automatic import 
licensing requirements) acco unting for 16.1%, and one measure by India (increase of import tariffs on certain 
products (e.g. nuts, solar tempered glass, natural latex rubber, imitation jewellery; aluminium products, zinc 
alloys) accounting for 6.5%. 
19 As indicated, this figure includes initiations of trade remedy investigations counted as restrictive. It is 
without prejudice to rights of Members to take trade remedy actions.  WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 24 - 
 
  Chart 3.1 Stockpile of trade-restrictive measures 
Effectively  eliminated  measures Stockpile of restrictive  measuresBy mid-October 2010 By mid-May 2016
82
464708
2,127
546 measures 2,835 measures15.0%
85.0%25.0%
75.0%
 
 
Note: Stockpile of restrictive measures includes measures listed in Annex 3 and initiations of trade remedy 
actions. 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.11.  Overall, the introduction of more trade-restrictive than trade-facilitating measures during 
the review period has inevitably impacted the stockpile of restrictive measures negatively. In 
addition, and as noted in previous reports, existing trade restrictions are not being eliminated, or rolled back, at a rate which reduces the stockpile of trade-restrictive measures. This remains an issue of broad systemic concern for global trade. 
3.2  Trade Remedies
20 
3.12.  This section provides an assessment of trends in trade remedy actions during the period 
from January – December 2013 ("first period") in comparison with January – December 2014 
("second period") and January – December 2015 ("current period").21  
Anti-Dumping Measures 3.13.  Concerning anti-dumping, data for the curre nt period indicate a relatively constant number 
of new investigations initiated, compared with the second period, and a decline from the first 
period. Global anti-dumping initiations remained relatively constant in the current period with 230 investigations initiated, compared with 236 in the second period (Table 3.4). This represents a 20% decline from the 287 investigations initiated in the first period.   
                                               
20 In this section of the report, anti-dumping and co untervailing actions are counted on the basis of the 
number of countries affected. Thus, one anti-dumping  or countervailing action involving imports from n 
countries is counted here as n actions.  
21 These periods coincide with the Me mber's semi-annual reporting periods.  WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 25 - 
 
  Table 3.4 Initiations of anti-dumping investigations 
(counted on the basis of exporting countries affected) 
Reporting Member Jan – Dec 2013 Jan – Dec 2014 Jan – Dec 2015 
Argentina 19 6 6 
Australia 20 22 10 
Bahrain, Kingdom of; Kuwait, the State 
of; Oman; Qatar; Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of; United Arab Emirates
a  0 0  1 
Brazil 54 35 23 
Canada 17 13 3 
Chile 4 0 2 
China 11 7 11 
Colombia 11 6 7 
Costa Rica 0 0 1 
Dominican Republic 2 0 0 
Egypt 2 9 4 
European Union 4 14 12 
Guatemala 0 1 0 
India 29 38 30 
Indonesia 14 12 6 
Israel 1 0 1 
Japan 0 1 2 
Korea, Republic of 8 6 4 
Malaysia 8 8 14 
Mexico 6 14 9 
Morocco 3 1 2 
New Zealand 1 0 0 
Pakistan 6 0 12 
Peru 1 0 1 
Philippines 1 0 0 
Russian Federation, Kazakhstanb 1 7 1 
South Africa 10 2 0 
Chinese Taipei 3 0 0 
Thailand 0 0 7 
Trinidad and Tobago 0 1 0 
Turkey 6 12 16 
Ukraine 2 2 2 
United States 39 19 42 
Uruguay 0 0 1 
Viet Nam 4 0 0 
Total 287 236 230 
a Notified individually by these Members, but investigations are initiated by the Cooperation Council 
for the Arab States of the Gulf on beha lf of all of its members collectively. 
b Notified individually by these Members, but investigations are initiated by the Eurasian Economic 
Union on behalf of all of its members collectively – Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and the Russian Federation. 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.14.  During the current period, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the 
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates notified the initiation of the first investigation 
by the GCC on behalf of its members. In addition , Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation notified 
initiations of investigations by the Eurasian Economic Union, which acts on behalf of its members.  WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 26 - 
 
  3.15.  Chart 3.2 shows that from their low point in 2011, the number of anti-dumping 
investigations initiated increased to a peak of 287 initiations in 2013, before again declining, to 236 initiations, in 2014 and remaining essentially stable in 2015.    
Chart 3.2 Total anti-dumping investigation initiations by reporting Member (2008-15) 
218 217
173
165208287
236230
050100150200250300
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.16.  While anti-dumping investigations do not necessarily lead to the imposition of measures, a 
rise in the number of investigations initiated is an early indicator suggesting a likely rise in the 
number of measures imposed. 
3.17.  Regarding the Members taking actions, Ta ble 3.4 shows that Brazil initiated the most 
investigations (112) over the three periods and accounted for 15% of investigations. However, Brazil's initiations declined from the first period, in which 54 investigations were initiated, to 35 in 
the second period and 23 in the third. The Un ited States was the second largest user of 
anti-dumping over the three periods, accounting for a total of 100 investigations. U.S. initiations declined from 39 in the first period to 19 in the second period, before increasing again, to 42, in 
the current period. India was the third largest user  of anti-dumping across the three periods with 
97 investigations and Australia was the fourth largest with 52 investigations. Significant increases in the use of anti-dumping in the current period were seen by Pakistan and Thailand, while a 
substantial decline was seen by Canada.   
3.18.  Chart 3.3 shows that there was little change in the breakdown of products affected by 
anti-dumping investigations initiated during the three periods examined, with the majority of initiations focused on products in the metals , plastics and rubber and chemicals sectors.  WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 27 - 
 
  Chart 3.3 Anti-dumping initiations by product 
January - December 2013 January - December 2014
Chemicals
17%Plastics 
14%Metals
34%Other
8%
Metals
38%
Chemicals
22%Plastics
19%Other
8%
Glass / stone
8%Machinery
8%Machinery
7%Textiles
7%Paper
4% Textiles
3%Glass / stone
2%
 
 
January - December 2015
Chemicals
17%Plastics
10%Metals
46%Other
15%
Textiles
4%Paper
3%
Glass / stone
5%
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.19.  Metal products were subject to the most initiations in each period, accounting for 34% (97 
initiations) of all initiations in the first period, 38% (89 initiations) in the second period and 46% 
(104 initiations) in the current period.  WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 28 - 
 
  3.20.  A large and increasing proportion of investigations in the metals' sector focused on steel 
products. Over the three periods combined, the Un ited States (74), Australia (37), Canada (30) 
and Malaysia (22) accounted for more than half of the 290 initiations on metals. These initiations targeted mostly metal products from China (80, of which 47 involved steel products), the Republic 
of Korea (29, of which 20 involved steel products) and Chinese Taipei (20, of which 15 involved 
steel products). Certain products were the subject of multiple investigations, in many instances by a single importing Member. For instance, there were 19 investigations into cold-rolled stainless 
steel, 18 investigations into oil country tubular go ods and 12 into grain oriented electrical steel. 
Preliminary data indicates that these trends in relation to the metals sector are continuing in 2016.     
3.21.  Chemical products accounted for the second largest share of initiations over the three 
reporting periods, with 17% in the first period, 22% share in the second period and 17% in the 
current period. India accounted for 53 of the 140 new investigations on products in this sector 
over the three reporting periods, Brazil for 22, an d the European Union for nine.  These initiations 
targeted mostly chemical products from China (38) , the United States (16), the Republic of Korea 
(11) and the European Union (eight). Similarly to the metals sector investigations, investigations 
into chemical products frequently targeted the same product from different countries – 19 products accounted for 77 of the investigations in this area over the three periods.  
3.22.  Plastics and rubber ranked third over the three periods examined, accounting for 14% of all 
initiations in the first period, 19% in the second period, and 10% in the current period. Half of the 
109 plastics and rubber investigations were initiated by Brazil (57), followed by India and Egypt with eight investigations each. China was the main target of investigations in this sector (20), 
followed by India (10) and the Republic of Korea (nine).   
3.23.  In terms of countries affected by new anti-dumping investigations, 47 exporting Members 
were affected during the first period, 41 during the second period and 42 in the current period. 
China was the Member most affected by anti-dumpi ng initiations during the three reporting periods 
– investigations of Chinese products accounted for 28% of all investigations during these periods. The second most affected Member during the three reporting periods – the Republic of Korea – 
accounted for 8% of the total initiations during these periods, followed by Chinese Taipei and 
India, at 5% each.  
Countervailing Measures 3.24.  Table 3.5 shows that global initiations of countervailing duty investigations increased during 
the second period, from 33 initiations to 45 initiations. However, the number of initiations in the 
current period declined to a level similar to that of the first period.  The main users of countervailing measures over the three periods were the United States and Canada. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 29 - 
 
  Table 3.5 Initiations of countervailing duty investigations 
(counted on the basis of exporting countries affected) 
Reporting Member Jan – Dec 2013 Jan – Dec 2014 Jan – Dec 2015 
Australia 1 2 2 
Brazil 2 1 0 
Canada 4 12 3 
China 1 0  0  
Egypt 0 6 0 
European Union 5 2 2 
India 0 1  0  
Mexico 1 0 0 
Peru 0 1 0 
Russian Federation, 
Kazakhstana 0 1 0 
Turkey  0 0 1 
Ukraine  0 1 0 
United States 19 18 22 
Total 33 45 30 
a Notified individually by these Members, but investigations are initiated by the Eurasian Economic 
Union on behalf of all of its members collectively – Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and the Russian Federation. 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.25.  Chart 3.4, reflecting annual figures, shows that the number of countervail investigations 
generally increased between 2008 and 2014, the peak year.  In fact, the number of initiations recorded in 2014 (45) exceeds the previous peak of 41 initiations observed in 1999.
22 The level 
registered in 2015 is comparable to that in 2013 and 2009. 
Chart 3.4 Countervailing investigat ion initiations, (2008-2015)  
1628
925
233345
30
05101520253035404550
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
                                               
22 Report to the TPRB from the Director-General on the Financial and Economic Crisis and Trade-Related 
Developments, 26 March 2009, p. 18. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 30 - 
 
  3.26.  Among the fourteen23 Members using countervail measures during the three periods 
examined, the United States accounted for 55% of all initiations in these periods. Canada accounted for 18% and the European Union for 8%. The remaining 20% of investigations were conducted by ten different Members. During the cu rrent period, investigations were initiated by 
the United States (22), Canada (three), Australi a (two), the European Union (two) and Turkey 
(one). Over the three periods examined, 83% of countervail investigations were conducted concurrently with an anti-dumping investigation.   
3.27.  Concerning the types of products affected  by countervail investigations, Chart 3.5 shows 
that metals accounted for most of the initiations reported over the three reporting periods, representing a 36% share of all initiations in the first period, a 53% share in the second period and a 73% share in the current period. For th e three periods combined, 58 of the 108 total 
initiations covered metals, and 38 of these focused on steel products. The United States initiated 
29 of the 38 investigations of steel products. Twelve of the 38 steel-related initiations targeted products from China and five targeted produc ts from India and the Republic of Korea.  
3.28.  Plastics were the second most-targeted se ctor with 12 initiations, followed closely by 
chemicals with 11 initiations, although this sector had no initiations in the current period. In relation to plastics, investigations were initiated by Egypt (five), the United States (four) and Brazil 
(three). The United States initiated five investigations in the chemicals sector, with the remaining 
investigations conducted by Australia, Canada, Mexico and Peru which each initiated one investigation each.   
                                               
23 As with anti-dumping, fo r the purpose of these figures, the countervail investigation launched by the 
Eurasian Economic Union is counted as one.   WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 31 - 
 
  Chart 3.5 Countervailing duty initiations by product  
January - December 2013 January - December 2014
Textiles
18%Metals
36%
Metals
53%
Plastics
16%
Foodstuffs
24%Other
4%Stone/glass
6%
Minerals
9%
Chemicals
11%Plastics
6%Vehicles
4%
Animal products
4%
Machinery
7%
 
 
 
January - December 2015
Machinery
3%
Plastics
10%
Metals
73%Chemicals
10%Animal 
products
3%
 
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.29.  In terms of countries affected by new countervail investigations, 12 exporting Members 
were affected during the first period, 18 during  the second period, and 12 during the current 
period. Similarly to anti-dumping, China was the most affected Member over the three periods reviewed, with investigations into Chinese products accounting for 34% of all investigations. India, 
the second most affected Member during the three reporting periods, was the target of 14% of all 
initiations, followed by Turkey (9%).  WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 32 - 
 
  Safeguard Measures 
3.30.  Initiations of safeguard investigations peaked in the second period with 23 initiations, 
compared with 18 and 17 initiations in the first and current periods respectively (Table 3.6). 
Table 3.6 Initiations of safeguard investigations   
(number of new investigations) 
Reporting Member Jan - Dec 2013 Jan - Dec 2014 Jan - Dec 2015 
Australia 2 0 0 
Chile 2 0 4 
Chinese Taipei 1 0 0 
Colombia 4 0 0 
Costa Rica 0 1 0 
Ecuador 0 1 0 
Egypt 0 2 2 
India 3 7 2 
Indonesia 0 3 1 
Jordan 0 1 0 
Kyrgyz Rep. 1 0 0 
Malaysia 0 1 1 
Morocco 0 1 1 
Philippines 2 0 0 
South Africa 1 0 0 
Thailand 0 1 0 
Tunisia 0 2 1 
Turkey 1 3 1 
Ukraine 1 0 1 
Viet Nam 0 0 2 
Zambia 0 0 1 
Total 18 23 17 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.31.  Chart 3.6 shows a generally downward trend in safeguard initiations since 2012, except in 
2014. It is noteworthy that the highest levels of initiations since 2008 – 25 in 2009 and 24 in 2012 
- fall short of the peak of 34 initiations observed in 2002.24 The downward trend continued in 
2015.  
3.32.  Table 3.6 shows that India was the most active Member throughout the reporting periods, 
accounting for 12 of the aggregate 58 new investigations. Chile and Turkey, with a total of six and 
five investigations respectively, were also active in the periods examined.  
3.33.  In terms of product coverage, Chart 3.7 sh ows that safeguard investigations focused on a 
diverse range of sectors. As with anti-dumping and countervail initiations, metal products were the 
most affected by safeguard initiations and were the target of investigations in each of the three 
periods. Metals accounted for 33% of all safeguard initiations in the first period, 35% of initiations in the second period and 53% of initiations in the current period. India (five investigations), 
Colombia (four investigations) and Chile (four investigations) accounted for over half the 
aggregate of 23 new investigations into metals.  
3.34.  Chemicals ranked as the second most-targeted sector overall, accounting for 17% of all 
initiations in the first period and 13% in the second period, before dropping to 6% in the current 
period. India initiated five of the seven total new investigations in this sector.  
                                               
24 Report to the TPRB from the Director-General on the Financial and Economic Crisis and Trade-Related 
Developments, 20 April 2009. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 33 - 
 
  Chart 3.6 Safeguard investigation initiations (2008-2015)  
1025
20
1224
1823
17
051015202530
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 
Source: WTO Secretariat. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 34 - 
 
  Chart 3.7 Safeguard initiations by product  
January - December 2013 January - December 2014
Chemicals
17%Foodstuffs
17%Metals
33%Metals
35%
Chemicals
13%Machinery
9%Animal 
products
6%Other
6%
Other
17%
Vegetables
11%
Paper
17%Wood
9%Paper
6%
Stone/glass
6%
 
 
 
January - December 2015
Foodstuffs
12%Chemicals
6%
Metals
53%Paper
6%
Stone/glass
12%
Plastics
12%
 
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
Sunset Reviews 
3.35.  This section examines the aftereffect of the global financial crisis on anti-dumping (AD) and 
countervailing actions (CVD). It does so by anal ysing the extent to which measures imposed after 
the financial crisis have been extended, expired, or otherwise terminated. The underlying 
hypothesis is that the financial crisis may have had an impact on the imposition of trade remedy 
measures. This section, therefore, examines both the measures imposed as a result of 
investigations initiated in 2008, before the financ ial crisis, as well as those tracing back to 
investigations initiated in 2009 and 2010, when the full effects of the financial crisis were being 
felt.25 It concludes that it is still too early to determine the effect of the financial crisis on AD and 
CVD actions. 
                                               
25 Given the application requirements for anti-dumping and countervail investigations, it is assumed that 
investigations in response to the financial crisis would not have been initiated before January 2009.  WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 35 - 
 
  3.36.  The relevant WTO Agreements stipulate that anti-dumping and countervailing measures can 
remain in force only for as long as is necessary to counteract the injury caused by dumped or subsidised imports. To this effect, unless it is determined, through a so-called "sunset review", that the removal of a measure will likely lead to the continuation or recurrence of the dumping or 
subsidisation measure and related injury, such a measure must expire no later than five years 
after imposition. In the opposite case, the measure can be extended for up to an additional five years. Investigating authorities will generally invite applications for a sunset review before a 
measure expires and, in the absence of a review, the measure must lapse automatically.  
3.37.  Anti-dumping and countervailing duties imposed as a result of investigations initiated in 
2008-2010 are, as at 31 December 2015, in various stages of their lifecycle – i.e. still within the initial five-year imposition period, under review
26, extended, or expired. 
Chart 3.8 Status of measures resulting from AD and CVD investigations initiated in 2008, 
2009 and 2010 as at 31 December 2015  
020406080100120140160180
2008 2009 2010Original measure Under review Extended No longer in effect
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.38.  Most of the anti-dumping and countervailing  duties applied on the basis of investigations 
initiated in 2008 and 2009 have been subject to ex piry action in the form of a sunset review or 
have expired (Chart 3.8). This is the case for a ll of the 167 measures resulting from investigations 
initiated in 2008 and for 150 of the 164 measures applied based on investigations initiated for in 
2009. Conversely, of the 111 measures resulting from investigations initiated in 2010, the large 
majority of measures, or 79, have not yet been subject to an expiry action.  
3.39.  Table 3.7 indicates the share of sunset reviews conducted for measures imposed as a result 
of investigations initiated between 2008 and 2010 and that have since been due to expire.  
Roughly one-third of measures imposed as a result of investigations initiated in 2008, before the financial crisis, expired without a review. This proportion did not differ markedly from the measures imposed as a result of the investigations initiated in 2009 as the financial crisis set in. It 
is still too early to draw any conclusions on the proportion of measures based on investigations 
initiated in 2010 that have been reviewed.  
                                               
26 A sunset review must be initiated prior to the expiration date of the measure, but measure may 
remain in force after this date pe nding the outcome of the review.  WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 36 - 
 
  Table 3.7 Proportion of expiri ng measures that were subject to a sunset review for all 
WTO Members (based on the year the investigation was initiated)  
Expiring measures Investigation initiated in 
2008 2009 2010a 
Not reviewed 39% 29% 25% 
Reviewed  61% 71% 75% 
a Only 32 measures resulting from investigations initiated in 2010 have so far expired or been subject 
to review. 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.40.  As at 31 December 2015, 89 sunset reviews had been completed for measures resulting 
from investigations initiated in 2008, as compared to 20 for 2009 and 10 for 2010, as shown in Table 3.8. The measures were extended for 87% of the 2008 measures and 90% of the 2009 
measures - again showing no important adjustment for the financial crisis. 
3.41.  Based on current available data, there is consequently no significant change in trend 
between before and after the financial crisis, at least as related to the extension or the expiry of 
anti-dumping and countervailing actions. This does not preclude the possibility for a change in 
trend brought forth by future data, as this becomes available.   
Table 3.8 Results from completed reviews (b ased on the year the investigation was 
initiated)  
 Investigation initiated in 
 2008 2009 2010 
Number of completed reviews 89 20 10 
Measure extended 87% 90% 70% 
Expiry of measure 13% 10% 30% 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.3  Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS)27 
3.42.  Under the SPS Agreement, WTO Members are obliged to provide an advance notice of 
intention to introduce new or modified SPS measures28, or to notify immediately when emergency 
measures are imposed. The main objective of complying with the SPS notification obligations is to inform other Members about new or changed regulations that may significantly affect trade. 
Therefore, an increased number of notification s does not automatically imply greater use of 
protectionist measures, but rather enhanced transparency regarding these measures. 
3.43.  In the period from October 2015 to March 2016
29, 678 SPS notifications (regular and 
emergency, including addenda) were submitted to the WTO. Notifications from developing-country 
Members accounted for 64% of the total number. In the previous six-month period, from April through September 2015, a total of 824 notifications were submitted, of which 70% were by developing-country Members. Consequently, in the period under review, there has been a 9% 
decrease in the share of notifications made by developing-country Members as compared to the 
previous six-month period. 
                                               
27 Information presented in this section has been  retrieved from the SPS Information Management 
System (SPS IMS: http://spsims.wto.org ). This section is based on notifi cations to the WTO for the period 1 
October 2015 to 31 March 2016. 
28 Transparency obligations are contained in Article 7 and Annex B of the SPS Agreement. Annex B of 
the SPS Agreement requires that Members notify measures whose content is not substantially the same as that of an international standard, guid eline or recommendation, and when the measure may have a significant 
effect on trade.  However, the Reco mmended Procedures for Implementing the Transparency Provisions of the 
SPS Agreement, adopted by the SPS Committee in 2008 (G/SPS/7/Rev.3), recommend that Members also 
notify measures which are based on the relevant internat ional standards, and provide a broad interpretation of 
effects on trade. 
29 For the SPS section, the review period covers 1 October 2015 to 31 March 2016. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 37 - 
 
  3.44.  If we consider regular notifications (inc luding addenda), from October 2015 through March 
2016, WTO Members submitted 624 regular SPS notifi cations; 62% of which were submitted by 
developing-country Members. Compared with th e previous six-month period (April-September 
2015), there was a 16% decrease in the total number of notified measures, and a 10% decrease 
in the share of notifications made by developing-country Members. 
3.45.  The number of notifications of emergency measures also decreased compared with the 
previous period (Chart 3.9). However, the sh are of emergency notifications submitted by 
developing-country Members increased as compared to the previous period. From October 2015 
through March 2016, 87% of the 54 notifications of emergency measures were submitted by developing-country Members. For the previous period (April-September 2015), 82% of the 79 
emergency notifications had been submitted by deve loping-country Members. This high proportion 
of emergency measures notified by developing-country Members might stem from the fact that 
they do not have extensive SPS regulatory systems as developed-country Members do, and 
consequently, when facing emergency challenges, they are more likely to have to introduce new 
regulations or change existing ones. 
Chart 3.9 Number of SPS notifications, including regular, emergency and addenda 
745
513624
38579
6554
47
02004006008001 000
All Members Developing-country
MembersAll Members Developing-country
Members
Regular notifications Emergency notificationsApr. 2015-Sep. 2015 Oct. 2015-Mar. 2016
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 38 - 
 
  3.46.  Many Members are following the recommendation to notify SPS measures even when these 
are based on a relevant international standard, as this substantially increases transparency regarding SPS measures. Of the 468 regular notifi cations (excluding addenda) submitted from 
October 2015 to March 2016, 218 (47% of the total) indicated that an international standard, 
guideline or recommendation was applicable to the notified measure, out of which 53% had 
referred to Codex, 34% to IPPC and 13% to OIE (Chart 3.10). Furthermore, the notification formats include an entry asking whether the notified regulation conforms to the relevant 
international standard. Of the notifications that have identified a relevant international standard, 
79% indicated that the measure was in conformity with, or substantially the same as, the existing 
international standard, guideline or recommendation. 
Chart 3.10 Regular SPS notifications and international standards   
Codex
53%
OIE
13%
IPPC
34%None
53%Relevant 
international 
standard
47%
 
 
Note:  Codex Alimentarius (Codex),  World Organisation for Animal He alth (OIE) and International Plant 
Protection Convention (IPPC).  
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
 
3.47.  International standards often provide useful guidance regarding measures to address 
disease outbreaks and other emergency situations . Indeed, 98% of the 41 emergency notifications 
(excluding addenda) submitted from October 2015 to March 2016 indicated that an international 
standard, guideline or recommendation was applicable to the notified measure (Chart 3.11). They all indicated that the measure was in conformity with the existing international standard. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 39 - 
 
  Chart 3.11 Emergency SPS notifications and international standards 
Codex
0%
OIE
80%
IPPC
20%None
2%Relevant 
international 
standard
98%
 
 
Note: Codex Alimentarius (Codex), World Organisation for Animal Heal th (OIE) and International Plant 
Protection Convention (IPPC).  
Source: WTO Secretariat 
3.48.  Of the 468 regular notifications (excluding addenda) submitted from October 2015 to March 
2016, the majority were related to food safety.30 The remaining notifications related to plant 
protection, animal health, the protection of the Member's territory from other damage from pests 
and the protection of humans from animal dise ases or plant pests. Several of the regular 
notifications identified more than one objective per measure. 
3.49.  Of the 41 emergency measures (excluding addenda) notified in the same period, the 
majority related to animal health, followed by fo od safety, measures related to the protection of 
humans from animal diseases or plant pests, plan t protection and the protection of the Member's 
territory from other damage from pests. Similarly, the majority of emergency notifications during this period identified more than one objective per measure. 
3.50.  While there is no formal provision for "counter notification", concerns regarding the failure 
to notify an SPS measure, or on a notified measure, can be raised as a specific trade concern (STCs) at any of the three regular meetings of the SPS Committee each year.
31 In the two 
Committee meetings of October 2015 and March 2016, 12 new STCs were raised. Five of these 
STCs related to animal health, three to food safety , three to plant health and one to other types of 
concerns (Table 3.9). 
3.51.  One new STC which had been included on the proposed agenda for the March 2016 meeting 
was withdrawn following bilateral consultations, namely, Indonesia's concerns regarding exports of 
Indonesian mangoes to the Republic of Korea. Furthermore, at the March 2016 meeting, two STCs were reported as resolved.
32 
                                               
30 The objective of an SPS measure falls under one or more of the following cate gories:  (i) food safety, 
(ii) animal health, (iii) plant protection, (iv) protect hu mans from animal/plant pest or disease, and (v) protect 
territory from other damages from pests.  Members are required to identify the purpose of the measure in their 
notifications. It is not uncommon for more than  one objective to be id entified for a measure. 
31 Specific trade concerns (STCs) with respect to  SPS measures are only raised at SPS Committee 
meetings. The information in this section summarizes the STCs raised at the October 2015 and March 2016 
SPS Committee meetings. 
32 These were STC 386 and 397. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 40 - 
 
  Table 3.9 SPS new specific trade concerns raised between October 2015 and March 2016  
STC Document title Members 
maintaining the 
measure Members 
raising 
the 
concern Members 
supporting 
the 
concern Date raised Primary 
objective 
397 India's amendment to its 
import policy conditions for apples; Restriction to Nhava Sheva port India Chile, New 
Zealand United 
States, European Union 14/10/2015 Other 
concerns 
398 Viet Nam's restrictions 
on fruit due to fruit flies Viet Nam Chile  14/10/2015 Plant 
health 
399 Viet Nam's restrictions 
on plant products Viet Nam Chile  14/10/2015 Plant 
health 
400 Undue delays in the start 
of Australia's risk 
analysis for avocados Australia Chile  14/10/2015 Plant 
health 
401 Undue delays in Viet 
Nam's approval process for dairy and meat products Viet Nam Chile  14/10/2015 Animal 
health 
402 Undue delays in 
Australia's approval 
process for chicken meat Australia Chile  14/10/2015 Animal 
Health 
403 
 India's amended 
standards for food additives India European 
Union Chile, 
United States 14/10/2015 Food 
Safety 
404 Revised veterinary 
health certificates for the 
import of cattle, sheep 
and goats from 
Botswana, Lesotho, 
Namibia and Swaziland South Africa Namibia Botswana, 
Swaziland 16/03/2016 Animal 
Health 
405 Import restrictions due 
to Schmallenberg virus  China European 
Union  16/03/2016 Animal 
Health 
406 Import restrictions due 
to Highly Pathogenic 
Avian Influenza China European 
Union  16/03/2016 Animal 
Health 
407 Restrictions on exports 
of pork from the State of Santa Catarina European Union Brazil  16/03/2016 Food 
Safety 
408 Restrictions on exports 
of beef and poultry Nigeria  Brazil  16/03/2016 Food 
Safety 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.52.  Twenty-four previously raised STCs were  discussed at the October 2015 or March 2016 SPS 
Committee meetings (sixteen of which being discussed in both meetings), with five having 
addressed persistent problems that have been discussed seven times or more. In particular, two STCs have been discussed on 20 or more occasion s (Table 3.10). In addition, one STC raised for 
the first time in October 2015 was discussed again in March 2016.
33 
                                               
33 This was STC 403. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 41 - 
 
  Table 3.10 Previously-raised SPS specific trade concerns discussed in October 2015 
and/or March 2016  
STC Document title Members 
maintaining 
the measure Members 
raising the 
concern Members 
supporting the 
concern First date 
raised Times 
subsequently 
raised 
193 General import 
restrictions due to Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) Certain 
Members, specifically Australia; China; Japan; Korea, Republic of; Ukraine European 
Union, United States Canada, 
Switzerland, Uruguay 01/06/2004 26 
238 Application and 
modification of the 
EU Regulation on 
Novel Foods European Union Colombia, 
Ecuador, Peru Argentina; Benin;  
Bolivia, 
Plurinational 
State of; 
Brazil;  Chile;  
China; 
Costa Rica; Cuba;  
El Salvador; 
Guatemala; 
Honduras; India;  
Indonesia; 
Mexico; 
Nicaragua; 
Paraguay; 
Philippines; 
Uruguay; 
Venezuela, 
Bolivarian 
Republic of 01/03/2006 20 
354 Import restrictions 
in response to the Japanese nuclear power plant accident Certain 
Members, specifically China; Chinese Taipei; Hong Kong, China Japan  27/06/2013 7 
289 Measures on 
catfish United States  China  28/10/2009 6 
358 Import conditions 
for pork and pork products India European 
Union Canada 16/10/2013 6 
373 United States high 
cost of certification 
for mango exports United States India Brazil, 
Dominican 
Republic 09/07/2014 5 
374 European Union 
ban on mangoes and certain vegetables European Union India Dominican 
Republic,Nigeria 09/07/2014 5 
375 United States 
non-acceptance of 
OIE categorization 
for BSE United States India  09/07/2014 5 
378 European Union 
withdrawal of 
equivalence for 
processed organic products European Union India  09/07/2014 5 
356 European Union 
phytosanitary 
measures on citrus 
black spot European Union South Africa Argentina, Brazil, 
Zambia 27/06/2013 4 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 42 - 
 
  STC Document title Members 
maintaining 
the measure Members 
raising the 
concern Members 
supporting the 
concern First date 
raised Times 
subsequently 
raised 
382 European Union 
revised proposal for categorization 
of compounds as 
endocrine disruptors  European Union United States Argentina, Brazil,
 
Canada, Chile, 
China, 
Colombia, Costa 
Rica, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, India,
 
Jamaica, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan,
 
Paraguay, Peru, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Viet Nam, South Africa, Egypt, Burkina Faso, Uruguay 25/03/2014 4 
387 Chinese Taipei's 
import restrictions 
in response to the 
nuclear power 
plant accident Chinese Taipei Japan  26/03/2015 3 
383 
 China's measures 
on bovine meat China India  26/03/2015 2 
388 United States 
proposed rule for 
user fees for 
agricultural 
quarantine and 
inspection services United States Mexico  26/03/2015 2 
390 Russian 
Federation's import restrictions on processed fishery products from Estonia and Latvia Russian 
Federation European 
Union  15/07/2015 2 
392 China's import 
restrictions due to 
African swine 
fever China European 
Union  15/07/2015 2 
393 Republic of 
Korea's import restrictions due to African swine fever Korea, Republic 
of European 
Union  15/07/2015 2 
394 Costa Rica's 
suspension of the 
issuing of 
phytosanitary 
import certificates 
for avocados Costa Rica Guatemala, 
Mexico South Africa, 
United States  15/07/2015 2 
395 China's proposed 
amendments to the implementation regulations on safety assessment of agricultural GMOs China Paraguay, 
United States   15/07/2015 2 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 43 - 
 
  STC Document title Members 
maintaining 
the measure Members 
raising the 
concern Members 
supporting the 
concern First date 
raised Times 
subsequently 
raised 
396 European Union 
proposal to amend 
regulation (EC) 
No. 1829/2003 to 
allow EU member 
States to restrict 
or prohibit the use 
of genetically 
modified food and 
feed European Union Argentina, 
Paraguay, 
United States Brazil, Canada, 
Uruguay 15/07/2015 2 
294 Import restrictions 
on plant and plant products  Malaysia Brazil Japan 15/7/2015 1 
385 General import 
restrictions due to 
highly pathogenic 
avian influenza Certain 
Members European 
Union  26/03/2015 1 
386 Measures on 
imports of hibiscus flowers Mexico Nigeria Senegal, Burkina 
Faso 26/03/2015 1 
389 Chinese import 
regime, including 
quarantine and 
testing procedures 
for fish China Norway  15/07/2015 1 
 Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.4  Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT)34 
3.53.  Under the TBT Agreement, WTO Members are obliged to notify their intention to introduce 
new or modified TBT measures, or to notify im mediately after adopted emergency measures are 
imposed. The main objective of complying with the TBT notification obligations is to inform other 
Members about new or changed regulations that may significantly affect trade.35 Therefore, an 
increased number of notifications does not necessarily imply greater use of protectionist or 
unnecessarily trade-restrictive measures. TBT notification obligations are meant to promote 
enhanced transparency regarding measures taken to address legitimate policy objectives, such as the protection of human, animal or plant life or health, or the environment. 
3.54.  During the period from 1 October 2015 to 30 April 2016, WTO Members submitted 1,025 
new notifications of TBT measures
36, of which around 79% were submitted by developing-country 
Members.37 The overall number of regular notifications is only slightly lower than in the period 
January – September 2015,38 although the proportion from developing countries is higher. Overall, 
2015 recorded the fourth largest number of notifications since 1995.39 In total, 1,988 TBT 
notifications were submitted in 2015 by 73 Member s. Since the entry into force of the Agreement 
and up to 31 December 2015, a total 25,390 TBT notifications (including new notifications, 
revisions, addenda and corrigenda) have been submitted by 128 Members. The United States 
(1,200), Brazil (533), Ecuador (529), Colombia (323) and the European Union (307) have notified the largest number of addenda and corrigenda since 1995.
40  Amongst the 1,438 new notifications 
                                               
34 For the TBT section, the review period covers 1 October 2015 to 30 April 2016. 
35 More specifically, under the TBT Agreement, WTO Members are not required to notify all proposed 
TBT measures (technical regulations or conformity assess ment procedures). Rather, they are only required to 
notify those measures that may have a significant effect on trade  of other Members and are not in accordance 
with a relevant international standard. However, the TBT Committee in its Sixth Triennial Review encouraged 
Members, "for the purpose of enhancing predictability an d transparency in situations where it is difficult to 
establish or foresee whether a draft technical regulation or conformity  assessment procedure may have a 
'significant effect on tr ade of other Members', to notify such measures." 
36 See http://tbtims.wto.org  
37 This total number of developing-country Members' notifications (808) includes those made by the CIS 
Members (35). LDC Members submitted 53 regular notifications. 
38 From 1 January 2015 to 25 September 2015 the overall number of regular notifications was 1,040, 
the great majority of which (around 84%) were fro m developing-country Memb ers, including LDCs.  
39 G/TBT/38/Rev.1 
40 G/TBT/38/Rev.1 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 44 - 
 
  received in 2015 the main indicated objectives41 were: protection of human health or safety 
(71%); prevention of deceptive practices and co nsumer protection (24%); quality requirements 
(21%); and protection of the environment (16%).42 
3.55.  Any Member may raise Specific Trade Concerns (STCs) with respect to TBT measures taken 
or proposed by other Members.43 These STCs are frequently discussed in the regular meetings of 
the TBT Committee, with around 50 STCs discussed per meeting in recent years (Chart 3.14). Depending on the extent of the trade-restrictiveness  and importance of the issue to the Members 
raising the STC, the same measure may come up at one or more meetings of the TBT Committee. 
For example, a STC may be discussed at only one meeting (as a new STC), and subsequently a 
resolution to the trade concern may be found; on the other hand, an STC may be discussed at subsequent meetings ( previously raised STC ), usually reserved for long-standing and more serious 
concerns.  
 3.56.  In 2015, 37 new STCs were raised, compared with 47 in the previous year. In addition, 49 
previously raised STCs were discussed during the year, the second highest number in any given 
year since 1995. Overall, 86 STCs were discussed in  2015, the second highest peak after that of 
2012. Since 1995 and up to 30 April 2016, Members have raised 501 new STCs. An upward trend 
in STCs has been observed since 2005 (Chart 3.12).
44  
3.57.  As illustrated by Chart 3.13, there is a marked correlation between the number of new 
notifications and new STCs raised each year. On average, since 1995, around 68% of STCs discussed in TBT Committee meetings relate to notified measures. 
3.58.  Members raised in total 28 new STCs during the Committee meetings that fell within the 
reviewed period (17 new STCs were raised during 4-5 November 2015 meeting of the TBT Committee, and 11 new STCs were raised during the 9-10 March 2016 meeting). Overall, 116 new 
and previously-raised STCs were discussed during  review period, keeping with the trend of a 
greater number of STCs being discussed per meeting as well as per year. Chart 3.14 shows the total number of STCs discussed per Committee meeting since March 2006. This upward trend, 
from 63 STCs discussed in 2006 to 161 discussed in 2015, shows that the Committee has spent 
more time discussing STCs than any other item on the agenda (only an average of around 20 STCs were discussed per meeting in 2006 while that figure was around 50 in 2015
45).  
 
                                               
41 A TBT measure may pursue a variety of legitimate objectives, although historically the majority falls 
under one of the following categories: the protection  of human, animal or plant life or health, or the 
environment. Members are required to identify the purpose of the measure in their notifications. It is not uncommon that more than one objective is identified for a measure. 
42 See the 21st Annual Review of the Implementation and Operation of the TBT Agreement (G/TBT/38, 
24 March 2016). 
43 Members use the TBT Committee as a forum to disc uss trade issues related to specific measures 
(technical regulations, standards or conformity assess ment procedures) maintained by other Members. These 
are referred to as "specific trade concerns" (STCs) and no rmally relate to proposed draft measures notified to 
the TBT Committee or to the implementation of existing  measures. Issues raised range from simple requests 
for additional information and clarific ations to questions on the consistency of measures with TBT Agreement 
disciplines. 
44 Details on STCs raised in the TBT Committee are available through the TBT IMS 
(http://tbtims.wto.org ).  
45 G/TBT/38/Rev.1, para. 3.20. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 45 - 
 
  Chart 3.12 STCs raised with respect to Members' TBT measures  
4712 12 13 12 121926 2832 3259
313849 47
13152015 141224273246
294335
424737
11
172232
27 27
2436465874
617594
738586
58
0102030405060708090100110120
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016New concerns Previous concerns
 
Note: This chart counts the number of TBT measur es discussed as STCs per year. The data for 2016 
include only the STCs raised at the March 2016 Committee meeting. Previously raised concerns are counted only once even if they are raised in subsequent meetings. 
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
Chart 3.13 Number of notificati ons versus number of new STCs 
05101520253035404550
020040060080010001200140016001800
Number of notifications New STCsNotifications
New STCs
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 46 - 
 
  Chart 3.14 STCs discussed per commi ttee meeting, March 2006 – March 2016 
12
57813
613
8111917
10
671615 1513 13 14
8131415161318
81217
118
16151217
1821
25242430
31
29 273029364252
45
2828253635
3135
47383949
010203040506070
New concerns Previously raised concerns
 
Note: This chart counts the number of STCs on the agenda of the TBT Committee per meeting. Note that 
the same STC can be raised at all three meetings in a year and, in this char t, is counted every time 
it is discussed.  
Source: WTO Secretariat. See the 21th Annual Review  of the Implementation and Operation of the TBT 
Agreement (G/TBT/38, 24 March 2016). 
3.59.  Table 3.11 shows the list of all new STCs raised during the Committee meetings that fell 
within the review period. 
3.60.  The three main product categories subject to STCs (new and previous) raised during the 
review period were cement, electronic, electrical devices and tobacco (plain packaging). Trade 
concerns related to toy safety also featured on the agenda, with a total of seven STCs (two of 
which were new). Measures taken by Singapore an d Hungary on tobacco products, as well as by 
India and South Africa on alcoholic beverages, were the subject of new STCs. Almost half of all 
new STCs raised during the Committee meetings concerned measures aimed at the protection of 
human health. 
Table 3.11 New STCs raised during November 2015 and March 2016 Committee 
meetings  
Member 
maintaining the 
measure (in 
alphabetical 
order) STC title Stated objective Product coverage Members 
raising the 
concern 
Bolivia, 
Plurinational State of Food Labelling and 
Advertising Law Public health objectives 
of reducing obesity and related non-communicable, as well 
as diet-related diseases Food United States; 
Guatemala; European Union; Canada 
Brazil  Toy Certification; Ordinance 
No. 89, No. 310 and draft 
administrative rule No. 321 
(ID 478) Protection of Human 
health or safety Toys  Canada; United 
States; European 
Union WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 47 - 
 
  Member 
maintaining the 
measure (in 
alphabetical 
order) STC title Stated objective Product coverage Members 
raising the 
concern 
China  Interim Measures for 
Quality Management of Commercial Coal (G/TBT/N/CHN/1057) (ID 477) Protection of Human 
health or safety; Protection of the environment;  Quality requirements Coal Canada; 
Australia 
China Insurance Regulatory 
Commission (CIRC) 
Information and 
Communication Technology 
Regulation (ID 489) National security 
requirements ICT; Insurance 
sector Canada; Japan; 
United States;  
European Union 
China Guidance for Notification 
and Registration for New 
Chemicals (ID 490) Protection of the 
environment; Protection 
of Human health or safety Chemicals United States 
China  Formula Registration 
Regulation for Infant and 
Follow-up Formula 
(G/TBT/N/CHN/1165) To strictly control infant 
formula products Infant formula 
products Republic of 
Korea; European 
Union; Japan 
Colombia Testing Requirements to be 
met by Toys and their Components and Accessories (ID 479) N/A Toys  Canada; United 
States 
European Union Restriction on Polycyclic 
Aromatic Hydrocarbons 
(PAHs) in Tyres as specified 
in Annex XVII of REACH 
(ID 480) N/A Tyres China 
European Union Withdrawal of equivalence 
for processed organic products (ID 483) Protection of Human 
health or safety Organic products India 
European Union Proposal for a Directive of 
the European Parliament 
and of the Council on the 
Cloning of Animals of the 
bovine, porcine, ovine, 
caprine and equine species 
kept and reproduced for 
farming purposes (197) and 
Proposal for a Council 
Directive on the placing on 
the market of food from 
animal clones (198) 
(G/TBT/N/EU/197 and 
G/TBT/N/EU/198) (ID 492) Protection of animal or 
plant life or health Live bovine animals, 
live swine, live sheep 
and goats, live 
horses, asses, mules 
and hinnies, other 
live animals.  
All food from animal 
clones. Brazil; United 
States 
France Amendment 367 on 
Biodiversity Law  Better protection of 
natural resources and ecosystems Palm oil used in food Indonesia; Brazil 
India Secondary cells and 
batteries containing alkaline 
or other non-acid 
Electrolytes 
(G/TBT/N/IND/47/Add.1) 
(ID 482) Protection of Human 
health or safety 
Secondary cells, 
batteries Protection of Human 
health or safety 
Secondary cells, 
batteries Republic of 
Korea; United 
States 
India The Stainless Steel 
Products (Quality Control) Order, 2015 (ID 486) Protection of Human 
health or safety; Quality requirements Stainless steel sheets and strips for utensils Protection of Human 
health or safety; Quality requirements Stainless steel sheets and strips for utensils European Union WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 48 - 
 
  Member 
maintaining the 
measure (in 
alphabetical 
order) STC title Stated objective Product coverage Members 
raising the 
concern 
India Amendments in the import 
policy conditions applicable 
to apples (ID 487) N/A Apples  European Union; 
New Zealand; 
United States, 
Chile; Australia 
India Draft Food Safety and 
Standards (Alcoholic Beverages Standards) Regulations, 2015 (G/TBT/N/IND/51) Protection of human 
health Alcoholic beverages 
(spirits, wines and beers) European Union; 
United States; Japan; Australia; Chile; New Zealand; Guatemala; Canada 
Indonesia Halal Product Assurance 
Law No. 33 of 2014 Consumer protection or 
ensuring that consumers 
to know whether 
products are halal Food and beverages, 
pharmaceutical and 
cosmetics United States; 
European Union; 
Brazil 
Hungary Proposal for Government 
Decree on the amendment of Government Decree 39/2013 (of 14 February 2013) on the Manufacture, Placement on the Market and Control of Tobacco Products, Combined 
Warnings and the Detailed 
Rules for the Application of the Health-Protection Fine (G/TBT/N/HUN/31) Public health policy, 
protection of consumers from the negative effects of tobacco products Tobacco products Indonesia; 
Dominican Republic; Guatemala; Cuba; Nigeria 
Bahrain, Kingdom 
of; the State of 
Kuwait; Saudi 
Arabia, Kingdom 
of; Qatar Motor Vehicles: General 
Requirements "No. GSO 
42:2003" (ID 485) Consumer information, 
Labelling Motor vehicles European Union 
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Draft for update of the 
Technical Regulation No. SASO 2857:2014 "Vehicle Tires Rolling Resistance and Wet Grip Requirements" (ID 488) Consumer information, 
Labelling  Vehicle tires  European Union 
Republic of Korea Standards and 
Specifications for Wood 
Products 
(G/TBT/N/KOR/599) (ID 
491) Quality requirements; 
Prevention of deceptive 
practices and consumer 
pro Forest products (fire 
retardant treated wood, 
wood plastic composite 
and oriented strand 
board).  Quality 
requirements; 
Prevention of 
deceptive practices 
and consumer pro 
Forest products (fire 
retardant treated 
wood, wood plastic 
composite and 
oriented strand 
board).  United States; 
Canada 
Singapore Plain Packaging for Tobacco 
Products (ID 484) Consumer information, 
Labelling; Protection of 
Human health or safety Tobacco Indonesia, 
Dominican 
Republic, 
Guatemala WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 49 - 
 
  Member 
maintaining the 
measure (in 
alphabetical 
order) STC title Stated objective Product coverage Members 
raising the 
concern 
South Africa  Amendment to Regulations 
Relating to Health 
Messages on Container 
Labels of Alcoholic 
Beverages 
(G/TBT/N/ZAF/48/Rev.1) Protection of human 
health Alcoholic beverages European Union; 
Canada; 
Guatemala 
Russian 
Federation  Rules of cement 
certification To fight against sharp 
decrease in cement quality in circulation in the Russian Federation and urgent problems of 
safety, health and 
environmental protection Cement European Union; 
Mexico 
Russian 
Federation Implementation plan 
related to excise tax on 
palm oil and soda products N/A Palm oil and soda 
products Indonesia 
Russian Federation Measure affecting the 
import of Ukrainian wallpaper (ID 476) Protection of Human 
health or safety; Protection of the environment Wallpaper Ukraine 
Thailand Milk Code – Draft Act on 
Controlling to the Marketing 
Promotion on Food for 
Infant and Young Children 
and Other Related Products 
BE (G/TBT/N/THA/471) Ensuring that marketing 
of infant formula did not 
negatively impact 
breastfeeding Food and other 
related products for 
infant and young 
children up to 36 
months of age United States 
United Arab 
Emirates  Control scheme to restrict 
the use of hazardous materials in electronic and electrical devices Protection of human 
health and environment Electronic and 
electrical devices European Union 
United Arab 
Emirates Labelling - Energy efficiency 
label for electrical 
appliances (ID 481) N/A Electrical appliances, 
air conditioners Republic of Korea 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.61.  Eight of the total 88 previously-raised STCs (Table 3.12) discussed during the Committee 
meetings that fell within the review period addressed persistent concerns that have been discussed 
in the Committee for a number of years (10 or more times). The majority (more than 50%) of the 
persistently raised STCs relate to the objective of the protection of human health and safety.  
Table 3.12 Persistently raised STCs disc ussed during the November 2015 and March 
2016 Committee meetings 
No. Persistently raised STCs Frequency 
1 India - Pneumatic tyres and tubes for automotive vehicles. 29 times 
2 India - Drugs and Cosmetics Rules 2007  (not raised during March 2016).  21 times 
3 China - Provisions for the Administration of Cosmetics Application . 17 times 
4 India - New Telecommunications related Rules (Department of Telecommunications, No. 
842-725/2005-VAS/Vol.III (3 December 20 09); No. 10-15/2009-AS -III/193 (18 March 
2010); and Nos. 10-15/2009-AS.III/Vol.II/(Pt.)/(25-29) (28 July 2010); Department of 
Telecommunications, No. 10-15/2009-AS.III/Vol.II/(Pt.)/(30) (28 July 2010) and 
accompanying template, "Security and Business Continuity Agreement") . 17 times 
5 China – Requirements for information security products, including, inter alia, the Office of 
State Commercial Cryptography Administration (OSCCA) 1999 Regulation on commercial 
encryption products and its on-going revisi on and the Multi-Level Protection Scheme 
(MLPS) . 16 times WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 50 - 
 
  No. Persistently raised STCs Frequency 
6 Indonesia - Technical Guidelines for the Impl ementation of the Adoption and Supervision 
of Indonesian National Standards for Obligatory Toy Safety . 13 times 
7 Republic of Korea – Regulation on Regist ration and Evaluation of Chemical Material . 13 times 
8 Russian Federation – Draft on Technical Regula tion of Alcohol Drinks Safety (published on 
24 October 2011) . 13 times 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.5  Trade Concerns Raised in Other WTO Bodies 
3.62.  During the period covered by this report a number of other trade concerns were raised by 
Members in formal meetings of various WTO bodies.46 With a view to increasing transparency, this 
section aims to provide a brief and factual overview of such concerns raised between 
mid-October 2015 and mid-May 2016.47 As this section does not seek to reproduce the full 
substantive description of the trade concerns described by Members, a specific reference is made 
to the relevant formal meeting where a particular issue was raised. For the full account and 
context of the concerns, Members are invited to consult the records of the respective WTO bodies. The list of concerns and issues mentioned in this section is not exhaustive. 
3.63.  At the meeting of Council for Trade in Goods  (CTG) on 10 November 2015
48, new concerns 
were raised on (i) China's measures relating to trade in seafood, including quarantine and testing procedures, import licences for salmon, and lack of indication about the list of Norwegian companies authorized to export seafood to China (issue raised by Norway); (ii) India's port 
closures for apple imports (Chile, China, European Union, New Zealand and United States)
49; and 
(iii) Brazil's industrial nitrocellulose import ban/non automatic import licences50 (European Union). 
3.64.  Trade concerns were also again raised on (i) Nigeria's restrictive measures intended to 
preserve foreign exchange reserves which affected imports of sea products as well as agricultural 
products, plastics, aircraft and aircraft parts, and metal and metal products; (ii) Nigeria's local content requirements in the oil and gas industry (Chile, European Union, Iceland, Norway, 
Malaysia, Switzerland, Thailand, United States and Uruguay); (ii) Indonesia's import and export 
restricting policies and practices (Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chinese Taipei, European Union, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland and United Stat es); (iv) Pakistan's Regulatory Order No. 1125 
on domestic sales taxes imposing a sales tax of 17% on imported goods, while similar domestically 
produced goods are taxed at 5%
51 (Canada, European Union, Japan, Switzerland and 
United States); (v) Ecuador's import restricting measures on automobiles adopted since 2012 and extended to end December 2015 (Canada; Japan; Korea, Rep. of; Mexico and United States); 
(vi) Ecuador's balance of payment (BOP) measures
52 (Chile, Colombia, European Union, Japan, 
Panama, Peru, Switzerland and United States); and (vii) Ukraine's customs valuation issues based on Resolution 724 providing indicative prices for customs valuation purposes (Iceland, Norway and 
Switzerland). 
3.65.  At the 15 April 2016 meeting of the CTG
53 new trade concerns were raised on (i) the 
Russian Federation's Presidential Decree No. 1 and Government Resolution No. 1 of January 2016, 
banning all international transit of cargo by road and rail from Ukraine to Kazakhstan through the 
territory of the Russian Federation (Australia; Ca nada; European Union; Jamaica; Japan; Korea, 
Rep. of; Turkey; Ukraine and United States)54; (ii) the United States' seafood import monitoring 
                                               
46 This section does not include SPS and TBT Committees (covered separately) or issues brought to the 
Dispute Settlement Body. Some of the trade conc erns raised may be the subject of a dispute. 
47 Members and Observers are encouraged to communic ate to the WTO's Trade Policy Review Division 
the non-tariff measures which they have raised in WT O bodies and which they believe are relevant to the 
monitoring exercise. 
48 Minutes G/C/M/124. 
49 The issue has already been raised at the Committees  on Agriculture, Import Licensing, Sanitary and 
Phytosanitary Measures, and Te chnical Barriers to Trade. 
50 This issue has also been raised at the Import Lice nsing Committee. 
51 The issue had also been raised during Pakistan's Trade Policy Review. 
52 This issue has also been raised at the Committee on Balance-of-Payments (BOPs) Restrictions. 
53 Minutes G/C/M/125 (forthcoming). 
54 The issue was also raised at the General Council meeting in February 2016. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 51 - 
 
  programme to prevent the Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing55 (Norway and 
Russian Federation); and (iii) India's trade restrictions, including minimum import prices for steel products, the increase in customs duties for tariffs for 96 tariff lines, the safeguard measures applied to the steel sector and the conformity assessment procedures for ICT products (Australia; 
Canada; Chile; China; European Union; Korea, Re p. of; New Zealand and United States). Trade 
concerns were raised on six additional issues th at had already been brought to the CTG attention 
on previous occasions on (i) Indonesia's import and export restrictions; (ii) China's measures 
applied to seafood; (iii) Nigeria's import restricting measures; (iv) Ecuador's BOP measures; (v) 
Ukraine's customs valuation legislation; and (vi) Pakistan's discriminatory taxes. 
3.66.  At the meeting of the Committee on Market Access  on 19 April 2016
56 new concerns were 
raised on (i) India's increased import duties on certain telecommunication equipment 
(European Union, Japan and United States); (ii) the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's increased import 
duties on cigarettes and its potential implications on the Gulf Cooperation Council common external tariff (Switzerland); (iii) the Russian Federation's export ban on raw hides and skins 
(European Union); and (vi) the United States' restrictions on trade in sturgeon, which include an 
import ban on five species for environmental reasons and labelling requirements for certain hybrid species (European Union). Trade concerns were raised again on the Kingdom of Bahrain's apparent 
violation of bound duties on cigarettes (Switzerland).
  
3.67.  At the meeting of the Committee of Participants on the Expansion of Trade in Information 
Technology Products57 on 18 April 2016, trade concerns were raised regarding India's Customs 
Notification No. 11/2014 on the increased 10% import duties on certain telecommunication 
equipment with concessions that are bound at duty-free levels (European Union; Japan; Korea, 
Rep. of and United States). 
3.68.  In the Committee on Agriculture58 a number of questions and concerns were raised with 
respect to Members' individual notifications and on implementation-related issues under Article 
18.6. During the period concerned, a total of 93 questions were discussed, including on individual notifications (65 questions) and under Article 18.6 (27 questions on 24 implementation-related 
issues), as well as one question on overdue no tifications. Additional details regarding these 
questions and concerns can be found in Section 3.6 of this report. 
3.69.  At the meeting of the Committee on Customs Valuation
59, concerns were repeated on (i) the 
alleged use by Armenia of reference prices (United States); and (ii) Indonesia's lack of 
notifications on Pre-Shipment Inspection measures (United States). 
3.70.  A number of concerns were repeated at the meeting of the Committee on Import Licensing60  
on (i) Indonesia's import licensing regime for cell phones, handheld computers and tablets (United 
States); (ii)  Brazil's regulatory requirements for imports of nitrocellulose (European Union); 
(iii) India's import licensing requirements on boric acid (United States); (iv) Bangladesh's import licensing procedures and in particular with respect to the importation of medicines (United States); 
(v) Mexico's steel import licensing programme (Canada and United States); and (vi) Viet Nam's 
importation of distilled spirits (United States). New trade concerns were raised on (i) Malaysia's import licensing regime on passenger and commercial vehicles, rice, round cabbage, unroasted green beans, logs and wood, as well as its halal certificate administration (European Union); and 
(ii) Morocco's import licensing requirements on the importation of certain arms and gear wheels 
(European Union). 
3.71.  At the Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures  meetings
61 concerns were 
raised with respect to countervailing duty actions on (i) Canada's provisional measure on certain 
hot-rolled steel plate (Russian Federation); (ii) China's investigation on imports of dried grains with or without solubles (DDGS) (United States); (iii) the European Union's investigation on 
                                               
55 The IUU fishing issue has also been discussed at the Committee on Trade and Environment. 
56 Minutes to be distributed under G/MA/M/63 (forthcoming). 
57 Minutes to be distributed under G/IT/M/64 (forthcoming). 
58 Questions and responses to the issues raised under the review process in the CoA meeting on 9 
March 2016 are available in G/AG/W/151 issued on 13 May 2016. 
59 Meeting of 25 April 2016, Minutes G/VAL/M/62 (forthcoming). 
60 Meeting of 21 April 2016, Minutes G/LIC/M/43 (forthcoming). 
61 Meetings of 27 October 2015 and 26-27 April 2016, Minutes G/SCM/M/95 and G/SCM/M/97. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 52 - 
 
  imports of aquaculture products (Turkey); (iv) the European Union's measures on ductile cast iron 
tubes and pipes (India); (v) the Russian Federation's investigation on ferrosilicon manganese (Ukraine); (vi) India's investigation on imports of castings for wind operated electricity generators (China); (vii) the United States' measures on Turkish iron and steel products (Turkey); (viii) the 
United States' investigation on imports of certain cold-rolled steel flat products (Russian 
Federation); (ix) the United States' investigation on new pneumatic off-the-road tires (India); (x) the United States' investigation on imports of hot-rolled and cold-rolled steel products from 
Brazil; (xi) the United States' investigation on imports of sugar (Mexico); (xii) Ukraine's 
investigation on imports of light motor vehicles (Russian Federation); and (xiii) Peru's investigation on imports of biodiesel (Argentina). 
3.72.  At the same meetings concerns were raised on subsidies regarding (i) the non-notification 
of alleged subsidies by India (United States); (ii) the non-notification of alleged subsidies by China 
(United States); (iii) the non-notification of alleged subsidies in the fisheries sector by China (United States); (iv) the requests to China for information on certain alleged subsidy programmes 
(United States); (v) the government support for the Canadian Aircraft Industry (United States); 
(vi) Japan's government support for the development of regional aircraft (Brazil); and (vii) India's 
export subsidies in the textile and apparel sector (United States). Additional concerns were raised 
on (i) the elimination of export subsidies by th e Members that received extensions under Article 
27.4 of the SCM Agreement; (ii) the low and declin ing level of compliance with the notification and 
transparency obligations in the SCM Agreement; (iii) the requests for information pursuant to Article 25.8 and 25.9 (proposal from the United States); and (iv) enhancing fisheries subsidies 
transparency (United States). 
3.73.  At the meetings of the Committee on Anti-Dumping Practices
62 on 28 October 2015 and 
27 April 2016, concerns were raised on i) Australia's sunset review on the imports of ammonium 
nitrate (Russian Federation);  (ii) Brazil's new investigation on PET sheet (Peru); (iii) Canada's 
anti-dumping duties imposed on oil country tubular goods (Korea, Rep. of); (iv) Canada's provisional anti-dumping measure imposed on certain hot-rolled carbon steel plates and high-
strength low-alloy steel plate (Russian Federation); (v) China's investigation on unbleached sack 
paper (European Union and Japan); (vi)  China's investigation on optical fibre preforms (United States); (vii) China's anti-dumping investigation conducted against acrylic fibre (Turkey); (viii) China's anti-dumping investigation on grain-oriented electrical steel (European Union and 
Japan); (ix) China's anti-dumping investigation on polyacrylonitrile fibre (Japan); (x) Dominican 
Republic's investigation on steel reinforcing bar (Turkey); (xi) Egypt's initiation of an anti-dumping investigation against wet wipes imports (Turkey); (xii) the European Union's measure on 
ammonium nitrate (Russian Federation); (xiii) the European Union's investigation on cold-rolled 
steel products (China and Russian Federation); (xiv) the European Union's measures on aluminium foils (Russian Federation); (xv) India's procedures to complete the sunset review of the 
anti-dumping measure on cold-rolled stainless steel (United States); (xvi) India's investigations 
pertaining to cold-rolled flat steel products, hot-rolled flat products of alloy or non-alloy steel in coils, and not in coils (Japan); and (xvii) India's investigation on seamless pipes (China). 
3.74.  Concerns were also raised on (xviii) Indonesia's sunset review of the anti-dumping 
measures on its imports of hot-rolled plate (Ukraine); (xix) Indonesia's anti-dumping investigation 
on wheat flour (Turkey); (xx) Indonesia's sunset review on cold-rolled steel sheet (Japan); (xxi) Indonesia's investigation on ammonium nitrate (Australia); (xxii) Israel's investigation on 
float glass (Turkey); (xxiii) Japan's investigation on potassium hydroxide (Korea, Rep. of); 
(xxiv) Kazakhstan's and the Russian Federation's investigations on bars and rods, ferrosilicon manganese and seamless pipes and tubes (Ukraine ); (xxv) Malaysia's prov isional measures on 
pre-printed or printed colour coated coils (Viet Nam); (xxvi) Morocco's anti-dumping investigations 
on imports of hot-rolled steel sheets and refriger ators (Turkey); (xxvii) Pa kistan's anti-dumping 
investigations on cold-rolled coils and sheets (Ukraine) and hydrogen peroxide (Turkey); (xxviii) Thailand's investigation on hot-rolled non ally steel in coils and not in coils (Turkey); 
(xxix) Turkey's anti-dumping investigation on hot-rolled coil (European Union); (xxx) Turkey's 
investigation and preliminary measure imposed on safety glass exports (Israel); (xxxi) Turkey's anti-dumping investigation on biaxially oriented polypropylene films (Egypt); (xxxii) Turkey's 
investigation on imports of cotton (United States); (xxxiii) Turkey's anti-dumping investigation on 
hot-rolled coil (Japan); (xxxiv) Turkey's recently terminated investigation on hot-rolled coil sheet
63 
                                               
62 Minutes G/ADP/M/49 and G/ADP/M/50. 
63 G/ADP/N/287 (forthcoming). WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 53 - 
 
  (Russian Federation); and (xxxv) Ukraine's anti -dumping investigation on certain nitrogen 
fertilizers (Russian Federation). 
3.75.  Other additional issues and concerns were raised on (i) the recent European Union 
anti-dumping investigations, including the use of the analogue country methodology (China); 
(ii) China's upcoming expiration of Accession Protocol Section 15 (a); (iii) Colombia's and 
United States country-wide duty practice on Chinese products (China); (iv) the recent rapid increase in anti-dumping measures, especially in the steel sector (Japan, China); (v) the length of 
the United States anti-dumping measures (Japan); (vi) the European Union approaches in 
anti-dumping investigations, especially with respect to the metal and steel sector (Russian Federation), (vii) the United States' practice for determining the scope of the product under consideration (Russian Federation) and; (viii) In dia's procedures, transparency and due process in 
anti-dumping investigations (Chinese Taipei and United States). 
3.76.  At the meetings of the  Committee on Safeguards
64, concerns were raised on specific 
safeguard actions on (i) Chile's investigation on st eel wire (Brazil; China; Chinese Taipei; European 
Union and Mexico); (ii) Chile's investigation on steel nails (Brazil; China; Chinese Taipei; European 
Union and Mexico); (iii) Chile's investigation on steel mesh (Brazil; China; Chinese Taipei; European Union and Mexico); (iv) Chile's investigation on steel wire rod (United States); 
(v) Egypt's investigation on white sugar (European Union); (vi) Egypt's investigation on PET 
(European Union); (vii) Egypt's investigation on automotive batteries (European Union); (viii) India's investigation on hot-rolled flat products of non-alloy and other alloy steel (China; Chinese Taipei; European Union; Japan; Korea, Rep. of; Russian Federation; Turkey; Ukraine and 
United States); (ix) India's investigation on hot-rolled flat sheets and plates (Brazil; 
European Union; Japan; Turkey and Ukraine); (x) Indonesia's investigation on bars and rods (Chinese Taipei; European Union and Japan); (xi)  Indonesia's investigation and coated paper and 
paperboard (Japan); (xii) Jordan's investigation on writing and printing paper (European Union and 
United States); (xiii) Malaysia's investigation on hot-rolled coils (Japan); (xiv) Morocco's investigation on cold-rolled sheets and plated or coated sheets (United States); and (xv) Morocco's 
investigation on paper in rolls and paper in ream s (European Union); and wire rods and reinforcing 
bars (European Union; Turkey and United States). 
3.77.  Additional concerns were raised on (xvi) Philippines' investigation on steel angle bars 
(United States); (xvii) South Africa's investigation on certain flat-rolled products of iron; non-alloy 
steel or other alloy steel (Brazil; European Unio n; Japan; Korea, Rep. of; Turkey and United 
States); (xviii) Thailand's investigation on hot-rolled steel flat products (India and Turkey); (xix) Tunisia's investigation on ceramic tiles (European Union and Turkey); (xx) Tunisia's investigation 
on glass bottles (European Union); and MDF fi bre boards (European Union); (xxi) Turkey's 
investigation on porcelain and ceramic tableware;  kitchenware (European Union); (xxii) Turkey's 
investigation on cellular portable telephone (China; European Union; Korea, Rep. of; United 
States; and Viet Nam); (xxiii) Turkey's investigation on wallpaper and similar wallcoverings 
(European Union); (xxiv) Ukraine's investigation on flexible porous plates; blocks and sheets of polyurethane foams (European Union); (xxv) Viet  Nam's investigation on monosodium glutamate 
(Thailand); and (xxvi) Viet Nam's investigation on semi-finished and certain finished products of 
alloy and non-alloy steel (China; European Union and Japan). Other issues and concerns were 
discussed: (i) the United States potential safeguar d action on aluminium (Russian Federation); and 
(ii) the increasing number of safeguard actions taken around the world (Australia; Brazil; Canada; 
European Union; Israel; Japan; Korea, Rep. of; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Norway; Pakistan; 
Chinese Taipei; and United States). 
3.78.  At the meeting of the Working Party on State Trading Enterprises
65 on 12 October 2015 
concerns were raised regarding (i) the operation of Canada's provincial and territorial liquor control 
authorities, differential tax treatment, variable mark-ups and selective criteria for the liberalization of alcohol sales; (ii) the activities of two Indian enterprises, the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited and the Food Corporation of India; (iii) the functioning of Zespri Group 
Limited, a state trading enterprise for kiwi fruit exports maintained by New Zealand; and (iv) a 
                                               
64 Meetings of 26 October 2015 and 25 April 2016, Minutes G/SG/M/48 and G/SG/M/49 (forthcoming). 
65 Minutes G/STR/M/28. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 54 - 
 
  counter-notification relating to the non-notification by China of its state trading enterprises66; (v) 
the non-notification by the Russian Federation of  its state trading enterprises, including the non-
notification of enterprises considered by some delegations to be state trading enterprises, including Gazprom and the Russian United Grain Company and (vi) the overall poor level of 
compliance among Members with the notification obligations of Article XVII of GATT 1994 
regarding state trading enterprises. 
3.79.  At the meetings of the Committee on Balance-of-Payments (BOPs) Restrictions  
consultations were held with Ecuador
67 and concerns were repeated by a number of Members on 
the introduction of an import surcharge for BOP purposes, although some Members expressed support for the measures.  
3.80.  At the meeting of the Council for Trade in Services  (CTS) on 18 March 2016, concerns were 
raised about regulatory measures that impeded mode 4 access to the United States and Canada, 
and recommended regulatory changes that might impede mode 4 access to the United Kingdom 
(India).
68 At the same meeting, concerns were repeated about certain measures related to 
Ukraine's reforms of its Unified Gas Tran sportation System (Russian Federation).69  These 
concerns were first mentioned in November 2014, and have been restated at all subsequent regular meetings of the CTS.
70    
3.81.  In the Dedicated Session on Small Economies of the Committee on Trade and Development  
(CTD), trade concerns were expressed on how small and vulnerable economies could better integrate into global value chains in goods and services trade.
71  In the CTD's session on Aid for 
Trade, the European Union expressed concerns with  respect to the overall proportion of total Aid 
for Trade going to LDCs.72 
3.82.  In the Committee on Trade and Environment73, discussions continued on the effect of 
environmental measures on market access, including in relation to measures aimed at fighting 
Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing. In this context, several delegations74 
underscored the environmental and socio-economic impacts of IUU fishing, while urging Members to take the interests of developing country exporters into consideration in their measures to 
combat IUU fishing. 
3.83.  The above section shows that WTO Members continue to use a wide range of WTO bodies to 
raise trade concerns.  Several WTO bodies, i.e. the Council for Trade in Goods, the Committee on Market Access, the Committee on Anti-Dumping Practices and the Committee on Safeguards, saw 
an increase in the number of trade concerns raised compared to the same period last year. Also, 
several trade concerns were brought to the attention of more than one WTO body during the review period suggesting the issues involved are increasingly complex and touch upon multiple 
WTO agreements. It is, however, too early to draw any solid conclusions on individual trends in 
this area and further analysis will benefit fr om the additional data in upcoming reports. 
                                               
66 China subsequently submitted a notification of its state trading enterprises on the date of the 
meeting: G/STR/N/15/CHN, G/STR/N/14/CHN, G/STR/ N/13/CHN, G/STR/N/12/CHN, G/STR/N/11/CHN, and 
G/STR/N/10/CHN. 
67 Meetings of 16 October 2015 and 17 February 2016. Consultations in the BOP Committee on 
Ecuador's measures continued in June 2016. 
68 Document S/C/M/126. 
69 Document S/C/M/126. 
70 Documents S/C/M/122 to 124. 
71 Meetings of 29 October 2015 and 9 March 2016, Minutes WT/COMTD/SE/M/30 and 
WT/COMTD/SE/M/31. 
72 Meeting of 30 October 2015, Minutes WT/COMTD/AFT/M/35, paragraph 2. 
73 Meeting of 6 October 2015. 
74 See Annual Report 2015, WT/CTE/22, paragraph 20. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 55 - 
 
  3.6  Policy Developments in Agriculture 
3.84.  The Committee on Agriculture (CoA) provides a forum for Members to discuss matters 
related to agriculture trade and to consult on matte rs relating to the Members' implementation of 
commitments under the Agreement on Agriculture (AoA), including rules-based commitments. The 
review work by the CoA is based on notificati ons Members make on their commitments. There is 
also a provision in Article 18.6 that allows Members to raise any matter relevant to the implementation of the commitments under the AoA.  
3.85.  In the framework of the CoA meeting in March 2016, Members posed a total of 93 
questions, including both questions on individual notifications and under Article 18.6, with almost 
three-quarters of those questions directed at issues related to domestic support notifications or implementation of domestic support commitments.  
3.86.  In total, nine Members raised 27 questions on 24 implementation-related issues 
(Article 18.6) in the March 2016 CoA meeting. As can be seen in Chart 3.15, 2014 was the year with the largest number of questions raised under Article 18.6. These numbers include questions 
that were repeated from one meeting to the next because responses were not provided in the 
relevant time-frames. 
Chart 3.15 Number of questions raised under Article 18.6 (1995-2016
a) 
0102030405060708090
 
 
a  Until 15 May 2016. 
Source: WTO Secretariat. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 56 - 
 
  3.87.  Out of the 24 implementation-related issu es raised in the CoA in the review period, 
15 issues were discussed for the first time, whereas the remaining issues had been discussed one or more times in previous years under matters raised under Article 18.6. Table 3.13 indicates the specific issues relating to implementation commitments that were discussed for the first time in 
the CoA during the March 2016 meeting. The complete questions, and answers, can be accessed 
through the Agriculture Information Management System.
75 
Table 3.13 Article 18.6 new issues 
ID 
number CoA 
meeting 
number COA 
meeting 
date Question 
raised by Answered 
by Question Summary Products 
79085  79  09/03/2016 India Australia Farm Insurance Advice 
Scheme   
79035 79 09/03/2016 New Zealand Canada New milk ingredient 
class Milk 
79003 79 09/03/2016 United States  Canada Wine sale policy Alcoholic 
79030 79 09/03/2016 Canada China Agriculture Policy Cereals, wheat, 
corn, rice, malt, 
coarse grains 
79066 79 09/03/2016 Indonesia France 
(European Union) Amendment No. 367 to 
the proposed law on biodiversity   
79051  
79024 79 09/03/2016 Canada, 
European 
Union India New crop insurance 
scheme   
79052  
79025 79 09/03/2016 Canada, 
European 
Union Japan MARUKIN Stabilization 
Programme Swine 
79094 79 09/03/2016 Brazil Peru Price band system   
79084 79 09/03/2016 Ukraine Russian 
Federation Trade measures 
affecting Ukrainian transit of agricultural products to Kazakhstan   
79005  79 09/03/2016 United States Thailand Rice policies Rice 
79026 79 09/03/2016 European 
Union Turkey Support scheme to 
certain agricultural sectors   
79029 79 09/03/2016 European 
Union Turkey Rice support Rice 
79031 79 09/03/2016 European 
Union Turkey Fruit and vegetable 
export subsidies Processed 
vegetables, fruit, processed fruit or nuts, fruit and vegetable beverages 
79095 79 09/03/2016 Brazil United 
States  Soybean programmes Seeds 
79086 79 09/03/2016 India United 
States  Farm support 
programmes   
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.88.  More than two-thirds of the new issues raised in the March 2016 CoA meeting related to 
domestic support policies. Members requested additional information on insurance schemes allegedly implemented by Australia (farm insurance advice scheme
76) and India (new crop 
insurance scheme77). Members also raised questions regarding five product-specific policies 
potentially benefitting producers of rice, citrus, soybeans, milk and hogs and cattle, (i.e. Canada's new milk ingredient class
78, Japan's MARUKIN stabilization programme79, Thailand's rice policies80, 
Turkey's rice support81, Turkey's support scheme to certain agricultural sectors82 and U.S. soybean 
                                               
75 Under the function "Search Q&A Submitted Since 1995" and by inputting the ID number of the 
question concerned. Alternatively, the ID numbers in this document contain hype rlinks to the respective 
questions, and answers.  Viewed at: http://agims.wto.org/  
76 G/AG/W/151, p. 6 
77 G/AG/W/151, p.p. 13-14 
78 G/AG/W/151, p.p. 6-7 
79 G/AG/W/151, p.p. 17-18 
80 G/AG/W/151, p.p. 20-21 
81 G/AG/W/151, p.p. 23-24 
82 G/AG/W/151, p. 23 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 57 - 
 
  programmes83). Two questions were raised regarding agricultural policies of a general scope 
(China's agriculture policy84and U.S. farm support programmes85). Other questions fell under the 
sphere of market access where Members requested an explanation of measures that restricted, or had the potential to restrict, the trade of agricu ltural products (i.e. France's amendment No. 367 
to the proposed law on biodiversity
86, Canada's wine sale policy87, Peru's price band system88 and 
the Russian Federation's trade measures affecting Ukrainian transit of agricultural products to Kazakhstan
89). There was one issue raised in relation to  export subsidies (i.e. Turkey's fruit and 
vegetable export subsidies90).  
3.89.  Other measures that were discussed related to follow-up questions on persistent areas of 
concern. Members requested clarification on a number of recurring concerns. More than half of these concerns related to domestic support policie s. All of the repeated issues discussed at the 
March 2016 CoA meeting were also discussed at the previous CoA meeting in September 2015. A 
number of these issues have been raised in the CoA as many as 19 times (Costa Rica's compliance with AMS commitments). In the March 2016 CoA meeting, the United States reiterated its 
concerns regarding Costa Rica's continued lack of compliance with its AMS commitments, and 
requested additional information on Costa Rica's new Executive Decree that is expected to bring 
Costa Rica into compliance with its WTO obligation. Brazil continued to face requests for data on 
domestic and international shipments of particular products made under two of its domestic 
support programmes. India's sugar export subsidies were once again the subject of questioning. Concerns were also raised regarding Turkey's do mestic support (and its pending notifications on 
domestic support) and its export subsidies (Table 3.14). 
Table 3.14 Questions previously  raised under Article 18.6 
ID 
number CoA 
meeting 
number COA 
meeting 
date Question 
raised by Answered 
by Question 
summary Products Times 
raised in 
the CoA 
(1995-
2016) 
79004 79 09/03/2016 Canada, 
United States Costa Rica Compliance 
with AMS commitments Rice 19 
79001 79 09/03/2016 
 United States Brazil Domestic 
support 
programmes   14 
79023  
79047 79 09/03/2016 Australia, 
Colombia, 
European Union India Sugar export 
subsidies Sugar, 
cane or 
beet sugar 12 
79033 79 09/03/2016 United States Turkey Destination of 
wheat flour 
sale Wheat 8 
79027 79 09/03/2016 European 
Union Turkey Domestic 
support and export subsidies Fruit 6 
79022 79 09/03/2016 European 
Union China Maize Subsidies Corn 3 
79032 79 09/03/2016 Australia, 
New Zealand European 
Union Dairy policies Dairy, milk, 
milk powders, butter, cheese 2 
                                               
83 G/AG/W/151, p.p. 26-27 
84 G/AG/W/151, p.p. 8-10 
85 G/AG/W/151, p.p. 24-26 
86 G/AG/W/151, p.p. 12-13 
87 G/AG/W/151, p.p. 7-8  
88 G/AG/W/151, p. 19 
89 G/AG/W/151, p.p. 19-20 
90 G/AG/W/151 p. 24 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 58 - 
 
  ID 
number CoA 
meeting 
number COA 
meeting 
date Question 
raised by Answered 
by Question 
summary Products Times 
raised in 
the CoA 
(1995-
2016) 
79067 79 09/03/2016 European 
Union, 
New Zealand, 
United 
States, Chile India Importation of 
apples    Fruit 2 
78007 79 09/03/2016 United States India Export 
assistance programmes Meat, 
bovine, swine, sheep and goat, poultry, 
horses, 
milk, sugar, cane or beet sugar 2 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.90.  Regarding the review of notifications, time ly and complete notifications are fundamental for 
effective monitoring of the implementation of commitments. For the period 1995-201491, there 
were a total of 1,778 outstanding regular notifications.92 Twelve distinct notification requirements 
are applicable in the domain of agriculture covering the following areas: market access, domestic 
support, export subsidies, export prohibitions or  restrictions, and the follow-up to the Marrakesh 
NFIDC Decision. The applicability of a notification requirement to a Member is largely dependent on its specific commitments under the AoA. Out of the twelve notification requirements the 
following five are "regular" or "annual" notification requirements: (i) imports under tariff and other 
quotas  (MA:2), (ii) Special safeguards (MA:5), (iii) Domestic support (DS:1), (iv) Export subsidies (ES:1) and (v) Total exports (ES:2). Annual notifications are required to be submitted no later than a certain number of days following the end of  the year in question. As shown in Chart 3.16, 
domestic support (DS:1) and export subsidy notifications (ES:1) have the highest number of 
outstanding notifications with 37% (769 notification s) and 35% (805 notifications) of notifications 
pending, respectively. While a large number of ou tstanding notifications remain, there has been a 
concerted effort by Members to bring their notifica tions up-to-date, as can be seen in Chart 3.17, 
where notifications reporting more than one year (which might include the required year and/or 
any pending previous years) have been increasi ngly submitted by Members. From 2009-2015, the 
average number of years reported per notification has been close to three. 
                                               
91 The time limits for notifications covering the year 2015 have not yet expired. 
92 "Ad hoc " notification obligations applicable only upon maintenance of a specific measure (e.g. ER:1 
required upon the application of expo rt restrictions) as well as the an nual notifications where it was not 
possible to determine a prio ri whether the concerned notification requ irement would be applicable (e.g. NF:1 
applicable to donor Members only) are excluded. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 59 - 
 
  Chart 3.16 Total outstanding notifications per type of notification requirement 
(1995-2014)
Submitted  
(4,483)MA:2 (71)
MA:5 (75)
DS:1 (769)
ES:1 (805)
ES:2 (58)Outstanding  
(1,778)
 
Note: MA:2 - Imports under tariff and other quotas, MA :5 - Special safeguards, DS:1 - Domestic support, 
ES:1 - Export subsidies, ES:2 - Total exports. Th is number represents repo rted years and does not 
necessarily match the number of notifications submitted on the same period since some notifications covered more than one year. 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
Chart 3.17 Number of regular notificati ons in agriculture and years reported 
(1995-2016a) 
050100150200250300350400450500
Number of regular notifications Total number of years reported
 
a Until 22 February 2016. 
Note: The total number of years reported might incl ude the required year and/or any pending previous 
year(s). 
Source: WTO Secretariat. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 60 - 
 
  3.91.  In the review period, Members submitted 106 notifications, (including addenda and 
corrigenda). In the same period, 65 questions were posed during the Agriculture Committee 
meetings concerning these and previously submitted notifications. As seen in Chart 3.18, during the review period the majority of questions raised related to domestic support notifications (77%). 
In particular, domestic support notifications by China, Brazil, Mexico and the United States were 
the subject of a considerable number of questions. 
Chart 3.18 Number of questions raised pe r sector (mid-October 2015 - mid-May 2016) 
 
Article 18.6
29%Overdue notifications
1NFIDC Decision
2
Market access
6
Export Competition
7
Other
70%Article 
18.6
35Individual 
notifications
96Article 
18.6
27Individual 
notifications
65 Domestic  
support
50
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 61 - 
 
  Box 3.1: Evolving agricultural policies and markets: implications for multilateral trade 
reform 
Since the latest round of WTO negotiations began in 2001, world agricultural markets have evolved significantly. 
Global agricultural production has continued to increase and there have been shifts in the relative importance of 
regional production centres. There has been a rise in produc tion in a number of developing regions, particular those of 
Asia and South America. Developed agricultural producing regions, on the other hand, have seen more modest to 
neutral growth. 
Trade in agro-food products has also increased at a faster pace than in the previous decade. For agro-food products 
overall, trade has become less concentrated, with the shar e held by the top 20 importers and exporters declining by 
around 5 percentage points between 2000 and 2013. In terms of trading patterns, the rise of new production centres 
has increased trade between developing countries. 
There has also been a significant shift in prices. The long term trend of declining prices came to an end in the early-
2000s and was followed by a number of price spikes, most notably in 2007/08. Prices since then have generally 
remained at higher levels but are expected to decline grad ually in real terms over the medium-term on the back of 
sustained global productivity improvements.  
On the policy front, agricultural support policies in many countries have changed. Domestic support policies are more 
decoupled from production and, in some cases, support leve ls have also been reduced. However, in other countries 
support has risen. Overall, there has been a convergenc e in both the level and the nature of support between 
emerging and developed countries. That said, across individual countries there are marked differences in support 
l e v el s  wi t hi n  bot h  gr ou pi n gs .  Agr o-f ood t a r i f f s h a v e  al s o fallen globally, but compared with other sectors they still 
remain high. On the other side of the ledger, export subsidies have become less prevalenta although new forms of 
interventions in export markets, such as export restrictions, have been more widely used. 
An assessment of the impacts of current policies (OECD, 2 016 forthcoming) in the new policy and market environment 
(2011-14) using the OECD METRO model shows that agricultural  support and barriers to agricultural trade still create 
significant distortions to world markets and that th ere is much to be gained  from pursuing reform. 
 
Figure1. Impacts on agro-food trade from removing  current policies, possible reforms and policy drifts 
(% change from 2011 trade levels) 
Policy drift
- 2 02468 1 0 1 2
%  changeAgriculture
Final Intermediate
Without current 
policies
Widespread and 
partial policy reform
Uneven partial trade & 
domestic policy reform
 Policy drift
- 2 02468 1 0 1 2%  changeFood
Final Intermediate
Without 
current 
policies
Widespread and 
partial policy reform
Uneven partial trade & 
domestic policy reform
 
        Note: Four scenarios were explored: without current policies, which represents the removal of all trade-related 
and domestic support to agriculture;  widespread partial policy reform, which represents the partial removal of 
trade-related and domestic support across all countries worldwide; uneve n partial trade and domestic policy 
reform, which sees partial removal of trade-related and domestic support in developed countries with very 
limited changes in others; and Policy drift, which sees some large emerging agricultural producers increase 
tariffs and domestic support while other countries maintain their current policies. 
The current suite of agricultural policies, both domestic support and trade barriers, significantly negatively affects 
global agro-food trade and creates welfare losses for the glob al economy (Figures 1 and 2). Overall, trade in all agro-
food commodities would be higher in the absence of curr ent support measures, particularly trade in intermediate 
products, suggesting the development of agro-food global value chains has been hampered by current policy 
arrangements. Proxied through private consumption, the nega tive effect on welfare of current policies is now more 
uniform and is seen across most countries and regions studied. Both the policy changes and the changes in markets 
that have occurred since 2000 help explain these results:  developed regions have reduce d and changed the nature of 
their support; the European Union no longer makes use of export subsidies; and developing countries trade much 
more with other developing countries. These changes have reduced some effects observed in the past where, due to 
reform, some countries lost benefits from lower food prices  or faced costs from the loss of preferences (preference 
erosion). At the same time, the changes have increased the exposure of developing countries to policies in place in 
other developing countries. 
 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 62 - 
 
  Policies also affect total global production and its location. While many trade and domestic support policies are aimed 
at increasing food production, from a global perspective they do not achieve this result. If current policies were not in 
place, the level of global production in agricultural products would be virtually unchanged. That is, support provided to 
agriculture in some countries does not increase production overall but rather displaces production from elsewhere in 
the world. Further, when broadening the lens to also includ e the production of food products, current policies are likely 
to be having a negative overall effect. These conclusions throw into serious question arguments made in favour of 
current trade and domestic support policies based on the idea that such interventions promote global food availability 
and thus contribute to global food security.  
 
Figure 2. Impacts on agro-food production, hous ehold consumption and GDP from removing current 
policies, partial reforms and policy drifts 
% change from 2011 levels 
Agro‐food 
production
Household  
consumption
Economy ‐wide 
production-0.05 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4 0.45% changeWithout current policies Widespread partial policy reform Uneven partial trade & domestic policy reform Policy drift
 
Reforming current policy arrangements would yield benefits. For all countries, the benefits from reform are created 
from a mix of their own actions and those in trading partners. Changes in world agro-food trading patterns have 
influenced the source of gains for some countries. For develo ping countries in particular, the benefits on offer from 
reforms are now more critically linked to their own actions and the actions of other developing countries and not just 
actions by developed countries. The effe cts for developing countries from thei r own liberalization and actions from 
other developing countries have a greater impact than the ef fects of developed countries’ reforms. Critically, trade in 
intermediate products between developing countries is mo st hampered by current policies and the development of 
global value chains in these countries could be significantl y enhanced if reforms took place. For developed countries, 
the impacts of reform are driven both by their own reforms and by actions in other countries. Further, simulations of 
possible policy drifts, based on observed trends, show that  inaction can lead to losses. Importantly, those most 
negatively affected by increases in protection are the countries that impose such increases. For some, increases in 
protection in line with current practice also decreases total agricultural production and agricultural income. And while 
the actions taken have been in the name of increasing self-s ufficiency as a vehicle to deliver greater food security, the 
income effects along with the effects on domestic prices from interventions in markets work against household food 
security, in particular those in rural areas who have fewe r income generating options an d face higher food prices. 
There is still much to be gained for developed and developing countries from reaching multilateral agreement on even 
partial reform of agricultural markets. Gains are not only likely to result from the implementation of better policies 
that improve the functioning of international markets and promote the development of agro-food GVCs, but also from 
the ability of the multilateral system to limit policy drifts to wards greater levels of intervention in agro-food markets. 
Such policy drifts are not only costly for those who increase their protection of domestic markets, but are also costly 
for other countries affected by the international spillovers from these policies.  
a In fact, export subsidies have recently been  eliminated (Nairobi Ministerial Decision). 
Reference: OECD (2016, forthcoming), Evolving Agricultural Policies and Markets: Implications for Multilateral 
Trade Reform, OECD Publishing, Paris. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 63 - 
 
  3.7  General Economic Support93 
3.92.  According to information provided to the Secretariat or obtained through other sources, 100 
new general economic support measures were put in place by WTO Members during the review period. This corresponds to a monthly average of 14 measures, an increase compared to the 
monthly average of 11 new measures recorded in the previous annual report at the end of 2015.
94 
Out of the 100 new measures, 30 were not confirmed or verified by the Members concerned.  
3.93.  Annex 4 covers various economic support measures targeting specific sectors and 
industries, or multiple sectors. The main beneficiaries of economic support measures recorded 
during the review period included various sectors, such as agriculture and food, energy, automotive, infrastructure, transport, telecommunica tions, electricity and pharmaceuticals. Several 
programmes provided specific support to export-related activities or enterprises, including SMEs. A 
significant share of measures included some form of import-related support. Others included 
stimulus programmes, a buy-domestic scheme and several tax incentive measures. 
3.94.  Gathering and verifying information on general economic support measures continues to 
represent a significant challenge and the lack of active participation by several WTO Members in 
providing relevant information on such support  remains a concern. The number of WTO Members 
that provided information on new general economic support measures implemented during the 
review period remained low. For the verification exercise, the WTO Secretariat reverted to a large 
number of WTO Members for their confirmation of such measures, including many obtained from other official sources. Several WTO Members requ ested that some of the measures relating to 
support programmes in their economies not be included in this monitoring report.  
3.95.  It is important to emphasize that Annex 4 of this report seeks to cover all general economic 
support measures. Although initial monitoring reports included a significant number of measures which, in spirit as well as in substance, were directly related to the financial crisis, other measures 
were clearly not. Yet, their trade-related effects were potentially important. In addition, Annex 4 
also covers those specific support programmes whic h have been cancelled or reduced, e.g. in the 
case of energy subsidies. 
General Economic Support Measures since 2008 
 3.96.  The following section takes a closer look at the trends that have characterized the general economic support measures captured by the monitoring reports since October 2008.  
3.97.  A total of 837 general economic support measures have been recorded by the WTO 
Secretariat since the beginning of the monitoring  exercise. One fourth of these measures were 
introduced in direct response to the financial crisis. As of November 2009, the implementation of 
new general economic support measures decelerated substantially (Chart 3.19). In the period 
under review, the monthly average of 14 new measures has edged towards the peak average of 18 measures per month recorded immediately after the onset of the global financial crisis.  
                                               
93 Measures in Annex 4 are not included in the overal l number of trade measures  reported in Section 3.1 
of the monitoring reports, nor in th e trade monitoring database. The numerical counting of general economic 
support measures and programmes does not provide any indication regarding the ex tent of these measures, 
nor their potential impact. 
94 WT/TPR/OV/18 of 17 November 2015. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 64 - 
 
  Chart 3.19 General economic support measures  
(average per month) 
 
18
8
7
6
561114
02468101214161820
Oct 08 - Oct 09 Nov 09 - mid-
Oct 10mid-Oct 10 -
mid-Oct 11mid-Oct 11 -
mid-Oct 12mid-Oct 12 -
mid-Nov13mid-Nov 13 -
mid-Oct 14mid-Oct 14 -
mid-Oct 15mid-Oct 15 -
mid-May 16 
Note: Values are rounded. 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.98.  According to information recorded by the WTO Secretariat, large-scale, multi-sector or 
economy-wide stimulus packages constitute the bulk of general economic support measures 
introduced by WTO Members since October 2008. Although these types of measures were 
extensively used during the first three years of the monitoring exercise, an increase in their application was recorded in the period under review. Multi-sector measures have been traditionally 
very broad and can cover, simultaneously and under one programme, a diverse range of sectors 
from agriculture and forestry to medical and shipbuilding sectors. 
3.99.  The agriculture and food sectors have been the second largest recipient of general economic 
support measures. A variety of objectives are covered by these measures, including long-term 
improvements in productivity, incentive packages th rough tax breaks and preferential credit lines. 
The banking and finance sector received the bulk of the original general economic support measures between 2008 and 2009, often in the shape of rescue-aid or bail-outs.  WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 65 - 
 
  Chart 3.20 Sectors covered by economic support measures, October 2008 – 
mid-May 2016  
(% share of total number of measures) 
Other
25%Multi-sector
27%
Banking &
finance
9%Transport
3%
Energy
4%
Automotive
8%SMEs
7%Agriculture & food
17%
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.100.  WTO Members have provided regular support to the automotive sector since the beginning 
of the monitoring exercise.  SMEs have also been the beneficiaries of economic support measures, 
with aid schemes, credit guarantee programmes, incentive packages and improved access to investment and capital, representing the more prevalent assistance provided. These measures 
constitute the fourth area of importance in economic support measures since October 2008. 
3.101.  Other sectors which have received general economic support include the energy and the 
transport sectors. The remaining areas of support cover, amongst others, manufacturing (other than SMEs), infrastructure, export cred its, telecommunications and investment. 
3.102.  Typically, general economic support measures have been temporary in character. This is 
especially the case for those general economic supp ort measures that were introduced in response 
to the financial crisis. Based on the available information, the general economic support measures 
that have been reduced or eliminated, aside from the financial and credit sectors, mostly are found 
in the energy, food and agriculture sectors. A noteworthy example is the reduction in 2015-2016 
by several countries of various fuel price support schemes, likely in response to the fall in the price 
of oil.  
3.103.  There is little doubt that the universe of general economic support measures provided by 
WTO Members is much greater than what this exercise has been able to record. Similarly, it has been clear from the very beginning of the monito ring exercise that the number of such measures 
recorded is very much a function of the transpar ency which surrounds the granting of subsidies in 
individual Members. Transparency is a prerequisite  for providing a balanced account of the overall 
number of general economic support measures introduced and it remains that some Members 
have featured more frequently in Annex 4 because of such transparency, despite the fact that 
many other Members have applied similar measures. 
3.104.  WTO Members participated more actively in the verification exercise during the first three 
years of the WTO monitoring exercise (2009-2011). Since October 2011, the number of non-
confirmed general support measures recorded by the WTO Secretariat has significantly increased. In the current review period, 30% of the measures in Annex 4 remained non-confirmed compared to 2% in 2009.  
3.105.  General economic support measures will likely remain attractive to governments, 
particularly for strategic sectors, despite the ofte n significant financial cost of such programmes. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 66 - 
 
  Subsidy programmes do not per se  impact on trade. However, because of their potential to be 
trade distorting, guidance from WTO Members on how the trade monitoring report might better capture such trade effects would be welcome.  
3.8  Other Selected Trade Policy Developments  
Trade Facilitation 
 3.106.  Following the adoption of the amendment protocol, delegations started to launch their 
domestic processes for ratifying the Trade Facilitation Agreement. As at 3 May 2016, 77 
acceptance instruments were deposited, which re presents more than 70% of the ratifications 
required for the Agreement to enter into force. Members also continued to notify the commitments they designated for implementation as of the Ag reement's entry into force. As at 3 May 2016, 83 
of those so-called "category A-notifications" were presented. Delegations already started to notify 
the commitments they consider to require more  time ("category B") and the acquisition of 
implementation capabilities through the provision of assistance and support for capacity building 
("category C"). Four such category B and C notifica tions were received by time of reporting (3 May 
2016). 
3.107.  The new WTO Trade Facilitation Agreem ent Facility that was launc hed in 2014 was put into 
action in 2015 and aims to provide a platform for information on WTO trade facilitation and to help 
developing and least-developed members find the assistance they need for the preparation of notifications, ratification of the Agreement, and for its implementation.   It also aims to coordinate donor assistance.   
3.108.  To achieve these go als, a new Facility website
95 was created to provide information on 
donor programmes, to provide case studies and other materials to assist with implementation and to track progress on ratification and notifications re ceived.  The Facility conducted, or was involved 
in, eight events for Parliamentarians to help them gain a better understanding of the new 
Agreement.  The Facility assisted Members to prepare their category A, B and C notifications by conducting national and sub-regional workshops; and by coordinating with partner organizations to 
conduct workshops.  It also assisted Members to find support for implementation of the Agreement 
in a variety of ways, for example, by providin g donor information on the Facility website, by 
organizing workshops featuring the available donor support, and by direct matchmaking.  
                                               
95 http://www.tfafacility.org/  WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  Box 3.2: Assessing the gains from implemen ting the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement 
Trade remains an important source of growth for countries at all levels of development. Global production chains have 
opened new opportunities, but also placed a premium on countries’ ability to connect seamlessly, rapidly and 
efficiently with the global economy. The WTO Trade Fac ilitation Agreement (TFA) marked an important step in 
countries’ efforts to increase the transparency and efficiency  of customs and other administrative procedures involved 
in moving goods across borders. Addressing procedural obst acles at the border as a consistent effort across a large 
number of countries, through a full and swift implementation of the TFA, could reduce worldwide trade costs and 
realize important global economic benefits.  
The OECD Trade Facilitation Indicators (TFIs) help countries  identify areas for action and assess the potential impact 
of reforms. Covering more than 160 countries at all levels of development, the TFIs track the policy areas of the TFA: 
information availability; involvement of trade communi ty; advance rulings; appeal procedures; formalities 
(documents, automation, procedures); border agency co-operation (internal and external); governance and 
impartiality. The TFIs reflect not only the regulatory fram ework in each country, but also, to the extent possible, 
implementation of trade facilitation measures. 
Combining the TFIs with UN ESCAP-World Bank data on trade costs shows that implementing the WTO TFA could 
reduce trade transaction costs by between 10.4% and 17.4% (Figure 1). A higher level of ambition - implementing 
“best endeavour” provisions of the TFA - would translate into  more substantial benefits for all countries, but especially 
for lower income countries.a The greatest cost savings from individual components come from improvements in 
formalities (simplification of trade documents would save be tween 0.9% and 4.2%; streamlining of border procedures 
between 2.6% and 3.9%; and automation of border processes between 2.3% and 3.6%); as well as from 
transparency and predictability (in particular, the availability of trade-related information and advance rulings).  
Figure 1. Overall potential trade costs reductions by income group (%) 
 
 
          Note: Calculation by OECD based on cost estimates from the updated UN ESCAP-World Bank Trade Costs 
Dataset, and includes two scenarios: a) “full” implem entation, where countries implement all the provisions 
contained in the TFA, including “best endeavours” provis ions; and b) “limited” implementation, where countries 
implement only the mandatory provisions; note, however, that this scenario takes into account that some best 
endeavours measures have already been implemented by some of countries. 
          Source: OECD.  
Significant benefits for countries at all levels of develo pment also come from addressing clearance times for both 
imports and exports. Clearance times are critical for trade in intermediate goods and time-sensitive goods, such as 
perishable agricultural products or high-tech manufacturing, which suffer from uncertain delivery or lengthy export 
times. Delays in delivery also increase the costs of ma naging stocks and undermine companies’ ability to respond 
rapidly to changes in consumer preferences. By significantly reducing trade transaction costs and clearance times, 
implementation of the WTO TFA has the potential to increase  world trade by 0.6% compared to the base, with LICs 
and LMICs experiencing the highest growth rates (calculations based on linking the TFIs to the World Bank Doing 
Business - Trading Across Borders (TAB) database on customs delays and using the OECD METRO model).b 
Analysis based on the TFIs shows that trade facilitation measures can benefit all countries whether they are exporting 
or importing goods by allowing better access to inputs fo r production and greater participation in the global value 
chains that characterise international trade today. Economies with the biggest challenges in trade facilitation measures 
reap the greatest benefits from implementation. But the nature and extent of benefits will  depend on how much of the 
agreement countries implement and the timeframes for implementation.   
a  OECD (2015), “Implementation of the WTO Trade Fa cilitation Agreement: The Potential Impact on 
Trade Costs”, http://www.oecd.org/tad/tradedev/WTO-TF-Implementation-Policy-Brief_EN_2015_06.pd . 
b METRO is OECD’s static multi-regional co mputable general equilibrium (CGE) model. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  Government Procurement 
 3.109.  The membership of the Agreement on Go vernment Procurement (GPA) continues to grow. 
Since the previous report, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova have concluded the negotiations on 
their accessions to the Agreement. Following the de posit by Ukraine of its instrument of accession, 
the Agreement came into force for Ukraine on 18 May 2016. This brings the total number of WTO Members covered by the Agreement to 46. The deposi t of the Republic of Moldova's instrument of 
accession is expected to be done by 16 June 2016.  
3.110.  Further additions to the membership of  the Agreement are expected in the short to 
medium term. Negotiations on Australia's accession are progressing well and further discussions were held on Tajikistan's and China's accessions. The process of the Kyrgyz Republic's accession 
was resumed early this year. Four other WTO Members — Albania, Georgia, Jordan and Oman 
have applied to join the GPA. Another six WTO Members have provisions regarding accession to the Agreement in their respective Protocols of Accession to the WTO, i.e. Kazakhstan, Mongolia, 
the Russian Federation, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , Seychelles and the former Yugoslav Republic 
of Macedonia. 
ITA Expansion 
 
3.111.  Under the newly concluded WTO ITA Expansion agreement, import duties will be eliminated on 201 high ‐tech products whose annual trade is estimated at $1.3 trillion, accounting 
for approximately 10% of world trade in goods. Products covered by the ITA Expansion include 
new generation multi ‐component integrated circuits (MCO s), touch screens, GPS navigation 
equipment, portable interactive electronic education devices, video game consoles, and medical 
equipment, such as magnetic resonance imaging products and ultra ‐sonic scanning apparatus. 
3.112.  The ITA Expansion will result in the rapi d and meaningful liberalization of trade in new 
generation IT products. According to preliminary estimates by the WTO Secretariat, customs duties 
on 95.4% of Participants' imports on these products will be fully eliminated by 2019. Negotiations 
were conducted by 24 Participants, representing 53 WTO Members and accounting for approximately 90% of world trade in these products. The ITA Expansion agreement is open to any 
other WTO Member wishing to join it. 
Dispute Settlement 3.113.  During the review period, there were 13 new requests for consultations, eight new panels 
established by the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB ), five Appellate Body proceedings, three 
Article 21.3(c) awards and two Article 22.6 arbi tration awards. As at mid-May 2016, there were 16 
active ongoing panels, one active compliance panel proceeding under Article 21.5, three panel requests pending before the DSB, and four panels and one compliance panel have been 
established with panel composition under way. In addition, there were two composed panels and 
one arbitration under Article 22.6 that were awaiting staff to assist them. While this level of activity shows that members have confidence in  the system, the dispute settlement system is 
having trouble coping with the workload. The Director-General has recently transferred 29 posts 
from within the Secretariat to dispute settlement in response to current delays at the panel and Appellate Body stages. 
3.114.  As in previous years, the subject-matter  of WTO dispute settlement continues to touch on 
many of the covered agreements: the six panel reports, four compliance panel reports, four 
Appellate Body reports and three Appellate Body  compliance reports adopted over the reporting 
period address a wide range of provisions in several agreements.
96 Ongoing dispute settlement 
proceedings also involve claims under many of these agreements, as well as a range of other 
covered agreements.97 Three of the eight panels established during the period under review 
concern trade remedies or subsidies. Developed and developing countries continue to participate in 
the WTO dispute settlement system: almost all of  the Appellate Body and panel reports adopted 
                                               
96 For example, GATT 1994, the SCM Agreement, the Anti-Dumping Agreement, the TBT Agreement, the 
SPS Agreement, the Agreement on Agriculture, the GATS and the DSU. 
97 Including, the Marrakesh Agreement, the TRIMs Agreement, the Import Licensing Agreement, and the 
TRIPS Agreement. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  over this period involved at least one developi ng country Member as a party, either as the 
complainant or the respondent. 
Aid for Trade 3.115.  A new biennium Aid-for-Trade Work Programme covering the period 2016-2017, which the 
General Council took note of at its meeting in February 2016, provides the framework for WTO's 
Aid-for-Trade related work and activities in 2016. With its theme "Promoting Connectivity", the Work Programme was the first action to be taken in support of the Aid-for-Trade mandate 
elaborated in the December 2015 Nairobi Ministerial Declaration. The Work Programme seeks to 
further deepen analysis of the supply-side capaci ty and trade-related infrastructure constraints 
faced by developing countries with an increased focus on services trade and upgrading infrastructure. Activities foreseen under the Work Programme will continue to support 
implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and relevant Programmes of 
Action including, inter alia , the Istanbul and Vienna Programmes and the Samoa Pathway. The 
Work Programme lays the groundwork for the Sixth Global Review of Aid for Trade tentatively 
scheduled to take place in mid-2017. 
3.116.  While the mobilization of Aid-for-Trade funding continues, commitments fell from their 
historic high in 2013 by US$1 billion to reach US$54.8 billion in 2014. Aid-for-Trade 
disbursements, however, continued to increase in 2014 reaching US$42.7 billion, a growth of 
US$2.3 billion or 5.7% compared to 2013. Progress also continued in support for regional and global Aid-for-Trade approaches. In 2014 approximately US$7 billion was spent on multi-country and regional programmes, more than triple the US$2.3 billion average during the 2002-2005 
baseline period.  
3.117.  Middle-income countries continue to be the main Aid-for-Trade recipients. Commitments to 
least-developed countries declined by US$4 billion in 2014 to US$14.4 billion.  Disbursements to 
LDCs accounted for 24.6% of total Aid-for-Trade expenditure in 2014.   
Trade Financing 3.118.  Since the last report, the WTO has been moving forward on trade finance and this was 
reflected in the Director-General's publication "T rade Finance and SMEs", released on 4 May 2016. 
The publication draws attention to the fact that globally over half of trade finance requests by SMEs are rejected, against just 7% for multinational companies. The poorer the country, the greater the challenges SMEs face in accessing trade finance. The estimated value of unmet 
demand for trade finance in Africa is US$120 billion (one-third of the continent’s trade finance 
market) and US$700 billion in developing Asia. The International Chamber of Commerce and Asian Development Bank's estimate of the global trade finance gap is close to US$1.4 trillion. Trade 
financing gaps arise due to a mix of structural and development factors. In developing countries, 
local banks may lack the capacity, knowledge, regulatory environment, international network and/or foreign currency to supply import- and export-related finance. Other obstacles include 
banking or country risk issues, and cost of compliance with new prudential and other regulations.  
3.119.  The Director-General proposed a number of further steps in the area of trade finance. 
These included: first, enhancing existing trade finance facilitation programmes run by multilateral development banks. Currently, trade finance facilitation programmes support trade transaction of 
a total value of US$30 billion annually, mostly from SMEs. The objective would be to increase this 
support to US$50 billion annually. Second, reducing the knowledge gap in local banking sectors for handling trade finance instruments by training at  least 5,000 professionals over the next five 
years. Third, maintaining an open dialogue with trade finance regulators to ensure that trade and 
development considerations are fully reflected in the implementation of regulations.  Finally, 
improving monitoring of trade finance provision to identify and respond to gaps, particularly 
relating to any future crises. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  4  POLICY DEVELOPMENTS IN TRADE IN SERVICES 
4.1.  In the area of services, the review period  witnessed several important policy developments in 
such diverse sectors as distribution, financial services, telecommunications and ICT, maritime transport services, and in regard to the supply of services through the movement of natural 
persons. The large majority of the measures ad opted during the review period move in the 
direction of either further liberalization of trade in services or strengthening and clarification of relevant regulatory requirements. Annex 5 contains more in-depth descriptions of these measures. 
Measures affecting va rious service sectors 
 4.2.  In October 2015, China revised certain regulations and regulated documents on registration requirements and abolished the minimum capital requirements imposed on foreign-invested 
companies in the following services sectors: auction; leasing; freight forwarding agency; wholesale 
and storage of refined oil; sale and storage of cr ude oil; engineering and construction; logistics; 
and commercial factoring. The new regulatory regi me also expanded the list of corporate forms 
available for the establishment of foreign investment companies to include companies limited by 
shares.  
4.3.  In November 2015, India liberalised its FDI policy in several important sectors. Foreign equity 
caps have been increased from (i) 26% to 49% in FM Radio Broadcasting and News TV channels 
services (still subject to prior authorization); and (ii) 74% to 100% in Teleports, Direct-to-Home, Cable Networks, Mobile TV, Headend-in-the sky broadcasting services (HITS), satellites establishment and operation, credit information, non-scheduled air transport, and ground-handling 
services. Full foreign-ownership is now also permitted in construction development projects and 
duty free shops.  Foreign equity caps of 49% rema in in force for scheduled air transport services, 
domestic scheduled passenger airline services, and regional air transport services, with no prior 
authorization requirement.  
4.4.  In January this year, as part of its im plementation of the 2005 Commercial Law, Viet Nam 
has authorized foreign traders to establish as representative offices and branches. Foreign traders 
can, however, only qualify to apply for a representative office and branch upon having had an 
operating activity in the territory of Viet Nam for at least five years from the date of establishment 
or registration. Moreover, they are still prohibited from forming more than one foreign representative office and branch in a pr ovince or city under a similar name.  
Distribution services  
 4.5.  In the period under review, new measures affecting trade in this sector were introduced by 
China, Colombia, India and Singapore. Colombia has rendered it mandatory for foreign companies 
seeking to engage in multi-level marketing and dist ribution of goods and services in the country to 
establish as branches. However, natural persons, including foreign ones, are not allowed to act as 
representatives of multi-level marketing companies or to directly carry out such activities in 
Colombia. China introduced new measures on the taxation of cross-border business-to-consumer retail sales. India allowed 100% foreign ownership of business-to-business e-commerce under the automatic route (i.e. without prior authorization). Singapore introduced new regulations on the 
sale and distribution of tobacco products.   
Financial services 
 
4.6.  Important liberalization initiatives have taken place in China, India and the Philippines. In 
February 2016, China broadened the scope of foreig n investors qualified to invest in the Chinese 
interbank bond market (the CIBM), and removed quotas. The new measure permits most types of 
foreign institutional investors (e.g. commercial bank s, insurance companies, securities firms, fund 
management companies and other asset management  institutions, pension funds, charity funds, 
endowment funds, and other mid-term or long-term institution investors recognized by the PBOC) to invest in the CIBM. India authorized full foreign ownership of "white label ATM operations" by 
non-bank entities without prior authorization, and reviewed the guidelines on ownership in private 
sector banks (which envisaged diversified shareh olding in private sector banks by a single 
entity/corporate entity/group of related entities ). In February 2016, the Philippines announced the 
gradual lifting of the ban on new banking lice nces. The plan envisages the removal of all 
restrictions on the grant of new bank licences in 2018.  WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  4.7.  Other developments worth noting include the simplification of licensing requirements for the 
establishment and operation of foreign banks and insurance companies in Thailand, as well as new regulations on cross-border clearing and settlemen t of securities in Australia and Switzerland. 
4.8.  New restrictions on the supply of reinsurance services have been introduced in Indonesia. 
Indonesian insurers are now required to cede all risks within motor, health, personal accident, 
credit, life and suretyship business lines (so-called "simple risks") to domestic Indonesian reinsurance companies. For other insurance business (so-called "non-simple risks"), a minimum of 
25% of risks must be placed with domestic reinsurers and up to 75% may be placed with off-shore 
reinsurers. However, exceptions to the 100% local cession requirement for "simple risks" can be granted, but allowing a maximum offshore cession  of 75%, with a minimum cession to domestic 
reinsurers of 25% (similar to "non-simple risks").  
Maritime transport services 
 4.9.  In June 2015, China allowed sino-foreign jo int ventures to establish in free trade zones to 
supply international transport business between Chinese ports (without limitation on share-
holding) and international transport agency services (with foreign equity limited to 51%). In addition, foreign wholly-owned enterprises esta blished in free trade zones are now allowed to 
supply cargo handling, container station and depot services auxiliary to international maritime 
transport, and international ship management services.  
4.10.  In October 2015, Indonesia introduced new regulation on freight forwarding services. The 
new regulation contains more detailed provisions, inter alia  on licensing, scope of business, foreign 
investment, liability, and sanctions, and ra ises minimum capital requirements. Foreign 
shareholding in freight forwarding companies remains limited to 49%, as per the relevant regulation issued in 2014. Further, the new regulation continues to limit the operational scope of a 
foreign invested freight forwarding company at a number of airports and seaports.  
4.11.  New legislation passed by the Congress of  the Philippines in June 2015 allows foreign 
vessels to transport and co-load foreign cargoes for domestic transshipment. 
Telecommunications/ICT/audiovisual services 
 4.12.  In January this year, Argentina amended its broadcast media and telecommunications regimes, allowing cable TV owners to hold a single nationwide license, with no regional limits, but 
restricting telecom companies from participating in  the TV or cable business unless they do so by 
associating with cooperatives. The amendments still maintain existing restrictions on satellite TV providers to enter the radio, broadcast TV an d pay-TV markets, or run telecommunications 
services.  
4.13.  China's authorities issued a new regulation on online publication services in February 2016 
(effective 10 March 2016).  The regulation establishes a "network publication services license".  
One of the licensing criteria is a requirement fo r the licensee to "have the necessary technological 
equipment required to engage in network publication services, the corresponding servers and storage equipment must be located within the territory of the Peoples Republic of China". Article 10 provides that "Sino-foreign joint ventures, Sino -foreign cooperative ventures and wholly foreign 
owned units must not engage in network publishi ng services", and that "network publishing 
services units cooperating on projects with mainland Sino-foreign joint ventures, Sino-foreign co-operative ventures and foreign businesses, or foreign organizations or individuals" shall seek prior 
approval. 
4.14.  In May 2016, the European Union issued th e General Data Protection Regulation, which will 
be applicable as of 25 May 2018. The regulation applies to data processing in the context of 
activities of an establishment of a company in th e Union, and to processing of personal data of 
data subjects who are in the Union by a company not established in the Union where the 
processing relates to (i) offering goods or services to such data subjects in the Union, or (ii) 
profiling or tracking their behaviour as far as this behaviour takes place within the European 
Union. The regulation dedicates a chapter to tran sfers of personal data to third countries or 
international organizations. The system of international transfers pursues and further clarifies the WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  approach of Directive 95/46/EC which is based on adequacy decisions, appropriate safeguards and 
derogations. 
4.15.  Other developments worth noting include a new regulation in India prohibiting 
discriminatory tariffs for data services on the basi s of content, the adoption of new regulations on 
interconnection and access to physical facilities  by Oman and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the 
implementation of a new fixed-mobile number portability system in Chile, the introduction of new regulations for the wholesale broadband market in Spain, new regulations concerning spectrum 
management in Australia and the United Kingdom, and the implementation of new 
telecommunications laws in Ecuador and Tonga.  
Services supplied through the movement of natural persons 
 
4.16.  During the period under review, several Members (Azerbaijan, Hungary, Indonesia, and 
Switzerland) introduced new measures relating to the implementation of quota systems for work permits issued to foreign citizens. A number of other Members (Singapore, the United Kingdom, 
and the United States) modified salary requirements or visa fees for foreigners. Finally, measures 
related to visa or work permit application processes were introduced by Canada, India, Peru, the Philippines, Senegal, and Viet Nam.   
5  POLICY DEVELOPMENTS IN TRADE AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 
Overview 5.1.  The two decades since the WTO TRIPS Agreem ent entered into force have seen significant 
developments in the interplay between patterns of  trade and trade policy, on the one hand, and 
the intellectual property (IP) system on the other. The ways in which international trade and the 
protection and enforcement of IP interact have grown and diversified in recent years.  
5.2.  The linkages between the IP system and the trading system are too complex and 
multifaceted to be categorized necessarily as facilitating or restricting trade. A balanced system for 
protection and enforcement of IP will facilitate legitimate trade while ensuring measures against illegitimate, infringing trade, particularly counterfeit trademark goods and pirated copyright goods. 
This section looks to provide a broad account of trade-related developments in IP as well as an 
overview of the specific trends and areas of cu rrent interest to WTO Members in this area.  
IP Developments and Trade 5.3.  Some IP-related developments can have direct bearing on opportunities for trade in particular 
sectors. A current example, significant for the TR IPS legal framework and important from a public 
health policy perspective, is the Article 31 bis amendment to the TRIPS Agreement agreed by WTO 
Members. When this amendment enters into force it will consolidate a new legal pathway for 
exports of generic medicines. Currently, 52 Members, representing around 80% of global medicine 
exporting capacity in the pharmaceutical sector, are known to have introduced measures specifically to enable exports under this system . Such developments represent greatly expanded 
practical opportunities for potential exports under this mechanism to meet future needs, in a fast 
evolving international trading environment for medicines. Members have therefore used TRIPS 
Council work and trade policy reviews to gain updates on progress towards implementation and legal acceptance of this mechanism. 
5.4.  International treaty developments in other fo rums also potentially flow through to changes in 
Member's IP systems, with a bearing on trade. A recent multilateral example is the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works fo r Persons Who are Blind, Visually Impaired or 
Otherwise Print Disabled ('MVT'), concluded in 2013 under the auspices of the World Intellectual 
Property Organization. Among other things, the MVT facilitates international trade in published works and is designed to be accessible to the visu ally impaired, by requiring Contracting Parties to 
allow the import and export of accessible format copies under certain conditions. Other IP 
conventions which recently have drawn particular interest from Members have included the WIPO Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty, conventions to facilitate registration of industrial property rights such as the Madrid Agreement and the Hague Agreement.   WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  5.5.  Another system-wide development concerns the wide range of bilate ral and regional trade 
agreements that include provisions on IP. As of 2015, the WTO RTA Database contains 143 RTAs that incorporate such provisions. Such RTAs provide, for instance, for IP enforcement measures covering the on-line environment or applied at the border; provisions with bearing on the 
examination and administration of industrial property rights; the scope of rights accorded to IP 
holders; and the substantive standards defining the eligibility for protection of certain forms of IP subject matter. Some also deal with the question of exhaustion of IP rights, thus defining the 
scope for parallel trade determined by specific, distinct areas of IP rights. A number of these 
agreements also provide for competition policy measures that may have implications for the IP system. 
5.6.  A key exogenous factor driving developmen ts in the linkage between IP and the trading 
system has been technological change, especially evolution in and the global dissemination of 
information and communication technology. The widespread availability of new technologies has led to new forms of trade in IP-rich goods and services, and has created entirely new consumer 
markets for IP content that can function without any physical medium.
98  
5.7.  Traditionally, the measures that have been considered to have the most direct linkage 
between IP and trade are those that deal with trade in goods.99 Although imprecise, 
measurements of trade in certain categories of IP-intensive goods have been used as a proxy for 
assessing the growing significance of IP in international trade, e.g. information and communications technologies, pharmaceuticals, an d luxury goods. Work has been under way to 
improve the precision and coverage of recorded trade in IP, but difficulties remain in collecting 
data for intangible cross-border exchanges compared to statistics on IP embedded in physically 
traded goods such as books, other publications and recorded media. Hence, considerable gaps are apparent in the coverage of statistics on international transactions for IP despite the economic 
significance and commercially disruptive effect of this trade. As the trade and development 
significance of participation in global value chains is increasingly recognized, closer analytical work will enable clearer understanding of the significan ce of IP transactions – such as licensing of 
technological and design inputs, and branding – as important early and intermediate links in global 
value chains. 
Trends and Areas of Interest in IP – Trade Policy Reviews 5.8.  This dynamic and diversifying growth in international transactions involving IP content, and 
the impact of technological change on the IP system, have had some impact on national and 
international policy and legislative processes. Through a range of notification and review processes, both under the TRIPS Council itself and in their Trade Policy Reviews, Members have 
reported a wide range of legal and policy respon ses concerning the changing relationship between 
the IP system and the broader field of trade policy.  A direct indication of the sustained interest of 
Members themselves in how other Members are addressing these linkages is provided by the 
range of questions on IP-related trade policy matters posed during recent trade policy reviews. The 
following non-exhaustive overview covers developments and trends that have been actively discussed in recent trade policy reviews as well as recent notifications to the TRIPS Council and TRIPS Council discussions that are of wider trade policy significance.   
5.9.  Individual trade policy re views have covered broader questions on the relationship between 
IP, trade and development, with WTO Members showin g interest in the relationship between the IP 
system and various aspects of economic performance, as well as domestic innovation, the 
international and national diffusion of technologies, national IP strategies and IP-related 
development policies, measures to use the IP system to promote foreign direct investment, the linkages between innovation, IP and development planning, and specific initiatives to enable 
                                               
98 For instance, at the time of the TRIPS negotiatio ns, international trade in musical and audio-visual 
works,  consumer software, and publications, was almo st entirely conducted by means of tangible carrier 
media (such as discs and the printed pa ge) that were transported physically across national borders, and could 
be counted and assessed for duty as im ported goods.  Today, a significant proportion of what could be termed 
"consumer trade in IP" – international transactions that entail an individual consumer paying for specific access to and use of a distinct copyright work – is now conduc ted on line in intangible form, effectively redefining 
what amounts to "trade" in these sectors. 
99 In view of the fact that many traded goods embody  various categories of IP rights, and traded goods 
may also constitute infringement of IP rights: the border measures stipulated in TRIPS refer in particular to two 
categories of goods, namely counterfeit tr ademark goods and pirated copyright goods. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  domestic firms (including SMEs) to make better use of the IP system for economic development. 
Issues related to taxation, regulatory parameters concerning IP royalties, mechanisms governing pricing of IP protected materials particularly for lower income groups as well as competition policy exceptions for IP licensing protection and assignment have also been explored. 
5.10.  Trade policy reviews have touched upon Members' policies concerning exhaustion of IP 
rights and parallel importation. Sectors of particular interest have included parallel importation of pharmaceuticals and the application of parallel importation mechanisms for publications also to 
digital versions. Many exchanges in trade policy reviews concern enforcement mechanisms for IP 
rights. These have covered the scope, impact and extent of use of border control measures covering infringing goods, including counterfeit trademark goods and pirated copyright goods, and 
including goods in transit.  Recent interest has also been shown in the nature and frequency of 
civil and criminal actions to protect trade secr ets. Trade policy review discussions have also 
considered the role of the courts, programmes to  improve the expeditious handling of civil and 
criminal IP matters, the scope for specialist IP courts and related statistics on aspects of 
enforcement.  
5.11.  The role of alternative dispute resolution (arbitration and mediation) for IP matters and the 
interaction between competition policy and enforcem ent of IP rights have also been prominent 
topics of discussion. Reflecting the significance fo r IP enforcement of the digital environment, WTO 
Members have considered the scope of on-line enforcement measures, particularly for copyright works, the application of technological protecti on measures for copyright works and the use of 
holograms and similar mechanisms to authenticate legitimate copyright works. Equally, they have 
discussed programmes for promoting consumer awareness to reduce demand for pirated and 
counterfeit products. The administration of IP righ ts has also received considerable attention in 
TPRs. Recent TRIPS notifications have included measures to streamline industrial property 
application procedures and to facilitate electronic filing, as well as new measures on time limits 
and for post-grant opposition.  
5.12.  Concerning substantive areas of IP law and policy, WTO Members have discussed patents, 
undisclosed information, trademarks, geographical indications, and copyright. Trade policy review 
discussions have covered the protection of traditional knowledge and genetic resources in domestic law, and the use of related patent disclosure mechanisms. Different approaches to the protection of clinical trial data, including terms of exclusivity, have also been discussed as have questions 
related to the approaches taken to protecting trade secrets within the broader context of 
suppression of unfair competition. Recent TRIPS Co uncil notifications have also covered improved 
measures to protect trade secrets. 
5.13.  Finally, in the TRIPS Council, notifications have covered protection of non-traditional marks 
such as motion and sound marks. Members have explored different approaches to the protection of geographical indications, including in the context of bilateral agreements and specific forms such 
as appellations of origin. A number of bilateral agreements on the protection of geographical 
indications have been reported to the TRIPS Council in the context of its review of the 
implementation of geographical indication protec tion. The wide range of copyright matters raised 
in the TRIPS Council have included issues co ncerning on-line and digital environment, the 
recognition, role and competition aspects of copyright management organizations, levies on 
recording media, the use of optional registration  systems and compulsory licensing arrangements 
for translations of copyright works for educat ional and similar purposes. They also discussed 
copyright administration within the context of regional integration agreements. 
5.14.  For LDC Members, a particular focus has been their use of the renewed extensions of the 
period for implementing TRIPS, and the resource constraints and technical and financial assistance 
needs they have identified. This focus is reinforc ed by the reports on needs assessments that LDCs 
have filed with the TRIPS Council, identifying specif ic areas of linkage between individual national 
development priorities and continuing needs for technical and financial assistance. 
5.15.  The above overview seeks to provide a br ief snap-shot of the dynamic and multi-faceted 
nature of discussions on IP issues among Members in the WTO today, in the TRIPS Council as well 
as more broadly in the issues raised by Members in individual TPRs. Given the increasing recognition of the knowledge component of trade, and the impact of trade-related IP measures on 
the contemporary trading system, developments in the area of IP are likely to be the subject of 
increasing attention in the context of the regular monitoring of trade policy trends. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 75 - 
  ANNEX 1 
MEASURES FACILITATING TRADE1 
(MID-OCTOBER 2015 TO MID-MAY 2016) 
Confirmed information2 
Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Angola Temporary elimination on import tariffs on horse 
mackerel fish (HS 0302), under an import quota of 90,000 tonnes Presidential Decree No. 
20/16 (January 2016)  Effective 
1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016 
Argentina Elimination of export duties on live animals; animal 
products; vegetable produc ts; animal or vegetable 
fats and oils; prepared foodstuffs; raw hides and 
skins; leather; wood and articles of wood; paper 
and paperboard; silk; wool; cotton (NCM Chapters 
01 to 24; 41 to 53). Reduction of export duties for 
certain products, e.g. soya, soya-bean oils, soya 
products; certain raw hides and skins (NCM 1201; 
1507; 1517; 2302; 2304; 2308; 4101; 4102; 
4103; 4104) Permanent Delegation 
of Argentina to the 
WTO (31 May 2016), 
Decretos Nos. 
133/2015 Ministerio de 
Agroindustria 
(16 December 2015) 
and 361/2016 
(16 February 2016), 
and 640/2016 
(2 May 2016) Effective 
16 December 2015 
Argentina Elimination of export duties on merchandise 
products (NCM Chapters 28 to 40; 54 to 76 and 78 to 96). Export duties set at 32% for biodiesel (NCM 3826.00.00)  and at 5% for ferrous waste and scrap (NCM 7204) Permanent Delegation 
of Argentina to the WTO (31 May 2016) and Decreto No. 160/2015 Ministerio de Producción (18 December 2015) Effective 
21 December 2015 
Argentina Reduction of import tariffs (from 10% to 2%) on 
fluorides of aluminium (NCM 2826.12.00)  Permanent Delegation 
of Argentina to the 
WTO (31 May 2016) 
and Decreto 
No. 205/2016 
Comercio Exterior 
(18 January 2016) Effective 
19 January 2016 
Argentina Elimination of the enforcement requirements 
established by the Secretariat of Foreign Trade of the Ministry of the Economy in October 2015 for certain products, e.g. foodstuffs, beverages, perfumery, cosmetics, and personal hygiene 
(NCM Chapters 16; 17; 18; 19; 20; 21; 22; 34; 38) 
 Permanent Delegation 
of Argentina to the WTO (31 May 2016) and Resolución No. 6/2016 Ministerio 
de Producción – 
Secretaría de Comercio (27 January 2016) Effective 
28 January 2016 
Argentina Elimination of export duties on mineral products; 
anthracite; bituminous coal; coal; peat (including 
peat litter), whether or not agglomerated;  certain 
bitumen and asphalt; silk; wool, fine or coarse 
animal hair, horsehair yarn and woven fabric; 
cotton, and other vegetable textiles fibres (NCM 
Chapters 25; 26; 50; 51; 52; 53; 2701.11.00; 
2701.12.00; 2701.19.00; 2703.00.00; 2714.90.00) Permanent Delegation 
of Argentina to the 
WTO (31 May 2016), 
Decretos 
Nos. 349/2016 
(12 February 2016) 
and 361/2016 
(16 February 2016) Effective 
12 February 2016 
                                               
1 The inclusion of any measure in this Annex implies no judgement by the WTO Secretariat on whether 
or not such measure, or its intent, is protectionist in nature. Moreover, nothing in the Annex implies any judgement, either direct or indirect, on the consistency of any measure refe rred to with the provisions of any 
WTO agreement. 
2 This section includes information which has either  been provided by the Member concerned or has 
been confirmed at the request of the Secretariat. 
 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Azerbaijan Elimination of export licensing requirements on 
alcoholic beverages, ethyl spirits and tobacco products (HS 2203; 2204; 2205; 2206; 2207; 2208; 24)  Permanent Delegation 
of Azerbaijan (26 April 2016)   
Azerbaijan Elimination of import licensing requirements on 
alcoholic beverages, ethyl spirits and tobacco 
products (HS 2203; 2204; 2205; 2206; 2207; 
2208; 24)  Permanent Delegation 
of Azerbaijan 
(26 April 2016)   
Azerbaijan Trade facilitation measures for imports through the 
introduction of simplified licensing requirements and reduction of issuance time period (from 15 to 10 working days). Import licences are now issued on a permanent basis   Permanent Delegation 
of Azerbaijan (26 April 2016)   
Azerbaijan Trade facilitation measures for imports through the 
introduction of simplified customs declaration forms 
and electronic customs declarations forms  Permanent Delegation 
of Azerbaijan 
(26 April 2016)   
Azerbaijan Trade facilitation measures for exports shortening 
the time of issuance of certificates of origin (from three working days to one)  Permanent Delegation 
of Azerbaijan (26 April 2016)   
Brazil Pilot project on customs clearance for imports using 
electronic documentation and electronic certification  
implemented in customs in Paranaguá Port, Brasília 
Airport, Belo Horizonte Inspectorate and Pecém 
Port Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) Effective 
20 December 2015 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 2%) on 
1,104 capital goods tariff lines (in NCM Chapters 82; 84; 85; 86; 90) and 110 informatics and telecommunications tariff lines, through the "ex-out" regime (mechanism designed to temporarily reduce import tariffs on capital goods and informatics and telecommunication equipment not locally produced)  Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO (27 May 2016); Camex Resolutions Nos. 100/2015, 101/2015 (26 October 2015),  6/2016, 7/2016 (26 January 2016), 
8/2016,  9/2016 
(18 February 2016), 21/2016, 22/2016 (24 March 2016) and 33/2016, 34/2016 (20 April 2016) Effective until 
31 December 2017 
Brazil Temporary elimination of import tariffs on p-Xylene 
(NCM 2902.43.00), under an import quota of 
90,000 tonnes (effective 26 November 2015 to 
23 May 2016). Temporary reduction (to 2%) of 
import tariffs on sardines, brisling or sprats 
(NCM 0303.53.00), under an import quota of 
30,000 tonnes (effective 30 October 2015 to 
26 April 2016); certain amino-resins 
(NCM 3909.30.20), under an import quota of 
52,500 tonnes (effective 30 October 2015 to 
26 April 2016); certain chemicals products 
(NCM 3808.91.95), under an import quota of 
1,250 tonnes (effective 30 October 2015 to 
29 October 2016); and certain polyesters 
(NCM 3907.99.99), under an import quota of 
3,200 tonnes (effective 30 October 2015 to 
29 October 2016) Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(27 May 2016); Camex 
Resolutions 
Nos. 96/2015 
(26 October 2015), 
102/2015 and 
103/2015 
(29 October 2015); 
and Secex Portarias 
Nos. 76/2015 
(28 October 2015), 
77/2015 and 78/2015 
(29 October 2015) Effective: see 
individual dates in 
measure 
Brazil Elimination of import tariffs on certain vehicles, 
with spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine (NCM 8703.90.00) Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO (27 May 2016) and Camex Resolution No. 97/2015 (26 October 2015) Effective 
27 October 2015 
Brazil Temporary reduction (to 2%) of import tariffs on 
parts suitable for use on lifts, skip hoists or 
escalators (NCM 8431.31.10) and static converters 
(NCM 8504.40.90), through the "ex-out" regime  Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and 
Camex Resolutions 
Nos. 112/2015 
(24 November 2015) 
and 34/2016 
(20 April 2016) Effective until 
31 December 2016 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Brazil Temporary reduction (to 2%) of import tariffs on 
843 capital goods tariff lines (NCM Chapters 73; 84; 85; 86; 90) and 92 informatics and telecommunications goods tariff lines. Temporary elimination of import tariffs on 10 capital goods tariff lines, through the "ex-out" regime  Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO (27 May 2016); Camex Resolutions Nos. 111/2015, 112/2015 (24 November 2015), 116/2015 and 
117/2015 
(17 December 2015) Effective until 
30 June 2017 
Brazil Temporary reduction of im port tariffs (to 2%) on 
other phosphates of calcium (NCM 2835.26.00), 
under an import quota of 25,000 tonnes (effective 
18 December 2015 to 17 December 2016); 
disodium sulphates (NCM 2833.11.10), under an 
import quota of 455,000 tonnes (effective 
31 December 2015 to 27 June 2016); 
carboxyamide-function compounds 
(NCM 2924.19.22), under an import quota of 
5,300 tonnes (effective 11 January 2016 to 
10 January 2017); isocyanates (NCM 2929.10.10), 
under an import quota of 23,000 tonnes (effective 
11 January 2016 to 10 January 2017); artificial 
staple fibres, not carded, combed or otherwise 
processed for spinning of viscose rayon 
(NCM 5504.10.00), under an import quota of 
20,000 tonnes (effective 11 January 2016 to 
10 January 2017); other amino-resins 
(NCM 3909.30.20), under an import quota of 
52,500 tonnes (effective 27 April 2016 to 
26 October 2016); titanium oxides 
(NCM 2823.00.10), under an import quota of 
8,000 tonnes (effective 16 January 2016 to 
15 January 2017); rectangular (including square) 
aluminium plates, sheets and strip, of a thickness 
exceeding 0.2 mm of aluminium alloys 
(NCM 7606.12.90), under an import quota of 
2,937 tonnes (effective 31 January 2016 to 
30 January 2017); and not backed aluminium foil 
rolled but not further worked (NCM 7607.11.90), 
under an import quota of 2,137 tonnes (effective 
31 January 2016 to 30 January 2017). Temporary 
elimination of import tariffs on antisera and other 
blood fractions and modified immunological 
products, whether or not obtained by means of 
biotechnological processes (NCM 3002.10.29), 
under an import quota of  500 grams (effective 
11 January 2016 to 10 January 2017) Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(27 May 2016); Camex 
Resolutions Nos. 
122/2015 
(17 December 2015), 
123/2015 
(30 December 2015), 
1/2016 
(8 January 2016) and 
Secex Portarias 
Nos. 85/2015 
(18 December 2015), 
1/2016 
(4 January 2016), 
2/2016, 3/2016, 
4/2016, 5/2016 
(12 January 2016) Effective: see 
individual dates in 
measure 
Brazil Reduction of import tariffs (from 10% to 2%) on 
certain sulphates of barium (NCM 2833.27.10);(from 14% to 2%) certain sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives of hydrocarbons, whether or not halogenated (NCM 2904.90.14), and on certain esters of other inorganic acids of non-metals (excluding esters of hydrogen halides), including their salts and  
halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated 
derivatives ( propargite ) (NCM 2920.90.22) Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO (27 May 2016) and Camex Resolution No. 4/2016 (26 January 2016)  Effective 
27 January 2016 
Brazil Creation of new tariff lines resulting in the reduction 
of import tariffs (from 8% to zero) on certain 
pharmaceutical products (NCM 3004.90.69); (from 
14% to zero) on certain insecticides 
(NCM 3808.91.91); and (from 30% to 14%) on 
injection or compression types moulds for rubber or 
plastics (NCM 8480.71.00)  Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and 
Camex Resolution 
No. 31/2016 
(31 March 2016) Effective 
1 April 2016 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Brazil Temporary elimination of import tariffs on antisera 
(soroalbumina humana ) (NCM 3002.10.37), under 
an import quota of 240,780 flasks of 10 grams (effective 4 April 2016 to 3 October 2016); methanol (methyl alcohol) (NCM 2905.11.00), under an import quota of 225,000 tonnes (effective 4 April 2016 to 3 October 2016); and maize (NCM 1005.90.10), under an import quota of 
1 million tonnes. Temporary reduction (to 2%) of 
import tariffs on casein (NCM 3501.10.00), under an import quota of 1,900 tonnes (effective 4 April 2016 to 3 April 2017); and vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers (NCM 3904.30.00), under an import quota of 5,000 tonnes (effective 4 April 2016 to 3 April 2017) Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO (27 May 2016), Camex Resolutions Nos. 28/2016 (24 March 2016), 32/2016 (1 April 2016), 
40/2016 
(20 April 2016) and Secex Portarias Nos. 15/2016 (30 March 2016), 18/2016 (6 April 2016) Effective: see 
individual dates in measure 
Brazil Elimination of import taxes on corn (NCM 1005), 
under an import quota of 1 million tonnes  Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) Effective 
20 April 2016 
Brazil Temporary reduction (to 2%) of import tariffs on 
palm kernel or babassu oil (NCM 1513.29.10), 
under an import quota of 224,785 tonnes; barium carbonate (NCM 2836.60.00), under an import quota of 7,300 tonnes; and photographic film in rolls for x-ray (NCM 3702.10.20), under an import quota of 1,000 tonnes Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and Camex Resolutions Nos. 41/2016 and 43/2016 (5 May 2016)   
Chile Trade facilitation measures for exports through the 
implementation of electronic processing of 
applications to determine service transactions as 
exports  Permanent Delegation 
of Chile to the WTO 
(20 April 2016) Effective 
4 January 2016 
China Trade facilitation measures for imports through the 
elimination of customs declarers fees, suspension of 
collection of intellectual property right declaration fees, and overdue fines of imported goods no longer included as administrative charges Permanent Delegation 
of China to the WTO 
(20 April 2016) Effective 
1 November 2015 
China Trade facilitation measures for exports through the 
elimination of customs declarers fees, and 
suspension of collection of  intellectual property 
right declaration fees Permanent Delegation 
of China to the WTO 
(20 April 2016) Effective 1 
November 2015 
China Exclusion of imports of silver ores and 
concentrates; other ores and concentrates; and polymers of styrene waste, paring and scrap (HS 2616.10.00; 2617.90.90; 3915.20.00) from 
the Prohibited Catalogue of Goods for Processing 
Trade  Permanent Delegation 
of China to the WTO (20 April 2016) Effective 
10 November 2015 
China Exclusion of exports of amino-alcohol-phenols, 
amino-acid-phenols and other amino compounds 
with oxygen function; colouring matter of vegetable 
or animal origin; and bismuth and articles thereof, 
including waste and scrap (HS 2922.50.90; 
3203.00.19; 8106.00.10) from the Prohibited 
Catalogue of Goods for Processing Trade Permanent Delegation 
of China to the WTO 
(20 April 2016) Effective 
10 November 2015 
China Release in December 2015 of the catalogue of 
goods subject to automatic import licensing  Permanent Delegation 
of China to the WTO (20 April 2016) Effective 
1 January 2016 
China Elimination of export duties on steel billet and pig 
iron Permanent Delegation 
of China to the WTO 
(20 April 2016) Effective 
1 January 2016 
China Reduction of import tariffs on certain products, 
e.g. advanced equipment, energy raw materials and key components  Permanent Delegation 
of China to the WTO (20 April 2016) Effective 
1 January 2016 
Colombia Temporary elimination of import tariffs on certain 
machinery, equipment and goods destined for new 
projects for the production of renewable energy. 
Imports also exempted from VAT Permanent Delegation 
of Colombia to the 
WTO (27 May 2016) 
and Decreto No. 2143 
Ministerio de Minas y 
Energía 
(4 November 2015) Effective 
November 2015 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 79 - 
  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Colombia Temporary elimination of import tariffs on certain 
fertilizers and miscellaneous chemical products (18 tariff lines) (HS 3102.21.00; 3102.29.00; 3102.60.00; 3102.80.00; 3105.20.00; 3105.51.00; 3105.90.20; 3808.50.00; 3808.91.11; 3808.91.19; 3808.91.92; 3808.91.99; 3808.92.19; 3808.92.99; 3808.93.92; 3808.94.19; 3808.99.19) Permanent Delegation 
of Colombia to the WTO (27 May 2016) and  Decreto No. 2180 Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo - Diario Oficial No. 49.693 
(11 November 2015) Effective 
11 November 2015 for two years 
Colombia Temporary elimination of import tariffs on certain 
beans and lentils ( lenteja, frijol, ajo ) (effective 
29 February 2016  until 30 June 2016), animal or 
vegetable fats and oils, and stearic and oleic acids 
(effective 29 February 2016 for six months) 
(HS 0713.40.90; 0713.31.90; 0713.32.90; 
0713.33.91; 0713.33.92; 0713.33.99; 0713.33.49; 
0713.35.90; 0713.39.91; 0713.39.99; 0703.20.90; 
1501.10.00; 1501.20.00; 1501.90.00; 1502.10.10; 
1502.10.90; 1502.90.10; 1502.90.90; 1503.00.00; 
1506.00.10; 1506.00.90; 1507.10.00; 1507.90.10; 
1507.90.90; 1508.10.00; 1508.90.00; 1511.10.00; 
1511.90.00; 1512.11.10; 1512.11.20; 1512.19.10; 
1512.19.20; 1512.21.00; 1512.29.00; 1513.11.00; 
1513.19.00; 1513.21.10; 1513.29.10; 1514.11.00; 
1514.19.00; 1514.91.00; 1514.99.00; 1515.21.00; 
1515.29.00; 1515.30.00; 1515.50.00; 1515.90.00; 
1516.20.00; 1517.10.00; 1517.90.00; 1518.00.10; 
1518.00.90; 3823.11.00; 3823.12.00; 3823.19.00) Permanent Delegation 
of Colombia to the 
WTO (27 May 2016) 
and Decreto No. 343 
Ministerio de 
Comercio, Industria y 
Turismo 
(29 February 2016) Effective: see 
individual dates in 
measure 
Colombia New Law updating customs procedures resulting in 
improvement of import procedures Permanent Delegation 
of Colombia to the WTO (21 April 2016) and Decreto No. 390 Ministerio de Hacienda y Crédito Público (7 March 2016) Implemented as 
from March 2016 
Colombia New Law updating customs procedures resulting in 
improvement of export procedures Permanent Delegation 
of Colombia to the 
WTO (21 April 2016) 
and Decreto No. 390 
Ministerio de Hacienda 
y Crédito Público 
(7 March 2016) Implemented as 
from March 2016 
Colombia Creation of new tariff lines resulting in the 
elimination of import tariffs on certain LED lamps and lighting (HS 9405.10.10; 9405.10.20; 9405.10.90; 9405.40.11; 9405.40.19; 9405.40.90) Permanent Delegation 
of Colombia to the WTO (27 May 2016) and Decreto No. 588 Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo (11 April 2016) Effective 
11 April 2016 
Dominican 
Republic Trade facilitation measures through the 
establishment of a single-window system 
(ventanilla única de comercio exterior "VUCE" ) for 
imports  Permanent Delegation 
of the Dominican 
Republic to the WTO 
(10 June 2015) Effective 
December 2015 
Dominican 
Republic Trade facilitation measures through the 
establishment of a single-window system (ventanilla única de comercio exterior "VUCE" ) for 
exports Permanent Delegation 
of the Dominican Republic to the WTO (10 June 2015) Effective 
December 2015 
Dominican 
Republic Various measures to enhance customs procedures 
and facilitate the flow of goods (imports) Permanent Delegation 
of the Dominican 
Republic to the WTO 
(22 April 2016) and 
Decreto Presidencial 
No. 262-15   
Dominican Republic Various measures to enhance customs procedures 
and facilitate the flow of goods (exports) Permanent Delegation 
of the Dominican Republic to the WTO (22 April 2016) and Decreto Presidencial No. 262-15   WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 80 - 
 
  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
India Elimination of import tariffs (from 5%) on iron ore 
pellets (HS 2601.12.10) (originally implemented on 
27 January 2014) Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and 
Notification 
No. 1/2016-Customs 
Ministry of Finance 
(4 January 2016)  Effective 
4 January 2016 
India Elimination of export duties on iron ore lumps and 
fines below 58% Fe content (HS 2601), chromium 
ores and concentrates (HS 2610). Reduction of export duties (from 20% to 15%) on bauxite (natural) (HS 2606.00.20) Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO 
(27 May 2016); WTO document WT/TPR/OV/18, 17 November 2015; and D.O.F No. 334/8/2016-TRU - Department of Revenue - Ministry of Finance (29 February 2016) Effective 
1 March 2016   
India Reduction of import tariffs (from 5% to 2.5%) on 
raw materials, parts or accessories for use in 
manufacture of  instruments or appliances required 
for medical, surgical, dental or veterinary use 
falling under headings HS 9018; 9019; 9020; 9022 Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and 
Notification 
No. 4/2016-Customs 
Ministry of Finance 
(19 January 2016)  Effective 
19 January 2016 
India Elimination of import tariffs on certain goods 
required for medical, surgical, dental or veterinary use (HS 9018.32.30; 9018.50.20; 9018.90.21; 9018.90.24; 9018.90.43; 9018.90.95; 9018.90.96; 9018.90.97; 9018.90.98; 9019.10.20; 9022.90.10; 
9022.90.30) Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO (27 May 2016) and Notification No. 5/2016-Customs 
Ministry of Finance 
(19 January 2016)  Effective 
19 January 2016 
India Reduction of import tariffs (from 5% to 2.5%) on 
denatured ethyl alcohol, silica sand, fibres, 
filaments/yarns, brass scarp, anthracite, 
bituminous coal, briquettes, ovoids and similar solid 
fuels manufactured from coal, lignite, peat, oils and 
other products of the distillation of high 
temperature coal tar, pulp of wood, acyclic 
hydrocarbons, cyclic hydrocarbons; (from 7.5% to 
5%) on aluminium oxide, super absorbent polymer 
(SAP); and (from 10% to 5%) on refrigerated 
containers. Elimination of import tariffs (from 
7.5%) on medical use fission molybdenum-99, 
polypropylene granules/resins; (from 5%) on wood 
in chips or particles for manufacture of paper; 
(from 10%) on braille paper; and (from 2.5%) on 
electrolysers membranes and their parts  Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO 
(27 May 2016), D.O.F 
No. 334/8/2016-TRU - 
Department of 
Revenue - Ministry of 
Finance 
(29 February 2016) 
and Notification 
No. 12/2016-Customs 
Ministry of Finance 
(1 March 2016) Effective 
1 March 2016   
India Reduction of the special additional duty (SAD) 
(from 4% to 2%) on orthoxylene when used in the manufacture of phthalic anhydride (HS 2902.41.00) 
 Permanent Delegation of India to the WTO (27 May 2016) and D.O.F No. 334/8/2016-TRU - Department of Revenue - Ministry of 
Finance 
(29 February 2016) Effective 
1 March 2016   
Indonesia Elimination of import tariffs on 21 categories of 
aircraft spare parts  Permanent Delegation 
of Indonesia to the 
WTO (27 May 2016) 
and Regulation MOF 
No. 35/PMK-010/2016 Effective April 2016 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Korea, Rep. of  Reduction of import tariffs (under the APEC 
Environmental Goods Initiative) on 54 environmentally friendly goods, e.g. auxiliary plant for use with boilers, steam turbines, gas turbines, non-electric instantaneous or storage water heaters, dryers, machinery for filtering or purifying 
water and liquids, AC generators (alternator), wind-powered generating sets, furnaces and ovens, 
photosensitive semiconductors devices including 
photovoltaic cells, instruments and apparatus for measuring or checking pressure, instruments for physical or chemical analysis, and automatic regulating or controlling instruments (HS 4418.72; 8402.90; 8404.10; 8404.20; 8404.90; 8406.90; 8411.82; 8411.99; 8412.90; 8417.80; 8417.90; 8419.19; 8419.39; 8419.60; 8419.89; 8419.90; 8421.21; 8421.29; 8421.39; 8421.99; 8474.20; 8479.82; 8479.89; 8479.90; 8501.64; 8502.31; 8502.39; 8503.00; 8504.90; 8514.10; 8514.20; 8514.30; 8514.90; 8541.40; 8543.90; 9013.80; 
9013.90; 9015.80; 9026.10; 9026.20; 9026.80; 
9026.90; 9027.10; 9027.20; 9027.30; 9027.50; 9027.80; 9027.90; 9031.49; 9031.80; 9031.90; 9032.89; 9032.90; 9033.00) Permanent Delegation 
of the Republic of Korea to the WTO (27 May 2016)  Effective 
1 January 2016 
Korea, Rep. of  Temporary Reduction of import tariffs on 51 
products (e.g. cobalt oxides, liquefied propane and 
manioc chips) (HS 0714.10.20; 2711.12.00; 
2822.00.10) Permanent Delegation 
of the Republic of 
Korea to the WTO 
(27 May 2016)  Effective 
1 January 2016 
Malaysia Reduction of import tariffs (under the APEC 
Environmental Goods Initiative) (from 30% to 5%) on certain instantaneous gas water heaters; and parts for machinery, plant and equipment (HS 
8419.19.10; 8419.90.41); and (from 25% to 5%) 
certain parts for centrifuges, including centrifugal dryers; filtering or purifying machinery and apparatus for liquids; and intake air filters for internal combustion engines (HS 8419.90.10; 8421.29.51; 8421.29.60; 8421.39.90; 8421.99.10) Customs Duties 
(Amendment) (No. 3) - Order 2015 (29 December 2015) Effective 
1 January 2016 
Mexico Elimination of import tariffs (from 7%) on non-ionic 
organic surface-active agent ( poliéter polisiloxano ) 
(HS 3402.13.03); (from 10%) vinyl acetate 
(HS 2915.32.01); and certain toys and ice skates 
and roller skates (10 tariff lines) (HS 9503.00.07; 
9503.00.08; 9503.00.09; 9503.00.13; 9503.00.26; 
9504.90.01; 9504.90.02; 9504.90.04; 9506.70.01; 
9506.99.99). Reduction of import tariffs (from 15% 
to 10%) on certain rackets (HS 9506.59.99); and 
(from 15% to 5%) on certain cooling machinery 
(torres de enfriamiento ) (HS 8419.89.03)  Permanent Delegation 
of Mexico to the WTO 
(26 May 2016) and 
Diario Oficial de la 
Federación (Official 
Journal), 
6 January 2016 Effective 
7 January 2016 
Mexico Reduction of import tariffs (under the APEC 
Environmental Goods Initiative) on 29 tariff lines, e.g. industrial or laboratory furnaces or ovens, certain machines and mechanical appliances, electric motors and generators, wind-powered generating sets, instantaneous or storage water heaters, filtering or puri fying machinery, crushing 
or grinding machinery, and surveying instruments and appliances (HS 4418.72.02; 8417.80.04; 8417.80.05; 8479.82.05; 8501.64.03; 8502.39.04; 8514.10.04; 8514.20.05; 9015.80.07; 8419.19.02; 8419.19.03; 8419.89.15; 8421.29.03; 8421.39.01; 
8421.39.04; 8474.20.01; 8474.20.02; 8474.20.03; 
8474.20.05; 8474.20.06; 8474.20.99; 8479.89.03; 8479.89.19; 8502.31.99; 9015.80.02; 9015.80.06; 9015.80.99; 9026.20.04; 8419.89.03) Permanent Delegation 
of Mexico to the WTO (26 May 2016) Effective 
6 January 2016 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Moldova, 
Republic of  Reduction of import tariffs (to 1%) on certain 
products, e.g. synthetic filament yarn; electrical 
transformers; leather further prepared after tanning 
or crusting; nonwovens, whether or not 
impregnated, coated, covered or laminated; textile 
fabrics; certain electrical machinery and equipment; 
parts and accessories of the motor vehicle; slide 
fasteners; glass fibres; plastic and articles; 
man-made staple fibres; articles of mica; ceramic 
articles; and articles of leather (HS 5402.34.00; 
8504.31.80; 4107.19.90; 4107.92.10; 4107.99.10; 
5603.11.90; 5903.20.90; 8501.10.99; 8538.90.91; 
8708.29.90; 9607.20.90; 3916.90.50; 3917.32.00; 
3919.10.80; 3921.12.00; 3921.13.10; 3921.19.00; 
3926.90.97; 4016.93.00; 4016.99.57; 5515.99.80; 
5603.13.10; 5603.13.90; 5603.14.90; 8504.90.11; 
8504.90.18; 8536.10.10; 8536.41.90; 8538.90.99; 
8544.11.90; 6001.10.00; 6814.10.00; 6914.90.00; 
7019.12.00; 8544.30.00; 8544.49.93; 8546.90.90; 
8547.20.00; 9405.92.00; 4819.20.00; 5806.39.00; 
4205.00.90) Permanent Delegation 
of the Republic of 
Moldova to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) Effective 
3 March 2016 
Philippines Temporary reduction of import tariffs on certain 
products, e.g.  frozen poultry cuts and offals; frozen Turkey cuts and offals; pig and poultry fat; peas; walnuts; fresh grapes; rape or colza seeds; certain oil seeds; rape, colza or mustard oil and fractions; turkey prepared or preserved meat (HS 0207.25.00; 0207.27.99 0403.90.10; 0405.10.00; 0406.20.10; 0406.20.90; 1006.10.90; 1006.20.10; 1006.20.90; 1006.30.30; 1006.30.40; 1006.30.91; 1006.30.99; 1006.40.10; 1006.40.90; 2004.10.00; 2306.41.10; 2306.41.20; 2306.49.10; 
2306.49.20)  Permanent Delegation 
of Philippines to the WTO (27 May 2016) and Executive Order No. 190, s. 2015 (5 November 2015)   
Customs 
Union 
between the 
Russian 
Federation, 
Armenia, 
Belarus,  
Kazakhstan, 
and Kyrgyz 
Rep. Temporary reduction of im port tariffs on certain 
nuts, dates, dried grapes, Brussels sprouts 
(effective 22 April 2016 to 31 May 2019), 
cauliflowers and headed broccoli (effective 
22 April 2016 to 31 May 2017), and (to 5%) on 
certain products used in the printing industry 
(effective 4 March 2016 to 31 August 2017). 
Temporary elimination of import tariffs on other 
photographic plates and film, with any side 
exceeding 255 mm (HS 3701.30.00) (effective 
12 December 2015 to 31 December 2018); on 
ungrounded natural calcium phosphates, natural 
aluminium calcium phosphates and phosphatic 
chalk (HS 2510.20.00) (effective 5 January 2016 to 
4 January 2019); on cocoa paste and cocoa butter 
(HS 1803.10.00; 1804.00.00) (effective 26 March 
2016 to 31 December 2017); on beryllium oxide 
and hydroxide (HS 2825.90.20) (effective 
2 January 2016 to 31 December 2017); on 
terephthalic acid and its salts (HS 2917.36.00) 
(effective 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2017); 
and bleached non-coniferous chemical wood pulp 
(HS 4703.29.00) (effective 6 May 2016 to 
31 May 2019) Permanent Delegation 
of the Russian 
Federation to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) Effective: see 
individual dates in 
measure 
Customs 
Union between the Russian Federation, Armenia, Belarus,  Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyz Rep. Extension of the temporary elimination of import 
tariffs on gas turbines parts (HS 8411.99.00)  Permanent Delegation 
of the Russian Federation to the WTO (27 May 2016) Effective 
2 April 2016 to 31 December 2021 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Customs 
Union 
between the 
Russian 
Federation, 
Armenia, 
Belarus,  
Kazakhstan, 
and Kyrgyz 
Rep. Decrease of import tariffs (from 7.5% to 5%) on 
certain pharmaceutical products containing 
alkaloids or derivatives th ereof, but not containing 
antibiotics (HS 3004.40.00)  Permanent Delegation 
of the Russian 
Federation to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) Effective 
17 January 2016 
SACU - 
Southern African Customs Union (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and 
Swaziland) Temporary reduction of import tariffs (from R 304 
c/kg to R 245.4 c/kg) on cane and beet sugar. On 11 April 2016 further reduction of import tariffs (from R 245.4 c/kg to R 239.5 c/kg) (HS 1701.12; 1701.13; 1701.14; 1701.91; 1701.99) Permanent Delegation 
of  South Africa to the WTO (22 April 2016) and Notices Nos. R 1244 of 2015 (18 December 2015) and  R 419 of 2016 (11 April 2016) - International Trade Administration 
Commission - 
Government Gazettes Nos. 39524 and 39915  Effective 
18 December 2015 
SACU - 
Southern 
African 
Customs 
Union 
(Botswana, 
Lesotho, 
Namibia, 
South Africa, 
and 
Swaziland) Elimination of import tariffs (from 25%) on canned 
mussels in airtight metal containers (HS 605.53.21; 
1605.53.22) Permanent Delegation 
of South Africa to the 
WTO (30 May 2016) 
and Notice No. R 240 
of 2016 - International 
Trade Administration 
Commission - 
Government Gazette 
No. 39799 
(11 March 2016)  Effective 
11 March 2016 
Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu Temporary reduction of import tariffs (from 25% to 
12.5%) on geese meat  (HS 0207.51; 0207.52; 0207.54; 0207.55) Permanent Delegation 
of the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu  to the WTO (30 May 2016) Effective 25 
November 2015 to 31 December 2016 
Separate 
Customs 
Territory of 
Taiwan, 
Penghu, 
Kinmen and 
Matsu Reduction of import tariffs (under the APEC 
Environmental Goods Initiative) on parts of 
pneumatic power engines and motors, AC 
generators (alternators) of an output exceeding 
750 kVA, and wind-powered generating sets (HS ) Permanent Delegation 
of the Separate 
Customs Territory of 
Taiwan, Penghu, 
Kinmen and Matsu  to 
the WTO 
(30 May 2016) Effective 
11 December 2015 
Tunisia Elimination of import tariffs (2,168 tariff lines) on 
raw materials and certain equipment not locally produced (HS Chapters 25; 27; 28; 30; 32; 33; 34; 35; 36; 37; 38; 39; 40; 41; 42; 44; 45; 46; 47; 48; 49; 51; 52; 54; 55; 56; 58; 59; 60; 61; 62; 63; 65; 66; 67; 68; 69; 70; 71; 72; 73; 74; 76; 80; 82; 83; 84; 85; 87; 90; 91; 93; 94; 95; 96) Permanent Delegation 
of Tunisia to the WTO (11 May 2016) Effective 1 January 
2016 
Turkey Elimination of import tariffs (from 6%) on certain 
iron and steel products (HS 7225.40.12; 
7226.91.20) Permanent Delegation 
of Turkey to the WTO 
(31 May 2016) Effective 
1 January 2016 
Ukraine Elimination of the temporary tariff increases (import 
surcharge) on all goods with a view to restoring balance-of-payments (implemented on 25 February 2015)  WTO documents 
WT/BOP/N/78, 21 January 2015 and WT/BOP/N/80, 14 January 2016 Effective 
1 January 2016 
United States Elimination of export ban on crude oil  H.R. 2029 - 
Consolidated 
Appropriation ACT, 
2016 - Title I - 
Sec. 101 
(18 December 2015) Effective 
18 December 2015 
 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  Recorded, but non-confirmed information3 
Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Bosnia and 
Herzegovina Implementation of trade facilitation measures 
through the establishment of the ASYCUDA World 
Application for imports Balkans 
(1 December 2015) Effective April 2016 
Bosnia and 
Herzegovina Implementation of trade facilitation measures 
through the establishment of the ASYCUDA World 
Application for exports Balkans 
(1 December 2015) Effective April 2016 
Botswana Trade facilitation measures through the 
establishment of a single-window web-platform system for imports  Mmegionline 
(27 January 2016)   
Botswana Trade facilitation measures through the 
establishment of a single-window web-platform 
system for exports Mmegionline 
(27 January 2016)   
Brazil Rates of internal tax ( imposto sobre produtos 
industrializados ) applied on imports and locally 
produced alcoholic beverages harmonized 
(NCM 2204; 2205; 2206; 2208) (except for "cachaça " (NCM 2208.90.00))  Press reports referring 
to Law No. 13.241 
(30 December 2015)   
Brunei 
Darussalam Implementation of trade facilitation measures 
through the establishment of the National Single 
Window "BDNSW" sch eme for imports  The Brunei Times 
(30 March 2016)   
Brunei 
Darussalam Implementation of trade facilitation measures 
through the establishment of the National Single Window "BDNSW" scheme for exports  The Brunei Times 
(30 March 2016)   
Côte d'Ivoire Temporary reduction of im port tariffs on certain 
informatics goods. Imports also exempted from 
VAT   Abidjan 
(26 November 2015) Effective until 
31 December 2018 
El Salvador Reduction of import tariffs (from 40% to 36%) on 
rice (HS 1006) Central America Data 
(2 December 2015) Effective 
1 January 2016 
El Salvador Elimination of import tariffs on certain equipment, 
materials, and transmission lines for renewable 
energy projects generating more than 20 MW  Lexology 
(17 October 2015) Effective for 10 
years 
Ethiopia Trade facilitation measures through the 
implementation of a single-window system for imports  The Ethiopian Herald 
(17 December 2015)   
Ethiopia Trade facilitation measures through the 
implementation of a single-window system for 
exports  The Ethiopian Herald 
(17 December 2015)   
Guinea Trade facilitation measures through the 
implementation of a mobile scanner for imports in the port of Conakry  Guineenews.org 
(13 November 2015)   
Guinea Trade facilitation measures through the 
implementation of a mobile scanner for exports in 
the port of Conakry Guineenews.org 
(13 November 2015)   
Indonesia Temporary elimination of import taxes on salt for 
industrial purposes (HS 2501.00) Jakarta Globe 
(4 November 2015)   
Indonesia Elimination of pre-shipment inspection 
requirements and import registration for iron and 
steel products (HS Chapters 72 and 73) (originally 
implemented on 18 February 2009)  Press reports referring 
to Decree No. 8/2012 
(December 2015) Effective 
1 January 2016 
Indonesia Elimination of specific import requirements, e.g. 
pre-shipment inspections, limited entry points (selected seaports), and non-automatic import licensing for certain food products (e.g. preparation of meat; sugars; cocoa, preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk; and  preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other plants) (HS 1601; 1602; 1603; 1604; 1605; 1704; 1806; 1901; 1902; 1904; 1905; 2002; 2007; 2008)  Press reports referring 
to  Decree No. 83/2012 (December 2015) Effective 
1 January 2016 
Jordan Elimination of import tariffs on information 
technology goods. Imports also exempted from VAT  Zawya, Thomson 
Reuters 
(31 October 2015)   
Kenya Trade facilitation measures through the 
implementation of a new customs software system for imports  AllAfrica 
(16 December 2015)   
                                               
3 This section includes information which has been obtained from public sources but has not yet been 
confirmed by the delegation concerned. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Kenya Trade facilitation measures through the 
implementation of a new customs software system 
for exports AllAfrica 
(16 December 2015)   
Madagascar Trade facilitation measures through the adoption of 
the "Tradenet" platform, allowing the online payment of import duties by importers  L'Express 
(9 December 2015)   
Malaysia Reduction of import tariffs on certain products, i.e. 
spare parts, consumables, and research apparatus 
for the manufacturing sector (90 tariff lines)  The Journal of Turkish 
Weekly (14 September 
2015)   
Mongolia Elimination of import tariffs on wheat (HS 1001)  The Western Producer 
(16 December 2015)   
Mongolia Temporary elimination of import tariffs on certain 
agricultural machinery (e.g. tractors, combine 
harvesters), irrigation equipment, fertilizers and 
pesticides. Imports also exempted from VAT  Press release Ministry 
of Food and Agriculture 
(January 2016) Effective until 
31 December 2016 
Mongolia Amendments introduced to the Tax Code, 
harmonizing rates of excise duty applied on imports and locally produced alcoholic beverages (HS 2204; 
2205; 2206; 2207; 2208)  Press reports 
(February 2016)   
Nigeria Elimination of import ban on rice (HS 1006) (only 
through land borders)  AllAfrica.com 
(25 October 2015)   
Saudi Arabia, 
Kingdom of Elimination of export ban on cement and steel  Reuters 
(29 November 2015)   
Saudi Arabia, 
Kingdom of Measures to facilitate trade through the 
introduction of a single import customs declaration 
form  Arab News 
(13 September 2015)   
Saudi Arabia, 
Kingdom of Measures to facilitate trade through the 
introduction of a single export customs declaration form  Arab News 
(13 September 2015)   
Saudi Arabia, 
Kingdom of Extension (from 6 to 12 months) of exemption of 
import tariffs on raw materials, half-manufactured 
goods, equipment and spare parts Arab News 
(5 September 2015)   
Sri Lanka Elimination of import tariffs on certain products, 
e.g. books, journals, magazines, caravan carriages, yachts, and mini boats  Dailymirror.lk referring 
to Budget 2016 (20 November 2015)   
Sri Lanka Reduction of import taxes on certain construction 
materials  Dailymirror.lk referring 
to Budget 2016 
(20 November 2015)   
Thailand Reduction of import tariffs on 1,000 items  Bangkok Post 
(8 December 2015)   
Ukraine Elimination of import tariffs on electric vehicles  Ukraine Today 
(25 November 2015)   
Ukraine Trade facilitation measures for imports through the 
establishment of a single window system  Press reports 
(26 November 2015)   
Ukraine Trade facilitation measures for exports through the 
establishment of a single window system  Press reports 
(26 November 2015)   
Uzbekistan Trade facilitation measures for imports through the 
adoption of a unified and harmonized customs code  Trend News Agency (4 December 2015)   
Uzbekistan Trade facilitation measures for exports through the 
adoption of a unified and harmonized customs code  Trend News Agency 
(4 December 2015)   
Viet Nam Elimination of export tax (15%) on stainless steel 
scrap  Press reports referring 
to Notice 
No. 10937/TCHQ-TXNK Ministry of Finance (November 2015)   
Viet Nam Reduction of import tariffs on jet fuel and diesel 
(from 10% to 7%) and kerosene (from 13% to 7%) 
(HS 2710)   Saigon Times referring 
to Circular 
46/2016/TT-BTC 
(17 March 2016 )   
Zambia Temporary elimination of import tariffs on 
transmission equipment  ITWeb Africa 
(20 October 2015) Effective for 2 years 
Zimbabwe Elimination of export duties on chrome  The Chronicle 
(27 November 2015)   
 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  ANNEX 2 
TRADE REMEDIES1 
(MID-OCTOBER 2015 TO MID-MAY 2016) 
CONFIRMED INFORMATION2 
Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Argentina Termination on 14 December 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on solid fumigant pesticides (NCM 3808.91)  from China (imposed on 27 December 2002)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/ARG, 18 March 2016   
Argentina Termination on 18 January 2016 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of printing inks 
(NCM 3204.17.00; 3212.90.90; 3215.11.00; 
3215.19.00) from Brazil (investigation initiated 
on 17 July 2009 and duties imposed on 17 
January 2011)   Permanent Delegation of 
Argentina to the WTO 
(31 May 2016) and Disp. 
SSCE 24/15, Boletín Oficial 
(22 June 2015)   
Argentina Termination on 21 January 2016 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of insulation 
displacement connectors (NCM 8536.90.90) from India (investigation initiated on 21 July 2009, provisional and definitive duties imposed on 26 May 2010 and 20 January 2011) 
 Permanent Delegation of 
Argentina to the WTO 
(31 May 2016) and Disp. SSCE 24/15, Boletín Oficial (22 June 2015)   
Argentina Initiation on 2 April 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of steel spring washers 
and other lock washers ( arandela de muelle 
(resorte) ) (NCM 7318.21.00) from China Permanent Delegation of 
Argentina to the WTO 
(31 May 2016) and 
Resolución No. 46/2016 
Ministerio de Producción -
Secretaría de Comercio  (28 
March 2016)   
Argentina Initiation on 12 April 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of certain polymers of propylene plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated supported or similarly combined with other materials (NCM 3920.20.90) from Peru Permanent Delegation of 
Argentina to the WTO (31 May 2016) and Resolución No. 60/2016 Ministerio de Producción -Secretaría de Comercio (7 April 2016)   
Argentina Termination on 4 May 2016 (without measure) 
of anti-dumping investigation on imports of 
plastic swimming pools (NCM 9506.99.00) from 
Brazil and China (initiated on 25 April 2015) Permanent Delegation of 
Argentina to the WTO 
(31 May 2016) and 
Resolución No. 83/2016 
Ministerio de Producción -
Secretaría de Comercio  (28 
April 2016)   
Australia Termination on 19 October 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of steel reinforcing 
bar (HS 7213.10.00; 7214.20.00; 7227.90.90; 7228.30.90) from Malaysia, Thailand and Turkey (investigation initiated on 17 October 2014 and provisional duty imposed on 13 March 2015) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/AUS, 
25 February 2016   
                                               
1 The inclusion of any measure in this Annex implies no judgement by the WTO Secretariat on whether 
or not such measure, or its intent, is protectionist in nature. Moreover, nothing in the Annex implies any judgement, either direct or indirect, on the consistency of any measure refe rred to with the provisions of any 
WTO agreement. 
2 This section includes information which has either  been provided by the Member concerned or has 
been confirmed at the request of the Secretariat. 
 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Australia  Initiation on 10 No vember 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of chrome 
bars (HS 7215.90.00; 7215.50.90; 7222.30.00; 
7228.30.10; 7228.60.10; 7228.60.90) from 
Italy and Romania WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/AUS, 
25 February 2016; 
Permanent Delegation of 
Australia to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and Australia 
Customs Dumping Notice 
No. 2016/28 (24 March 
2016) Provisional duty 
imposed on 
30 March 2016 on 
imports from 
Romania 
Australia Initiation on 17 November 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of grinding balls (HS 7325.91.00; 7326.11.00; 7326.90.90) from China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/AUS, 25 February 2016; Permanent Delegation of Australia to the WTO (27 May 2016 and Australia Customs Dumping Notice No. 2016/45 
(21 April 2016) Provisional duty 
imposed on 22 April 2016 
Australia Initiation on 17 November 2015 of 
countervailing investigation on imports of 
grinding balls (HS 7325.91.00; 7326.11.00; 
7326.90.90) from China WTO document 
G/SCM/N/298/AUS, 
9 March 2016; Permanent 
Delegation of Australia to 
the WTO (27 May 2016 and 
Australia Customs Dumping 
Notice No. 2016/45 
(21 April 2016) Provisional duty 
imposed on 
22 April 2016 
Australia Termination on 19 November 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of power transformers (HS 8504.22.00; 8504.23.00) from Viet Nam (investigation initiated on 29 July 2013 and definitive duty imposed on 10 December 2014)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/AUS, 25 February 2016   
Australia Termination on 25 November 2015 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation on 
imports of hot rolled plate steel (HS 
7208.40.00; 7208.51.00; 7208.52.00; 
7225.40.00) from Korea, Rep. of, and Chinese 
Taipei (initiated on 
31 March 2015) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/AUS, 
25 February 2016   
Australia Initiation on 22 December 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of hollow structural sections "HSS" (HS 7306.30.00; 7306.50.00; 7306.61.00; 7306.69.00; 7306.90.00) from India and United Arab Emirates WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/AUS, 25 February 2016; Permanent Delegation of Australia to the WTO (27 May 2016) and Australia Customs Dumping Notice No. 2016/18 (22 February 2016) Provisional duty 
imposed on 22 February 2016 
Australia Termination on 22 December 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of newsprint (HS 
4801.00.20; 4801.00.31; 4801.00.39) from 
France (investigation initiated on 22 April 2014 
and provisional and definitive duties imposed 
on 30 January and 30 April 2015) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/AUS, 
25 February 2016   
Australia Initiation on 23 December 2015 of 
countervailing investigation on imports of steel reinforcing bar (HS 7214.20.00; 7228.30.90: 7213.10.00; 7227.90.10; 7227.90.90; 7228.30.10; 7228.60.10) from China  WTO document 
G/SCM/N/298/AUS, 9 March 2016   
Australia Termination on 1 January 2016 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of poly(vinyl chloride) 
homopolymer resin "PVC" (HS 3904.10.00) 
from Korea, Rep. of (inv estigation initiated on 
23 April 2012 and provisional and definitive 
duties imposed on 28 June and 19 October 
2012) Permanent Delegation of 
Australia to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and Australia 
Customs Dumping Notice 
No. 2016/27 
(13 April 2016)   WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Australia Termination on 1 January 2016 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of poly(vinyl chloride) homopolymer resin "PVC" (HS 3904.10.00) from Japan (imposed on 22 October 1992) and the United States (imposed on 23 January 1992) Permanent Delegation of 
Australia to the WTO (27 May 2016) and Australia Customs Dumping Notice No. 2016/27 (13 April 2016)   
Australia Anti-dumping investigation resumed on 
8 January 2016 on imports of certain crystalline 
silicon photovoltaic modules or panels 
(HS 8501.61.00; 8501.62.00; 8501.63.00; 
8501.64.00; 8541.40.00) from China 
(investigation initiated on 14 May 2014 and 
terminated on 6 October 2015)  Permanent Delegation of 
Australia to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and Australia 
Customs Dumping Notices 
Nos. 2015/118 
(6 October 2015) and 
2016/1 (8 January 2016)   
Australia Initiation on 17 February 2016 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of rod in coils (HS 7213.91.00; 7227.90.90) from China  Permanent Delegation of 
Australia to the WTO (27 May 2016) and Australia Customs Dumping Notice No. 2016/14 (17 February 2016)   
Australia Initiation on 12 April 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of A4 copy paper 
(HS 4802.56.10) from Brazil, China, Indonesia 
and Thailand Permanent Delegation of 
Australia to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and Australia 
Customs Dumping Notice 
No. 2016/33 
(12 April 2016)   
Australia Initiation on 12 April 2016 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of A4 copy paper (HS 4802.56.10) from China and Indonesia Permanent Delegation of 
Australia to the WTO (27 May 2016) and Australia Customs Dumping Notice No. 2016/33 (12 April 2016)   
Australia Initiation on 18 April 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of quicklime 
(HS 2522.10.00) from Malaysia, Thailand and 
Viet Nam Permanent Delegation of 
Australia to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and Australia 
Customs Dumping Notice 
No. 2016/40 
(18 April 2016)   
Australia Termination on 18 April 2016 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of "biodiesel" - fuel 
manufactured by chemically altering non-fossil origin feedstocks (including recycled materials from these sources) through a process of transesterification and/or esterification to form mono-alkyl esters - whether in pure form (B100) or in a blend with a biodiesel percentage in excess of 20% (B20)  (HS 2710.11.80; 2710.19.80; 2710.91.80; 2710.99.80; 3824.90.20; 3824.90.30) from the United States (investigation initiated on 22 June 2010, provisional and definitive duties 
imposed on 
18 October 2010 and 19 April 2011)  Permanent Delegation of 
Australia to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and Australia Customs Dumping Notice No. 2016/44 (18 April 2016)   
Brazil Initiation on 22 October 2015 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of panoramic x-ray 
systems for dental use, analogical or digital 
(NCM 9022.12.00; 9022.13.11) from Germany WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/BRA, 
25 February 2016   
Brazil Initiation on 3 November 2015 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of heavy plates in coils (NCM 7208.36.10; 7208.36.90; 7208.37.00; 7225.30.00) from China (possible circumvention of anti-dumping measures of imports from China imposed in 2013) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/BRA, 25 February 2016; Permanent Delegation of Brazil to the WTO (27 May 2016 and Camex Resolution 
No. 2/2016 
(26 January 2016) Duty extended on 
27 January 2016 
Brazil  Temporary suspension on 20 November 2015 
of anti-dumping duties on imports of cold 
polymerised emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber 
(E-SBR) (NCM 4002.19.11; 4002.19.19) from 
the European Union (investigation initiated on 
27 May 2014 and duty imposed on 20 
November 2015) Permanent Delegation of 
Brazil to the WTO (27 May 
2016) and Camex Resolution 
No. 110/2015 
(19 November 2015) Effective 1 year WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Brazil Initiation on 14 December 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of frozen potatoes  (NCM 2004.10.00) from Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/BRA, 25 February 2016   
Brazil Termination on 18 December 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of polycarbonate 
resins  (NCM 3907.40.90) from Thailand 
(investigation initiated on 29 December 2011 
and definitive duty imposed on 20 June 2013)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/BRA, 
25 February 2016 On 
20 December 2013, 
the duty was 
suspended for 1 
year 
Brazil Initiation on 21 December 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of flat bars of alloy steel (NCM 7228.30.00) from China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/BRA, 25 February 2016   
Brazil Initiation on 21 December 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of agricultural 
tyres (NCM 4011.61.00; 4011.69.90; 
4011.92.10; 4011.92.90; 4011.99.10; 
4011.62.00; 4011.63.90; 4011.93.00) from 
China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/BRA, 
25 February 2016   
Brazil Initiation on 11 January 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of toughened 
(tampered) and laminated safety glass for 
vehicles (NCM 7007.11.00; 7007.19.00; 7007.21.00; 7007.29.00; 8708.29.99) from China Permanent Delegation of 
Brazil to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and Secex 
Circular No. 1/2016 (8 January 2016)   
Brazil Initiation on 11 January 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of butan-l-ol (n-butyl 
alcohol) (NCM 2905.13.00) from the Russian 
Federation and South Africa Permanent Delegation of 
Brazil to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and Secex 
Circular No. 2/2016 
(8 January 2016)   
Brazil Initiation on 13 January 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils, of iron or 
non-alloy steel (category CA-50) (NCM 
7213.10.00; 7214.20.00; 7227.20.00; 7227.90.00; 7228.30.00) from Turkey Permanent Delegation of 
Brazil to the WTO (27 May 2016) and Secex 
Circular No. 3/2016 
(12 January 2016)   
Brazil Termination on 15 February 2016 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation on 
imports of graphite electrodes up to 450 mm 
(NCM 3801.10.00; 8545.11.00) from 
United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom 
(possible circumvention of anti-dumping 
measures of imports from China imposed in 
2009) (initiated on 9 September 2015) Permanent Delegation of 
Brazil to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and Secex 
Circular No. 9/2016 
(12 February 2016)    
Canada Termination on 16 October 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of greenhouse bell 
peppers (HS 0709.60.90) from the Netherlands (investigation initiated on 22 March 2010, provisional and definitive duties imposed on 21 June and 19 October 2010) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/CAN, 1 March 
2016   
Canada Termination on 6 January 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of certain hot-rolled 
carbon steel plate and high-strength low-alloy 
steel plate (HS 7208.51.00; 7208.52.00) from 
India and the Russian Federation (investigation 
initiated on 10 June 2015 and provisional duty 
imposed on 8 September 2015) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/CAN, 1 March 
2016   
Canada Termination on 6 January 2016 of 
countervailing investigation on imports of certain hot-rolled carbon steel plate and high-strength low-alloy steel plate (HS 7208.51.00; 7208.52.00) from India and the Russian Federation (investigation initiated on 10 June 2015 and provisional duty imposed on 8 September 2015) WTO document 
G/SCM/N/298/CAN/Corr.1, 18 May 2016; and Permanent Delegation of Canada to the WTO (30 May 2016) Terminated on 
7 December 2015 on imports from  the Russian Federation 
Canada Initiation on 24 March 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of large diameter 
carbon and alloy steel line pipe (HS 
7305.11.00; 7305.12.00; 7305.19.00) from 
China and Japan Permanent Delegation of 
Canada to the WTO (19 April 
2016) and Canada Border 
Services Agency Notices 
(24 March 2016)   WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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Canada Initiation on 27 March 2016 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of large diameter carbon and alloy steel line pipe (HS 7305.11.00; 7305.12.00; 7305.19.00) from China Permanent Delegation of 
Canada to the WTO (19 April 2016) and Canada Border Services Agency Notices (24 March 2016)   
Chile Initiation on 27 No vember 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of  steel bars 
(HS 7213.10.00; 7214.20.00; 7227.90.00; 
7228.30.00) from Mexico WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/CHL, 
12 April 2016   
Chile Initiation on 1 December 2015 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of steel wire (HS 7210.30.00; 7217.10.00; 7217.20.00; 7217.30.00; 7217.90.00; 7229.90.00; 7312.10.10; 7313.00.00)  WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/CHL/17, 3 December 2015   
Chile Initiation on 1 December 2015 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of steel nails 
(HS 7317.00.10; 7317.00.90; 7326.20.00; 
7326.90.00)  WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/CHL/18, 
3 December 2015   
Chile Initiation on 1 December 2015 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of steel mesh (HS 7314.19.00; 7314.31.00; 7314.39.00; 7314.41.10; 7314.41.90; 7314.42.00; 7314.49.00)  WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/CHL/19, 3 December 2015   
China Termination on 13 November 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of ethanolamine 
(monoethanolamine and diethanolamine) 
(HS 2922.11; 2922.12) from Japan, Malaysia, 
Chinese Taipei and the United States (imposed 
on 14 November 2004) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/CHN, 
10 March 2016   
China Initiation on 18 November 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of iron-based amorphous alloy ribbon (strip) (HS 7202.99.99; 7224.90.90; 7226.91.99) from Japan and the United States WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/CHN, 10 March 2016   
China Termination on 23 December 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of methyl-alcohol 
(HS 2905.11) from Indonesia, Malaysia, and 
New Zealand (investigation  initiated on 24 June 
2009, provisional and definitive duties imposed 
on 28 October and 24 December 2010) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/CHN, 
10 March 2016   
China Initiation on 12 January 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of distiller's dried 
grains with or without solubles (HS 2303.30.00) from the United States Permanent Delegation of 
China to the WTO 
(20 April 2016) and MOFCOM Announcement No. 2/2016 (14 January 2016)   
China Initiation on 12 January 2016 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of distiller's dried 
grains with or without solubles (HS 
2303.30.00) from the United States Permanent Delegation of 
China to the WTO 
(20 April 2016) and 
MOFCOM Announcement No. 
3/2016 
(13 January 2016)   
Colombia Termination on 9 December 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of non-wired glass coloured throughout the mass (body tinted), opacified, flashed or merely surface ground (HS 7005.21.11; 7005.21.90) from China (investigation initiated on 19 January 2015 and provisional duty imposed on 23 April 2015) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/COL, 21 March 2016   
Costa Rica Termination on 11 February 2016 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of water-based latex 
paint (HS 3209.90.10) from the United States 
(imposed on 30 January 2007)  Permanent Delegation of 
Costa Rica to the WTO 
(22 April 2016) and 
Resolución 
No. DM 005-2016 Ministerio 
de Economía, Industria y 
Comercio (21 January 2016)   WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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Dominican 
Republic Initiation on 28 January 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of corrugated or deformed steel rods and bars for concrete reinforcement (HS 7213.10.00; 7213.20.90; 7214.10.00; 7214.20.00; 7214.30.00; 7214.91.00; 7214.99.00) from China Permanent Delegation of the 
Dominican Republic to the WTO (18 April 2016); and Resolución No. CDC-RD-AD-010-2016, Comisión Reguladora de Prácticas Desleales en el Comercio y Sobre Medidas 
de Salvaguardias 
(28 January 2016)   
Egypt Termination on 3 November 2015 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation on 
imports of polyethylene terephthalate "PET" 
(HS 3907.60) from China, India, Malaysia, 
Oman, Pakistan, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, and 
United Arab Emirates (initiated on  
25 August 2014) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/EGY, 
18 January 2016   
Egypt Termination on 3 November 2015 (without 
measure)  of countervailing investigation on imports of polyethylene terephthalate "PET" 
(HS 3907.60) from China, India, Malaysia, 
Oman, and Pakistan (initiated on 2 July 2014) WTO document 
G/SCM/N/298/EGY, 25 January 2016   
Egypt Initiation on 30 No vember 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of dioctyl 
orthophthalates "DOP" (HS 2917.32) from 
Korea, Rep. of WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/EGY, 
18 January 2016   
Egypt Termination on 7 December 2015 (without 
measure) of safeguard investigation on imports of automotive batteries (HS 8507.10.00) (initiated on 15 December 2014) WTO document  
G/SG/N/9/EGY/1, 11 December 2015   
Egypt Initiation on 10 Decemb er 2015 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of polyethylene 
terephthalate "PET"  (HS 3907.60)  WTO document  
G/SG/N/6/EGY/13, 
14 December 2015   
Egypt Termination on 7 February 2016 (without 
measure) of safeguard investigation on imports of white sugar (HS 1701.99.90) (initiated on 16 April 2015) WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/EGY/12/Suppl.1, 22 April 2016   
European 
Union Termination on 27 October 2015 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation on 
imports of certain aluminium foil (CAF) 
(HS 7607.11.19) from China (initiated on 
12 December 2014) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/EU, 
8 April 2016   
European 
Union Initiation on 29 October 2015 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of certain stainless 
steel tube and pipe butt-welding fittings, 
whether or not finished (HS 7307.23.10; 7307.23.90) from China and Chinese Taipei WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/EU, 
8 April 2016   
European 
Union Initiation on 16 December 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of slightly 
modified hand pallet trucks and their essential 
parts, e.g. chassis and hydraulics  (HS 
8427.90.00; 8431.20.00) from China (possible 
circumvention of anti-dumping measures of 
imports from China imposed in 2011) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/EU, 
8 April 2016   
European 
Union Initiation on 17 December 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of certain 
manganese oxides (HS 2602.00.00; 
2820.90.90) from Brazil, Georgia, India and Mexico WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/EU, 
8 April 2016   
European 
Union Termination on 18 December 2015 of 
anti-dumping duties on imports of aluminium 
foil of a thickness of not less than 0.008 mm 
and not more than 0.018 mm, not backed, not 
further worked than rolled, in rolls of a width 
not exceeding 650 mm and of a weight 
exceeding 10 kg "aluminium household foils 
(AHF)" (HS 7607.11.19) from Brazil (imposed 
on 6 October 2009) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/EU, 
8 April 2016   WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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European 
Union Termination on 10 February 2016 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation on imports of tartaric acid (HS 2918.12.00) from China limited to one producer (Hangzhou Bioking Biochemical Engineering Co. Ltd) (initiated on 4 December 2014) Commission Implementing 
Decision No. 2016/176 (9 February 2016)   
European 
Union Initiation on 13 February 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of certain hot-rolled 
flat products of iron, non-alloy or other alloy 
steel  (HS 7208.10.00; 7208.25.00; 
7208.26.00; 7208.27.00; 7208.36.00; 
7208.37.00; 7208.38.00; 7208.39.00; 
7208.40.00; 7208.52.99; 7208.53.00; 
7208.54.00; 7211.14.00; 7211.19.00; 
7225.19.10; 7225.30.10; 7225.30.30; 
7225.30.90; 7225.40.12; 7225.40.15; 
7225.40.60; 7225.40.90; 7226.19.10; 
7226.20.00; 7226.91.20; 7226.91.91) from 
China Commission Notice 2016/C 
58/08 (13 February 2016)   
European 
Union Initiation on 13 February 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of certain heavy plate 
of non-alloy or other alloy steel  (HS 7208.51.20; 7208.51.91; 7208.51.98; 7208.52.91; 7208.90.20; 7208.90.80; 7225.40.40; 7225.40.60; 7225.99.00) from China Commission Notice 2016/C 
58/09 (13 February 2016)   
European 
Union Initiation on 13 February 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of certain seamless 
pipes and tubes of iron (other than cast iron) or 
steel (other than stainless steel), of circular 
cross section, of an external diameter 
exceeding 406.4 mm (HS 7304.19.90; 
7304.29.90; 7304.39.98; 7304.59.99) from 
China Commission Notice 2016/C 
58/01 (13 February 2016)   
European 
Union Initiation on 18 February 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of certain lightweight thermal paper "LWTP" (HS 4809.90.00; 4811.90.00; 4816.90.00; 4823.90.85) from Korea, Rep. of Commission Notice 2016/C 
62/07 (18 February 2016)   
European 
Union Termination on 27 February 2016 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of certain iron or 
steel fasteners, other than of stainless steel, 
e.g. wood screws (excluding coach screws), 
self-tapping screws, other screws and bolts 
with heads (whether or not with their nuts or 
washers, but excluding screws turned from 
bars, rods, profiles or wire, of solid section, of a 
shank thickness not exceeding 6 mm and 
excluding screws and bolts for fixing railway 
track construction material), and washers (HS 
7318.12.90; 7318.14.91; 7318.14.99; 
7318.15.59; 7318.15.69; 7318.15.81; 
7318.15.89; 7318.15.90; 7318.21.00; 
7318.22.00) from Malaysia (possible 
circumvention of anti-dumping measures of 
imports from China imposed in 2009) 
(investigation initiated on 27 October 2010 and 
definitive duty extended on 26 July 2011) Commission Implementing 
Regulation 2016/278 
(26 February 2016)   
European 
Union Termination on 3 March 2016 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation on imports of silico-manganese (HS 7202.30.00) from India (initiated on 20 December 2014) Commission Implementing 
Decision No. 2016/299 (2 March 2016)   
European 
Union Initiation on 31 March 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of certain concrete 
reinforcement bars and rods (HS 7214.10.00; 
7214.20.00; 7214.30.00; 7214.91.10; 
7214.91.90; 7214.99.10; 7214.99.71; 
7214.99.79; 7214.99.95) from Belarus Commission Notice 2016/C 
114/04 (31 March 2016)   WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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European 
Union Initiation on 13 May 2016 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of hot-rolled flat products of iron, non-alloy or other alloy steel (HS 7208.10.00; 7208.25.00; 7208.26.00; 7208.27.00; 7208.36.00; 7208.37.00; 7208.38.00; 7208.39.00; 7208.40.00; 7208.52.99; 7208.53.90; 7208.54.00; 7211.14.00; 7211.19.00; 7225.19.10; 
7225.30.10; 7225.30.30; 7225.30.90; 
7225.40.12; 7225.40.15; 7225.40.60; 7225.40.90; 7226.19.10; 7226.20.00; 7226.91.20; 7226.91.91; 7226.91.99) from China Commission Notice 2016/C 
172/08 (13 May 2016)   
European 
Union Termination on 15 May 2016 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of zeolite A powder 
(HS 2842.10.00) from Bosnia and Herzegovina 
(investigation initiated on 17 February 2010, 
provisional and definitive duties imposed on 
16 November 2010 and 14 May 2011)  Commission Notice 2015/C 
172/05 (13 May 2016)   
India Initiation on 20 October 2015 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of AA dry cell batteries 
(HS 8506.10) from China and Viet Nam WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/IND, 
12 April 2016   
India Initiation on 21 October 2015 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of jute products 
(HS 5301; 5307; 5310; 6305) from Bangladesh 
and Nepal  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/IND, 
12 April 2016   
India Termination on 21 October 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of all fully drawn yarn (HS 5402.47) from Viet Nam (imposed on 
11 November 2009)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/IND, 12 April 2016   
India Termination on 18 November 2015 of 
anti-dumping duties on imports of carbon black 
(HS 2803.00.10) from Thailand (investigation 
initiated on 26 December 2008. Provisional and 
definitive duties imposed on 30 July 2009 and 
28 January 2010) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/IND, 
12 April 2016   
India Termination on 20 November 2015 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation on imports of carbon black (HS 2803.00.10) from Korea, Rep. of (initiat ed on 9 February 2015) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/IND, 12 April 2016   
India Initiation on 7 December 2015 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of linear alkyl benzene 
"LAB" (HS 3817.00.11) from China; Iran, 
Islamic Rep. of and Qatar WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/IND, 
12 April 2016   
India Initiation on 7 December 2015 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of hot-rolled flat sheets and plates (excluding hot-rolled flat products in coil form) of alloy or non-alloy steel having nominal thickness less than or equal to 150 mm and nominal width of greater than or equal to  600 mm (HS 7208; 7225.40.41; 7225.40.19; 7225.40.20; 7225.40.30; 7225.99.00) WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/IND/42, 10 December 2015   
India Initiation on 15 December 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of aluminium 
foil (HS 7607) from China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/IND, 
12 April 2016   
India Initiation on 23 December 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of clear float glass (HS 7003; 7004; 7005; 7005.10.90; 7009; 7013; 7015; 7016; 7018; 7019; 7020) from Iran, Islamic Rep. of WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/IND, 12 April 2016   
India Initiation on 28 December 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of axle for 
trailers (HS 8716.90.10) from China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/IND, 
12 April 2016   
India Initiation on 30 December 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of low ash metallurgical coke (HS 2704.00.10; 2704.00.20; 2704.00.30; 2704.00.90) from Australia and China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/IND, 12 April 2016   WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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India Initiation on 4 January 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of aluminium radiators 
for motor vehicles (HS 8708.91.00) from China Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO 
(27 May 2016)    
India Initiation on 14 January 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of styrene butadiene rubber "SBR" of 1,500 series and 1,700 series (HS 4002.19) from the European Union; Korea, Rep. of and Thailand Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO (27 May 2016) and Notification No. 14/10/15-DGAD, 
Ministry of Commerce and 
Industry - Directorate General of Anti-Dumping and Allied Duties (14 January 2016)   
India Initiation on 14 January 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of hydrogen peroxide 
(HS 2847.00.00) from Bangladesh; Indonesia; 
Korea, Rep. of; Pakistan; Chinese Taipei and 
Thailand Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO 
(27 May 2016)    
India Initiation on 27 January 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of elastomeric filament 
yarn of all deniers up to and including 150 
deniers, excluding coloured yarns (spandex or elastane) (HS 5404.11.00; 5402.44.00; 5402.69.90) from China; Korea, Rep. of; Chinese Taipei and Viet Nam Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and 
Notification No. 14/29/2015-DGAD, Ministry of Commerce and Industry - Directorate General of Anti-Dumping and Allied Duties (27 January 2016)   
India Initiation on 2 February 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of certain castings for 
wind operated electricity generators/windmills 
(HS 8503) from China Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO 
(27 May 2016)    
India Initiation on 17 February 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of diclofenac sodium (HS 2942) from China (possible circumvention of anti-dumping measures of imports imposed in 2008) Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO (27 May 2016)    
India Initiation on 19 February 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of cold-rolled flat 
products of stainless steel (HS 72) from China; 
European Union; Korea, Rep. of; South Africa; 
Chinese Taipei; Thailand and the United States 
(possible circumvention of anti-dumping 
measures of imports imposed in 2010) Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO 
(27 May 2016)    
India Initiation on 24 February 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of flexible slabstock polyol (HS 3907.20) from Thailand Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO (27 May 2016)    
India Termination on 29 March 2016 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation on 2-
ethyl hexanol "2EH" (HS 2905.16.20) from 
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (initiated on 20 
November 2014)   Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and 
Notification 
No. 10/2016-Customs 
(ADD), Ministry of Finance - 
Department of Revenue 
(29 March 2016)    
India Initiation on 11 April 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of hot-rolled flat 
products of alloy or non-alloy steel in coils of a 
width up to 2,100 mm and thickness up to 25 mm and hot-rolled flat products of alloy or non-alloy steel not in coils (HS 7208; 7211; 7225; 7226) from Brazil; China; Indonesia; Japan; Korea, Rep. of; and the Russian Federation Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and 
Notification No. 14/9/2016-DGAD, Ministry of Commerce and Industry - Directorate General of Anti-Dumping and Allied Duties (11 April 2016)   
India Initiation on 19 April 2016 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of unwrought 
aluminium (aluminium not alloyed and 
aluminium alloys) (HS 7601) WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/IND/43, 
22 April 2016   WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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India Initiation on 19 April 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of cold-rolled cold-reduced flat steel products of iron or non-alloy steel, or other alloy steel, of all widths and thickness, not clad, plated or coated (HS 7209; 7211; 7225; 7226) from China; Japan; Korea, Rep. of and Ukraine  Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO (27 May 2016) and Notification No. 14/12/2016-DGAD, Ministry of Commerce and Industry - Directorate General of Anti-Dumping 
and Allied Duties 
(19 April 2016)   
India Initiation on 3 May 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of new/unused 
pneumatic radial tyres, with or without tubes 
and flaps of rubber (having nominal rim code 
above 16") used in buses and lorries/trucks 
(HS 4011.20.10; 4012.90.49; 4013.10.20) 
from China  Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO 
(27 May 2016)   
Israel Initiation on 27 October 2015 of anti-dumping 
investigation on float glass (HS 7005.29.90) from Turkey WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/ISR, 20 January 2016; and 
Permanent Delegation of 
Israel to the WTO (30 May 2016) Provisional duty 
imposed on 18 April 2016 
Jordan Termination on 3 November 2015 (without 
measure) of safeguard investigation on imports 
of writing and printing papers size A4 
(HS 4802.56) (initiated on 28 August 2014) WTO document  
G/SG/N/8/JOR/9/Suppl.1, 
20 November 2015   
Jordan Termination on 16 December 2015 of safeguard 
duties on imports of bars and rods of iron and steel (HS 7213.10.5; 7213.20.6; 7214.10.5; 7214.20.5; 7214.30.5; 7214.91.5; 7214.99.5; 7215.10.5; 7215.50.5; 7215.90.5) (initiated on  
4 April 2012 and definitive duty imposed on 16 
June 2013) WTO document 
G/SG/N/10/JOR/8/Suppl.2, 6 January 2016   
Korea, Rep. 
of  Initiation on 22 December 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of butyl 
glycol ether (HS 2909.43) from France and the 
United States WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/KOR, 
6 April 2016    
Korea, Rep. 
of  Initiation on 30 December 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of titanium dioxide (HS 3206.11) from China  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/KOR, 6 April 2016    
Korea, Rep. 
of Termination on 2 January 2016 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of aluminium bottle cans 
(HS 7612.90.90) from Japan (investigation 
initiated on 27 January 2012 and definitive duty 
imposed on 3 January 2013)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/244/KOR, 
2 August 2013, and 
Permanent Delegation of the 
Republic of Korea to the 
WTO (27 May 2016)    
Malaysia Termination on 8 January 2016 (without 
measure) of safeguard investigation on imports of hot-rolled coils (HS 7208.36.00; 7208.37.00; 7208.38.00; 7208.39.20; 7208.39.90; 7225.30.00) (initiated on 11 September 2015) WTO document 
G/SG/N/9/MYS/2, 19 January 2016   
Mexico Termination on 4 November 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of nuts of carbon 
steel, black or coated  (HS 7318.16.03; 
7318.16.04) from China (investigation initiated 
on 3 February 2009 and definitive duty imposed 
on 3 August 2010) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/MEX, 
22 February 2016      WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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Mexico Initiation on 17 December 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of coated flat steel products (HS 7210.30.01; 7210.30.99; 7210.41.01; 7210.41.99; 7210.49.01; 7210.49.02; 7210.49.03; 7210.49.04; 7210.49.99; 7210.61.01; 7210.70.01; 7210.70.99; 7212.20.01; 7212.20.02; 7212.20.99; 7212.30.01; 7212.30.02; 
7212.30.99; 7212.40.03; 7212.40.99; 
7225.91.01; 7225.92.01; 7226.99.01; 7226.99.02; 9802.00.01; 9802.00.02; 9802.00.03; 9802.00.04; 9802.00.06; 9802.00.07; 9802.00.10; 9802.00.13; 9802.00.15; 9802.00.19) from China and Chinese Taipei WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/MEX, 22 February 2016      
Mexico Initiation on 22 December 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of cold-rolled 
sheet (HS 7225.50.02; 7225.50.03) from China 
(possible circumvention of anti-dumping 
measures of imports from China imposed in 
2015) Permanent Delegation of 
Mexico to the WTO 
(26 May 2016) and Diario 
Oficial de la Federación 
(Official Journal), 
22 December 2015      
Mexico Initiation on 8 January 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of high-carbon ferro-manganese (HS 7202.11.01; 9802.00.13) from Korea, Rep. of Permanent Delegation of 
Mexico to the WTO (26 May 2016) and Diario Oficial de la Federación (Official Journal), 8 January 2016      
Pakistan Initiation on 19 October 2015 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of wire rod 
(HS 7213.90.10; 7213.91.90; 7213.99.90; 
7227.90.00) from China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/PAK, 
25 February 2016   
Pakistan Initiation on 13  November 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of dextrose 
monohydrate (HS 1702.30.00) from India WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/PAK, 
25 February 2016   
Pakistan Initiation on 7 December 2015 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of offset printing ink 
(HS 3215.11.10; 3215.11.90; 3215.19.10; 
3215.19.90) from China and Korea, Rep. of WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/PAK, 
25 February 2016   
Pakistan Initiation on 27 February 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of polyester filament yarn (HS 5402.33.00; 5402.47.00; 5402.62.00) from China and Malaysia ADC No. 46/2016/NTC/PFY, 
National Tariff Commission (27 February 2016)   
SACU - 
Southern 
African 
Customs 
Union 
(Botswana, 
Lesotho, 
Namibia, 
South Africa, 
and 
Swaziland) Termination on 3 February 2016 of anti-
dumping duties on blankets (excluding electric 
blankets) of acrylic fibres (HS 6301.40; 
6301.90) from China and Turkey (imposed on 
18 June 1999) Permanent Delegation of  
South Africa to the WTO 
(30 May 2016) and Notice 
No. R 414 of 2016 - 
International Trade 
Administration Commission - 
Government Gazette 
No. 39911 (8 April 2016)   
SACU - 
Southern African 
Customs 
Union (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland) Initiation on 24 March 2016 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of certain flat-rolled products of iron, non-alloy steel or other alloy 
steel (not including stainless steel) (HS 
7208.10; 7208.25; 7208.26; 7208.27; 7208.36; 7208.37; 7208.38; 7208.39; 7208.40; 7208.51; 7208.52; 7208.53; 7208.54; 7208.90; 7211.14; 7211.19; 7225.30; 7225.40; 7225.99; 7226.91; 7226.99) WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/ZAF/4, 4 April 2016   WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Saudi 
Arabia, 
Kingdom of, 
on behalf of 
Gulf 
Cooperation 
Council 
(Bahrain, 
Kingdom of; 
Kuwait, the 
State of; 
Oman; 
Qatar, and 
United Arab 
Emirates) Initiation on 31 December 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of electric 
lead-acid accumulators of capacity of 35 up to 
115 Amp-hour, whether or not rectangular 
(including square) of a kind used for starting 
piston engines (automotive batteries) (HS 
8507.10) from 
Korea, Rep. of WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/SAU, 
25 February 2016   
Separate 
Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, 
Kinmen and 
Matsu Initiation on 22 February 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of certain flat-rolled steel products, plated or coated with zinc or zinc-alloys (HS 7210.30.00; 7210.41.00; 7210.49.00; 7210.61.00; 7210.90.90; 
7212.20.00; 7212.30.00; 7212.50.90; 
7225.91.00; 7225.92.00; 7225.99.10; 7226.99.10; 7226.99.20) from China and Korea, Rep. of  Permanent Delegation of the 
Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu  to the WTO (30 May 2016) and 
MOEAITC-ID-10500004940, 
Ministry of Economic Affairs - International Trade Commission (26 February 2016)   
Separate 
Customs 
Territory of 
Taiwan, 
Penghu, 
Kinmen and 
Matsu Initiation on 22 February 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of certain carbon steel 
plate, including, without limitation, other 
flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, 
hot-rolled, not in coil, not clad, plated or 
coated, of a thickness of 6 mm or more (HS 
7208.51.10; 7208.51.20; 7208.51.30; 
7208.51.40; 7208.52.10; 7208.52.20; 
7208.52.30; 7208.90.10; 7208.90.21; 
7208.90.30; 7208.90.40; 7211.14.10; 
7211.14.20; 7211.14.30; 7211.14.40; 
7225.40.00) from Brazil; China; India; 
Indonesia; Korea, Re p. of and Ukraine Permanent Delegation of the 
Separate Customs Territory 
of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen 
and Matsu  to the WTO 
(30 May 2016) and 
MOEAITC-ID-10500004950, 
Ministry of Economic Affairs 
- International Trade 
Commission 
(26 February 2016)   
Thailand Initiation on 18 January 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of certain iron or steel pipe and tube from China and Korea, Rep. of  Permanent Delegation of 
Thailand to the WTO (22 April 2016)   
Thailand Initiation on 18 January 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of hot-rolled steel in 
coils and not in coils from Brazil; Iran, Islamic 
Rep. of and Turkey  Permanent Delegation of 
Thailand to the WTO 
(22 April 2016)   
Thailand Initiation on 4 February 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of flat hot-rolled steel-pickled and oiled in coils and not in coils from Korea, Rep. of Permanent Delegation of 
Thailand to the WTO (22 April 2016)   
Thailand Initiation on 4 February 2016 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of structural hot rolled 
h-beam with alloy (HS 7228.70.10; 
7228.70.90)  WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/THA/5, 
9 February 2016   
Turkey Initiation on 12 November 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of unframed glass mirrors (HS 7009.91) from China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/TUR, 25 February 2016    
Turkey Initiation on 6 February 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of concrete pumps, 
concrete pump trucks (HS 8413.40.00; 
8705.90.30) from China and Korea, Rep. of  Permanent Delegation of 
Turkey to the WTO 
(31 May 2016) and  
Notification No. 2016/1 
(6 February 2016)   
Turkey Termination on 4 March 2016 (without 
measure) of safeguard investigation on imports 
of transmission apparatus incorporating reception apparatus "cellular" portable telephone (HS 8517.12.00) (initiated on 5 December 2014) WTO document 
G/SG/N/9/TUR/6, 
15 March 2016   WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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Turkey Termination on 15 April 2016 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation on 
imports of BOPP film  (HS 3920.20.21) from 
China, Egypt, India, and Kingdom of Saudi 
Arabia (initiated on 15 October 2014) Permanent Delegation of 
Turkey to the WTO 
(31 May 2016)    
Turkey Termination on 20 April 2016 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of hot-rolled coil steel (HS 7208.37.00; 7208.38.00; 7208.39.00; 
7225.30.90) from China, France, Japan, 
Romania, Russian Federation, Slovak Republic and Ukraine (investigation initiated on 28 January 2015, and provisional duty imposed on 28 August 2015 on imports from China, Japan, Russian Federation, and Slovak Republic) Permanent Delegation of 
Turkey to the WTO (31 May 2016)    
Ukraine Initiation on 13 No vember 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of ceramic 
grinding wheels (HS 6804.22.30) from the 
Russian Federation WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/UKR, 
7 April 2016   
United 
States Initiation on 27 October 2015 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of welded stainless 
pressure pipe (HS 7306.40.10; 7306.40.50) from India  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/USA, 
11 March 2016   
United 
States Initiation on 27 October 2015 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of welded stainless 
pressure pipe (HS 7306.40.10; 7306.40.50) 
from India  Permanent Delegation of the 
United States to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and 
Department of Commerce 
International Trade 
Administration C-533-868 
Federal Register/Vol 80 FR 
No. 65700 
(27 October 2015)   
United 
States Initiation on 25 No vember 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of circular welded carbon-quality steel pipe (HS 
7306.19.10; 7306.19.51; 7306.30.10; 
7306.30.50; 7306.50.10; 7306.50.50) from Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, United Arab Emirates, and Viet Nam  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/USA, 11 March 2016 Terminated on  
8 December 2015 on imports from 
Philippines 
United 
States Initiation on 25 November 2015 of 
countervailing investigation on imports of 
circular welded carbon-quality steel pipe (HS 
7306.19.10; 7306.19.51; 7306.30.10; 
7306.30.50; 7306.50.10; 7306.50.50) from 
Pakistan WTO document 
G/SCM/N/298/USA, 
11 March 2016   
United 
States Initiation on 25 No vember 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of certain 
iron mechanical transfer drive components 
(HS 8483.30.80; 8483.50.60; 8483.50.90; 8483.90.30; 8483.90.80; 7325.10.00; 7325.99.10; 7326.19.00; 8431.31.00; 8431.39.00; 8483.50.40) from Canada and China  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/USA, 
 11 March 2016   
United 
States Initiation on 25 November 2015 of 
countervailing investigation on imports of 
certain iron mechanical transfer drive 
components (HS 8483.30.80; 8483.50.60; 
8483.50.90; 8483.90.30; 8483.90.80; 
7325.10.00; 7325.99.10; 7326.19.00; 
8431.31.00; 8431.39.00; 8483.50.40) from 
China  WTO document 
G/SCM/N/298/USA, 
11 March 2016   
United 
States Termination 24 December 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of melamine (HS 2933.61.00) from Trinidad and Tobago (investigation initiated on 9 December 2014 and provisional duty imposed on 17 June 2015) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/280/USA, 11 March 2016   
United 
States Termination 24 December 2015 of 
countervailing duties on imports of melamine 
(HS 2933.61.00) from Trinidad and Tobago 
(investigation initiated on 9 December 2014 
and provisional duty imposed on 20 April 2015)  WTO document 
G/SCM/N/298/USA, 
11 March 2016   WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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United 
States Initiation on 12 January 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of large residential washers (HS 8450.11.00; 8450.20.00; 8450.90.20; 8450.90.60) from China  Permanent Delegation of the 
United States to the WTO (27 May 2016) and Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration A-570-033, Federal Register/Vol 81 FR No. 1398 (12 January 2016)   
United 
States Initiation on 10 February 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of new pneumatic 
off-the-road tires  (HS 4011.20.10; 
4011.20.50; 4011.61.00; 4011.62.00; 
4011.63.00; 4011.69.00; 4011.92.00; 
4011.93.40; 4011.93.80; 4011.94.40; 
4011.94.80; 4011.99.45; 4011.99.85; 
8424.90.90; 8431.20.00; 8431.39.00; 
8431.49.10; 8431.49.90; 8432.90.00; 
8433.90.50; 8503.00.95; 8708.70.05; 
8708.70.25; 8708.70.45; 8709.90.00; 
8716.90.10; 8716.90.50) from China and India  Permanent Delegation of the 
United States to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and 
Department of Commerce, 
International Trade 
Administration A-533-869 
and A-570-034, Federal 
Register/Vol 81 FR No. 7073 
(10 February 2016) Terminated on 
1 March 2016 on 
imports from China 
United 
States Initiation on 10 February 2016 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of new pneumatic 
off-the-road tires  (HS 4011.20.10; 
4011.20.50; 4011.61.00; 4011.62.00; 4011.63.00; 4011.69.00; 4011.92.00; 4011.93.40; 4011.93.80; 4011.94.40; 4011.94.80; 4011.99.45; 4011.99.85; 8424.90.90; 8431.20.00; 8431.39.00; 8431.49.10; 8431.49.90; 8432.90.00; 8433.90.50; 8503.00.95; 8708.70.05; 8708.70.25; 8708.70.45; 8709.90.00; 8716.90.10; 8716.90.50) from China, India, and Sri Lanka  Permanent Delegation of the 
United States to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and 
Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration C-533-870, C-570-035 and C-542-801 Federal Register/Vol 81 FR No. 7067 (10 February 2016) Terminated on 
1 March 2016 on 
imports from China 
United 
States Initiation on 16 February 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of certain biaxial 
integral geogrid products (HS 3926.90.99; 
3920.20.00; 3925.90.00) from China  Permanent Delegation of the 
United States to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and 
Department of Commerce, 
International Trade 
Administration A-570-036, 
Federal Register/Vol 81 FR 
No. 7755 
(16 February 2016)   
United 
States Initiation on 16 February 2016 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of certain biaxial integral geogrid products (HS 3926.90.99; 3920.20.00; 3925.90.00) from China  Permanent Delegation of the 
United States to the WTO (27 May 2016) and Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration C-570-037 Federal Register/Vol 81 FR No. 7745 (16 February 2016)   
United 
States Initiation on 18 February 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of certain cut-to-length 
carbon steel plate (HS 7208.40.30; 
7208.51.00; 7208.52.00; 7208.53.00; 
7208.90.00; 7210.70.30; 7210.90.90; 
7211.13.00; 7211.14.00; 7211.90.00; 
7212.40.10; 7212.40.50; 7212.50.00) from 
China (possible circumvention of anti-dumping 
measures of imports from China imposed in 
2003) Permanent Delegation of the 
United States to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and 
Department of Commerce, 
International Trade 
Administration A-570-849, 
Federal Register/Vol 81 FR 
No. 8173 
(18 February 2016)   
United 
States Initiation on 23 February 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of certain amorphous silica fabric (HS 7019.59.40; 7019.59.90; 7019.40.40; 7019.40.90; 7019.51.90; 
7019.52.90; 7019.90.10) from China  Permanent Delegation of the 
United States to the WTO (27 May 2016) and Department of Commerce, 
International Trade 
Administration A-570-038, Federal Register/Vol 81 FR No. 8913 (23 February 2016)   WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
United 
States Initiation on 23 February 2016 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of certain amorphous 
silica fabric (HS 7019.59.40; 7019.59.90; 
7019.40.40; 7019.40.90; 7019.51.90; 
7019.52.90; 7019.90.10) from China  Permanent Delegation of the 
United States to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and 
Department of Commerce, 
International Trade 
Administration C-570-039 
Federal Register/Vol 81 FR 
No. 8909 
(23 February 2016)   
United 
States Initiation on 25 February 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of truck and bus tyres (HS 4011.20.10; 4011.20.50; 4011.99.45; 4011.99.85; 8708.70.45; 8708.70.60) from China  Permanent Delegation of the 
United States to the WTO (27 May 2016) and Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration A-570-040, Federal Register/Vol 81 FR No. 9434 
(25 February 2016)   
United 
States Initiation on 25 February 2016 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of truck and bus tyres 
(HS 4011.20.10; 4011.20.50; 4011.99.45; 
4011.99.85; 8708.70.45; 8708.70.60) from 
China  Permanent Delegation of the 
United States to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and 
Department of Commerce, 
International Trade 
Administration C-570-041 
Federal Register/Vol 81 
FR No. 9428 
(25 February 2016)   
United 
States Initiation on 10 March 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of stainless steel sheet and strip (HS 7219.13.00; 7219.14.00; 7219.23.00; 7219.24.00; 7219.32.00; 7219.33.00; 7219.34.00; 7219.35.00; 7219.90.00; 7220.12.10; 7220.12.50; 7220.20.10; 7220.20.60; 7220.20.70; 7220.90.00) from China Permanent Delegation of the 
United States to the WTO (27 May 2016) and Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration A-570-042, Federal Register/Vol 81 FR No. 12711 (10 March 2016)   
United 
States Initiation on 14 March 2016 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of stainless steel sheet 
and strip (HS 7219.13.00; 7219.14.00; 
7219.23.00; 7219.24.00; 7219.32.00; 
7219.33.00; 7219.34.00; 7219.35.00; 
7219.90.00; 7220.12.10; 7220.12.50; 
7220.20.10; 7220.20.60; 7220.20.70; 
7220.90.00) from China  Permanent Delegation of the 
United States to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and 
Department of Commerce, 
International Trade 
Administration C-570-043 
Federal Register/Vol 81 FR 
No. 13322 (14 March 2016)   
United 
States Termination on 14 March 2016 of countervailing 
duties on imports of polyethylene terephthalate 
resin "PET" (HS 3907.60.00) from Oman (investigation initiated on 6 April 2015 and provisional duty impose d on 14 August 2015) Permanent Delegation of the 
United States to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration C-533-811 Federal Register/Vol 81 FR No. 13321 (14 March 2016)   WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  Member/ 
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United 
States Initiation on 21 March 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of certain aluminium 
extrusions (HS 7609.00.00; 7610.10.00; 
7610.90.00; 7615.10.30; 7615.10.71; 
7615.10.91; 7615.19.10; 7615.19.30; 
7615.19.50; 7615.19.70; 7615.19.90; 
7615.20.00; 7616.99.10; 7616.99.50; 
8479.89.98; 8479.90.94; 8513.90.20; 
9403.10.00; 9403.20.00; 7604.21.00; 
7604.29.10; 7604.29.30; 7604.29.50; 
7608.20.00; 8302.10.30; 8302.10.60; 
8302.20.00; 8302.30.30; 8302.41.30; 
8302.41.60; 8302.42.30; 8302.49.60; 
8302.50.00; 8302.60.90; 8305.10.00; 
8306.30.00; 8414.59.60; 8415.90.80; 
8418.99.80; 8419.90.10; 8422.90.06; 
8473.30.20; 8473.30.51; 8479.90.85; 
8486.90.00; 8487.90.00; 8503.00.95; 
8508.70.00; 8515.90.20; 8516.90.50; 
8516.90.80; 8517.70.00; 8529.90.73; 
8529.90.97; 8536.90.80; 8538.10.00; 
8543.90.88; 8708.29.50; 8708.80.65; 
8803.30.00; 9013.90.50; 9013.90.90; 
9401.90.50; 9403.90.10; 9403.90.25; 
9403.90.40; 9403.90.50; 9403.90.60; 
9403.90.70; 9403.90.80; 9506.11.40; 
9506.51.40; 9506.51.60; 9506.59.40; 
9506.70.20; 9506.91.00; 9506.99.05; 
9506.99.15; 9506.99.20; 9506.99.25; 
9506.99.28; 9506.99.55; 9506.99.60; 
9507.30.20; 9507.30.40; 9507.30.60; 
9507.90.60; 9603.90.80 )  from China 
(possible circumvention of anti-dumping 
measures of imports from China imposed in 
2011) Permanent Delegation of the 
United States to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and 
Department of Commerce, 
International Trade 
Administration A-570-967 
and C-570-968, Federal 
Register/Vol 81 FR 
No. 15039 (21 March 2016)   
United 
States Initiation on 1 April 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of 1,1,1,2 - tetrafluoroethane (R-134a) (HS 2903.39.20) from China  Permanent Delegation of the 
United States to the WTO (27 May 2016) and Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration A-570-044, Federal Register/Vol 81 FR No. 18830 (1 April 2016)   
United 
States Initiation on 5 April 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of phosphor copper 
(HS 7405.00.10) from Korea, Rep. of  Permanent Delegation of the 
United States to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and 
Department of Commerce, 
International Trade 
Administration A-580-885, 
Federal Register/Vol 81 FR 
No. 19552 (5 April 2016)   
United 
States Termination on 12 April 2016 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of silicomanganese (HS 7202.30.00) from Australia (investigation initiated on 17 March 2015 and provisional duty imposed on 25 September 2015) Permanent Delegation of the 
United States to the WTO (27 May 2016)   
United 
States Initiation on 25 April 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of ferrovanadium 
(HS 7202.92.00) from Korea, Rep. of  Permanent Delegation of the 
United States to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and 
Department of Commerce, 
International Trade 
Administration A-580-886, 
Federal Register/Vol 81 FR 
No. 24059 (25 April 2016)   WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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United 
States Initiation on 28 April 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of 1-hydroxyethylidene-1, 1-diphosphonic acid (HS 2811.19.60; 2931.90.90) from China Permanent Delegation of the 
United States to the WTO (27 May 2016) and Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration A-570-045, Federal Register/Vol 81 FR No. 25377 (28 April 2016)   
United 
States Initiation on 28 April 2016 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of 1-
hydroxyethylidene-1, 1-diphosphonic acid (HS 
2811.19.60; 2931.90.90) from China Permanent Delegation of the 
United States to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and 
Department of Commerce, 
International Trade 
Administration C-570-046 
Federal Register/Vol 81 FR 
No. 25383 (28 April 2016)   
United 
States Initiation on 5 May 2016 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of certain carbon and alloy steel cut-to-length plate  (HS 7208.40.30; 7208.40.60; 7208.51.00; 7208.52.00; 
7208.53.00; 7208.90.00; 7210.70.30; 
7210.90.90; 7211.13.00; 7211.14.00; 7211.19.15; 7211.19.20; 7211.19.45; 7211.19.60; 7211.19.75; 7211.90.00; 7212.40.10; 7212.40.50; 7212.50.00; 7214.10.00; 7214.30.00; 7214.91.00; 7225.11.00; 7225.19.00; 7225.40.11; 7225.40.30; 7225.40.51; 7225.40.70; 7225.99.00; 7226.11.10; 7226.11.90; 7226.19.90; 7226.20.00; 7226.91.05; 7226.91.15; 7226.91.25; 7226.91.50; 7226.91.70; 7226.91.80; 7226.99.01; 
7226.19.10) from Austria; Belgium; Brazil; 
China; France; Germany; Italy; Japan; Korea, Rep. of; South Africa; Chinese Taipei and Turkey  Permanent Delegation of the 
United States to the WTO (27 May 2016) and Department of Commerce, 
International Trade 
Administration A-433-812, A-423-812, A-351-847, A-427-828, A-428-844, A-475-834, A-588-875, A-580-887, A-570-047, A-791-822, A-583-858, and A-489-828 Federal Register/Vol 81 FR No. 27089 (5 May 2016)   
United 
States Initiation on 5 May 2016 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of certain carbon and 
alloy steel cut-to-length plate  (HS 7208.40.30; 
7208.40.60; 7208.51.00; 7208.52.00; 
7208.53.00; 7208.90.00; 7210.70.30; 
7210.90.90; 7211.13.00; 7211.14.00; 
7211.19.15; 7211.19.20; 7211.19.45; 
7211.19.60; 7211.19.75; 7211.90.00; 
7212.40.10; 7212.40.50; 7212.50.00; 
7214.10.00; 7214.30.00; 7214.91.00; 
7225.11.00; 7225.19.00; 7225.40.11; 
7225.40.30; 7225.40.51; 7225.40.70; 
7225.99.00; 7226.11.10; 7226.11.90; 
7226.19.90; 7226.20.00; 7226.91.05; 
7226.91.15; 7226.91.25; 7226.91.50; 
7226.91.70; 7226.91.80; 7226.99.01; 
7226.19.10) from Brazil; China and 
Korea, Rep. of Permanent Delegation of the 
United States to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and 
Department of Commerce, 
International Trade 
Administration C-351-848, 
C-570-048, C-580-888 
Federal Register/Vol 81 FR 
No. 27098 (5 May 2016)   
Uruguay Termination on 18 March 2016 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation on 
imports of transparent heat-shrinkable 
polyethylene film of a thickness exceeding 30 micrometres in rolls (NCM 3920.10.99) from Brazil (initiated on 5 January 2015)  Resolución Interministerial 
No. 148/2016 
(3 March 2016) and 
Permanent Delegation of Uruguay to the WTO (15 April 2016)   
Viet Nam Initiation on 25 Decemb er 2015 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of semi-finished and 
certain finished products of alloy and non-alloy 
steel  (HS 7207.11.00; 7207.19.00; 
7207.20.29; 7207.20.99; 7224.90.00; 
7213.10.00; 7213.91.20; 7214.20.31; 
7214.20.41; 7227.90.00; 7228.30.10; 
9811.00.00)  WTO documents  
G/SG/N/6/VNM/4, 4 January 
2016 and G/SG/N/7/VNM/2, 
11 March 2016 Provisional duty 
imposed in 
March 2016 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 103 - 
  ANNEX 3 
OTHER TRADE-RELATED MEASURES1 
(MID-OCTOBER 2015 TO MID-MAY 2016) 
CONFIRMED INFORMATION2 
Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Argentina Updated list of "reference values" for exports of 
natural honey (NCM 0409.00.00), for certain specified destinations  Permanent 
Delegation of Argentina to the WTO (31 May 2016) and Administración Federal de Ingresos Públicos -  Resolución General No. 3810 (18 November 2015) Effective 
24 November 2015 
Argentina Updated list of "criterion values" ( valores criterio de 
carácter preventivo ) for imports of percussion 
musical instruments  (NCM 9206.00.00), from 
specific origins  Permanent 
Delegation of 
Argentina to the 
WTO (31 May 2016) 
and Administración 
Federal de Ingresos 
Públicos -  
Resolución General 
No. 3812 
(18 November 2015) Effective 
24 November 2015 
Argentina Amendments introduced in the "Internal Taxes Law", 
temporary eliminating the domestic internal tax applied on vehicles with a retail sale price up to 
Arg$225.000 (previously tax set at 10% compared 
to 30% for imported goods). For vehicles with retail sale price exceeding Arg$225.000, the internal tax is reduced to 10% (previously tax set at 30% compared to 50% for imported goods) (originally effective 1 July to 31 December 2015) Permanent 
Delegation of Argentina to the 
WTO (31 May 2016), 
Decreto No. 11/2016 "Impuestos Internos" (5 January 2016) and WTO document WT/TPR/OV/18, 17 November 2015 Effective 
1 January 2016 to 30 June 2016   
Argentina Implementation of a new monitoring import 
mechanism " Sistema Integral de Monitoreo de 
Importaciones " (SIMI) eliminating the sworn 
declaration of product composition (DJAI) (originally 
implemented on 1 February 2012) Permanent 
Delegation of 
Argentina to the 
WTO (31 May 2016) 
and Administración 
Federal de Ingresos 
Públicos -  
Resolución General 
No. 3823 
(21 December 2015) Effective 
22 December 2015 
                                               
1 The inclusion of any measure in this Annex implies no judgement by the WTO Secretariat on whether 
or not such measure, or its intent, is protectionist in nature. Moreover, nothing in the Annex implies any judgement, either direct or indirect, on the consistency of any measure refe rred to with the provisions of any 
WTO agreement. 
2 This section includes information which has either  been provided by the Member concerned or has 
been confirmed at the request of the Secretariat. 
 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 104 - 
 
  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Argentina Implementation of automatic import licensing 
requirements through the SIMI for all imports, except for certain tariffs lines, e.g. inorganic chemicals; organic chemicals; candles; matches; plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof; articles of leather; wood and articles of wood; paper and paperboard; printed books and newspapers; wool; cotton; textiles and textiles 
articles; footwear; ceramic products; glass and 
glassware; base metals and articles of base metals; machinery and mechanical appliances; vehicles; apparatus; furniture; and toys  continuing requiring non-automatic import licensing requirements  (NCM Chapters 28; 29; 34; 36; 39; 40; 42; 44; 48; 49; 51; 52; 54; 55; 56; 57; 58; 59; 60; 61; 62; 63; 64; 65; 68; 69; 70; 72; 73; 74; 76; 82; 83; 84; 85; 87; 89; 90; 91; 94; 95) Permanent 
Delegation of Argentina to the WTO (31 May 2016, Resolución No. 5/2015 Ministerio de Producción  (22 December 2015) 
and Resolución No. 
2/2016 Secretaría de Comercio (7 January 2016) Effective 
23 December 2015 
Argentina Revised regulation on exports of dairy products, 
lactose, milk preparations for infant use, ice cream, 
casein, and egg albumin (NCM 0401.10.10; 
0401.10.90; 0401.20.10; 0401.20.90; 0401.40.10; 
0401.40.21; 0401.40.29; 0401.50.10; 0401.50.21; 
0402.10.10; 0402.10.90; 0402.21.10; 0402.21.20; 
0402.21.30; 0402.29.10; 0402.29.20; 0402.29.30; 
0402.91.00; 0402.99.00; 0403.10.00; 0403.90.00; 
0404.10.00; 0404.90.00; 0405.10.00; 0405.20.00; 
0405.90.10; 0405.90.90; 0406.10.10; 0406.10.90; 
0406.20.00; 0406.30.00; 0406.40.00; 0406.90.10; 
0406.90.20; 0406.90.30; 0406.90.90; 1702.11.00; 
1702.19.00; 1901.10.10; 1901.10.20; 1901.10.90; 
1901.90.20; 1901.90.90; 2105.00.10; 2105.00.90; 
3501.10.00; 3501.90.11; 3501.90.19; 3501.90.20; 
3502.20.00) introducing sworn declaration 
requirement ( Declaración Jurada de Ventas al 
Exterior de Productos Lácteos "DJVEL" ) Permanent 
Delegation of 
Argentina to the 
WTO (31 May 2016), 
Resolución Conjunta 
Nos. 69/2016, 
101/2016 and 
84/2016 Ministerio 
de Agroindustria, 
Ministerio de 
Hacienda y Finanzas 
Públicas y Ministerio 
de Producción 
(29 March 2016) Effective 
30 March 2016 
Argentina Amendments introduced to the SIMI increasing the 
validity of non-automatic import licensing from 90 days to 180 days  Permanent 
Delegation of Argentina to the WTO (31 May 2016) and Resolución  No. 32/2016 Secretaría de Comercio (11 March 2016) Effective 
14 March 2016 
Argentina Extension of the increase of the Mercosur Common 
Tariff applied rates, but not over their bound levels, 
for imports of certain products, e.g. (to 28%) 11 
dairy products tariff lines (NCM 0402) (originally 
implemented on 31 January 2010), (to 35%) 
prepared or preserved peaches, including nectarines 
(NCM 2008.70.10; 2008.70.20; 2008.70.90) 
(originally implemented on 1 April 2011), and 14 
toys tariff lines (NCM Chapter 95) (originally 
implemented on 1 April 2011)   Permanent 
Delegation of 
Argentina to the 
WTO (31 May 2016) 
and Decreto No. 
2166/2015 Comercio 
Exterior 
(14 October 2015) Effective 
3 November 2015 to 
31 December 2023 
for dairy products and 
nectarines. Effective 
until 
31 December 2021 
for toys 
Argentina Reestablishment of the Mercosur Common External 
Tariff (2%) for capital goods not locally produced in 
MERCOSUR (372 tariff lines)  Permanent 
Delegation of 
Argentina to the 
WTO (31 May 2016) and Decreto No. 2271/2015 Effective 
12 November 2015 
Bahrain, 
Kingdom of Import ban on used vehicles (for commercial 
vehicles not older than five years, and for private not 
older than 10 years) (HS 8703) Permanent 
Delegation of the 
Kingdom of Bahrain 
to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) Effective 1 May 2016 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 105 - 
  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Brazil Increase of import tariffs  (from 2% to 10%) on 
acrylic acid and its salts (NCM 2916.11.10); and (from 2% to 12%) on acrylic polymers in primary forms (NCM 3906.90.44)  Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil to the WTO (27 May 2016) and Camex Resolution No. 109/2015 (11 November 2015) Effective 
12 November 2015 
China Release in December 2015 of the catalogue of goods 
subject to non-automatic import licensing  Permanent 
Delegation of China 
to the WTO 
(20 April 2016) Effective 
1 January 2016 
China Imposition of import consumption taxes (4%) on 
lead-acid batteries (HS 8507.10.00; 8507.20.00) Permanent 
Delegation of China to the WTO (20 April 2016) Effective 
1 January 2016 
China Increase of the "parcel tax" on import of retail 
products. Foreign products purchased directly by 
consumers (e-commerce) will now be subject to 
import tariffs and consumption taxes Permanent 
Delegation of China 
to the WTO 
(20 April 2016) Effective 
1 January 2016 
Colombia Further extension of the temporary increase of 
import tariffs on apparel, clothing accessories, and 
footwear (HS Chapters 61; 62; 63; 64). Imports from free-trade agreement partners exempted (originally implemented on 1 March 2013)  Permanent 
Delegation of 
Colombia to the WTO (27 May 2016) and Decreto No. 515 Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo (30 March 2016) Extended until 
30 July 2016 
Ecuador Temporary import tariff surcharges ( sobretasa 
arancelaria ) (5%, 15%, 25%, 45%) on 2,961 tariff 
lines (at 10 digits) (Chapters HS 01; 02; 03; 04; 05; 
06; 07; 08; 09; 10; 11; 12; 15; 16; 17; 18; 19; 20; 
21; 22; 23; 24; 25; 32; 33; 34; 35; 36; 37; 39; 40; 
41; 42; 43; 44; 46; 48; 49; 50; 51; 52; 53; 54; 55; 
56; 57; 58; 59; 60; 61; 62; 63; 64; 65; 66; 67; 68; 
69; 70; 71; 72; 73; 74; 76; 78; 79; 82; 83; 84; 85; 
86; 87; 88; 89; 90; 91; 92; 93; 94; 95; 96; 97), 
with a view to restoring balance-of-payments 
(implemented on 11 March 2015). Imports from the 
Plurinational State of Bolivia and Paraguay exempted  WTO documents  
WT/BOP/N/81, 26 
January 2016;  
WT/BOP/G/24, 
4 May 2016; 
WT/BOP/N/82, 
10 May 2016; and 
Resolución 
No. 006-2016 
COMEX 
(29 April 2016) On 31 January 2016, 
implementation of the 
first phase of the 
timetable for the 
dismantling of the 
measure by reducing 
the 45% surcharge 
rate to 40%. In 
May 2016 elimination 
of the 5% level. 
Progressive 
elimination of the 
measure by 1/3 
postponed until 
April 2017 
Ecuador Amendments introduced to the import restriction 
regime for vehicles and auto parts (HS 8703; 8704; 
8706), resulting in the elimination of the assigned quota per contributor and establishing instead a global quota of US$656 million but not more than 84,555 units Permanent 
Delegation of Egypt 
to the WTO (31 May 2016) and Resolución No. 050-2015 (30 December 2015) Effective 
1 January 2016 to 
31 December 2016 
Egypt Export taxes (LE 300/tonne) on cereal straw and 
husks, unprepared, whether or not chopped, ground, 
pressed or in the form of pellets; swedes, mangolds, 
fodder roots, hay, lucerne (alfalfa), clover, sainfoin, 
forage kale, lupines, vetches and similar forage 
products, whether or not in the form of pellets (HS 
1213; 1214); bran, sharps and other residues, 
whether or not in the form of pellets, derived from 
the sifting, milling or other working of cereals or of 
leguminous plants; and vegetable materials and 
vegetable waste, vegetable residues and by-
products, whether or not in the form of pellets, of a 
kind used in animal feeding (HS 2302; 2308); (LE 
50/tonne) on azotic fertilizers; and (LE 3,500/tonne) 
used or new rags, scrap twine, cordage, rope and 
cables and worn out articles of twine, cordage, rope 
or cables, of textile materials (HS 6310)  Permanent 
Delegation of Egypt 
to the WTO 
(29 April 2016)   
Egypt Temporary permission to export semi-milled or 
wholly milled rice, whether or not polished or glazed (HS 1006.30), under certain conditions  Permanent 
Delegation of Egypt to the WTO (29 April 2016)   WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 106 - 
 
  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
European 
Union Imposition of "prior union surveillance" on imports of 
certain iron and steel products (HS Chapters 72; 
73). Imports from Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein 
exempted Commission 
Implementing 
Regulation 2016/670 
(28 April 2016) Effective 21 working 
days after the entry 
into force of this 
Regulation, until 
15 May 2020 
India Exports of finished leather, Wet Blue and EI Tanned 
Leather (HS 4107; 4111; 4112) now permitted through two additional ports Jalandhar and Nagpur  Permanent 
Delegation of India to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and 
Notice No. 43 (RE-2015)/2015-20 Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Department of Commerce) (28 October 2015)  Effective 
28 October 2015 
India Withdrawal of the tariff rate quota of 15,000 metric 
tonnes for total imports of white butter, butter oil 
and anhydrous milk fat (HS 0405) from zero import 
duty level Permanent 
Delegation of India 
to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and 
Notification 
No. 52/2015-
Customs,  Ministry of 
Finance - 
Department of 
Revenue 
(20 November 2015) Effective 
20 November 2015 
India Further increase of import tariffs (from 10% to 25%) 
on wheat (HS 1001.19.00; 1001.99.10) (originally increased on August 2015 and extended in October 2015 until 30 March 2016) Permanent 
Delegation of India to the WTO (27 May 2016); Notifications Nos. 51/2015-Customs, Ministry of Finance - Department of Revenue 
(19 October 2015) 
and  24/2016-Customs, Ministry of Finance - Department of Revenue (28 March 2016); and WTO document WT/TPR/OV/18, 17 November 2015  In March 2016 
extended until 30 June 2016  
India Extension until 30 September 2016 of the temporary 
increase of import tariffs (from 30% to 40%) on 
ghee, butter and butter oil (HS 0405) (originally 
effective from October 2015 until 31 March 2016) Permanent 
Delegation of India 
to the WTO 
(27 May 2016); 
Notification 
No. 24/2016-
Customs, Ministry of 
Finance - 
Department of 
Revenue 
(28 March 2016); 
and WTO document 
WT/TPR/OV/18, 
17 November 2015 Effective until 
30 September 2016  WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 107 - 
  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
India Imposition of temporary minimum import price "MIP" 
(CIF basis/Metric tonne) fo r 173 iron and steel tariff 
lines (HS Chapter 72) Permanent 
Delegation of India to the WTO (27 May 2016) and Notification No. 38/2015-2020 Ministry of Commerce and 
Industry 
(Department of Commerce) (5 February 2016) Effective 
1 February 2016, for 6 months 
India Elimination of exemption/concessional customs 
duties on 76 specified drugs (HS Chapters 28; 29; 
30). On 17 February 2016, 3 drugs (e.g. octreotide, 
somatropin and anti-haemophilic) were granted  
exemption/concessional of customs duties again Permanent 
Delegation of India 
to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and 
Notifications 
Nos. 6/2016-
Customs 
(28 January 2016) 
and 10/2016 
(17 February 2016) 
Ministry of Finance   Effective 
28 January 2016 
India Increase of import tariffs  (from zero to 5%) on nuts, 
solar tempered glass/solar tempered (anti-reflective 
coated) glass; (from 10% to 20%) on natural latex 
rubber; (from zero to 10%) on plans, drawings and designs, preform of silica; (from 10% to 15%) imitation jewellery; (from 5% to 7.5%) primary aluminium products, zinc alloys; (from 7.5 to 10%) aluminium products, industrial solar water heater; (from 10% to 60%) golf cars  Permanent 
Delegation of India 
to the WTO 
(27 May 2016), D.O.F No. 334/8/2016-TRU - Department of Revenue - Ministry of Finance (29 February 2016) and Notification No. 12/2016-Customs Ministry of Finance 
(1 March 2016)   
India Increase of the special additional duty (SAD) on 
populated printed circuit boards (from zero to 4%)  Permanent 
Delegation of India 
to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and 
D.O.F 
No. 334/8/2016-TRU 
- Department of 
Revenue - Ministry of 
Finance 
(29 February 2016)   
India Increase of import tari ffs (from 7.5% to 10%) on 
certain machinery and mechanical appliances and 
electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof (96 tariff lines) (HS Chapters 84 and 85)  Permanent 
Delegation of India 
to the WTO (27 May 2016), D.O.F No. 334/8/2016-TRU - Department of Revenue - Ministry of Finance (29 February 2016) and Notification No. 12/2016-Customs Ministry of 
Finance 
(1 March 2016) Effective 
1 March 2016 
India Increase of import tariffs (from 5% to 7.5%) on 
certain medical devices (HS 9018; 9019; 9020; 
9021; 9022). Additional customs duty (SAD) also 
increased (from zero to 4%) (12 tariff lines 
exempted: HS 9018.32.30; 9018.50.20; 
9018.90.21; 9018.90.24; 9018.90.43; 9018.90.95; 
9018.90.96; 9018.90.97; 9018.90.98; 9019.10.20; 
9022.90.10; 9022.90.30) Permanent 
Delegation of India 
to the WTO 
(27 May 2016)  Effective  
9 January 2016 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 108 - 
 
  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Indonesia New requirement for imports of tyres (HS 4011), 
establishing import quotas and restricting entry points  Permanent 
Delegation of Indonesia to the WTO (27 May 2016) and Regulation No. 78/M-DAG/PER/6/2015 (September 2015)    
Indonesia Revised regulation on imports of cellulose nitrate 
(HS 3912.20.11; 3912.20.19; 3912.20.20) 
introducing stricter requirements  Permanent 
Delegation of 
Indonesia to the 
WTO (27 May 2016) Effective 
1 January 2016 
Indonesia Export prohibition for forestry products not attaining 
locally minimum processing/refining threshold  Permanent 
Delegation of Indonesia to the WTO (27 May 2016) and Regulation No. 97/M-DAG/PER/11/2015 (4 November 2015)  Effective 
1 January 2016 
Indonesia Revised import requirement for sugar (HS 1701) 
resulting in: (i) imports restricted but allowed to 
ensure availability and price stability in local market; 
(ii) elimination of the import ban outside the milling 
season; and (iii) removal of the threshold reference 
price below which imports not authorized  Permanent 
Delegation of 
Indonesia to the 
WTO (27 May 2016) 
and Regulation 
No. 117/M-
DAG/PER/12/2015 
Ministry of Trade 
(23 December 2015) Effective 
1 January 2016 
Indonesia Revised import requirements establishing 
preparation/procurement of all required licences before goods enter into Indonesian customs area Permanent 
Delegation of Indonesia to the WTO (27 May 2016) and Regulation 
No. 48/M-
DAG/PER/7/215 Ministry of Trade (3 July 2015)  Effective 
1 January 2016 
Indonesia Temporary revised import regulations for used 
capital goods introducing certain technical 
requirements. Goods can only be imported by: 
(i) direct user companies; (ii) recondition 
companies; and (iii) remanufacturing companies  Permanent 
Delegation of 
Indonesia to the 
WTO (27 May 2016) 
and Regulation MOI 
No. 14/M-
IND/PER/2/2016  Effective 
25 February 2016 
Indonesia Amendments introduced to the producer import 
license (API) stipulating that only companies with an 
API-U (General Importer Identity's Number) licence can import Permanent 
Delegation of 
Indonesia to the WTO (27 May 2016) Effective 
1 January 2016 
Korea, Rep. 
of  Temporary increase of import  tariffs on 14 products 
(e.g. certain pastas,  sauces and preparations) 
(HS 1902.19.20; 2103.90.30) Permanent 
Delegation of the 
Republic of Korea to 
the WTO 
(27 May 2016)  Effective 
1 January 2016 
Malaysia Increase of import tariffs (from 5% to 20%) on 
multilayer flooring panels (HS 4418.72.90) Customs Duties 
(Amendment) (No. 3) - Order 2015 (29 December 2015) Effective 
1 January 2016 
Mauritius Inclusion of "roll your own cigarette" paper 
(HS 4813), rolling machines for cigarette 
manufacturing (effective 17  December 2015), and 
small size fishing hook (other than for re-
exportation) (effective 26 March 2016), in the list of 
prohibited items  Permanent 
Delegation of 
Mauritius to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) Effective: see 
individual dates in 
measure 
Mauritius Temporary export ban on  scrap metals 
(HS 7204.10; 7204.21; 7204.29; 7204.30; 7204.41; 7204.49; 7204.50; 7404.00; 7503.00; 7602.00; 7802.00; 7902.00; 8002.00; 8101.97; 8103.30; 8104.20; 8102.97; 8105.30; 8106.00; 8107.30; 8108.30; 8109.30; 8110.20; 8111.00; 8112.13; 
8112.22; 8112.52; 8112.92; 8113.00) Permanent 
Delegation of Mauritius to the WTO (27 May 2016) Effective 
26 March 2016 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 109 - 
  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Mexico Increase of import tariffs (up to 15%) on 31 tariffs 
lines, e.g. vinyl acetate, certain machinery and 
mechanical appliances, wind-powered generating 
sets, and certain toys (HS 2915.32.01, 8419.19.02; 
8419.19.03; 8419.89.15; 8421.29.03; 8421.39.01; 
8421.39.04; 8474.20.01; 8474.20.02; 8474.20.03; 
8474.20.05; 8474.20.06; 8474.20.99; 8479.89.03; 
8479.89.19; 8502.31.99; 9015.80.02; 9015.80.06; 
9015.80.99; 9026.20.04; 9503.00.07; 9503.00.08; 
9503.00.09; 9503.00.13; 9503.00.26; 9504.90.01; 
9504.90.02; 9504.90.04; 9506.59.99; 9506.70.01; 
9506.99.99)   Permanent 
Delegation of Mexico 
to the WTO 
(26 May 2016) Effective 
6 January 2016 
Mexico Increase of export duties (from zero to 50%) on 23 
tariffs lines, e.g. vegetable saps and extracts, certain animal fats and oils, pharmaceutical products, essential oils, furskins, and certain works of art, collectors' pieces and antiques (HS 0507.90.01; 1211.90.05; 1302.19.12; 1302.39.03; 1506.00.02; 3001.90.01; 3001.90.02; 3001.90.03; 3001.90.04; 3001.90.06; 3001.90.99; 3002.10.14; 3002.90.01; 
3002.90.02; 3002.90.03; 3002.90.99; 3301.90.05; 
4301.80.03; 4302.19.01; 4302.20.01; 4302.30.01; 9705.00.06; 9706.00.01) Permanent 
Delegation of Mexico to the WTO (26 May 2016) Effective 6 January 
2016 
Mexico Extension of the temporary increase of import tariffs 
(from zero to 15%) on 97 iron and steel tariff lines 
(HS Chapter 72) (originally implemented on 
7 October 2015 for 180 days) Permanent 
Delegation of Mexico 
to the WTO 
(26 May 2016) and 
WTO document 
WT/TPR/OV/18, 
17 November 2015 Effective 4 April 2016 
for an additional 180 
days  
Morocco Increase of import tariffs (to 50%) on soft wheat and 
its derivatives (HS 1001.99.00) Décret No. 2-15-810 
- Bulletin Officiel No. 6404  (14 October 2015) Effective 
1 November 2015 
Pakistan Imposition of regulatory duty on imports of cotton 
yarn and cotton fabrics (HS 5205; 5206; 5207; 
5208; 5209; 5210; 5211; 5212)  Ministry of Finance, 
Economic Affairs, 
Revenue and 
Statistics (Revenue 
Division) Notification, 
S.R.O. 1055(I)/2015 
(30 October 2015) Effective 
1 November 2015 
Pakistan Increase of import tariffs (by 1%) on certain 
products, e.g.  pepper;  rice; machinery and 
mechanical appliances; aerials and aerial reflectors; and used vehicles (HS 0904.11.30; 0904.21.20; 1006.10.10; 1209.00.00; 31; 84; 85; 8517; 8529.10.90; 99) Ministry of Finance, 
Economic Affairs, Revenue and Statistics (Revenue Division) Notification, S.R.O. 1178(I)/2015 (30 November 2015) Effective 
1 December 2015 
Pakistan Imposition of regulatory duty (up to 15%) on 
imports of 400 items, e. g. poultry; fish; dairy 
products; honey; fruits; certain prepared or 
preserved meats, sugar confectionery, cocoa and 
cocoa preparations, preparations of cereals, pasta, 
preparation of vegetables, fruits and nuts; 
miscellaneous edible preparations; mineral waters; 
dog or cat food; perfumes and toilet waters; 
cosmetics; toilet preparations; soap; pneumatic 
tyres; travel goods; handbags and similar 
containers; cotton; apparel and clothing; other made 
up textiles articles; footwear; marble; ceramic 
products; glass and glassware; iron and steel; 
articles of iron and steel; razors and razor blades; 
miscellaneous articles of base metal; machinery and 
mechanical appliances; electrical machinery and 
equipment; watches; furnitures; toys; and 
miscellaneous manufactured articles (HS Chapters 
01; 03; 04; 08; 16; 17; 18; 19; 20; 21; 22; 23; 33; 
34; 40; 42; 52; 62; 63; 64; 68; 70; 71; 72; 73; 76; 
82; 83; 84; 85; 91; 94; 95; 96 )  Ministry of Finance, 
Economic Affairs, 
Revenue and 
Statistics (Revenue 
Division) Notification, 
S.R.O. 1177(I)/2015 
(30 November 2015) Effective 
1 December 2015 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 110 - 
 
  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Pakistan Increase of regulatory duty (up to 60%) on certain 
vehicles (HS 8703.23.23; 8703.23.29; 8703.24.90; 8703.32.23; 8703.32.25; 8703.32.29; 8703.33.90; 8703.90.90) Ministry of Finance, 
Economic Affairs, Statistics and Revenue Notification S.RO. No. 1190(I)/2015 (1 December 2015) Effective 
1 December 2015 
Qatar Import ban on high-glow light bulbs (tungsten 75 
and 100 watts) and certain air-conditioners 
equipment  Ministry of 
Municipality and 
Environment - News 
(8 March 2016)  Effective 1 May 2016 
Russian Federation On 28 November 2015, further extension of the 
temporary export ban on tanned leather and raw hides and skins (HS 4104.11; 4104.19) (originally effective from 1 October 2014 to 1 April 2015, and from 25 May 2015 to 28 November 2015)  Permanent 
Delegation of the Russian Federation to the WTO (27 May 2016); WTO documents G/MA/W/119, 18 March 2016 and WT/TPR/OV/18, 
17 November 2015 Effective 
28 November 2015 until May 2016  
Russian 
Federation Certain imported pharmaceutical products included 
in the list of "vital pharmaceuticals" restricted from 
public procurement purcha ses. Imports from the 
Eurasian Economic Union members exempted    Permanent 
Delegation of the 
Russian Federation 
to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and 
Government 
Resolution No. 1289 
(30 November 2015) Effective 
10 December 2015 
Russian 
Federation The Government Resolution of the Russian 
Federation No. 1236 established limitations on government procurement of foreign software 
products. A software programme would be 
considered as a Russian product, if the intellectual property rights for such software are owned by either the state, or a Russian non-governmental organization controlled by the state, or by a Russian legal entity with the share of 50% or more owned by the state or Russian nationals. Russian government buyers should purchase, by default, only the software included into the state register. In order to be able to purchase foreign software products, the Russian government buyers would have to formally demonstrate that the products listed in the Russian 
state register do not meet their requirements. The 
procedure and criteria specifying the purchase of the foreign software is to be elaborated by the Russian Government  Permanent Mission of 
the Russian Federation to the 
WTO (27 May 2016)  Effective 
1 January 2016 
Russian 
Federation For state corporations, state and business companies 
with Russian Federation ownership capital of more 
than 50%, or other gove rnment-supported legal 
entities (with investment-intended funds of no less 
than Rub 10 billion) the Russian Government has 
adopted a list of 139 types of industrial products to 
be procured abroad only with prior approval by the 
Import Substitution Commission. The products 
covered are: finished metal products (e.g. tankers 
and cisterns); computer, electronic and optical 
equipment (e.g. tomography scans); electric 
equipment (e.g. electric accumulators and 
components); plant and equipment (e.g. cranes and 
earthmovers); motor vehicles, trailers and 
semitrailers (e.g. auto cranes); transport vehicles 
and equipment (e.g. railway locomotives)  Permanent Mission of 
the Russian 
Federation to the 
WTO (27 May 2016)    WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Russian 
Federation Mandatory requirement on trucks for goods in transit 
crossing the Russian Federation towards Kazakhstan to use (and remove) identification means (seals) operating on the basis of the Russian Global Navigation Satellite System "GLONAS" (instead of GPS). The imposition and removal of seals occurs at the entrance/exit of the territory of the Russian Federation at the expense of the shipper or the 
consignee Permanent Mission of 
the Russian Federation to the WTO (27 May 2016)  Effective 
16 April 2016 
Customs 
Union 
between the 
Russian 
Federation, 
Armenia, 
Belarus,  
Kazakhstan, 
and Kyrgyz 
Rep. Inclusion of jewels, precious metals and raw 
materials containing precious metals in the Common 
List of Good subject to import prohibition or 
restriction. Imposition of non-automatic import 
licensing requirements for imports of precious metals 
and raw materials containing precious metals, and 
"special administrative measures" for imports of 
jewels (HS Chapters 25; 26; 71) WTO document 
G/LIC/N/1/RUS/10, 
24 November 2015   
Customs 
Union 
between the Russian Federation, Armenia, Belarus,  Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyz Rep. Inclusion of jewels, precious metals and raw 
materials containing precious metals in the Common 
List of Good subject to export prohibition or restriction. Imposition of non-automatic export licensing requirements for exports of precious metals and raw materials containing precious metals, and "special administrative measures" for exports of jewels (HS Chapters 25; 26; 71) WTO document 
G/LIC/N/1/RUS/10, 
24 November 2015   
SACU - 
Southern 
African 
Customs 
Union 
(Botswana, 
Lesotho, 
Namibia, 
South Africa, 
and 
Swaziland) On 30 October 2015, extension of the temporary 
increase of import tariffs (from R 242.6 c/kg to 
R 304 c/kg) on cane and beet sugar (HS 1701.12; 
1701.13; 1701.14; 1701.91; 1701.99) (originally 
implemented on 26 September 2014 and extended 
several times) Permanent 
Delegation of 
South Africa to the 
WTO (30 May 2016); 
Notice No. R 1027 of 
2015 - International 
Trade Administration 
Commission - 
Government Gazette 
No. 39340 (30 
October 2015); and 
WTO document 
WT/TPR/OV/18, 
17 November 2015 Effective 
30 October 2015 
SACU - 
Southern 
African Customs Union (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland) Increase of import tariffs (to 15%) on tubes, pipes 
and hollow profiles, of cast iron (HS 7303.00; 
7305.11; 7305.12; 7305.19; 7305.20; 7305.31.10; 7305.31.90; 7305.39.10; 7305.39.90; 7305.90.10; 7305.90.90; 7306.19; 7306.29; 7306.30.30; 7306.30.40). Imports from the EU, EFTA, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) members exempted  Permanent 
Delegation of 
South Africa to the WTO (30 May 2016) and Notice No. R 601 of 2015 - International Trade Administration Commission - Government Gazette No. 39478 (4 December 2015)  Effective 
4 December 2015 
SACU - 
Southern 
African 
Customs 
Union 
(Botswana, 
Lesotho, 
Namibia, 
South Africa, 
and 
Swaziland) Increase of import tariffs (from zero to 10%) on 
steel wire rod, steel reinforcing bar and structural 
steel (HS 7213.91; 7214.20; 7227.90; 7228.30; 
7228.60). Imports from the EU, EFTA, and the 
Southern African Development Community (SADC) 
members exempted  Permanent 
Delegation of South 
Africa to the WTO 
(30 May 2016) and 
Notice No. R 1265 of 
2015 - International 
Trade Administration 
Commission - 
Government Gazette 
No. 39539 (18 
December 2015)  Effective 18 
December 2015 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 112 - 
 
  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
SACU - 
Southern African Customs Union (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, 
South Africa, 
and Swaziland) Increase of import tariffs (to 10%) on certain iron 
and steel products (28 tariff lines) (HS Chapter 72). Imports from the EU, EFTA, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) members exempted   Permanent 
Delegation of South Africa to the WTO (30 May 2016) and Notice No. R 172 of 2016 - International Trade Administration 
Commission - 
Government Gazette No. 39686 (12 February 2016)  Effective 
12 February 2016 
SACU - 
Southern 
African 
Customs 
Union 
(Botswana, 
Lesotho, 
Namibia, 
South Africa, 
and 
Swaziland) Increase of import tariffs (from zero to 10%) on 
prepolymers with a NCO percentage of less than 
20% by mass (HS 3909.50.10). Imports from the 
EU, EFTA, and the Southern African Development 
Community (SADC) members exempted   Permanent 
Delegation of 
South Africa to the 
WTO (30 May 2016) 
and Notice No. R 239 
of 2016 - 
International Trade 
Administration 
Commission - 
Government Gazette 
No. 39799  
(11 March 2016)  Effective 
11 March 2016 
SACU - Southern African Customs 
Union 
(Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland) Further extension of the temporary increase of 
import tariffs (to R 122.43 c/kg) on wheat (HS 1001.91; 1001.99), and (to R 183.65 c/kg) on wheat flour (HS 1101.00.10; 1101.00.90). Imports 
from the Southern African Development Community 
(SADC) members exempted   Permanent 
Delegation of South Africa to the WTO (30 May 2016) 
and Notice No. R 418 
of 2016 - International Trade Administration Commission - Government Gazette No. 39915 (11 April 2016)  Effective 
11 April 2016 
SACU - 
Southern 
African 
Customs 
Union 
(Botswana, 
Lesotho, 
Namibia, 
South Africa, 
and 
Swaziland) Inclusion of waste and scrap of primary cells, 
primary batteries and electric accumulators, spent 
primary cells, spent primary batteries and spent 
electric accumulators (HS 8548.10) in the list of 
good subject to export permits Permanent 
Delegation of 
South Africa to the 
WTO (30 May 2016) 
and Notice No. R 
1043 of 2015 - 
International Trade 
Administration 
Commission - 
Government Gazette 
No. 39348 
(30 October 2015)  Effective 
30 October 2015 
Serbia Imposition of temporary specific duties on imports 
on 42 agriculture and food products tariff lines, e.g. live swine; meat of swine; dairy produce; and hams and cuts of swine (HS 0103; 0203; 0209; 0210; 0401; 0403; 0405; 0406; 1602) Permanent 
Delegation of Serbia to the United Nations (7 April 2016) Effective 1 January 
2016 to 30 June 2016  
 
Singapore Extension for certain alcohol and tobacco products 
(HS 2203; 2204; 2205; 2206; 2207; 2208; 24) of 
the security requirement (at least 50% of potential 
duty) to certain cargo movement types of such 
goods (movements between warehouses, export 
from licensed premises, transhipment involving road 
transportation) on the grounds of a potentially 
higher risk of non-compliance for these movements   Permanent 
Delegation of 
Singapore to the 
WTO  (31 May 2016) 
and Singapore 
Customs Circular No. 
1/2016 
 (15 January 2016) Effective 1 April 2016 
Sri Lanka Temporary increase of the special commodity levy 
(from SL Re 15/kg to SL Re 35/kg) on imports of potatoes (HS 0701.90) and (from SL Re 5/kg to SL Re 25/kg) onions (HS 0703.10.20)  Ministry of Finance  
Notification No. 1956/10 (29 February 2016) Effective for 4 months 
Tunisia Increase of import tariffs on 911 tariff lines WTO document 
WT/TPR/S/341, 
8 June 2016 Effective 
1 January 2016 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 113 - 
  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Turkey Increase of import tariffs (from 8% to 10%) on 
certain flat-rolled stainless iron and steel products (HS 7219.31; 7219.32; 7219.33; 7219.34; 7219.35; 7220.20.21; 7220.20.29; 7220.20.41; 7220.20.49; 7220.20.81; 7220.20.89) Permanent 
Delegation of Turkey to the WTO (31 May 2016)  Effective 
1 January 2016 
Turkey Exports of poppy seeds not for sowing subject to 
registration (HS 1207.91.90) Permanent 
Delegation of Turkey 
to the WTO 
(31 May 2016)  Effective 
11 March 2016 
Ukraine Export ban on unprocessed timber (HS Chapter 44) WTO document 
WT/TPR/S/334, 15 March 2016 Effective 
1 November 2015 
United States Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act 
gradually increasing domestic content rules (from 
60% to 70% by 2020) for procurement of 
rolling-stock by the Federal Highway Administration   Public Law 114-94-
DEC. 4, 2015 - 
Sec.3011.General 
Provisions 
(4 December 2015) Effective 
4 December 2015 
 
Recorded, but non-confirmed information3 
Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Algeria Increase of import tariffs on  certain products   Arabnews.com  
(22 November 2015)   
Algeria Imposition of import quotas on steel rebars  Press reports 
(January 2016)  Effective 
January 2016 
Algeria Systematic controls of imported goods (mainly 
consumers goods) by the Customs Administration and antifraud services of the Ministry of Trade resulting in delays in import clearance procedures  Press reports 
(February 2016)    
Algeria Import ban on certain products, e.g. cosmetics, 
foodstuff, perishable goods, detergent  Press reports 
(February 2016)   
Algeria Non-automatic import licensing requirements for 
certain products, e.g. cement, concrete, and vehicles  Press reports referring 
to Executive Decree 15-306 (6 December 2015)    
Algeria Mandatory electronic registration requirement for 
importers in their commercial bank  Jeune Afrique 
No. 2881 (27 March to 
2 April 2016)   
Angola Temporary export ban on certain food products 
imported for domestic consumption (e.g. rice, sugar, beans, corn flour, soap and cooking oil) (HS 1006; 1102.20; 12; 1701)  COM-Watch Africa 
Issue 58 – March 2016    
Australia Review of the "Victorian Industry Participation 
Policy (VIPP)" introducing a minimum 10% 
formal weighting system for local content for 
major state government procurement  Press reports 
(November 2015)   
Bangladesh Temporary export ban on raw jute (HS 5303; 
5307; 5310; 5607.10; 6305.10) Fibre2fashion.com Effective 3 November 
to 2 December 2015 
Belarus Revised import requirements on construction 
materials and products resulting in strengthened 
quality controls and certificate requirement for 
each imported good Press reports referring 
to Decision No. 658 
(4 August 2015)    
Bolivia 
(Plurinational State of) Temporary increase of im port tariffs on certain 
food products, e.g. milk, cream, coffee, yogurt, grapes, potatoes, and certain footwear (HS 
0401; 0403.10; 0806; 0901; 0710.10; 64)   America Económica 
(1 December 2015)   
Bolivia 
(Plurinational 
State of) Increase of import tariffs (up to 40%) on 
alcoholic beverages (HS 2203; 2204; 2205; 
2206; 2207; 2208) La Razón referring to 
Decreto Supremo 
No. 2657 
(27 January 2016)   
Brazil Intervention of the National Institute of 
Metrology, Quality and Technology (INMETRO) in the issuance of non-automatic import licensing  Press reports 
(March 2016)   
                                               
3 This section includes information which has been obtained from public sources but has not yet been 
confirmed by the delegation concerned. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Cambodia Amendments introduced to the export tax 
scheme on natural rubber (HS 4001). Duties set 
at US$150/tonne on shipments valued up to 
US$2,000/tonne, and US$200/tonne on 
shipments valued up to US$3,000/tonne. Current 
duty set US$50/tonne when export price below 
US$2,000/tonne  The Phnom Penh Post 
(7 March 2016)   
Cameroon Re-imposition of import tariffs (5%) on rice 
(HS 1006) and (20%) on cement (HS 2523)  Star Africa 
(8 December 2015) Effective 
1 January 2016 
China Requirement for hospitals to purchase medical 
devices from "national manufacturers", not 
including domestically manufactured in China by 
Foreign invested enterprises Press reports 
(January 2016)   
Egypt Increase of import tariffs on certain products, 
e.g. manufactured items,  luxury goods. Raw 
material and intermediate goods exempted  Zawya Thomson 
Reuters (15 November 2015)   
Egypt Imposition of reference prices on certain imports, 
e.g. textile fabrics, a pparel and clothing, and 
furniture (300 commodities)  Daily News 
(3 November 2015)   
Egypt Revised import regulations introducing stricter 
control requirements  Daily News 
(3 November 2015)   
Egypt Imposition of reference prices on  imports of 
vehicles  (HS 8703) Daily News 
(1 February 2016)    
Egypt Imposition of an import tax on vehicles 
(HS 8703)  Daily News 
(1 February 2016)    
Egypt New legislation requiring national preferences for 
local products and services in government 
contracts. It expanded the scope of application of 
national preferences to all supply and project 
agreements, and extended it to public companies 
and companies in which state has a share. 
Minimum requirement of 40% local content, 
unless such products/services are not available 
or the price of imported product is at least 15% 
lower  Press reports referring 
to Law 5/2015 and 
Ministerial Decree 
No. 656/2015 
(18  October 2015)   
El Salvador Increase of import tariffs on certain agricultural 
products  El Mundo 
(15 February 2016)   
India New requirement for the oil and gas sector 
providing for 50% local content requirement for 
certain services and equipments, e.g. rigs and 
pipes  Press Trust of India 
and Bloomberg BNA  
(9 February 2016)   
Indonesia "Priority lane importer status" removed for 
imports of all products  Press reports referring 
to Decree No. 83/2012 (December 2015)   
Indonesia Revised import requirement for salt 
(consumption and industrial) (HS 2501.00) 
resulting in the elimination of import ban and 
reference prices. Previously imports only 
authorized when all national production threshold 
was used  Press reports referring 
to Regulation No. 
125/M-DAG/PER/2015 
Ministry of Trade 
(29 December 2015) Effective 1 April 2016 
Indonesia New requirement for imports of forestry products 
(HS 44) establishing import restrictions on more than 350 products. Mandatory import approval requirement from Ministry of Trade implemented. In order to obtain import approval a "recommendation letter" from the Ministry of environment and the Ministry of Forestry is 
required Press reports referring 
to  Regulation No. 97/M-DAG/PER/11/2015 (November 2015) Effective 
1 January 2016  
Indonesia New requirements for imports of batik textiles 
and batik textiles products and pattern 
(e.g. pre-shipment verification)  Press reports referring 
to Regulation 
No. 86/M-
DAG/PER/10/2015 
(15 October 2015)  Effective 
20 October 2015 
Malaysia Import ban on certain products containing 
mercury  Press reports referring 
to Customs Order No. 7/2015 (9 October 2015)  Effective 
1 November 2015 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Malaysia Import licensing requirements on certain liquid 
filled electrical heating products   Press reports referring 
to Customs Order 
No. 7/2015 
(9 October 2015) Effective 
1 November 2015 
Malaysia Inclusion of certain products containing mercury 
in the export prohibited list  Press reports referring 
to Customs Order No. 3/2015 (9 October 2015) Effective 
1 November 2015 
Mongolia Increase of import tariffs on alcoholic beverages 
(HS 2204; 2205; 2206; 2207; 2208)  Press reports 
(February 2016)   
Morocco Increase of import tariffs (to 2.5%) on butter 
(HS 0405.10)  Challenge 
(20 October 2015) Effective 
1 January 2016 
Morocco Imposition of import tariffs on certain oil 
products  Le 360 
(21 October 2015)   
Nepal Increase of import tariffs (from 15% to 20%) on 
ghee and milk related products (HS Chapter 04)  The Kathmandu Post 
(5 September 2015)   
Nigeria Increase of import tariffs on aircraft parts 
(HS 8803)  ThisDayLive 
(30 October 2015)   
Nigeria Increase of import tariffs on used vehicles 
(HS 8703)  Vanguard 
(9 November 2015)   
Nigeria Inclusion of cane or beet sugar and chemically 
pure sucrose (HS 1701.11; 1701.12; 1701.91; 
1701.99) and farmed fish (HS Chapter 03) in the 
import prohibition list  Press reports 
(February 2016)   
Saudi Arabia, 
Kingdom of Increase of import tariffs (up to 30%) on 
cigarettes (HS 2402)  Arab News 
(13 September 2015)   
Bahrain, 
Kingdom of; 
Kuwait, the 
State of; 
Oman; Qatar; 
Kingdom of 
Saudi Arabia; 
United Arab 
Emirates (Gulf 
Cooperation 
Council) Increase of import taxes (to 100%) on certain 
tobacco products (HS Chapter 24) Arab Times Online 
(18 November 2015)   
Sri Lanka Re-imposition of export du ties on raw spices  Economy Next 
(17 December 2015)   
Sri Lanka Increase of import tariffs (from SL Rs 35/kg to 
SL Rs 50/kg) on rice (HS 1006) Press reports referring 
to Extraordinary 
Gazette 1952/10 
(February 2016) Effective 
1 February 2016 
Ukraine Temporary "special custom duties" imposed on 
imports of certain products, e.g. dairy products, confectionery, bakery, malt beer, vodka, cleaning supplies, tools, automobile tires, refrigerators and tractors  from Belarus  Cihan 
(25 November 2015) Effective 
20 January 2016 
Ukraine Cancellation of the mandatory local content 
requirement for electricity production from 
alternative energy sources. The requirement was 
replaced by a premium payment for the use of 
equipment of Ukrainian origin. The premium is 
set at 5% of the green tariff for a local content 
level of at least 30% or 10% for at least 50% 
local content. The new scheme applies to 
facilities commissioned from 1 July 2015 to 
31 December 2024 that produce electricity from 
alternative energy sources (except household 
projects) Bloomberg BNA 
(21 April 2016) and 
WTO document 
WT/TPR/S/334, 
15 March 2016 Entry into force 
26 February 2016 
Ukraine Trucks registered in the Russian Federation not 
allowed to transit through Ukrainian roads  Interfax 
(15 February 2016)   WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 116 - 
 
  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
United States Amendments introduced to the Drug Master Files 
(DMF) requiring mandatory manufacturing of 
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) locally. 
Previously US based companied were allowed to 
acquire APIs from third countries and final 
products or fixed formulation was made in the 
United States, and then sold to the 
US Government. With the implementation of the 
new rules APIs' commercialization restricted to 
45 WTO Members of the Agreement on 
Government Procurement  The Hindu 
(3 February 2016)   
Viet Nam Increase of import tariffs (from zero to 10%) on 
certain alloy steel with a 0.3% of chrome content  Thanh Nien News (27 October 2015)   
Zambia Increase of import tariffs on certain steel 
products  Zambia Daily 
(21 October 2015)   
Zambia Temporary import ban on cert ain steel products  Zambia Daily 
(21 October 2015)   
Zimbabwe Temporary import ban on certain agricultural 
products, e.g. sugar, corn-meal, flour (HS 11; 
1701)  The Herald 
(27 November 2015)   WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 117 - 
  ANNEX 4 
GENERAL ECONOMIC SUPPORT MEASURES1 
(MID-OCTOBER 2015 TO MID-MAY 2016) 
CONFIRMED INFORMATION2 
Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Argentina Temporary aid scheme "Régimen de 
Compensaciones para Productores Tamberos" (overall budget Arg$600 million) for small dairy producers (Arg$0.4/litre) Resolución Conjunta 
Nos. 8/2016 and 9/2016 Ministerio de Agroindustria y Ministerio de 
Producción 
(1 February 2016) Effective October to 
December 2015 
Argentina Implementation of a new electricity price 
scheme "Régimen Tarifario de Transición" 
resulting in the gradual phasing out of 
electricity price subsidies Resolución No. 7/2016 
Ministerio de Energía y 
Minería 
(27 January 2016) Effective 
27 January 2016 
Argentina Extension of the temporary aid scheme 
"Régimen de Compensaciones para Productores Tamberos" (overall budget Arg$500 million) for small dairy producers (Arg$0.4/litre) Resolución 
No. 162/2016 Ministerio de Agroindustria (2 May 2016) Effective February and 
March 2016 
Argentina Extension of the temporary aid scheme 
"Ahora 12" to encourage the purchase of 
certain locally produced products, e.g. home 
appliances, apparel and clothing, footwear, 
construction materials, furniture, 
motorcycles, bicycles, books, toys, cell 
phones and certain services (tourism) 
(originally implemented in September 2014) Resolución 
No. 87/2016 Ministerio 
Producción 
(30 March 2016) Extended until 
30 September 2016 
Australia Temporary preferential export finance for 
Australian wine producers through an agreement established between the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation (EFIC) and Wine Australia Permanent Delegation 
of Australia to the WTO (27 May 2016) Effective 
29 October 2015 to 29 October 2016 
Australia Implementation of the first round of the 
Black Spots Programme ($A 100 million) to 
deliver 499 new and upgraded mobile base 
stations. The full rollout of all mobile base 
stations funded under round one has begun 
and will occur over three years. Several 
rounds are being considered in the future Permanent Delegation 
of Australia to the WTO 
(27 May 2016)  
Australia Implementation of the Multi-Technology 
Model through an equity investment ($A 29.5 billion) to the National Broadband Network (NBN). NBN is operating on a wholesale-only and non-discriminatory basis, 
with completion expected by 2020 Permanent Delegation 
of Australia to the WTO (27 May 2016)  
Australia Aid scheme "Freight Equalization Scheme" 
for Tasmania increased to $A 203 million. 
Scheme has been expanded to include goods 
bound for international markets Permanent Delegation 
of Australia to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) Effective January 2016 
                                               
1 The inclusion of any measure in this Annex implies no judgement by the WTO Secretariat on whether 
or not such measure, or its intent, is protectionist in nature. Moreover, nothing in the Annex implies any judgement, either direct or indirect, on the consistency of any measure refe rred to with the provisions of any 
WTO agreement. 
2 This section includes information which has either  been provided by the Member concerned or has 
been confirmed at the request of the Secretariat. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Bahrain, 
Kingdom of Reduction of subsidies on electricity, water 
(effective 1 March 2016) and gasoline (effective 11 January 2016), resulting in 
retail price increases Permanent Delegation 
of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the WTO 
(6 June 2016)  
Brazil Financial aid scheme (R$1.3 billion) through 
the Brazilian National Development Bank 
(BNDES) for wind mill park complex in Piauí Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and 
Press Release - 
Brazilian National 
Development Bank 
(BNDES) 
(October 2015)  
Brazil Financial aid scheme (R$14.6 million) 
through BNDES for Etage Indústria e 
Comércio Ltda for the construction of a new 
factory in São Bernardo do Campo to produce spare parts for oil companies Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and 
Press Release - Brazilian National Development Bank (BNDES) (October 2015)  
Brazil Financial aid scheme (R$9.5 million) through 
BNDES for Brazilian IT company 
"Accesstage" for investments in capacity 
expansion for data warehouse storage Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and 
Press Release - 
Brazilian National 
Development Bank 
(BNDES) 
(October 2015)  
Brazil Financial aid scheme (R$2 million) through 
BNDES for audio-visual producer Fraiha Produções de Eventos e Editora Ltda for the production of web tv series Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO (27 May 2016) and Press Release - Brazilian National Development Bank (BNDES) (October 2015) Effective until 2018 
Brazil Financial aid scheme (R$6.8 million) through 
BNDES to medical and cosmetic producer 
CIMED group for the construction of a 
distribution centre in Minas Gerais Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and 
Press Release - 
Brazilian National 
Development Bank 
(BNDES) 
(23 October 2015)  
Brazil Long term loan from BNDES 
(R$552.7 million) to the highway concessionaire Minas Gerais Goiás S.A (MGO Rodovias) for the construction of a 436.6 km sector on highway BR-050/GO/MG Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO (27 May 2016) and Press Release - Brazilian National Development Bank 
(BNDES) 
(30 October 2015)  
Brazil Financial aid scheme (R$494.2 million) 
through BNDES for the implementation of six 
wind mill parks (180 MW) for the "Complexo 
Morrinhos Energias Renováveis S.A." in 
Bahia State Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and 
Press Release - 
Brazilian National 
Development Bank 
(BNDES) 
(9 November 2015)  
Brazil Financial aid scheme (R$665.4 million) 
through BNDES for nine new wind mill parks 
in Pernambuco and Rio Grande do Norte Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and 
Press Release - Brazilian National Development Bank (BNDES) (17 November 2015)  WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Brazil Aid scheme (R$25 million) through BNDES 
for family agriculture projects in Rio Grande 
do Sul Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and 
Press Release - 
Brazilian National 
Development Bank 
(BNDES) 
(18 November 2015)  
Brazil Amendments introduced to the Drawback 
legislation resulting in: (i) increased access of exporting companies to drawback exemptions; (ii) clarification on the import/export licensing requests and drawback requests; and (iii) clarification on 
consignation export procedures Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO (27 May 2016) Effective December 2015 
Canada "CanExport" export programme (overall 
budget Can$50 million) to help SMEs take 
advantage of global export opportunities. 
CanExport will provide contributions 
(between Can$10,000 and Can$100,000) 
towards export developments costs. Eligible 
SMEs must employ fewer than 250 
employees, have an annual revenue of 
between Can$200,000 and Can$50 million 
and promote export development Permanent Delegation 
of Canada to the WTO 
(30 May 2016) and 
Ministers of 
International Trade 
and Small Business 
and Tourism News 
(5 January 2016) Effective 5 January 2016 
Canada Investment package (Can$120 billion) for 
the next 10 years Permanent Delegation 
of Canada to the WTO 
(30 May 2016) Starting in fiscal year 
2016-17 
China Support scheme to promote the healthy 
development of the pharmaceutical industry, 
to improve the investment environment, 
strengthen the construction of the 
supporting system and encourage the level 
of international cooperation in the sector Permanent Delegation 
of China to the WTO 
(20 April 2016) Effective 11 March 2016 
Colombia Support scheme for sugar exports " panela 
excedentaria " to the amount of Col$400 for 
every kilo exported Resolución No. 
423/2015 Ministerio de Agricultura y Desarrollo Rural, 
(19 November 2015) Effective 
19 November 2015 to 31 December 2015 
Colombia "PIPE 2.0" scheme (overall budget 
US$80 million) for promotion of export 
activity and exports of non-traditional 
products (mining and quarrying sectors not 
included) Permanent Delegation 
of Colombia to the 
WTO (27 May 2016) Effective 1 January 2016 
Colombia Extension of the support scheme for 
construction of new hotels. Exemption of income tax for 30 years for hotel construction projects initiated before 31 December 2017 Permanent Delegation 
of Colombia to the WTO (27 May 2016)  
Ecuador Extension of the support scheme granting to 
exporters of non-traditional products partial 
reimbursement (between 2% and 5%) of 
certain taxes Permanent Delegation 
of Ecuador to the WTO 
(31 May 2016) Effective until 
31 December 2015 
European 
Union Temporary exceptional aid (€420 million) for 
farmers in the livestock sectors (e.g. beef and veal, milk and milk products, pig meat, sheep meat, and goat meat) Public information 
available on the European Commission's website transmitted by the EU Delegation 
(27 May 2016) and 
Commission Delegated Regulation 2015/1853 
(15 October 2015) Effective 
16 October 2015 to 30 June 2016 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
European 
Union Temporary exceptional private storage aid 
(€15.57/tonne of storage for fixed storage 
cots, and €0.4/tonne per day of contractual 
storage) for certain cheeses limited to a 
maximum quantity of 100,000 tonnes Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's website 
transmitted by the 
EU Delegation 
(27 May 2016) and 
Commission Delegated 
Regulation 2015/1852 
(15 October 2015) Effective 
16 October 2015 
Austria Aid "Breitband Austria 2020" (€1 billion, 
maximum annual disbursement €200 million) for telecommunication sector Public information 
available on the European Commission's website 
transmitted by the 
EU Delegation 
(27 May 2016) and EU 
State Aid SA. 41175 (2015/N) (17 December 2015) Effective 1 January 2016 
to 31 December 2020 
Belgium Aid for the construction of an offshore wind 
farm of 294 MW located in the North Sea, 
42 km from Ostend harbour Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's website 
transmitted by the 
EU Delegation 
(27 May 2016) and 
European Investment 
Bank Reference 
20150619 
(14 December 2015)  
Croatia Aid (HRK 239.4 million) for 
telecommunication sector Public information 
available on the European Commission's website transmitted by the EU Delegation 
(27 May 2016) and EU 
State Aid SA. 38626 
(2015/N) 
(25 January 2016) Effective 
25 January 2016 to 31 December 2023 
Estonia State aid (€70 million) for the modernization 
of the infrastructure at Tallinn airport Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's website 
transmitted by the 
EU Delegation 
(27 May 2016) and EU 
State Aid SA. 39315  
Finland Aid (€69.5 million) for high-speed broadband 
construction in sparsely populated areas Public information 
available on the 
European Commission's website transmitted by the EU Delegation 
(27 May 2016) and EU 
State Aid SA. 43404 (2015/N) (14 December 2015) Effective 1 January 2016 
to 31 December 2019 
Finland Aid (€32.1 million) for bio-product pulp mill 
Metsä Fibre Oy Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's website 
transmitted by the 
EU Delegation 
(19 April 2016) and EU 
State Aid SA. 42382  WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Finland Energy and environmental aid (€28 million) 
for the construction of a liquefied natural gas terminal at Hamina Public information 
available on the European 
Commission's website 
transmitted by the EU Delegation 
(27 May 2016) and EU 
State Aid SA. 42889  
France Aid (€56.9 million) for the modernization of 
the digital television network Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's website 
transmitted by the 
EU Delegation 
(27 May 2016) and EU 
State Aid SA. 42680 
(2015/N) 
(5 April 2016) Effective until 
31 December 2022 
Germany Prolongation of aid scheme (€92.8 million) 
for freight rail transport and inland freight water transport Public information 
available on the European Commission's website transmitted by the EU Delegation 
(27 May 2016) and EU 
State Aid SA. 43008 
(2015/N) 
(14 December 2015) Effective 1 January 2016 
to 31 December 2016 
Germany Aid scheme (€5.6 million) for sea and coastal 
freight water transport (extension of the port 
of Rostock) Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's website 
transmitted by the 
EU Delegation 
(27 May 2016) and EU 
State Aid SA. 43376 
(2015/N) 
(16 December 2015) Effective 
16 December 2015 
Germany Aid (€21 million) to NPorts GmbH & Co. KG 
for water transport in the Niedersachsen region (Cuxhaven seaport) Public information 
available on the European Commission's website transmitted by the EU Delegation 
(19 April 2016) and EU 
State Aid SA. 41927 (2015/N) 
(11 February 2016) Effective 
11 February 2016 
Greece Aid through a specific tax regime for the 
Transadriatic Pipeline (TAP) Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's website 
transmitted by the 
EU Delegation 
(27 May 2016) and EU 
State Aid SA. 43879 Effective 1 March 2016 to 
31 December 2045 
Italy Rescue aid (up to €4.9 million) through six 
months guarantees for IMT S.p.A. manufacturer of special-purpose machinery in the Emilia-Romagna, Piemonte region Public information 
available on the European Commission's website transmitted by the EU Delegation 
(27 May 2016) and EU 
State Aid SA. 42864 (2015/N) (17 December 2015) Effective 1 January 2016 
to 1 July 2016 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 122 - 
 
  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Latvia Aid for the dredging of the ports of Ventspils 
(€3.4 million) (effective 25 November 2015 
to 31 December 2015) and Liepaja 
(€32.4 million) (effective 19 October 2015 to 
31 December 2015) Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's website 
transmitted by the 
EU Delegation 
(27 May 2016), EU 
State Aid SA. 42538 
(2015/N) 
(25 November 2015) 
and SA. 41734 
(2015/NN) 
(30 November 2015)  
Slovak 
Republic Aid (€250 million) for compensation of 
indirect CO 2 costs for certain 
industries/sectors, e.g. mining and quarrying, textile, leather, paper and paper board, chemicals, plastics, fertilizers, iron and steel, aluminium, and copper Public information 
available on the 
European Commission's website transmitted by the EU Delegation 
(27 May 2016) and EU 
State Aid SA. 43506 (2015/N) (14 December 2015) Effective 
14 December 2015 to 
31 December 2020 
Sweden Aid scheme (SKr 235 million, maximum 
annual disbursement SKr 50 million) through 
direct grants for publication of books, 
periodicals and other publishing activities Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's website 
transmitted by the 
EU Delegation 
(27 May 2016) and EU 
State Aid SA. 43271 
(2015/N) 
(12 February 2016) Effective 
12 February 2016 to 
31 December 2020 
Hong Kong, 
China Further extension of the time-limited special 
concessionary measures providing 80% loan guarantee coverage on eligible loans approved by participating lending institutions, through the SME Financing 
Guarantee Scheme (SFGS) (originally 
effective from 31 May 2012 to end-February 2013 and then extended until February 2016) Permanent Delegation 
of Hong Kong, China to the WTO (24 May 2016) and WTO document 
WT/TPR/OV/18, 
17 November 2015 On 1 March 2016, 
extended until 28 February 2017 
India Exemption from import tariffs on raw 
materials and parts for use in the 
manufacturing of specified ships, boats and 
other floating structures Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and 
Notification 
No. 54/2015-Customs 
Ministry of Finance 
Department of 
Revenue 
(24 November 2015 Effective 
24 November 2015 
India Export promotion scheme to increase funds 
allocated to promote exports, through the "Merchandise Exports from India Scheme" (MEIS). List of products/sectors eligible for MEIS has been increased (e.g. chemicals and medical equipment) Delegation of India to 
the WTO (27 May 2016)  
Indonesia Tax incentive scheme for companies 
operating on special industrial estates 
(special area of land developed as a site for 
factories and other industrial businesses) Permanent Delegation 
Indonesia to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) Effective 
28 December 2015 
Indonesia Further reduction in the gasoline and diesel 
support price scheme Permanent Delegation 
Indonesia to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) Effective 1 April 2016 
Jordan Extension of the transitional period for the 
elimination of the Jordan Subsidy 
Programme WTO documents 
G/C/W/705/Rev.2, 
6 November 2015 and 
WT/TPR/OV/18, 17 
November 2015 Effective 1 January 2016 
to 31 December 2018 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 123 - 
  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Korea, Rep. 
of Financial aid scheme through the Korea 
Development Bank granting to small enterprises up to W 5 billion and to medium 
enterprises W 7 billion, and providing, 
through the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund, associated companies with guarantees if they struggle to keep employees during the restructuring process Permanent Delegation 
of the Republic of Korea to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) Gradually implemented 
through the year 2016 
Korea, Rep. 
of Simplified tariff refund scheme for the year 
2016 for certain SME exports 
(4,321 products) using imported raw 
materials Permanent Delegation 
the Republic of Korea 
to the WTO 
(27 May 2016)  
Mauritius Export Credit Insurance scheme for eligible 
enterprises for exports to Africa Permanent Delegation 
of Mauritius to the 
WTO (21 April 2016)  
Mauritius Freight Rebate scheme available for exports 
to Africa, granting a 25% refund of the basic 
freight cost (maximum amount US$300) per 
20 feet container Permanent Delegation 
of Mauritius to the 
WTO (21 April 2016)  
Norway Aid (overall budget NKr 122.7 million) 
through a single grant under the Energy Fund Scheme for the construction of a demonstration plant at Tyssedal EFTA State Aid Case 
No. 77900 and Decision No. 476/15/COL (11 November 2015)  
Norway Extension of the aid scheme (annual budget 
NKr 130 million) through grants under 
"CLIMIT Demo" (originally implemented in 
2005) Permanent Delegation 
of Norway to the WTO 
(1 June 2016) and 
EFTA State Aid Case 
No. 78009 and 
Decision 
No. 478/15/COL 
(25 November 2015) Effective for 5 years 
Pakistan Financial aid scheme extended for all 
producers of agricultural commodities through subsidized inputs and targeted cash transfers (US$50/acre) for farmers as a rural development relief pack age. Currently only 
wheat and sugar cane are covered Permanent Delegation 
of Pakistan to the WTO (15 October 2015) One-off arrangement for 
the financial year July 2015 to June 2016 
Peru Extension of the scheme granting imports of 
goods for final consumption in the region of 
Amazonía exemption from the general sale 
tax (impuesto general a las ventas "IGV" ) Permanent Delegation 
of Peru to the WTO 
(22 April 2016) Effective 1 January 2016 
to 31 December 2018 
Russian 
Federation Financial aid increased by Rub 3.82 billion 
for the development of crop production, processing and development of infrastructures and logistics market production Permanent Delegation 
of the Russian Federation to the WTO (27 May 2016) Effective 
24 October 2015 to 31 December 2015 
Russian 
Federation Financial aid scheme for motor vehicle 
manufacturers, through additional budgetary 
allocations (Rub 419,824 billion), the 
implementation of a programme of 
preferential leasing of vehicles (Rub 3.5 
billion) and the lifting of restrictions on the 
volume limit of subsidies provided to the 
lessee (under lease contracts concluded in 
2015) Permanent Delegation 
of the Russian 
Federation to the WTO 
(27 May 2016)  
Russian Federation Financial aid scheme (Rub 1.35 billion) for 
the creation and modernization of greenhouses and dairy farms Permanent Delegation 
of the Russian Federation to the WTO (27 May 2016) Terminated on 
31 December 2015 
Russian 
Federation Extension of the temporary financial support 
(Rub 5.3 billion) for construction and 
reconstruction of facilities for dairy cattle 
(originally effective from 18 August 2015 to 
31 December 2015) Permanent Delegation 
of the Russian 
Federation to the WTO 
(27 May 2016) and 
WTO document 
WT/TPR/OV/18, 
17 November 2015  WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 124 - 
 
  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Saudi Arabia, 
Kingdom of Creation of the General Authority for SMEs 
with the aim of raising productivity and transform them into agents of national 
growth and development Permanent Delegation 
of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the 
WTO (22 April 2016)  
Singapore Extension of the support package scheme to 
help businesses, especially SMEs, 
restructure, and invest in skills and 
capability development. The package 
includes: a Wage Credit Scheme, under 
which the Government subsidizes 40% of 
wage increases given to nationals earning a 
gross monthly wage of up to S$4,000 (the 
total pay-out over 2013-15 estimated at 
S$4.1 billion). In the 2015 Budget, the 
scheme was extended for two more years 
with a reduced level of co-funding (20%) WTO document 
WT/TPR/S/343, 
7 June 2016  
Switzerland  Temporary elimination of import tariffs on 
raw materials (60 tariff lines) for the textile industry Permanent Delegation 
of Switzerland to the WTO (27 May 2016) Effective 1 January 2016 
to 31 December 2019 
Switzerland Financial aid (Sw F 94.6 million for the year 
2016) for export of certain dairy products 
and cereals (funds allocated for the year 
2015 Sw F 95.6 million) Permanent Delegation 
of Switzerland to the 
WTO (27 May 2016) Effective 1 January 2016 
Thailand Financial aid scheme through low interest 
loans for cassava producers with the aim of: (i) increasing production efficiency; 
(ii) postponing its harvest period; and 
(iii) creating value added products Permanent Delegation 
of Thailand to the WTO (22 April 2016)  
Thailand Financial aid scheme through low interest 
loans for rice producers with the aim of 
creating value added products Permanent Delegation 
of Thailand to the WTO 
(22 April 2016)  
Turkey Investment Incentive scheme amendments 
resulting in: (i) inclusion of new sectors (e.g. high-tech, production of renewable energy turbines, generators, and wind energy) in the priority investment list; (ii) inclusion of certain aluminium manufacturing in the large scale investment list; and (iii) extension of 
the deadline until 31 December 2016 for 
favourable support rates Permanent Delegation 
of Turkey to the WTO (27 May 2016)  
United States Fixing America's Surface Transportation 
(FAST) Act (overall budget USS$305 billion) 
providing long-term funding certainty for 
surface transportation infrastructure 
planning and investment (e.g. highway, 
highway and motor vehicle safety, public 
transportation, motor carrier safety, 
hazardous materials safety, rail, research 
technology, and statistics programmes) Federal Highway 
Administration U.S. 
Department of 
Transportation 
(December 2015) Effective 
4 December 2015 
 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 125 - 
  Recorded, but non-confirmed information3 
Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Algeria Gradual reduction of subsidy scheme for 
petrol and electricity Arabnews.com 
(22 November 2015)  
Algeria Reintroduction of consumer's credit for the 
purchase of produc ts domestically 
manufactured or assembled in Algeria Press reports referring 
to Loi de Finances and 
Arrêté Interministerial 
(31 December 2015)  
Angola Elimination of fuel subsidies and liberalization 
of fuel prices for eight types of fuels including 
gasoline and diesel, except for LNG and 
kerosene VdAtlas Flash News 
(4 February 2016) 
referring to Decree 706/15 Effective 
1 January 2016 
Bangladesh Financial aid scheme for export-oriented 
pharmaceutical enterprises The Daily Star 
(29 January 2016)  
Brazil Extension of the scope and validity of the 
"Special Tax Refund Regime for Exporting Companies (Reintegra)", covering most of the exporting sectors, with a few exceptions 
in the agriculture sector. Amendments introduced in the regime delaying the application of the maximum tax-refundable percentage, but also entailing the possibility to have it increased depending on the macroeconomic situation Press reports referring 
to Decree 8.415 (March 2016)  
Brazil National Export Plan increasing available 
financing and guarantees  for exporters, as 
well as improvement of mechanism and tax 
regimes for export support Press reports 
(March 2016)  
Cambodia Aid scheme for rice miller s and exporters The Cambodia Daily 
(18 March 2016)  
China Gradual elimination of subsidy scheme for 
corn producers, through the reduction of 
domestic corn prices Reuters 
(26 November 2015)  
China Extension of the "Administration of Central 
Government Subsidies for the Scrapping of Outdated Ships and Single-Hulled Oil Tankers" scheme. Financial aid linked to a ship-building subsidy with a gross tonnage at least equivalent of that of the scrapped ship (originally launched in 2014 for two years) Sea Trade Maritime 
News (3 May 2016) Extended until 
end 2017 
China Elimination of the "Demonstration Base-
Common Service Platform" granting export 
subsidies to domestic enterprises in certain 
sectors, e.g. textiles , apparel and footwear, 
advanced materials and metals, light 
industry, chemicals, medical products, 
hardware, building materials, and agriculture 
products (apples, mushrooms, tomatoes, tea, 
beans, garlic, poultry and beef meat) Reuters 
(14 April 2016) and 
Bloomberg BNA 
(15 April 2016)  
Egypt Financial aid for local car manufacturers Press reports 
(April 2016)  
Indonesia Interests from Time De posits (TD) derived 
from exports placed in Indonesian banks 
granted lower withholding tax rates PricewaterhouseCoope
rs Tax Flash 
Indonesia- March 2016 
- No. 06   
Malaysia Aid scheme (150 programmes) through the 
Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) for exporting SMEs in oil and gas, aerospace, maritime, medical, electric, electronic and construction sectors The Star Online 
(21 March 2016)  
Malaysia Aid scheme (RM 1.5 billion) through direct 
grants for Proton car manufacturer Press reports 
(20 April 2016)  
                                               
3 This section includes information which has been obtained from public sources but has not yet been 
confirmed by the delegation concerned. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 126 - 
 
  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Malawi Elimination of VAT on imports of raw 
materials for the medical, pharmaceutical industry and fertilizer manufacturing industries Malawi Revenue 
Authority, Press Release (25 November 2015)  
Nepal Scheme (Nr 16 million) for milk producers The Kathmandu Post 
(5 September 2015)  
Nigeria Vehicle credit purchase scheme through the 
National Automotive Design and Development Council Vanguard 
(9 November 2015)  
Philippines Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence 
Strategy (CARS) scheme ( ₱27 billion) Business Mirror 
(23 November 2015)  
Philippines Aid scheme ( ₱3.14 billion) for SMEs and 
manufacturing sector Business Mirror 
(3 April  2016)  
Russian 
Federation Financial aid (Rub 5.3 billion) to Russian 
Railways for the development of Moscow 
railway infrastructure Portal of the 
Government of the 
Russia Federation 
referring to Order 
No. 2229-p 
(2 November 2015)  
Sri Lanka Financial aid (SL Rs 1,500 million per village) 
to encourage the production of spices Dailymirror.lk referring 
to Budget 2016 (20 November 2015)  
Sri Lanka Financial aid (SL Rs 100 million) for the 
development of rubber industry research Dailymirror.lk referring 
to Budget 2016 
(20 November 2015)  
Sri Lanka Financial aid (SL Rs 750 million) for Chilaw, 
Mirissa, Kalmuniai, Karainagar and Pornawella harbours development Dailymirror.lk referring 
to Budget 2016 (20 November 2015)  
Sri Lanka Insurance scheme for fishermen 
(SL Rs 1 million) Dailymirror.lk referring 
to Budget 2016 
(20 November 2015)  
Sri Lanka Allocation Rs 25,000/hectare to farmers, 
replacing the fertilizer subsidy previously in place Dailymirror.lk referring 
to Budget 2016 (20 November 2015)  
Thailand Financial aid (B 35 million) for rural economy The Brunei Times 
(26 January 2016)  
Turkey Extension of the temporary elimination of 
import tariffs on certain meats from the European Union, for state owned enterprise "Meat and Milk Board (ESK)", under certain import quotas Press reports 
(February 2016) Extended until 
31 December 2016 
United 
States Support scheme "Grow Am erica Act" included 
in the budget proposal for fiscal year 
2015-16 Bloomberg BNA 
(12 February 2015)  
Uruguay Emergency aid (US$622 million) to state-
owned oil enterprise ANCAP El Observador 
(29 January 2016)  
Viet Nam Financial aid through preferential credit lines 
(D 100 billion) for domestic investors in 
certain sectors, e.g. technology, industry, 
industrial support, trade, agricultural 
production, healthcare, education and 
training, culture and sports, and 
infrastructure and environment sectors Viet Nam News 
(25 November 2015)  
 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 127 - 
  ANNEX 5 
MEASURES AFFECTING TRADE IN SERVICES1 
(MID-OCTOBER 2015 TO MID-MAY 2016) 
Confirmed information2 
Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Measures affecting various sectors 
China Revision of regulations and normative documents 
applicable to foreign invested enterprises (FIEs) 
regarding the registered capital system and 
elimination of minimum capital requirements for  the 
following services sectors: auction services; leasing 
services; freight forwarding agency services; 
wholesale and storage of refined oil; sale and 
storage of crude oil; engineering and construction 
services; logistics; and commercial factoring. The 
decision also modifies the regulatory framework on 
the establishment of investment companies by 
foreign investors. Such companies may now adopt 
the form of companies limited by shares, and are 
thereby no longer restricted to limited liability 
companies. The minimum registered capital 
requirement of US$30 million has been abolished.  Order No. 2 of 2015 on 
Revising Certain 
Regulations and 
Regulated Documents, 
issued by MOFCOM.3  Effective 
28 October 2015 
India Liberalization of FDI Policy. Changes include the 
increase in sectoral caps and the removal of prior authorization requirements. Foreign equity caps have been increased as follows: 1) from 26% to 49% in FM Radio Broadcasting and News TV channels services; and 2) from 74% to 100% in Teleports, Direct-to-Home, Cable Networks, Mobile TV, Headend-in-the sky broadcasting service (HITS) services, satellites establishment and operation services, credit information services, non-scheduled air transport services, and ground-handling services. Full foreign-ownership is also permitted in 
construction development projects, and duty free 
shops. Foreign equity caps of 49% remain in force for scheduled air transport services, domestic scheduled passenger airline services, and regional air transport services (included as part of new policy issued vide Press Note No 12 (2015 series)), though without any prior authorization requirement. Press Note No 12 
(2015 series), issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on 24 November 2015 24 November 2015 
                                               
1 The inclusion of any measure in this Annex implies no judgement by the WTO Secretariat on whether 
or not such measure, or its intent, is protectionist in nature. Moreover, nothing in the Annex implies any judgement, either direct or indirect, on the consistency of any measure refe rred to with the provisions of any 
WTO agreement. 
2 This section includes information which has either  been provided by the Member concerned or has 
been confirmed at the request of the Secretariat. 
3 It revises "Circular of the State Council on Printi ng and Issuing Reform Proposals for the Registered 
Capital Registration System" (issued by  State Council [2014] No.7) and in the "Notice of the General Office of 
the State Council on Accelerating the Implementation of  the Relevant Matters Concerning the Reform of the 
Registration System for Registered Capital" (Notice of the General Office of the State Council [2015] No.14). WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 128 - 
 
  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Distribution services 
China The circular concerns B2C e-commerce. It specifies 
taxation conditions for cross-border (B2C) online 
sales of goods. Individual transactions are limited to 
Y 2,000, and all transactions per person per year are limited to a maximum of Y 20,000. Circular of Taxation on 
the Tax Policy for 
Cross-border E-
commerce Retail Imports (Cai Guan Shui [2016] No. 18) (“Circular”), jointly issued by State Administration of Taxation, the Ministry of Finance and the General Administration of Customs. Effective 
8 April 2016 
Colombia As per Law 1700, multilevel marketing and 
distribution cannot cover financial products, sales or 
placement of securities, food products for which 
caution is necessary for public health reasons, or 
goods and services which necessitate a prescription 
from a health professional. Decree 024 establishes 
that foreign companies seeking to develop multi-
level marketing and distributi on activities directly in 
Colombia must establish a branch in Colombia. 
Natural persons, including foreign ones, are not 
allowed to act as representatives of multi-level 
marketing companies or to directly carry out these 
activities in Colombia. Regulatory decree 
024/2016, which 
regulates Law 1700 of 
2013, on multilevel 
marketing and 
distribution of goods 
and services. 12 January 2016 
India Allows 100% foreign ownership of business-to-
business e-commerce under the automatic route (i.e. without prior authorization). Press Note No. 3 (2016 
series), issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry 29 March 2016 
Singapore Requirement that stores keep tobacco products out 
of sight.  Amendments to the 
Tobacco (Control of 
Advertisements and 
Sale) Bill, passed on 
14 March 2016 
(https://www.parliame
nt.gov.sg 
/sites/default/files/Tob
acco%20 
(Control%20of%20 
Advertisments%20and
%20 
Sale)%20(Amendment
)%20Bill 
%2010-2016.pdf) Effective from 2017 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 129 - 
  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Financial services  
Australia Since July 2012, Australia has imposed additional 
requirements on cross-border clearing and 
settlement facilities (i.e. central counterparties and 
securities settlement systems) based on the 
materiality of domestic participation in the facility, 
the systemic importance of the facility in Australia, 
and the strength of its connection to the domestic 
financial system or real economy.4 Under this 
framework, if a facility is systemically important in 
Australia and has a strong domestic connection then 
the facility is required to be domestically 
incorporated and there will be restrictions on the 
degree of offshore provision of services. The 
application of this framework was clarified in March 
2014.5 The new November 2015 measure clarifies 
the scope of the licensing regime for overseas 
clearing and settlement facilities.  An overseas 
clearing and settlement facility is required to be 
licensed in Australia (or formally exempted from 
licensing) if, and only if, it has a material domestic 
connection. Council of Financial 
Regulators (2015), 
Overseas Clearing and 
Settlement Facilities: 
The Australian 
Licensing Regime, 
November. 
http://www.cfr.gov.au/
publications/cfr-
publications/2015/ocsf
-aus-licensing-
regime/pdf/report.pdf  November 2015 
China The new measure broadens the scope of foreign 
investors qualified to invest in the Chinese interbank bond market (the CIBM), and removes quotas. Most 
types of foreign institutional investors (including 
"commercial banks, insurance companies, securities 
firms, fund management companies and other asset management institutions", their investment products, "pension funds, charity funds, endowment funds" and "other mid-term or long-term institution investors recognized by PBOC", are now allowed to invest in the CIBM (the "Foreign Institutional Financial Investors"). Prior to the Announcement, access to the CIBM was limited to foreign Central Bank-type institutions (including foreign central banks or monetary authorities, international financial organizations and sovereign wealth funds), clearing 
banks for RMB business, foreign participating banks 
for RMB settlement of cro ss-border trade, foreign 
insurance companies in some regions, qualified foreign institutional investors (QFIIs) and RMB qualified foreign institutional investors (RQFIIs). Foreign Institutional Financial Investors must be "mid-term or long-term investors recognized by PBOC", and are not subject to investment quotas.  Announcement on 
Issues relating to Investment by Foreign Institutional Investors 
in Interbank Bond 
Market (Announcement No. 3, the "2016 Announcement"), published by the People's Bank of China (PBOC). Effective 
17 February 2016 
India Allows 100% foreign ownership of "white label ATM 
operations" by non-bank entities under the 
automatic route (i.e. without prior authorization). Press Note No 11 
(2015 series), issued 
by Ministry of 
Commerce and 
Industry 1 October 2015 
                                               
4 Council of Financial Regulators (2012), Ensuring A ppropriate Influence for Au stralian Regulators over 
Cross-border Clearing and Se ttlement Facilities, July. 
http://www.treasury.gov.au/ConsultationsandReviews/Consultations/2012/cross-border-clearing  
5 Council of Financial Regulators (2014), Application of the Regulatory Influence Framework for Cross-
border Central Counterparties, March. http://www.cfr.gov.au/publications/cfr-publications/2014/pdf/app-reg-
influence-framework-cross-bor der-central-counterparties.pdf  WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 130 - 
 
  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
India Revision of the extant guidelines6 on ownership in 
private sector banks which envisaged diversified shareholding in private sector banks by a single 
entity/corporate entity/group of related entities.  Press Release : 2015-
2016/2651, issued by the Reserve Bank India 
(RBI), amending the 
Guidelines on Ownership/Shareholding in Private Sector Banks (https://www.rbi.org.i
n/Scripts/BS_PressRel
easeDisplay.aspx?prid
=36968 ) 12 May 2016 
Philippines Gradual lifting of the ban on the grant of licenses for 
the establishment of new banks. The circular, which 
lifts the suspension relative to the grant of new 
banking licenses or the establishment of new banks 
established by Subsection X102.2 of the Manual of 
Regulations for Banks, provides for a two-phase 
liberalization approach: phase 1, in effect until the 
end of 2017, allows existing thrift banks to apply for 
a licence to become a universal or commercial bank; 
phase 2, which will commence on 1 January 2018, 
involves the removal of all restrictions on the grant 
of new bank licences. The granting of licences for 
new banks in unbanked areas, as well as for 
microfinance-oriented thrift and rural banks, which 
were exempted from the moratorium, shall continue 
to be allowed as governed by existing regulations. Circular 902 (series 
2016), issued by the 
Central Bank of the 
Philippines (Bangko 
Sentral ng Pilipinas or 
BSP), issued on 
15 February 2016 Two stages: 1) from 
February 2016 until 
end 2017, and 
2) starting 
1 January 2018 
Switzerland The Act and its Implementing Ordinance govern the 
organization and operation of financial market infrastructures and the trading of derivatives. They establish an authorization regime alongside authorization conditions and requirements specific to central counterparties, central securities depositaries, trade repositories and payment systems. In the case of cross-border transactions, as a general rule, transactions between a Swiss counterparty and a counterparty domiciled abroad 
are subject to the provisions of the law regarding 
clearing, reporting and risk  mitigation obligations. 
However, the Swiss rules provide for a substituted compliance regime: a foreign counterparty may satisfy its obligations under the Swiss law by complying with foreign regulations, if (i) the relevant foreign law is recognized by the Swiss authorities as being equivalent, and (ii) with respect to clearing and reporting obligations, if the relevant foreign central counterparty (CCP) or trade repository has been recognized by FINMA (or has been exempted from the recognition re quirement by FINMA).  Implementing 
ordinance to the Federal Act on Financial Market Infrastructures and Market Conduct in Securities and Derivatives Trading (RS 958.1). WTO document S/C/N/859. 25 November 2015 
Maritime transport services  
China Sino-foreign equity joint ventures and sino-foreign 
cooperative joint ventures are now allowed to establish in the free trade zones to engage in international transport business between Chinese ports, without limitation on share-holding. They are allowed to supply international transport agency services (with foreign investment limited to 51%).   Foreign wholly owned enterprises established in the free trade zones are now allowed to supply cargo handling, container station and depot services 
auxiliary to international maritime transport, and 
international ship management services. Notice Concerning the 
Implementation of Maritime Policies in the Free Trade Zones, issued by the Ministry of Transport. 1 June 2015 
                                               
6 Reserve Bank of India, Roadmap for presence  of Foreign Banks in India and Ownership and 
Governance in Private Sector banks, RBI/2004-05/377, DBOD.No.BP.BC.71/21.01.01/2004-05, at https://rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=2142&Mode=0 .  WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 131 - 
  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Indonesia Domestic investment companies ("PMDN") must 
apply for licences to the local Governor where the 
PMDN company is located, while joint ventures and 
foreign investment companies must apply for 
licenses to Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board 
(“BKPM”). The minimum required capital of an entity 
engaged in freight forwarding is increased to Rp. 25 
billion (from Rp. 200 million), of which at least 25% 
(i.e. Rp 6.25 billion) must be fully paid-up. Different 
minimum capital requirements apply to freight 
forwarders with foreign investment: US$10 million, 
of which at least 25% must be in the form of equity 
and paid-up. Further, the new regulation continues 
to limit the operational scope of a foreign invested 
freight forwarding company to a specific number of 
airports and seaports. Pursuant to the Presidential 
Regulation No. 39 of 2014 concerning List of Lines of 
Business that are Closed and Conditionally Open for 
Investments (the so-called Negative List), foreign 
share ownership in a freight forwarding company is 
limited to 49%.  Regulation No. PM 146 
Year 2015 on 
Organizing and 
Managing Freight 
Forwarding Services 
Businesses (“PM 
146/2015”), issued by 
the Ministry of 
Transportation, 
amending several 
provisions in 
Regulation No. PM 74 
Year 2015 (“PM 
74/2015”) which had 
been amended by 
Regulation No. PM 78 
Year 2015 (“PM 
78/2015”). Effective 
20 October 2015 
Philippines Act allows foreign vessels to transport and co-load 
foreign cargoes for domestic transshipment. For this purpose, foreign ship operators are required to submit their cargo manifest to the Port Authorities to ensure that no domestic cargoes are carried by the 
foreign ship. Act No. 10668, 
enacted by the Congress of the Philippines. 9 June 2015 
Services supplied through the movement of natural persons  
Canada New entry requirement, the Electronic Travel 
Authorization (eTA), for foreign nationals from 
countries whose citizens normally do not need a visa to travel to, or transit through, Canada by air. Exceptions exist. To ensure a smooth transition to the new requirement, a  leniency period has been put 
in place until the autumn of 2016, to allow travellers without an eTA to board their flights as long as they have other appropriate travel documents. http://www.cic.gc.ca/e
nglish/visit/eta.asp?ut
m_campaign=eta_201
50417_ 
travel&utm_source=on
line_vanity-
url&utm_medium=web
-
marketing&utm_conte
nt= 
canada.ca-
eta&_ga=1.73702738.
1710299441.1462191
863 Effective 
15 March 2016 
India Further expansion of e-Tourist Visa (eTV) 
programme, which enables International Travelers 
whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, 
sight-seeing, casual visit to meet friends or relatives, 
short duration medical treatment or casual business 
visit to visit India for a maximum of 30 days of 
stay. As of end-February 2016, nationals from a total 
of 150 countries were eligible under the programme. https://indianvisaonlin
e.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html  
 As of 
end-February 2016 
Indonesia Abolishes the requirement that companies hire ten 
Indonesian workers for every foreign national they employ that had been introduced in June 2015 with Regulation 16/2015.   Regulation No. 
35/2015, issued by the Ministry of Manpower Effective 
23 October 2015 
Peru Restructuring of the country's system of work visas 
and relevant procedures. The main changes 
comprise revised immigration categories that include 
a " short stay work " visa allowing foreign nationals 
to work in the country for up to 30 days, an 
"appointed worker visa" enabling temporary foreign 
workers not employed in Peru to come and perform 
specialized work on behalf of their employing foreign 
company for a period of 30 days, and a "temporary 
worker resident visa" issued to intra-corporate 
transferees for a non-renewable period of up to two 
years. The changes will take effect 90 days after the 
publication of accompanying regulations. New Aliens Act, 
enacted on 
26 September 2015 
(http://www.bizlatinhu
b.com/the-changes-
brought-by-the-new-
peruvian-immigration-
law/; 
https://www.linkedin.c
om/pulse/peru-new-
aliens-act-impact-
peruvian-immigration-
carolina ) 26 September 2015 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 132 - 
 
  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Singapore Increase of the monthly levy payable by employers 
for hiring foreign workers, including S Pass holders (mid-level skilled workers) in all industries and 
(semi-skilled) work permit holders in the services 
sector. From 1 July 2016, the monthly levy for S Pass holders in all industries will increase to SGD 330 (from SGD315) or to SGD650 (from SGD550) depending on the proportion  of foreign workers hired 
by the employer. The monthly levy for less skilled work permit holders in the services sector will increase, depending on the proportion of foreign workers hired by the employer, to SGD 450, to SGD 450 (from SGD420), SGD600 (from SGD550) or SGD 800 (from SGD700). http://www.mom.gov.
sg/passes-and-
permits/s-pass/quota-
and-levy/levy-and-
quota-requirements  
 Effective 
1 July 2016 
Telecommunications/ICT/Audiovisual services  
European 
Union The regulation applies to data processing in the 
context of activities of an establishment of a company in the Union and to processing of personal data of data subjects who are in the Union by a company not established in the Union where the processing relates to (i) offe ring goods or services to 
such data subjects in the Union, or (ii) profiling or tracking their behaviour as far as this behaviour takes place within the EU (Article 3). The regulation dedicates a chapter to transfers of personal data to third countries or international 
organizations. The system of international transfers 
pursues and further clarifies the approach of Directive 95/46/EC which is based on adequacy decisions, appropriate safe guards and derogations. 
The Regulation provides for a system of international data transfers outside the European Union based on three avenues:   
 an adequacy decision by the Commission 
which does not require any other specific authorisation (i.e. if is found that the 3rd country or a territory or one or more 
specified sectors within that third country, 
or the international organization ensures an adequate level of protection),  
 in the absence of adequacy,  the controller 
must provide for appropriate safeguards (e.g. through binding corporate rules or standard contractual clauses), 
 in the absence of adequacy or appropriate 
safeguards, derogations apply (e.g. if the transfer is necessary for important reasons of public interest).  Regulation (EU) 
2016/679 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (General Data Protection Regulation). Effective as of 
25 May 2018. 
India Prohibits the offering or charging of discriminatory 
tariffs for data services on the basis of content. 
Prohibits operators from preferential treatment, such 
as including unlimited free access to certain 
applications or websites as part of an overall service 
packages.  Sanctions, including penalties, are 
imposed in response to acts of contravention against 
the new regulations.  Prohibition of 
Discriminatory Tariffs 
for Data Services 
Regulations, 2016. 
(Press Release 13 
(2016 series), 
published by the 
Telecom Regulatory 
Authority of India 
(TRAI)) 8 February 2016 
 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 133 - 
  Recorded, but non-confirmed information7 
Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Measures affecting various services sectors 
Viet Nam Regulates the establishment of representative offices 
and branches by foreign traders. A foreign trader is 
prohibited from forming more than one foreign 
representative office and branch with a similar name 
in a province or a city. Stricter requirements apply to 
foreign branches: when applying to open branches in 
Viet Nam, foreign traders must have had an 
operating activity in Viet Nam for at least five years 
from the date of establishment or registration. Decree 07/2016/ND-
CP, issued on 25 
January 2016, guiding 
implementation of the 
Commercial Law 2005 
(http://moj.gov.vn/en/
Pages/Activities-of-
public-administrative-
and-justice-
reform.aspx?ItemID=3
162) Effective 
10 March 2016 
Telecommunications/ICT/Audiovisual services  
Argentina Removal of the prohibition on transferring audio-
visual services licences and of the prohibition for the 
same company to own cable, radio and broadcast TV 
licences at the same time. Cable TV operators are 
now authorized to hold a single nationwide license, 
with no regional limits. Telecom companies are 
restricted from participating in the TV or cable 
business unless they do so by associating with 
cooperatives. Existing restrictions on satellite TV 
operators entering the telecommunications market 
are maintained. Creation of a new single regulator, 
by merging the National Entity for Communications 
(Ente Nacional de Comunicaciones, ENACOM) with 
the Federal Authority of Audiovisual Communication 
Services (Autoridad Federal de Servicios de 
Comunicacion Audiovisual, AFSCA) and the Federal 
ICT Authority (Autoridad Fe deral de Tecnologias de 
la Information y las Communications, AFTIC). DNU (Necessity and 
Urgency Decree) No 
267/2015, amending 
the Broadcast Media 
Law (Law No. 26.522) 
and the Digital 
Argentina Law (Law 
No. 27.078) Effective 
4 January 2016 
Australia Establishment of a strategy and a work plan to 
address the growth in mobile broadband capacity.  The strategy involves a greater reliance on contingency planning, which will enable the regulator to work with industry and international bodies on a wider range of potential band assignments, to harmonise spectrum uses and more easily make adjustments in use of those bands domestically.  The plan will allow work to begin, with immediate effect, on allocating and assigning new frequency bands for mobile broadband services, as well as 
reconfiguration of the 900MHz band. Australian 
Communications and Media Authority http://www.acma.gov.
au/Industry/Spectrum/
Spectrum-
planning/About-
spectrum-
planning/mobile-
broadband-strategy-
caps-off-decade-of-
work February 2016 
Chile New numbering system enabling fixed-mobile 
number portability.  The new system is significant in 
going beyond the more common trend in mandating 
number portability only as between mobile 
operators. http://nuevaformadem
arcar.cl/  Effective 
6 February 2016 
Ecuador The decree clarifies and implements provisions in the 
Law. Specifically, the Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Society (Mintel) regulates and the Agency for Regulation and Control of Telecommunications (Arcotel) oversees implementation (including the granting of operating 
licenses for the provision of telecoms services and 
the usage of spectrum). Executive Decree 
N° 864, implementing the Organic Telecommunications Law. 28  December 2015 
 
                                               
7 This section includes information which has been obtained from public sources but has not yet been 
confirmed by the delegation concerned. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 134 - 
 
  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Oman New regulation by Oman's Telecom Regulatory 
Authority (TRA) on access and interconnection. All 
licensees are now obliged to provide interconnection 
services on an equal and non-discriminatory basis. A 
public telecommunications licensee should be able to 
terminate a call or other public telecommunications 
service on any public telecommunications network 
(commonly referred to an "any to any" 
interconnection requirement). Licensees must 
provide access to their physical infrastructures and 
other facilities over which they have ownership, 
upon reasonable and valid request, and in 
reasonable conditions, unless the authority 
determines, based on a justifiable request by the 
providing party, that the provision of such access is 
not technically or economically feasible.  http://www.muscatdail
y.com/Archive/Oman/T
RA-passes-legislation-
on-Access-and-
Interconnection-
Regulation-4old  13 April 2016 
Saudi Arabia, 
Kingdom of New Interconnection Rules and update of the rules 
for Access to Physical Facilities.  The Interconnection Rules seek to ensure that all service providers are treated fairly and in a non-discriminatory manner with respect to interconnection. The updated Guidelines for Access to Physical Facilities call for the collocation and sharing of physical facilities in a technologically neutral manner and establish a process for dealing with access disputes, among other things.  Decision 333/1437, by 
the Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) http://www.citc.gov.sa/English/Decisionsoffers/Decisions/Pages/333-1437.aspx 23 February 2016 
Spain Final regulations governing the wholesale broadband 
market for the next thr ee years. Differentiated 
obligations are maintained for fixed-line incumbent 
Telefonica, based on ge ographical competition 
criteria. In areas deemed to have enough 
competition (basically 66 cities), the incumbent will 
not be required to open its infrastructure to 
alternative operators.  Press Release issued 
on 25 February 2016 
by the National 
Commission on 
Markets and 
Competition (CNMC) 
(https://www.cnmc.es
/es-
es/telecomunicaciones
ysaudiovisuales/noved
adestelecomunicacione
sysaudiovisuales/nove
dadestelecomunicacion
esysaudiovisualesdetall
e.aspx?id=57838 ) 25 February 2016 
Tonga The new regulation institutes new measures 
governing internet access in the country and, among other things, also sets up a new regulatory body with powers to block selected content for internet users. New Communications 
Act 2015, replacing the previous Act enacted in 2000. (MIC Press Release, http://www.mic.gov.to
/news-today/press-
releases/5629-
clarification-regarding-
the-new-
communications-act-
2015) 6 October 2015 
United 
Kingdom New framework governing future spectrum 
authorization decisions in order to assess spectrum 
sharing opportunities. The new regulation considers 
three elements: the characteristics of use for both 
incumbent and prospective users; barriers that may 
limit the extent of current or future sharing; and 
regulatory tools and market and technology enablers 
that may facilitate new and/or more intense sharing.  A framework for 
spectrum sharing, 
statement by OFCOM 
(http://stakeholders.of
com.org.uk/consultatio
ns/spectrum-sharing-
framework/statement/  14 April 2016 
Services supplied through the movement of natural persons 
Azerbaijan Introduction of a work permit quota system for 
foreign workers. As of now, prior to the start of the 
year, the Cabinet of Ministers will announce the 
quota for the year based on estimates of needs 
provided by employers of foreign nationals. http://www.celsiummo
bility.com/news/2016/
3/23/azerbaijan  Effective as of 
March 2016 
Hungary Imposition of an annual quota on work permits for 
non-EEA nationals. 59'000 work permits could be issued until the end of 2015.  August 2015 WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 135 - 
  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
India Further expansion of e-Tourist Visa (eTV) 
programme, which enables International Travelers 
whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, 
sight-seeing, casual visit to meet friends or relatives, 
short duration medical treatment or casual business 
visit to visit India for a maximum of 30 days of 
stay. As of end-February 2016, nationals from a total 
of 150 countries were eligible under the programme. https://indianvisaonlin
e.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html   
 As of 
end-February 2016 
Philippines Foreign intra-corporate transferees holding 
executive, managerial or specialist positions who have previously been employed by the sending company abroad for at least one year, as well as contractual service suppliers who are managers, executives of specialists employed by a foreign 
services supplier without a commercial presence in 
the Philippines, are now exempted from the documentary and process requirements of the Alien Employment Permit (AEP)  www.dole.gov.ph/files/
DO%20146-15.pdf Effective 
28 September 2015 
Senegal Elimination of visa requirements and fees for 
virtually all foreign tourists and business travellers 
on visits of up to 90 days; an entry stamp may be 
obtained free of charge on arrival. Previously, 
business visitors needed to obtain and pay for a visa 
or electronic authorisation prior to travelling to the 
country. http://www.cp-
africa.com/2015/04/30
/visiting-senegal-just-
became-easier-as-
visa-is-now-on-arrival-
for-all-nationalities/  Effective 
1 May 2015 
Switzerland After a reduction of quotas for 2015, the new 
decision kept the number of permits available Swiss-
wide for citizens of EU/EFTA member states and non-EU/EFTA nationals at the same level for 2016. As of 1 January 2016 the quotas for non-EU/EFTA nationals are 4'000 for L-permits and 2'500 for B-permits, and for EU/EFTA nationals there are 2'000 L-permits and 250 B-permits. In addition, starting from 1 June 2016, nation als from Bulgaria and 
Romania taking up employment in Switzerland will no longer be subject to transitory measures and will enjoy the same entry conditions as EU-25/EFTA nationals. Citizens of Croatia are still subject to 
separate measures. Decision by the Federal 
Council 
(https://www.sem.ad
min.ch/sem/en/home/t
hemen/fza_schweiz-
eu-efta/eu-
efta_buerger_schweiz.
html) Effective 2016 
United 
Kingdom Reforms to the Tier 2 category, which include an 
increase in Tier 2 (General) salary thresholds for 
experienced workers8; a simplified single visa 
category for all intra-co mpany transferees (ICTs), 
with a minimum salary threshold of £41,5009; the 
elimination of the twelve-month experience 
requirement for ICTs who earn more than £73,900; 
and an "Immigration Skills Charge" levied from April 
2017 on Tier 2 employers at a rate of £1,000 per 
person per year in most cases.  Announcement by 
Minister of State for 
Immigration on 
24 March 2016 
(https://www.gov.uk/g
overnment/news/migr
ation-advisory-
committee-reviews-of-
tier-2 ) 
 Changes will come 
into effect in two 
stages 
(autumn 2016 and 
April 2017)  
United States Increase in the fees for certain H-1B and L-1 
applicants. All employers with 50 or more employees 
in the United States, of which more than 50 per cent are in H-1B or L-1 status, are now required to pay additional fees of US$ 4000 and US$ 4500, respectively, for each H-1B and L-1 petition and extension. These fees will remain in force ten years, until 30 September 2025.  Consolidated 
Appropriations Act of 
2016, signed into law on 18 December 2015 (https://www.uscis.go
v/news/alerts/new-
law-increases-h-1b-
and-l-1-petition-fees ) 18 December 2015 
Viet Nam Measure exempts foreign nationals working in the 
country for less than 30 days and for a total 
cumulative period not exceeding 90 days per year 
from having to obtain a work permit. It also reduces 
the official processing time to issue work permits, 
from 10 to 7 working days. 
 Decree 11/2016/ND-
CP of 3 February 2016 
(http://www.itpc.gov.v
n/investors/how_to_in
vest/law/Decree_No.1
1_2016/mldocument_v
iew/?set_language=en
) 3 February 2016 
                                               
8 To £25,000 in autumn 2016 and £30,000 in April 2017, except for some health and education 
professionals who will be exempt from the higher thre shold until July 2019; the minimum threshold of £20,800 
for new entrants will be maintained.  
9 With the exception of the graduate trainees, whose minimum salary will be reduced from £24,800 to 
£23,000. WT/TPR/OV/W/10 
 
- 136 - 
 
  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Financial services 
Indonesia 
 Indonesian insurers are required to place all 
reinsurance of motor, health, personal accident, 
credit, life and suretyship business (so-called "simple 
risks") with domestic Indonesian reinsurers. For 
other insurance business (so-called "non-simple 
risks"), a minimum of 25% of reinsurance of that 
business must be placed with domestic reinsurers 
and up to 75% may be placed with off-shore 
reinsurers. However, subject to approval by the OJK, 
exceptions to the 100% local cession requirement 
for "simple risks" can be granted, but allowing a 
maximum offshore cession of 75%, with a minimum 
cession to domestic reinsurers of 25% (similar to 
"non-simple risks"). The exemptions for simple risks 
that may be considered by the OJK are for the 
following products: products specifically designed for 
multinational companies (e.g. group and 
employment benefit insurance); medical 
reimbursement products with global coverage; and 
new products developed by a foreign reinsurer. In 
the latter case, a new product designed by a foreign 
reinsurer can be reinsured with the foreign reinsurer 
for a maximum of four years, after which the new 
policies will be subject to the local cession rules. Regulation No. 
14/POJK.05/2015 on 
Self-Retention and 
Domestic Reinsurance 
Support ("Regulation 
14"), issued by the 
Financial Services 
Authority ("OJK") on 
10 November 2015; 
and OJK Circular Letter 
No. 31/SEOJK.05/2015 
on Self-Retention 
Limitation, Portion of 
Reinsurance Support 
and Reports on 
Reinsurance and 
Retrocession Program 
("Circular Letter 31"), 
issued on 16 
November 2015.  Effective 
1 January 2016 
Thailand Foreign commercial banks, representative offices of 
foreign banks, and life and non-life insurance 
companies are no longer required to apply for a foreign business license to operate (as foreseen in Schedule 3 of the Foreign Business Act), but will still be subject to sector-specific licensing and foreign shareholding limit requirements. Regulation by the 
Ministry of Commerce Effective 
19 February 2016 
 
 
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