WT/TPR/OV/W/8  
 
27 June 2014  
(14-3729)  Page: 1/99  
Trade Policy Review Body    
 
REPORT TO THE TPRB FROM THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL ON 
TRADE-RELATED DEVELOPMENTS 
 
(Mid-November 2013 to mid-May 2014)  
Table of contents 
1   INTROD UCTION  .......................................................................................................... 5  
2   RECENT ECONOMIC AND TRADE TR ENDS .................................................................... 5  
2.1   GDP and unemployment ............................................................................................. 6  
2.2   Merchand ise trade ..................................................................................................... 6  
2.3   Trade in co mmercial se rvices ..................................................................................... 13 
2.4   Trade forecast and economic outlook ........................................................................... 15 
3   TRADE AND TRADE-RELATED POLICY DEVELOPMENTS .............................................. 18  
3.1   Trade measur es ....................................................................................................... 18 
3.1.1   Trade-faci litating measures ..................................................................................... 18 
3.1.2   Trade remedies ..................................................................................................... 18 
3.1.3   Other trade and trade-relate d measures.................................................................... 22 
3.1.4   Sanitary and phyt osanitary meas ures (SPS) .............................................................. 23 
3.1.5   Technical barri ers to trad e (TBT) .............................................................................. 28 
3.2   SPS and TBT issues ra ised in other WTO bodies ............................................................ 32 
3.3   Policy developm ents in ag riculture .............................................................................. 32 
3.4   Policy developments  in trade in  services ...................................................................... 34 
3.4.1   Measures affecting various service sectors ................................................................. 34 
3.4.2   Audiovisual and te lecommunication  services .............................................................. 37 
3.4.3   Energy  services ..................................................................................................... 40 
3.4.4   Financial services ................................................................................................... 40 
3.4.5   Distribution, postal  and transpor t services ................................................................. 44 
3.4.6   Services supplied through the movement of natural pe rsons ........................................ 44 
4   GOVERNMENT SU PPORT MEASURES .......................................................................... 45  
5   TRADE FI NANCING .................................................................................................... 46  
6   TRANSPARENCY OF TRADE POLICIES ........................................................................ 47  
6.1   Notifications and surveillance in WTO Councils and Committees ....................................... 47 
6.1.1   Agriculture ............................................................................................................ 47 
6.1.2   Quantitative restrictions .......................................................................................... 49 
6.1.3   Import Licensing .................................................................................................... 50 WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
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6.1.4   Rules of origin .......................................................................................................  52 
6.1.5   Subsidies and co untervailing measures ..................................................................... 52 
6.1.6   Anti -dumpi ng ........................................................................................................ 52 
6.1.7   State-trad ing enterprises ........................................................................................ 53 
6.2   WTO databases ........................................................................................................ 53 
6.2.1   Integrated database ............................................................................................... 53 
ANNEX 1 ....................................................................................................................... . 57 
ANNEX 2 ....................................................................................................................... . 67 
ANNEX 3 ....................................................................................................................... . 87 
ANNEX 4 ....................................................................................................................... . 97 
 
Tables 
 Table 2.1 World merchandise trade volume by region and level of development, 2010 – 
2015.. ............................................................................................................................ 16
 
Table 3.1 Measures facilitating trade ................................................................................... 18 
Table 3.2 Initiations of anti -dumping investigations .............................................................. 20 
Table 3.3 Initiations of counterv ailing duty investigations ...................................................... 22 
Table 3.4 Initiations of sa feguard invest igations ................................................................... 22 
Table 3.5 Other trade and trade-related measures ................................................................ 23 
Table 3.6 SPS specific trade concerns raised between October 2013 and March 2014 ................. 26 
Table 3.7 Previously-raised SPS specific trade concerns discussed in October 2013 and 
March 2014 ..................................................................................................................... 27 
Table 3.8 New specific trade concerns rais ed in the March 2014 TBT Committee meeting ........... 31 
Table 3.9 New Article 18.6 issues ....................................................................................... 33 
Table 3.10 Questions previous ly raised in the CoA ................................................................ 34 
Table 6.1 Number of agri culture noti fications ....................................................................... 49 
Table 6.2 Notification procedures for QRs ............................................................................ 50 
Table 6.3 Import licensing measures notified and applied during the period under review ........... 51 
Table 6.4 Status of subsidy notifications .............................................................................. 52 
Table 6.5 New and full notifications re lated to state-trad ing enterprises ................................... 53 
Table 6.6 Timeliness of IDB notifi cations - tariff  information ................................................... 55 
Table 6.7 Timeliness of IDB notifi cations - import  information ................................................ 56 
 WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
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Charts 
 Chart 2.1 Contributions to year-on-year growth in world merchandise exports and imports, 2012 Q1 – 2 014 Q1 .......................................................................................................... 7
 
Chart 2.2 Volume of exports and imports of  selected economies,  2010 Q1 – 20 14 Q1 ................. 9  
Chart 2.3 Merchandise exports and imports of selected economies,  July 2012 – Ap ril 2014 ........ 11 
Chart 2.4 Commercial services exports and imports of selected economies,  2013 Q1 – 
2013 Q4  ....................................................................................................................... .. 14 
Chart 3.1 Anti-dumping initia tions, produc t coverage ............................................................ 21 
Chart 3.2 Number of SPS notifications ................................................................................ 24 
Chart 3.3 Regular SPS notifications and international standards .............................................. 24 
Chart 3.4 Emergency SPS notificati ons and internatio nal standards ......................................... 25 
Chart 3.5 Number of TBT sp ecific trade concer ns .................................................................. 29 
Chart 6.1 Current outstanding notifications in agriculture ....................................................... 48 
Chart 6.2 Outstanding notifi cations by co untry group ............................................................ 48 
Chart 6.3 Number of agriculture notifi cations – domestic support (DS: 1) ................................ 49 
Chart 6.4 Completeness of ID B tariff noti fications ................................................................. 54 
Chart 6.5 Completeness of ID B import noti fications .............................................................. 55 
 
Boxes 
Box 1.1 Members that replied to the Direct or-General's request for information ......................... 5  
Box 2.1 Post-Bali update trade facili tation and governme nt procurement ................................. 17 
 
 
 
 WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY  
1. World trade and output have continued to grow inconsistently, with expansions in the fourth 
quarter of 2013 followed by setbacks in the firs t quarter of 2014. If the most recent GDP growth 
forecasts hold, the volume of world merchandise trade is expected to grow by 4.7% in 2014 and 
by 5.3% in 2015, significantly larger than in 2013. The projection for 2014 is below the 5.3% average of the last 20 years and the 6% average of the 20 years leading up to the financial crisis. 
Most of the risks to this trade outlook are on the downside.  
2. The multilateral trading system remains the best defence against protectionism and an 
important driver of economic growth, sustaina ble recovery and development. The successful 
outcome of the WTO's 9
th Ministerial Conference has provided an important opportunity to 
strengthen and reinvigorate the multilateral tr ading system. Implementation of the decisions 
reached in Bali, and developing a work programme by  the end of this year on the conclusion of the 
Doha Development Agenda are the next steps in strengthening the multilateral trading system. 
This will deliver a boost to trade around the world and help to alleviate the concerns regarding 
obstacles to global trade flows. It will also help to deliver global growth, though protectionist pressures are bound to remain in a context of slow  uneven recovery and persistent high levels of 
unemployment.  
3. Annexes 1-3 to this report provide informatio n on trade in goods: (i) measures that clearly 
facilitate trade; (ii) trade-remedy measures; and (iii) other trade and trade-related measures. A total of 320 measures were recorded in these thre e categories during the period under review.   
4. 159 trade-remedy actions were recorded comprising 83 initiations of new investigations and 
76 terminations of either investigations or existi ng duties. Most of the trade-remedy actions were 
anti-dumping measures (119). In the category trade-facilitating measures, 86 measures were 
recorded during the period under review. Most of  these trade-facilitating measures consist of a 
decrease or elimination of import tariffs. The second most important facilitating measure recorded for this period was the streamlining of customs procedures. Regarding the final category of other 
trade measures, 74 cases were compiled, more than one-third of which consist of tariff increases. 
Twenty-seven per cent of the measures listed under  this final category were applied to exports. 
Although Members have introduced new restrictions , the pace at which new trade restrictions have 
been introduced has not accelerated during the period under review.  
5. A wide range of measures affecting trade in services has been introduced by several WTO 
Members in the period under consideration, but no clear sectoral or policy trend can be discerned. Rather, policy developments in services seem to have responded to specific domestic contexts and 
objectives, such as the need to introduce tax refo rms, develop specific services sectors, modify 
general foreign investment legislation, modernize regulatory frameworks (including through improved regulation of foreign service suppliers) and pursue further liberalization in some sectors. 
There have also been some developments regarding the supply of services through the movement 
of natural persons.  
6. The information in the report underscores the need for greater transparency regarding 
trade-policy measures. First, the Members that have responded to the request to provide 
information for purposes of this report account for 37% of the total membership of the WTO, a 
percentage that is more or less the same as in the previous trade-monitoring report. This report also demonstrates that while the trade-monitoring exercise appears to be picking-up the majority 
of the border measures, that is not the case with behind-the–border measures, such as subsidies 
and other economic support measures. The information that has been made available in the context of this report on subsidies and economic support is very limited. Second, the review in 
Section 6 of the report shows that the record of members' compliance with their notification 
obligations is patchy and far from satisfactory in areas such as agriculture, quantitative restrictions, subsidies, state trading enterprises and trade in services. WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
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1  INTRODUCTION 
1.1.  This monitoring report reviews trade an d trade-related developments during the period 
mid-November 2013 to mid-May 2014.1 It is a preparatory contribution to the annual report by the 
Director-General provided for in paragraph (g) of the TPRM mandate and that aims to assist the 
TPRB in undertaking an annual overview of developments in the international trading environment 
which are having an impact on the multilateral trading system. This report is intended to be a purely factual report 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 in the Doha Round.  
1.2.  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. 37%  of the 
Membership (Box 1) replied to the Director-General's request for information on measures taken 
during the period under review This compares wi th 35% for the previous trade monitoring report 
contained in WT/TPR/OV/16. One Observer also replied to the request for information.  The WTO 
Secretariat has drawn on these replies, as well as on a variety of other public and official sources, 
to collect information to be included in the report. All recorded country-specific information on 
trade measures has been sent for verification to the delegations concerned. Many delegations have cooperated with the Secretariat's request to verify the accuracy of the information contained in the annexes. Requests for verification of information were sent to 50 delegations (counting the 
European Union and its Member States as one). Around 56% of them have provided replies in time 
for the finalization of the report, compared with a reply rate of 47% recorded for the previous trade monitoring report. Where it has not been possible to confirm the information, this is noted in 
the annexes. The country-specific measures listed in the annexes are new measures implemented 
by governments during the period under review.2 The compilation of all measures that have been 
covered by the trade-monitoring reports since October 2008 is available in the Trade Monitoring 
Database ( http://tmdb.wto.org/ ). 
Box 1.1 Members that replied to the Director-General's request for information  
Argentina 
Australia  
Azerbaijan* 
Brazil 
Canada 
Chile 
China 
Colombia 
Costa Rica 
Dominican Republic 
European Union Hong Kong, China 
India 
Indonesia 
Japan 
Korea, Republic of 
Macao, China 
Mauritius 
Mexico 
Moldova, Republic of 
New Zealand 
Peru Pakistan 
Russian Federation 
Singapore 
Switzerland 
Chinese Taipei 
Thailand 
Trinidad and Tobago 
Turkey 
United States of America 
Uruguay 
  
* Observer 
 
2  RECENT ECONOMIC AND TRADE TRENDS 
2.1.  Since the last trade monitoring report, world trade and output have continued to grow 
inconsistently, with expansions in the fourth qu arter of 2013 followed by setbacks in the first 
quarter of 2014. GDP growth slowed sharply in the first quarter in developed countries, mostly as a result of an unexpected decline in the United States of America ("United States") that also 
manifested itself in reduced trade flows. Meanwhile, developing economies saw their pace of 
                                               
1 The previous trade monitoring report presented to the TPRB (WT/TPR/OV/16 of 31 January 2014) 
covered measures taken over the period from mid-October 2012 to mid-November 2013. On 16 June 2014, the 
WTO Secretariat, together with the Secretariats of the OECD and UNCTAD, issued a report on trade and investment measures implemente d by G-20 economies during the period mid-November 2013 to 
mid-May 2014 (available on the WTO website). The relevant  G-20 measures identified in that document are 
also reproduced in this report.  
2 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 consistency of an y measure referred to in the 
report with the provisions  of any WTO Agreement. WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
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output and trade growth moderate, or in some cases turn negative. The weak economic 
performance in the first quarter has been attributed to a variety of factors, including unusually harsh winter weather in North America, the gradual withdrawal of monetary stimulus in the United States, and the cooling of property markets in China among others. Most analysts expect 
the slowdown in the United States to be temporary and anticipate faster growth in the second 
quarter of the year. Even if this is the case, the slowdown highlights the fragility of the world economy and tips the balance of risks in our trade forecast toward the downside. 
2.1  GDP and unemployment 
2.2.  Initial estimates of first quarter GDP in the United States indicated stagnation, with growth of 
0.1% at an annualized rate, but this was later revised down to -1.0%, mostly due to declining inventories. Inventories are one of the most volatile components of GDP, with an average 
contribution to growth of around zero. As a re sult, U.S. growth could be above average in the 
second quarter as businesses rebuild their stocks of goods. Despite the drop in output, unemployment eased to 6.7% in Q1 from 7.0% in the previous quarter, then to 6.3% in May.  
2.3.  Economic activity remained uneven in the European Union. The 1.3% annualized increase in 
GDP that the EU recorded in Q1 encompasse d  f a s t e r  g r o w t h  i n  G e r m a n y  ( 3 . 3 % )  a n d  t h e  
United Kingdom (also 3.3%), stagnation in France  (0.1%), and contractions in Italy (-0.5%) and 
the Netherlands (-5.4%). Although EU growth in Q1 was less than the 1.6% rise in the previous 
quarter, the EU-wide jobless rate still ticked down to 10.4% in April from 10.8% in 2013.  At the same time, Japan’s GDP growth in Q1 strengthen ed unexpectedly to 5.9% (annualized) from 0.3% 
in Q4 despite the introduction of higher sales ta xes. Japanese unemployment also fell to 3.6% in 
April from 4.0% at the end of 2013. 
2.4.  Developing economies turned in a mixed ec onomic performance, with some of the largest 
slowing between 2013 Q4 and 2014 Q1. China’s quar ter-on-quarter GDP growth was reduced to 
1.4% in Q1 (equivalent to a 5.7% annual ra te) from 1.7% in Q4 (7.0% annual) after 
strengthening to 2.3% (9.5% annual) in the third quarter of last year. India's growth accelerated 
to 8.6% in Q1 from 3.9% in Q4, but Brazil's grow th slowed to 0.7% from 2.8%. Indonesia’s output 
growth also moderated to an annualized rate of 4.9% in Q1, down from 5.3% in Q4. No growth 
figure was available for the Russian Federation ("Russia") in Q1, but the country recorded positive growth of 3.6% in Q4. Meanwhile, GDP growth in  the Korea, Republic of ("Korea") was steady, 
rising slightly to 3.8% in Q1 from 3.6% in Q4. Overall, global growth appears to have slowed in 
the first quarter despite pockets of strength with in regions, with U.S. and Chinese developments 
outweighing other factors. 
2.2  Merchandise trade 
2.5.  Despite the fall in U.S. GDP in the first quarter, developed economies made a positive 
contribution to world nominal merchandise trade growth in Q1 on both the export and import 
sides, whereas developing economies subtracted from it. This is illustrated by Chart 2.1, which 
shows contributions of both developed and develo ping economies to year-on-year growth in the 
dollar value of world merchandise exports and imports from 2012 Q1 to 2014 Q1. In the first 
quarter, developed economies added 1.8% to world nominal year-on-year export growth while developing economies subtracted 0.5% from it, fo r a total increase of 1.3%. On the import side, 
developed countries added 2.1% to world growth of 1.7%, while developing economies reduced 
imports by 0.4 percentage points. This unusual de velopment is as much the result of the weak 
performance of developed countries last year as it is the result of stronger recent growth. WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
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Chart 2.1 Contributions to year-on-year growth in world merchandise exports and 
imports, 2012 Q1 – 2014 Q1 
(percentage change in U.S. dollar values) 
1.2
-2.1
-3.6-0.9 -0.71.02.0 2.21.84.0
1.1
-0.51.6
0.90.11.31.5
-0.55.2
-1.0
-4.10.7
0.21.13.33.7
1.3
-6-4-202468
2012Q1 2012Q2 2012Q3 2012Q4 2013Q1 2013Q2 2013Q3 2013Q4 2014Q1(g g $ )
Developed economies Developing economies a
World, year-on-year percentage change
1.8
-2.8 -3.5-0.8
-2.2-0.71.0 1.22.13.8
1.6
0.11.71.8 1.61.8
1.0
-0.45.6
-1.2
-3.40.9
-0.40.92.8
2.2
1.7
-6-4-202468
2012Q1 2012Q2 2012Q3 2012Q4 2013Q1 2013Q2 2013Q3 2013Q4 2014Q1Exports
Imports
 
a Includes significant re-exports. Also includes the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). 
Note: Figures are preliminary. Due to scarce da ta 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/8 
 
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2.6.  Despite the positive year-over-year grow th in nominal terms in Q1, developed economies 
collectively registered a (real) volume decline of around 0.5% in their merchandise exports on a quarter-to-quarter basis, based on preliminary quarterly trade volume estimates. Meanwhile, developed countries' merchandise imports in volume terms were essentially flat in the latest 
quarter, registering a decline of 0.1% between Q4 and Q1. In contrast to their more negative 
nominal figures, which are sensitive to fluctuations in commodity prices and exchange rates, developing economies’ seasonally adjusted real trad e in volume terms continued to rise in the first 
quarter compared to the previous one approximatel y 1.5% on both the export side and the import 
side.   WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
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Chart 2.2 Volume of exports and imports of selected economies, 2010 Q1 – 2014 Q1  
Seasonally adjusted volume indices, 2010 Q1 = 100 
 
 
Source: WTO short term trade statistics. 
 
WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
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2.7.  Chart 2.2 shows seasonally adjusted quar terly merchandise trade vo lume developments for 
the United States, the European Union, Japan and Developing Asia (i.e. Asia excluding Japan, Australia and New Zealand) from 2010 Q1 to 2014 Q4. Data for the United States, Japan and the European Union were obtained from national stat istical sources while figures for Developing Asia 
are provisional Secretariat estimates that should be interpreted with caution. 
2.8.  Exports of the United States fell 2.7% in the first quarter of 2014 after rising 2.3% in the 
fourth quarter of 2013. Meanwhile, U.S. imports were essentially flat, up 1.0% in Q4 and down 
0.4% in Q1. Both exports and imports may have been negatively affected by the adverse weather 
conditions, but how much of an impact this could have on trade flows is uncertain. 
2.9.  At the same time, total exports of the Euro pean Union (including both intra- and extra-EU 
trade) stagnated in Q1 with 0% growth. Exports to destinations outside the European Union 
(i.e. extra-EU exports) rose 0.7% while trad e between EU members (i.e. intra-EU exports) 
dropped 0.5%, but these two trends largely cancelled each other. On the import side, total EU trade fell 0.4%, intra-EU imports fell 0.7% and extra-EU imports rose 0.1%. 
2.10.  Japan's exports dropped 1.0% in volume terms in Q1 but imports from other countries grew 
3.3%, in line with the rise in the country's GDP. Whether this pace of import growth can be sustained remains to be seen, since recently introduced fiscal consolidation measures would be 
expected to reduce consumer demand for all kinds of goods, including imports. 
2.11.  Finally, Developing Asia's seasonally-adjusted export and import volumes continued to 
advance, with increases of 1.3% and 1.5%, respectively. Developing Asia includes China, which is subject to strong, regular seasonal fluctuations. Accounting for this seasonality is challenging due 
to the fact that the global trade collapse in the first quarter of 2009 coincided with the Chinese 
Lunar New Year, which may bias adjustment factors in later years.  
2.12.  Merchandise trade statistics in current U.S.  dollar terms are more up-to-date than trade 
statistics in volume terms, and are available for a larger set of countries. These data are illustrated 
in Chart 2.3, which shows year-on-year growth in monthly exports and imports for selected economies through April 2014 for most countries, and through May depending on data availability.  
2.13.  These data suggest a partial improvement in world trade at the start of the second quarter 
following the slowdown in the first quarter. Howe ver, trade flows remain weak in key developing 
economies and the trade recovery in the European Union continues to be uneven, with stronger growth in Germany than elsewhere.  
2.14.  In the United States, merchandise exports in current dollar terms increased by 3% 
year-on-year in April. This was down from 4% in March but better than the 0% growth recorded in February. Meanwhile, U.S. imports grew 5% in April, down from 6% in March but up from 0% in 
February (Chart 2.3). 
2.15.  The European Union's extra-exports fell 3%  in April while extra-imports increased by 2%. 
However, intra-EU shipments were 7% higher than in the same month in 2013. Overall, total EU 
trade (i.e. intra- + extra-trade) was up 3% on the export side and 5% on the import side. It is 
worth noting that EU-intra trade represents around two-thirds of European Union exports and imports. 
2.16.  The performance of China in May was mixe d, with year-on-year export growth of 7%, 
possibly reflecting stronger import demand in developed countries, and a 2% decline in imports. 
2.17.  Available data for other developing economies in May also suggests stronger import demand 
in developed countries and weaker demand in deve loping economies. For example, India's exports 
in dollar terms were up 12% year-on-year in th e latest month while imports were down 11%. On 
the other hand, Brazil saw both exports and imports decline by 5% over the same period. WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
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Chart 2.3 Merchandise exports and im ports of selected economies,  
July 2012 – April 2014 
(Year-on-year percentage chan ge in current US$ values) 
 
WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
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a January and February averaged to mini mize distortions due to Lunar New Year. 
Source: IMF, International Financial Statistics; Glob al Trade Information Services (GTIS) GTA database; 
national statistics.
WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
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2.3  Trade in commercial services 
2.18.  Statistics on commercial services trade are less widely available than statistics on 
merchandise trade. However, both types of data usually share similar trends. Quarterly developments in commercial services trade are illustrated by Chart 2.4, which shows year-on-year 
growth in the dollar value of commercial services exports and imports for selected major traders 
from 2013 Q1 to 2013 Q4. (These short-term statistics are jointly compiled by the WTO and UNCTAD and can be downloaded from the WTO's statistics gateway at www.wto.org/statistics .) 
2.19.  In line with the merchandise trade data, Chart 2.4 shows recovering services trade in most 
countries through the fourth quarter of last year, with some notable exceptions (Japan, the United Kingdom and Brazil on the export side, Ja pan the United Kingdom and India on the import 
side). 
2.20.  Services data for the first quarter are not yet available, but declines should be expected 
similar to those that have already been observed  for merchandise once the data arrive. However, 
the declines may not be as strong, since servic es trade often involves long-term contractual 
arrangements, making this trade somewhat less sensitive to business cycle fluctuations. WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
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Chart 2.4 Commercial services exports an d imports of selected economies,  
2013 Q1 – 2013 Q4 
(Year-on-year percentage change in current US$ values) 
Exports
Imports‐10‐505101520
United
StatesJapan EU(28)
extraFrance Germany Italy Spain United
KingdomBrazil China India Russian
Fed.2013Q1 2013Q2 2013Q3 2013Q4
‐15‐10‐50510152025
United
StatesJapan EU(28)
extraFrance Germany Italy Spain United
KingdomBrazil China India Russian
Fed.2013Q1 2013Q2 2013Q3 2013Q4 
Source: WTO and UNCTAD Secretariats. 
 WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
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2.4  Trade forecast and economic outlook 
2.21.  In its most recent forecast of 14 April 2014, the WTO Secretariat estimated that world 
merchandise trade would grow by 4.7% in volume terms in 2014, and by 5.3% in 2015 (Table 2.1). The projection for 2014 remained below the 20-year average of 5.3%, while the 
forecast for 2015 was roughly in line with it. Both the 2014 and the 2015 forecasts were well 
below the 6.0% average rate for the 20 years leading up to the financial crisis. Exports of developed economies were expected to rise by 3.6% in 2014 while those of developing economies 
would increase by 6.4%. On the import side, growth of 3.4% was anticipated for developed 
countries, and a 6.3% increase was expected for developing economies.  
2.22.  The forecast pointed out that that most risks to the trade outlook were on the downside. It 
also stated that, although certain risks had receded (e.g. the euro crisis), others were emerging to 
take their place (e.g. currency crises, overinvestment  in productive capacity, geopolitical risk, etc.) 
The economic slowdown in trade in the first quar ter of 2014 may or may not have been related to 
any of these factors, but it has increased the down side potential of current projections. The April 
forecast for 2014 is still feasible if GDP growth and trade accelerate over the course of the year, 
but any unforeseen economic shocks would compel us to revisit the forecast after another quarter. 
2.23.  The WTO's trade forecasts depend to a large extent on expectations of economic growth 
over the next one-to-two years. In the short-term, forward-looking indicators such as purchasing 
managers' indices (PMIs) and composite leading indicators (CLIs) can provide an indication of the trajectories of major economies over the next few months. Based on these indicators, prospects for developed economies are mostly positive despite the recent stumble in U.S. growth in the first 
quarter and the continued drag from struggling euro-area economies.  
2.24.  The euro-area Composite PMI for May from Markit Economics was equal to 53.5, down 
slightly from a three year high of 54.0 in Apri l, but the average of the second quarter to-date 
suggests that the currency bloc is on track for the fastest quarterly growth since 2011 Q2. The 
U.S. manufacturing PMI also increased at the fastes t rate in over three years in May. On the other 
hand, Japan's PMI of 49.9 suggests flat output growth in the second quarter.  
2.25.  The HSBC Composite PMI fo r China, compiled by Markit Economics and released on 5 June, 
rose to 50.2 in May from 49.5 in April, indicating  the first expansion in four months. (Note: a score 
of 50 on the index denotes expansion while below 50 points to contraction). The index was buoyed by upturns in production, new business orders an d export orders. Also suggestive of a rebound, 
China's official manufacturing PMI, which is issued by the China Federation of Logistics and 
Purchasing and the National Bureau of Statistics, rose to 50.8 in May compared with 50.4 in April. On the other hand, OECD CLIs (14 May) for China and other large developing economies suggest a 
more negative outlook, with growth stuck below trend in the coming months.  
  WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
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Table 2.1 World merchandise trade volume by  region and level of development, 2010 – 
2015 
Annual percentage change 
 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014P a 2015P a 
Volume of world merchandise trade  13.9 5.4 2.3 2.1 4.7 5.3  
Exports       
Developed economies 13.3  5.2 1.1 1.5 3.6 4.3  
Developing economies and CIS 15.1 5.8 3.8 3.3 6.4 6.8 
North America 15.0  6.5 4.5 2.8 4.6 4.5  
South and Central America 4.7 6.8 0.8 0.7 4.4 5.5 
Europe 11.4  5.7 0.8 1.5 3.3 4.3  
Asia 22.7 6.4 2.7 4.6 6.9 7.2 
Other regionsb 5.6  2.1 4.3 0.3 3.1 4.2  
Imports       
Developed economies 10.6  3.4 0.0 -0.2 3.4 3.9  
Developing economies and CIS 18.3 8.1 5.1 4.4 6.3 7.1 
North America 15.7  4.4 3.1 1.2 3.9 5.1  
South and Central America 22.4 13.1 2.2 2.5 4.1 5.2 
Europe 9.4  3.2 -1.8 -0.5 3.2 3.4  
Asia 18.2 6.7 3.6 4.5 6.4 7.0 
Other regionsb 10.9  8.4 9.8 2.9 5.8 6.6  
a Figures for 2014 and 2015 are projections. 
b Other regions comprise the Africa, CIS and Middle East regions. Source: WTO Secretariat.  WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 17 - 
Box 2.1 Post-Bali update trade facili tation and government procurement  
Trade Facilitation 
Work in the Preparatory Committee on Trade Facili tation began almost immediately following the 
WTO's 9th Ministerial Conference in Bali in December 2013. In adopting the Committee's Work 
Program and agreeing on a schedule of meetings the membership quickly began the legal review 
of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) text agre ed in Bali. As had been the case throughout the 
negotiations of the TFA, work in the Committee was characterized by a Member-driven, 
transparent and inclusive approach and addr essed the large number of contributions and 
suggestions from delegations across all levels of development in a constructive and practical 
manner. 
 
Following the conclusion of the legal review, Members subsequently turned their attention to the 
drafting of an amendment protocol. A first dedicated session on this issue was held in at the end of 
May 2014. Progress was also made on the third main task, i.e. the receipt of category A 
notifications. Several Members had already started to notify their related commitments in the early 
stages of the work of the Committee and the flow of  notifications is expected to continue right up 
to the end of July. 
 
Although several challenges remain in the coming weeks, it is anticipated that Members will agree 
to annex those notifications to the Agreement, adopt the Protocol drawn up by the Preparatory 
Committee and open it for acceptance at the July General Council. The TF Agreement will 
subsequently enter into force once two-thirds of WTO Members have completed their domestic 
ratification process. 
 
Government Procurement 
The revised WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) entered into force on 6 April 
2014 after two-thirds of its Parties accepted the Protocol Amending the Agreement. The revised 
Agreement comprises: 
 
  a modernization of the Agreement's text, to facilitate the use of electronic procurement 
tools, improved transitional measures for developing WTO Members that join the 
Agreement, and additional flexibilities for all Parties. It also incorporates new anti-
corruption measures and reinforces the scope provided by the original Agreement to 
promote the conservation of natural resources and protect the environment; and 
 
  a significant expansion of the Parties' market access commitments under the Agreement, 
estimated as being worth in the range of $80-100 billion annually. This includes: 
(i) coverage of, at a minimum, 400-500 additi onal procuring entities; (ii) coverage by 
three major Parties of Build-Operate-Transfer arrangements (BOTs); (iii) additional 
coverage of services procurement by the majori ty of Parties, particularly with respect to 
telecommunications; and (iv) miscellaneous other additions to the Agreement's coverage. 
 
The Committee on Government Procurement, which administers the GPA, will shortly take up a 
new set of work programmes, addressing such topical issues as access to procurement activities 
by SMEs, the sustainability of public procurem ent activities and improvement of the Parties' 
statistical reports relating to their operations under the Agreement. 
  
With the coming into force of the revised Agreement, the Parties' attention has now shifted to 
ongoing work on accession to the Agreement by additional WTO Members, including developing 
and transition economies. A total of ten other WTO members — Albania, China, Georgia, Jordan, 
the Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, Oman and Ukraine — have applied to 
join. Of these, the accessions of China, Mo ldova, Montenegro, New Zealand and Ukraine are 
currently under intensive consideration by the Committee.  
 
 WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 18 - 
3  TRADE AND TRADE-RELATE D POLICY DEVELOPMENTS 
3.1  Trade measures  3.1.  As indicated in the 2012 annual report for th e Overview of Developments in the International 
trading environment, the trade measures compiled for this report are presented in three 
categories: (i) measures that facilitate trade (Annex 1); (ii) trade-remedy measures (Annex 2); 
and (iii) other trade and trade-related measures (Annex 3).
3 The total number of measures in 
these three categories recorded over the period mid-November 2013 to mid-May 2014 is 320.  
3.2.  Under the methodology used by the WTO Secretariat until mid-May 2012, 157 - or 49% of 
the 320 measures recorded for the period under review - would be considered as trade-restrictive measures.
4 Forty-eight of these measures were import restrictive measures, accounting for slightly 
more than 3% of world merchandise imports.  
3.1.1  Trade-facilitating measures 
3.3.  Over the period mid-November 2013 to mid-May 2014, 86 trade-facilitating measures were 
recorded (Annex 1). Close to 75% of these measures were either decreases or eliminations of 
import tariffs, some of which were implemente d on a temporary basis. The streamlining of 
customs procedures was the second most important type of trade-facilitating measure (Table 3.1). 
The measures that facilitate trade cover ar ound 0.5% of world merchandise imports. 
Table 3.1 Measures facilitating trade 
Type of Measure Share in total (%) 
Import 95 
 Tariff 74 
 Customs procedures 17 
 Tax 2 
 Quantitative restrictions 1 
Export 5 
TOTAL 100 
Source: Annex 1. 
3.4.  The main sectors benefiting from facilitating measures over this period were information 
technology products, telecommunication equipment,  capital goods, food products and chemicals. 
These are the same products that benefited most from facilitating measures recorded in the 
previous monitoring report. 
3.1.2  Trade remedies 3.1.2.1  Trade-remedy measures 
3.5.  Trade-remedy measures taken during the review period are listed in Annex 2. Over the 
period from mid-November 2013 to mid-May 2014, 159 measures were recorded of which the vast majority (119) concerned anti-dumping actions.
5 More initiations were recorded than terminations: 
out of the total number of trade-remedy measur es, 83 were initiations of new trade-remedy 
investigations covering around 0.1% of world merchandise imports, and 76 measures were terminations of either investigations or existing duties covering around 0.1% of world imports. 
Anti-dumping actions accounted for 78% of the tota l number of initiations of trade-remedy actions 
and for 79% of the total number of terminations of trade-remedy actions.  
                                               
3 See WT/TPR/OV/15 (29 November 2012), para. 42.  Prior to the adoption of this categorization, trade 
monitoring reports had treated all reco rded measures, including trade remedy actions, as either restricting or 
facilitating trade.  
4 For the period mid-October to mid–May 2013, 154 trade restrictive measures had been recorded. 
5 There were 15 countervailing actions and 25 safeguard actions recorded in respect of this period. For 
trade-monitoring purposes, the actions retained were the initiation of new investigations and the termination of 
either investigations (without imposition of measures) or existing duties.  For purposes of this paragraph, a single measure affecting more than  one trading partner is counted on ly once, as listed in Annex 2. WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 19 - 
3.1.2.2  Trade-remedy trends 
3.6.  This section provides an assessment of tren ds in trade-remedy measures during the period 
mid-November 2012 to mid-May 2013 ("first period") in comparison with mid-November 2013 to mid-May 2014
6 ("second period"). Concerning anti-dumping7, the most recent data indicates a 
continuation in the previously reported stabilization of initiations.8 Countervailing and safeguard 
patterns between the two periods show a decrease in  initiations of both types of investigations. 
The number of safeguard initiations in particular has almost halved in the second period, compared 
to the first.  
3.7.  The number of initiations of anti-dumping investigations remained relatively stable over the 
two periods examined, with 103 initiations registered during the first period and 96 during the 
second (Table 3.2). During the first period, the largest number of anti-dumping investigations was 
initiated by Argentina (15), India (15), Brazil (13) and Malaysia (7). During the second period, the 
largest number of anti-dumping investigations was initiated by Brazil (29), the United States (12), Australia (11) and India (10). Some Members which initiated few investigations in the first period 
sharply increased their activity during the second period.  
                                               
6 Data for January-May 2014 is partly unverified and collected from various unofficial sources. 
7 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. By contrast, the data on trad e-remedy actions in paragraph 3.5.  is 
based on a methodology that treats one trade-remedy ac tion involving imports from more than one country as 
one measure.  
8 WTO document WT/TPR/OV/W/7, pp. 4-7, 5 July 2013. WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 20 - 
Table 3.2 Initiations of anti-dumping investigations  
(Counted on the basis of exporting countries affected) 
 
Reporting Member  
November 2012-May 2013  
November 2013-May 2014 
 
Argentina 15 3 
Australia 5 11 
Brazil 13 29 
Canada 5 - 
Chile 4 - 
China 6 2 
Colombia 6 - 
Dominican Republic - 2 
Egypt - 2 
European Union 2 2 
India 15 10 
Israel 2 - 
Japan - 1 
Korea, Republic of 3 6 
Malaysia 7 - 
Mexico 3 2 
Morocco 4 - 
Pakistan 1 2 
Russian Federation - 3 
South Africa 2 2 
Chinese Taipei 2 1 
Thailand 1 - 
Turkey 5 5 
Ukraine - 1 
United States of America 2 12 
Total  103 96 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.8.  There appears to be a greater concentration of anti-dumping actions in certain sectors in the 
second period than in the first period. Three sectors (metals, plastics and chemicals) that 
accounted for 51% of all new investigations in  the period mid-November 2012 to mid-May 2013 
accounted for 78% of all new anti-dumping inve stigations in the period mid-November 2013 to 
mid-May 2014 (Chart 3.1). While the shares of meta ls and plastics rose by similar amounts during 
the second period, to 30% from 24% for metals, and to 20% from 16% for plastics, it is worth 
noting that the share of chemicals in initiations, which was 13% during the first period, more than 
doubled to 28% during the second period. The sh are of stone/plaster decreased in the second 
period to a third of its share from the first period, from 12% to 4%. Also worth noting is the 
decline in investigations with respect to vehicles, vegetables and miscellaneous manufactured 
articles.9 These three sectors, which accounted for 6% of initiations during the first period, were 
unaffected by new investigations during the seco nd period. Other sectors remained relatively 
stable over the two periods. 
                                               
9 Categorized under "other" in Chart 3.1 below.  WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 21 - 
Chart 3.1 Anti-dumping initiations, product coverage 
 
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
 
3.9.  China remains the country that is most frequently affected by the initiation of anti-dumping initiations. Anti-dumping investigations initiated with respect to imports from China accounted for 
30% of all investigations during the second period, down slightly from 32% in the first. The second 
most affected country during both periods is Kore a. Anti-dumping investigations of imports from 
Korea accounted for 9.7% of investigations during  the first period and 4.2% in the second. The 
United States accounted for 5.8% of anti-dumping investigations during the first period and 6.25% 
during the second.  
3.10.  The number of initiations of countervailing investigations decreased from 17 in the first 
period to 12 in the second (Table 3.3). The largest number of such investigations was initiated in 
the first period by the United States (7), Australia (3), Brazil (3) and Canada (3) and in the second 
period by the European Union (5) and the United States (5).  
3.11.  Concerning the types of products affected by these investigations, while food accounted for 
seven of the 17 initiations during the first period , followed by metals, which accounted for five, 
these sectors combined for a total of only three investigations in the second period. Chemicals and textiles, which accounted for three investigations apiece during the second period, combined to 
account for half of all new countervailing duty investigations in this period.  
3.12.  Regarding the affected exporting countries, similarly to anti-dumping, China is the country 
most frequently subject to the initiation of countervailing investigations. The share of countervailing investigations of imports from China in the total number of countervailing 
investigations was 47% and 66% in the second. 
3.13.  Another noteworthy development is the parallel initiation of anti-dumping and countervailing 
investigations on a given product from a given exporting country. Seven of the 17 countervail 
initiations in the first period were accompanied by anti-dumping investigations, of which five were 
simultaneous.
10 Eight of the 12 countervail initiations in the second period were accompanied by 
simultaneous anti-dumping investigations. Chinese products featured in six of these dual investigations, alongside foodstuff from Turkey and Mexico. It should be noted that metals, which 
featured in four dual investigations initiated in the first period, accounted for only two such 
                                               
10 Australia initiated anti-dumping investigations into aluminium zinc coated steel and zinc coated 
(galvanized) steel from China in September 2012.  
WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 22 - 
investigations in the second period. Chemical products featured in three dual investigations 
initiated in the latter period.  
Table 3.3 Initiations of countervailing duty investigations 
 (Counted on the basis of exporting countries affected) 
 
Reporting Member  
November 2012-May 2013  
November 2013-May 2014 
 
Australia 3 2 
Brazil 3 - 
Canada 3 - 
European Union 1 5 
United States of America 7 5 
Total  17 12 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.14.  The number of initiations of safeguard investigations declined from 15 in the first period to 
eight in the second (Table 3.4). India replaced Indonesia as the main initiator of new safeguard 
investigations in the second period, accounting for half of total initiations in the second period, up from 11.7% in the first period. In terms of product coverage, metals accounted for half of total 
initiations in the second period, followed by foodstuff which accounted for a quarter. During the 
first period, metals, chemicals and foodstuff were the sectors that topped the initiations. 
Table 3.4 Initiations of safeguard investigations 
 
Reporting Member  
November 2012-May 2013  
November 2013-May 2014 
 
Chile 1 -  
Costa Rica - 1 
Egypt 2 - 
India 2 4 
Indonesia 4 2 
South Africa 2 - 
Thailand 2 1 
Turkey 1 - 
Viet Nam 1 - 
Total  15 8 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.1.3  Other trade and trade-related measures 
3.15.  Seventy-four measures were recorded in Annex 3, which includes all other trade and trade-
related measures. Out of these, 48 measures were applied to imports, covering around 0.2% of world merchandise imports. Around one-third of the measures listed in Annex 3 refer to import 
tariff increases, some of them applied on a temporary basis. The second most-used measure was 
customs procedures (Table 3.5).  WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 23 - 
Table 3.5 Other trade and trade-related measures  
 
Type of Measure 
  
Share in total (%) 
Import 65 
 Tariff 35 
 Customs procedures 18 
 Quantitative restrictions 9 
 Tax 3 
Export 27 
 Duties 10 
 Quantitative restrictions 9 
 Other 8 
Other 8 
TOTAL  100 
Source: Annex 3. 
 
3.1.4  Sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS)11 
3.16.  Under the SPS Agreement, WTO Members are obliged to provide an advance notice of 
intention to introduce new or modified SPS measures12, 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. 
3.17.  In the period from October 2013 to March 2014, 764 SPS notifications (regular and 
emergency, including addenda) were submitted to the WTO. Notifications from developing-country Members accounted for 61% of the total number. In the previous six-month period, the total number of notifications was lower, but with a similar proportion of measures notified by 
developing-country Members: from April through September 2013, a total of 647 notifications 
were submitted, of which 59% were  by developing-country Members. 
3.18.  From October 2013 through March 2014, WTO Members submitted 689 regular SPS 
notifications; 57% of which were submitted by developing-country Members. Compared with the 
previous six-month period (April-September 2013), there was a 16% increase in the total number of notified measures, and a 4% increase in the share of notifications made by developing-country 
Members. 
3.19.  The number of notifications of emergency measures also increased compared with the 
previous period (Chart 3.2). The share of emerge ncy notifications submitted by developing-country 
Members was similar to that of the previous period. From October 2013 through March 2014, 97% 
of the 75 notifications of emergency measures we re submitted by developing-country Members. 
For the previous period (April-September 2013), 96% of the 51 emergency notifications had been 
submitted by developing-country Members. This high proportion of emergency measures notified 
by developing-country Members might stem from the fact that they do not have extensive SPS 
regulatory systems as developed-country Members do, and consequently, when facing emergency challenges, they are more likely to have to in troduce new regulations or change existing ones. 
                                               
11 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 notifications to the WTO for the period 
1 October 2013 to 31 March 2014. Specific trade concerns (STCs) are only raised at SPS Committee meetings. 
The information in this section summarizes the STCs raised at the October 2013 and March 2014 SPS 
Committee meetings. 
12 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. WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 24 - 
Chart 3.2 Number of SPS notifications  
 
596
333689
39651
4975
73
0100200300400500600700800
All Members Developing-country
MembersAll Members Developing-country
MembersRegular notifications Emergency notifications04/2013 - 09/2013 10/2013 - 03/2014
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
  
3.20.  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 493 regular notifi cations (excluding addenda) submitted from 
October 2013 to March 2014, 257 (52% of the total) indicated that an international standard, guideline or recommendation was applicable to the notified measure (Chart 3.3). Of these, 84% 
indicated that the proposed measure was in conformity with the existing international standard. 
Chart 3.3 Regular SPS notifications and international standards 
Codex
53%
OIE
14%
IPPC
33%None
48%Relevant 
international 
standard
52%
 
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
 
3.21.  International standards often provide useful guidance regarding measures to address 
disease outbreaks and other emergency situations . Indeed, 95% of the 41 emergency notifications 
(excluding addenda) submitted from October 2013 to March 2014 indicated that an international WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 25 - 
standard, guideline or recommendation was applicable to the notified measure (Chart 3.4). They 
all indicated that the measure was in conformity with the existing international standard. 
Chart 3.4 Emergency SPS notifications and international standards 
 
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
 
 
3.22.  Of the 493 regular notifications (excluding addenda) submitted from October 2013 to 
March 2014, the majority were related to food sa fety and the protection of humans from animal 
diseases or plant pests.13 The remaining notifications related to plant protection, animal health and 
to the protection of the Member's territory from other damage from pests. Several of the regular 
notifications identified more than one objective per measure. 
3.23.  Of the 41 emergency measures (excluding addenda) notified in the same period, the 
majority related to animal health, followed by measures related to the protection of humans from 
animal diseases or plant pests, food safety, pr otection of the Member's territory from other 
damage from pests and plant protection. Similarly, the majority of emergency notifications during this period identified more than one objective per measure. 
3.24.  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. In the two 
Committee meetings of October 2013 and March 2014, 14 new trade concerns were raised. Seven 
of these STCs related to food safety, six to anim al health, and one to plant health (Table 3.6). 
3.25.  Seven new STCs which had been included on the proposed agenda for the March 2014 
meeting were withdrawn following bilateral consultations. These were: (1) China's concerns 
regarding EU protective measures on products of animal origin (2002/994/EC); (2) China's concerns regarding Korea's requirements of BSE-free certification on compound feed; (3) Chinese Taipei's concerns regarding Indonesia's import restrictions on commercial feathers and down; 
(4) Ecuador's concerns regarding EU requirements on imports of raw milk and dairy products 
(EU 605/2010); (5) China's concerns on U.S. limits of procymidone in onions; (6) Ecuador's 
                                               
13 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. 
WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 26 - 
concerns regarding Brazil's pest risk assessment for bananas; and (7) China's concerns regarding 
Australia's fumigation requirements on wooden furniture. 
Table 3.6 SPS specific trade concerns ra ised between October 2013 and March 2014 
STC Document title Members 
maintaining 
the measure Members 
raising 
the 
concern Members 
supporting 
the concern Date raised Primary 
objective 
357 Accreditation of 
third-party bodies to conduct food safety audits and to issue certifications U.S. China Belize, Brazil, 
Korea  16/10/2013 Food safety 
358 Import conditions 
for pork and pork 
products India EU  16/10/2013 Animal health 
359 Strengthened import 
restrictions on fishery products with regard to radionuclides Korea 
 Japan  16/10/2013 Food safety 
360 Import policy on 
swallow nests China Indonesia  16/10/2013 Food safety 
361 Non-recognition of 
testing laboratories for meat products Russia India  16/10/2013 Food safety 
362 Import restrictions 
on beef due to BSE South Africa Brazil  16/10/2013 Animal health 
363 
 Import restrictions 
on beef due to BSE China Brazil  16/10/2013 Animal health 
364 
 Import restrictions 
on beef due to BSE Japan Brazil  16/10/2013 Animal health 
365 Import conditions on 
poultry Saudi Arabia, 
Kingdom of EU  16/10/2013 Food safety 
366 Quarantine 
requirement for 
blueberries Japan Argentina  16/10/2013 Plant health 
367 Import requirements 
on traditional foods Turkey Japan Chile, EU, 
U.S. 16/10/2013 Food safety 
368 Import restrictions 
on confectionary 
products Russia Ukraine  16/10/2013 Food safety 
369 Brazil’s risk 
assessment for shrimp Brazil Ecuador  25/03/2014 Animal health 
370 Russia's measures 
on EU exports of live 
pigs and pork 
products due to 
African Swine Fever Russia EU  25/03/2014 Animal health 
371 US imports of meat 
from Brazil U.S. Nicaragua El Salvador, 
Guatemala 25/03/2014 Animal health 
 Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.26.  Sixteen previously raised STCs were discussed at the October 2013 or March 2014 SPS 
Committee meetings. Of these, seven addressed persistent problems that have been discussed 
five times or more. In particular, three STCs have been discussed on 10 or more occasions. In addition, three STCs raised for the first time in October 2013 were discussed again in March 2014 
(Table 3.7). WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 27 - 
Table 3.7 Previously-raised SPS specific tr ade concerns discussed in October 2013 and 
March 2014  
STC Document title Members 
maintaining 
the measure Members 
raising 
the 
concern Members 
supporting 
the concern First date 
raised Times raised 
193 General import 
restrictions due to BSE Certain 
Members, specifically China; Japan; Korea; Australia EU, U.S. Canada, 
Switzerland, Uruguay 01/06/2004 21 
238 Application and 
modification of the 
EU Regulation on 
Novel Foods EU Colombia, 
Ecuador, 
Peru Argentina; 
Bolivia; 
Brazil; Chile; 
China; 
Costa Rica; 
Cuba; Benin; 
El Salvador; 
Honduras; 
India; 
Indonesia; 
Mexico; 
Paraguay; 
Philippines; 
Uruguay; 
Venezuela 01/03/2006 15 
306 Maximum residue 
levels of pesticides EU India Argentina; 
Brazil; Pakistan; Thailand 20/10/2010 10 
314 Ban on offals Viet Nam EU, U.S. Australia; 
Canada; 
Chile; 
New Zealand 30/03/2011 9 
319 Chinese quarantine 
and testing procedures for salmon China Norway EU; 
Switzerland; U.S. 30/06/2011 8 
330 Indonesia's port 
closures 
 Indonesia China; EU; 
New 
Zealand; 
U.S. Argentina; 
Australia; 
Canada; 
Chile; Japan; 
Korea; 
South Africa; 
Chinese 
Taipei; 
Thailand; 
Uruguay 27/03/2012 6 
340 
 Requirements for 
importation of sheep meat Turkey 
 Australia 
  18/10/2012 
 5 
 
342 Restrictions on 
shrimp due to 
anti-oxidant 
residues Japan 
 India 
  18/10/2012 
 4 
 
286 Import restrictions 
on poultry meat Indonesia Brazil  28/10/2009 3 
321 Japan's MRLs 
applied to sesame Japan 
 Paraguay 
 Ecuador; 
Indonesia; 
Mexico 30/06/2011 
 3 
 
323 Import restrictions 
on pork and pork products Malaysia EU Canada; U.S. 19/10/2011 3 
332 Restrictions related 
to FMD Japan Argentina  10/07/2012 2 WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 28 - 
STC Document title Members 
maintaining 
the measure Members 
raising 
the 
concern Members 
supporting 
the concern First date 
raised Times raised 
351 EU temperature 
treatment requirements for imports of processed meat products EU Russia  27/06/2013 2 
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 2 
356 Phytosanitary 
measures on citrus black spot EU South 
Africa Argentina 27/06/2013 2 
358 Import conditions 
for pork and pork 
products India EU  16/10/2013 2 
359 Strengthened 
import restrictions on fishery products with regard to radionuclides Korea Japan  16/10/2013 2 
368 Import restrictions 
on confectionary 
products Russia Ukraine  16/10/2013 2 
 Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.1.5  Technical barriers to trade (TBT) 
3.27.  During the period from 15 November 2013 to 15 May 2014 ("reviewed period") 
WTO Members submitted 901 regular notifications of TBT measures14; around 85% of these 
notifications were submitted by developing-country Members.15 Compared with the previous 
six-month period the overall number of notifications has increased somewhat, in particular those 
from developing-country Members.16 Ecuador made the greatest numb er of notifications during the 
reviewed period (139); followed by Israel (93); Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of (77); China (56); and 
the European Union (48).17 
3.28.  The main objectives indicated in the noti fications submitted during the reviewed period 
were: "protection of human health or safety" (57%); "prevention of deceptive practices and 
consumer protection" (22%); and "protection of the environment" (18%).18 Some of the main 
products covered by these notifications included foodstuffs, electrical and electronic products, and machinery and appliances. 
                                               
14 Under the TBT Agreement, WTO Members are required to notify any proposed measure 
(technical regulations or conformity  assessment procedures) that may have a significant effect on trade of 
other Members if it is not based on a relevant intern ational standard. Since 1995, around 18,236 notifications 
of new or revised regulations have been submitted by 122 Members. 
15 This total number of 778 notifications includes those made by the Commonwealth of Independent 
States' Members (18) and LDC Members (37). 
16 During the previous six-month period (15 May to 15 November 2013) the overall number of 
notifications was 850. Developing-country Member notifications made during the reviewed period, both in absolute terms and as a share of over all notifications, have significantly increased when compared with those 
made during the previous 6-month period (from 658 to 778 notifications and from a 77% share to 86% share). 
17 This number includes the four separate notifica tions made by France during the reviewed period. 
18 A TBT measure may pursue a variety of legitimate ob jectives, although historically the majority fall 
under one of the two top categories listed above. Member s are required to identify the purpose of the measure 
in their notifications.  It is not uncommon that mo re than one objective is identified for a measure. WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 29 - 
3.29.  STCs about TBT measures taken by Members are raised at regular meetings of the 
TBT Committee.19 Since 1995, and up to 15 May 2014, Members have raised 422 STCs. An upward 
trend has been observed since 2005 (see Chart 3.5). 
Chart 3.5 Number of TBT specific trade concerns 
 
 
 Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.30.  Sixteen new STCs were raised during the one Committee meeting that fell within the 
reviewed period (the March 2014 meeting). This marks an increase from the average of twelve 
new STCs raised per meeting over the period 2010-2013. The list of all the new concerns is 
provided in Table 3.8. During the reviewed period, most new STCs centred on a variety of 
substantive issues20, such as: the rationale of specific measures; their trade-restrictiveness; their 
discriminatory effects; the fact that they were not based on existing relevant international 
standards; the need to suspend their enforcement so as to provide exporters more time to adapt 
to new requirements. In particular, transparency-r elated STCs, both of a specific and systemic 
nature, featured prominently on the Committee's agenda. A significant number of new STCs (44%) were raised regarding various Ecuadorian measures which, according to concerned Members, had 
either not been notified or had been incorrect ly notified as "urgent" under TBT Agreement 
procedures (which apply only to exceptional situations).  
3.31.  During the review period, and consistent with previous periods, measures related to tobacco 
products, alcoholic beverages and processed food - in particular those aiming to control and 
prevent non-communicable diseases - remained high on the agenda, either as new or previously 
                                               
19 Members use the TBT Committee as a forum to discuss 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 clarifications to questions on the consistency of measures with TBT Agreement 
disciplines. 
20 Whether this represents  a new trend remains to be seen and could only be assessed in future 
monitoring reports covering a longer period of time. 
WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 30 - 
raised STCs. In particular, a new STC was raised by several Members with respect to a proposed 
plain-packaging tobacco-control measure of the United Kingdom21, making it the fourth such 
measure discussed in the Committee since 2012 (after those from Australia, New Zealand and Ireland).
22 Likewise, a new STC was raised with an Ecuadorian diet/nutrition-related measure 
(dealing with labelling/packaging requirements for processed foods considered to be high in certain 
nutrients - like salt, sugar and fat) – the fourth of its kind to be discussed in the Committee since 2013. The three other similar measures, taken by Indonesia, Peru and Chile, were also discussed 
in the March 2014 meeting as "previously raised" STCs. At least half of the new STCs raised at this 
meeting involved measures dealing with the prot ection of human safety and health, following a 
longstanding trend. It is worth noting, howeve r, that several of these new measures focused 
primarily on health and safety of children/adolescents – some of them exclusively so. The latter 
was the case with the new STC on a Russian measure that banned artificial/synthetic leather in 
clothing/footwear intended for children  or adolescents (but not adults).  
3.32.  Since the last reviewed period, the Dispute Settlement Body has established, and the 
WTO Director-General composed, a single Panel to decide five disputes
23 against a measure that 
has been discussed as an STC in previous TBT Committee meetings: Australia's measure on plain packaging for tobacco products. Additionally, the compliance Panel (Article 21.5, DSU) in 
US - Tuna II (DS381) was composed on 27 January 2014 and is expected to issue its final report 
to the parties by December 2014. The complia nce and arbitration proceedings of two other 
previously concluded TBT disputes against US measures — US - COOL  (DS386-384) and 
US - Clove Cigarettes  (DS406), respectively — are still ongoing and are also expected to issue 
their decisions in the course of 2014. Finally, on 25 November 2013, the Panel Report on EC –
Seal Products , a dispute with a significant number of TBT claims involving certain measures taken 
by the European Union, was circulated to Member s. This report was appealed and the Appellate 
Body circulated its Report on 22 May 2014. 
                                               
21 At the March 2014 TBT Committee meeting the delega te of the European Union acknowledged that 
the United Kingdom Government was currently considerin g the possibility of introducing plain packaging for 
tobacco products. However, it also stated that there was at the time no legislative proposal and therefore 
considered any discussion in the Committee on the matter to be premature. 
22 The New Zealand and Irish plain packaging measures were also discussed in the 2014 March meeting 
covered by the reviewed period as "previously raised" STCs. More information on each previously raised STC 
can be found by entering the relevant STC ID number (g iven as a footnote to each previously-raised STC) in 
the search bar of the online TBT Information Management System (TBT IMS) at the following link: 
http://tbtims.wto.org/web/pages/search/stc/Search.aspx   
23 Lodged by Ukraine, Honduras, the Do minican Republic, Indonesia and Cuba. WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 31 - 
Table 3.8 New specific trade concerns ra ised in the March 2014 TBT Committee meeting 
Member 
maintaining 
the measure 
(in 
alphabetical 
order) STC title Objective 
 Product 
coverage 
 Members 
raising the 
concern 
China China – China Food and Drug 
Administration (CFDA) Notice 
191 of 16 December 2013 – 
Free Sales Certificate for 
Imported Cosmetics (ID 415) - Protection of Human 
Health or Safety 
- quality requirements 
 Cosmetic 
products Canada; 
U.S.; EU 
Colombia Colombia – Turkish exports of 
steel to Colombia (ID 422) - Protection of Human 
Health or Safety 
- Consumer information Plain and 
deformed 
steel wire and 
electrically 
welded mesh Turkey 
Ecuador Ecuador – Proposed Motor 
Vehicle Safety Regulatory 
Requirements (RTE INEN 034) 
(ID 409) Protection of:  
- Human Health or 
Safety 
- Environment Motor Vehicles Brazil; Japan 
Ecuador Ecuador – Resolution No. 116 of 
the Foreign Trade Committee of 
Ecuador of 19 November 2013 
and Technical Regulation of the 
Ecuadorian Standardization 
Institute RTE INEN 022 on the 
labelling of processed and 
packaged food products 
(ID 411) Consumer information 
(labelling) Processed 
Food for 
human 
consumption Canada; 
Chile; 
Costa Rica; 
Guatemala; 
Peru; U.S. 
Ecuador Ecuador – Systematic failure to 
publish notices at an early 
appropriate stage (ID 414) n/a n/a Brazil; 
Canada; 
Chile; 
Costa Rica; U.S.; EU 
Ecuador Ecuador – Ministry of Public 
Health Executive Decree 
(Agreement) No. 00004522 
amending the Sanitary 
Regulations for the Labelling of 
Processed Foods for Human 
Consumption (ID 416) - Protection of Human 
Health or Safety 
- Consumer information 
(labelling) Processed 
Food for 
human 
consumption Brazil; Chile; 
Korea; EU 
Ecuador Ecuador – Cosmetic products 
(ID 417) Protection of:  
- Human Health or 
Safety; 
- Environment 
- Consumers Cosmetic 
products Brazil; Chile; 
Korea; EU 
Ecuador Ecuador – Certification of 
Ceramic Tiles II (ID 419) - Consumer information 
(labelling) Ceramic Tiles Brazil; EU 
Ecuador Ecuador – Proposed Technical 
Regulation PRTE INEN 103 on 
confectionary products (ID 423) Protection of:  
- Human Health or 
Safety; 
- Consumers Confectionary 
products 
 Panama 
Egypt Egypt – Turkish exports of 
bottled water to Egypt (ID 421) - Protection of Human 
Health or Safety Bottled water Turkey 
France France – Recycling Triman Mark: 
"Draft Decree on a common set of symbols informing the consumer about recyclable products subject to a system of extended producer responsibility associated with waste sorting instructions" (ID 420) - Consumer information 
(labelling) - Protection of the environment  Recyclable 
products and packages Canada; 
New Zealand; U.S. 
India India – Labelling Regulations for 
Canola Oil (ID 413) - Consumer information 
(labelling) Vegetable oils Canada 
 WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 32 - 
Member 
maintaining 
the measure 
(in 
alphabetical 
order) STC title Objective 
 Product 
coverage 
 Members 
raising the 
concern 
Russian 
Federation Russia – Federal Service for 
Market Regulation (FSR) - New Provisions for the Mandatory Notification of Liquor Products (ID 412) - Simplification of 
notification requirements Alcoholic 
products Canada 
 
Russian 
Federation Russia – Safety of products for 
children and adolescents (ID 18) - consumer protection 
(children/ adolescents) Clothing/footw
ear EU; Norway 
United 
kingdom United Kingdom – Proposal to 
introduce plain packaging of 
tobacco products in 
United Kingdom (ID 424) Protection of:  
- Human Health or 
Safety; 
- Consumers 
 Tobacco 
products Cuba; 
Guatemala; 
Honduras; 
Malawi; 
Nicaragua; 
Nigeria 
 
United 
States of 
America United States – Energy 
Conservation Program: Test 
Procedure for Commercial 
Refrigeration Equipment 
(ID 410) - Protection of the 
environment 
 Commercial 
Refrigeration 
Equipment China 
 Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.2  SPS and TBT issues raised in other WTO bodies24 
3.33.  During the period under review several SPS and TBT issues were raised in a number of 
other WTO bodies. The following section is a non-exhaustive attempt to highlight such issues as 
they have been brought to the attention of the TPRD. Members are encouraged to communicate to 
the TPRD the SPS and TBT issues which they have raised in other bodies and which they believe 
are relevant to the monitoring effort.  
3.34.  During the period under review a number of SPS issues were not only raised at the 
Committee level but also at the meeting of Council for Trade in Goods (CTG) which took place on 9 April. These issues included Russia's import ban on pork from all EU Member States and 
Russian's application of certain SPS measures for potatoes, meat, live animals, and dairy 
products (European Union).
25 
3.35.  A number of TBT issues were also raised at the CTG meeting. These included Russia's 
compliance with the transparency obligations of the TBT Agreement (United States and Ukraine), 
Japan's Woods Points Programme (Canada, Euro pean Union, Indonesia, United States and 
New Zealand), certain sustainability criteria of the EU Renewable Energy Directive (Indonesia), 
certain restrictions by an EU Member State on the importation of biodiesel (Argentina), the U.S. 
policy on renewable fuels from palm oil (Indonesia ) and certain measures by Venezuela, Bolivarian 
Republic of ("Venezuela") affecting trade in goods (Panama).  
3.36.  In the General Council on 12 May, problems with the implementation of SPS measures, 
including the harmonization with the relevant international standards and the non-adoption of 
inspection guidelines in accordance with Codex Alimentarius by Russia were also raised (U.S.). 
3.3  Policy developments in agriculture 
3.37.  In the framework of the Regular Committee on Agriculture (CoA), Members raised a total of 
30 implementation-related issues in the meetings in January and March of 2014. The details of all 
                                               
24 Excluding the DSB. 
25 The Minutes of the CTG meeting on 9 April, details of the statements delivere d and issues raised can 
be found in G/C/M/118. WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 33 - 
questions and answers included in the CoA's review process are published in Secretariat 
documents "Responses to Points Raised by Members under the Review Process".26  
3.38.  Out of the 30 issues raised, nine 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 3.9 indicates the specific measures relating to implementation 
commitments that were discussed for the first time in the CoA during these two CoA meetings. 
Table 3.9 New Article 18.6 issues 
CoA 
meeting 
number COA meeting 
date Question  raised 
by Answered  by  Question  summary   Products 
73  21/03/2014   United States  Canada  Proposed  changes to tariff 
schedule   
72  29/01/2014   United States  Egypt  Export restriction  on rice  Rice 
72  29/01/2014   Canada  European  
Union Levy on fruits and 
vegetables  Fruit and 
vegetables,   
72  29/01/2014   Pakistan  India  Rice exports  Rice 
73  21/03/2014   Pakistan  India  Market support price for 
rice Rice 
73  21/03/2014   Australia;  Brazil; 
Colombia;  
European  Union India  Sugar export subsidies  Sugar 
72  29/01/2014   Canada  Japan  New agricultural  policy    
73  21/03/2014   European  Union  Turkey  Domestic  support and 
export subsidies Fruit 
73  21/03/2014   Indonesia   United States Farm Bill    
 
3.39.  Some of these issues relate to the specific policy interventions by WTO Members such as Egypt's export restriction on rice
27, the EU's levy on sales of fresh fruit and vegetables28, Canada's 
proposed changes to its tariff schedule29, and India's sugar export subsidies.30 In other cases, 
Members queried what they saw as lack of transp arency with respect to particular agricultural 
policies, as in the case of questions posed to Turkey on domestic support and export subsidies.31 
Some questions highlighted concerns related to observed changes in trading patterns, as in the 
case of India's rice and wheat export s and market price support for rice.32 Finally, two of the new 
questions highlighted systemic changes in national agricultural policies. These two policy 
developments, Japan's new agricultural policy33 a n d  t h e  U . S .  F a r m  B i l l34, are described briefly 
below. 
3.40.  On 5 December 2013, Japan enacted a bill to establish a farmland re-distribution scheme. 
The goal of the policy is to promote agricultural structural reform and cost reduction through 
consolidation of farmland to motivated entities. In Japan's scheme, intermediary institutions will 
rent a considerable part of farmland in a region, including small plots of farmland, and lease the farmland to motivated entities, such as corporate farmers and large-scale family farmers.  
3.41.  The United States enacted the Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill) introducing major 
changes to U.S. food and farm policy. The United St ated presented the details of this legislation to 
the Committee on Agriculture during the March 2014 meeting, giving other WTO Members the 
opportunity to ask questions in an informal setting. Questions were also posed in the formal 
                                               
26 G/AG/W/118 and G/AG/W/126. 
27 G/AG/W/118, pp. 9-10. 
28 G/AG/W/118, pp. 10-12. 
29 G/AG/W/118, pp. 4-7. 
30 G/AG/W/126, pp. 14-17. 
31 G/AG/W/126, p. 21. 
32 G/AG/W/118, p. 13 and G/AG/W/126, p. 14-15. 
33 G/AG/W/118, p. 15. 
34 G/AG/W/126, pp. 22-26. WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 34 - 
meeting of the March CoA. The U.S. reported that the 2014 Farm Bill ends the direct and 
countercyclical payment programmes and the Average Crop Revenue Election programme. The 2014 Farm Bill introduced two new risk management programmes: the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programme, a new counter-cyclical type programme, and the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) 
programme, a revenue-loss programme. Among other changes, the 2014 Farm Bill eliminated the 
market price support programme for dairy products.  
3.42.  Other measures that were discussed related to follow-up on questions related to persistent 
areas of concern. Table 3.10 indicates the issues  that were discussed in January and March 2014 
which had been raised previously. 
Table 3.10 Questions previously raised in the CoA 
CoA 
meeting 
number COA 
meeting 
date Question  raised 
by Answered  by  Question  summary   Products Times 
raised in 
the CoA 
73  21/03/2014   United States  Brazil  Domestic  support 
programmes     6 
73  21/03/2014   New Zealand; 
United States  Canada  Dairy policies  Dairy  7 
73  21/03/2014   United States  China  Cotton Domestic  Support  Cotton  3 
73  21/03/2014   Canada;  
United States  Costa Rica  Compliance  with AMS 
commitments  Rice  13 
73  21/03/2014   United States  Ecuador  Ecuador's  import 
licensing of certain 
agricultural  products     6 
72  29/01/2014   Canada  European  Union Sugar production  levies  Sugar  6 
73  21/03/2014   United States   India  National food security bill     2 
73  21/03/2014   Canada;  
United States  India  Wheat stocks and exports  Wheat  4 
73  21/03/2014   United States  Saint Lucia  Domestic  purchase 
requirements  for poultry 
and pork Swine, 
Poultry 3 
73  21/03/2014   Canada,  
United States  Thailand  Paddy pledging scheme  Rice  11 
73  21/03/2014   United States  Turkey  Destination  of wheat 
flour sale Wheat  3 
 
3.43.  In the context of the review of notifi cations timely and complete notifications are 
fundamental for effective monitoring of the implementation of commitments. In the period 
reported, Members submitted 111 notifications (including addenda and corrigenda). In the same 
period, a total of 86 questions were raised during the CoA meetings concerning these (and previously submitted notifications). Members conti nued to focus the majority of their questions on 
Domestic Support notifications with 81% of the 86 questions targeting this type of notifications. In 
particular notifications by Brazil, the European Union, Georgia, Jordan, the United States and 
Viet Nam received a considerable amount of scrutiny by the membership. 
3.4  Policy developments in trade in services  
3.44.  A wide range of measures affecting trade in services has been introduced by several WTO 
Members in the period under consideration. However, no clear sectoral or policy trend can be identified. Rather, the new or amended regulations seem to have responded to specific domestic 
contexts and policy objectives. 
3.4.1  Measures affectin g various service sectors 
3.45.  Several measures adopted by China in the period under review are noteworthy. First, 
amendments introduced to China's Company Law w ill affect foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs).
35 
                                               
35 Foreign invested enterprises ("FIEs") include Wh olly Foreign-owned Enterp rises ("WFOEs"), Equity 
Joint Ventures ("EJVs"), and Coop erative Joint Ventures ("CJVs"). WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 35 - 
Effective 1 March 2014, China's law-making body and the State Council amended the People's 
Republic of China Company Law (the "Company Law" ), the Implementing Rules for the Laws of the 
People's Republic of China on Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprises (WFOEs), the Implementing Rules for the Laws of the People's Republic of China on Cooperative Sino-Foreign Joint Ventures (CJVs) 
and the Implementing Rules for the Laws of the Peop le's Republic of China on Equity Sino-Foreign 
Joint Ventures (EJVs). The main changes are the re placement of "paid-in registered capital" by 
"subscribed registered capital"; the removal of the minimum registered capital requirement; and 
the removal of the ratio requirement between cash and in-kind contribution. 
3.46.  The change from "paid-in registered capital" to "subscribed registered capital" is one of the 
most significant changes in the Amendments. Be fore the Amendments, FIEs were required to 
pay-in a fixed amount of registered capital within two years, 15% of which was required to be 
paid-in within 90 days after the issuance of th e business licence. The Amendments abolish the 
paid-in registered capital requirement and allow sh areholder(s) of an FIE to determine the amount 
of registered capital and the timing of the capita l contributions, which may be necessary to carry 
out the company's business plan. This change does  not apply however to 27 types of companies, 
namely companies limited by shares established by public offer; commercial banks; foreign-invested banks; financial asset management companies; trust companies; financial 
companies; financial leasing companies; auto finance companies; consumer finance companies; 
currency brokerage companies; village banks; loan  companies; rural credit cooperatives; rural 
mutual cooperatives; securities companies; futures companies; fund management companies; insurance companies; special insurance agencies and insurance brokers; foreign-invested 
insurance companies; direct selling enterprises; foreign labour service cooperation enterprises; 
financing guarantee companies; labour dispatch enterprises; pawnshops; insurance assets management companies; and small loan companies. The Amendments also abolish the minimum 
registered capital requirement for domestic comp anies, and eliminate the requirement that "the 
registered capital of a WFOE matches the scale of its business operation".  
3.47.  In addition, the Amendments remove the requirement that shareholders' cash contributions 
for a company be no less than 30% of the registered capital, as well as the requirement (contained 
in the Implementing Rules on WFOEs) that the capi talized value of industrial property rights or 
proprietary technology invested by foreign investors do not exceed 20% of a WFOE's registered capital. The abolishment of these provisions, in pr actice, means that the ratio requirement on cash 
and in-kind contribution is no longer applicable, and foreign investors may have industrial 
technology, equipment, or other types of in-kind ca pital constitute their entire capital contribution 
to the FIE.  
3.48.  In addition to the changes in its Company Law, as part of the implementation of the 12th 
five-year plan, China has embarked on important tax reforms that will affect various service sectors. One aspect of the reforms is to progressively replace the business tax with a value-added 
tax (VAT). In general, the VAT reform is aimed at  reducing the tax burden for services enterprises 
and promoting the services industry. The VAT pilot programme applicable to the transport sector and other services started in Shanghai on 1 Ja nuary 2012 and has been implemented nationwide 
since 1 August 2013. It is expected that by the end of 2015, the VAT reform will be expanded to 
all sectors currently subject to the business tax. In this context, on 12 December 2013, the 
Ministry of Finance (MOF) and the State Admini stration of Taxation (SAT) jointly issued 
Circular [2013] No. 106 which incorporated the railway transportation and postal industries into 
the VAT pilot programme as of 1 January 2014. On 29 April 2014, MOF and SAT jointly issued 
Circular [2014] No. 143 which incorporated the telecommunications sector into the VAT pilot programme as of 1 June 2014. As a result of these successive measures, a wide range of services 
sectors are now covered by this programme, including transportation (land, water, air and 
pipeline), postal, R&D, information technology, culture, logistics (cargo handling, freight forwarding, customs clearance, warehousing, cour ier services, etc.), tangible movable property 
leasing, authentication and consulting, broadcasting, film and television services. Service providers 
in China can now claim input VAT credits for the purchase of goods, fixed assets and services used 
in their business. Enterprises including those in sectors other than services would also be more willing to contract with services providers as they can now recover VAT incurred on costs, as 
business tax is not deductible.  
3.49.  Circular [2013] No. 106 provides various tax incentives. Postal and courier services provided 
for exporting merchandises, as well as international freight forwarding services, are exempted 
from VAT. In addition, exports of the following services are also exempted from VAT: offshore WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 36 - 
outsourced services, including ITO, BPO and KPO (from 1 January 2014 to 
31 December 2018)36; consulting services; computer and related services; intellectual 
property-rights-related services; broadcasting, film and TV programme services; and services of leasing tangible movable assets. Finally, the following services are subject to a zero-rate VAT: 
international transport services, R&D design services rendered to overseas clients. 
3.50.  In April 2014, the Indonesian Government announced a significant revision of the country's 
Negative Investment List (Daftar Negatif Investasi).
37 The revision, which is not fully published 
yet, is based on Presidential Decree No 39 - 2014 on the List of Open and Closed Sectors for 
Investments (Perpres 39 - 2014 tentang Daftar Bidang Usaha Tertutup dan Bidang Usaha Terbuka dengan Persyaratan di Bidang Penanaman Modal). The Negative Investment List of Indonesia stipulates which sectors within the Indonesian economy are open to foreign investment as well as 
the percentage shares of foreign ownership that are permitted. As per the new List, foreign 
investment is further liberalized in some service se ctors, but curbed in others. In several sectors, 
the Indonesian Government permits higher foreign ownership if investors engage in public-private 
partnerships (PPPs) with the Government. The table below summarizes the announced revisions 
for services:
38  
                                               
36 ITO stands for Information Techno logy Outsourcing, BPO stands fo r Business Proces s Outsourcing, 
and KPO stands for Knowle dge Process Outsourcing. 
37 Measures adopted by Indonesia have no t yet been verified by the Government. 
38 Indonesia Revises Negative Investment List to Boost Foreign Investments, 7 May 2014. 
http://www.indonesia-investments.com/news/todays-headlines/indonesia-revises-negative-investment-list-to-boost-foreign-investments/item1966 WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 37 - 
 
Expanded foreign ownership 
 
 Previous New 
Energy and Mineral Resources  
 
Electricity Generation > 10MW  
  
Maximum 95%  
  
Maximum 100% through PPPs during 
concession period; without PPP, maximum 95% 
Transportation  i. Provision of Port Facilities 
  
 Maximum 49%  
 Maximum 95% through PPPs; without 
PPP, 49% 
ii. Organization of periodic testing of motor vehicles, 
 
Terminals Development Closed to FDI   Maximum 45% (recommendation 
from the Transportation Ministry  
required) 
Creative Economy  
Production of films  
Closed to FDI  
Maximum 51% for investors  from ASEAN 
Finance  
Venture Capital  
Maximum 80%  
Maximum 85% 
Foreign ownership reduced 
 
 Previous New 
Energy and Mineral 
Resources  
i. Electricity generation 1-10MW  
 
Maximum 100%  through PPP  
 
Maximum 49% 
ii. Drilling services on land Maximum 95% Closed to FDI 
iii. Drilling services in sea Maximum 95% Maximum 75% 
iv. Oil and gas support services Maximum 95% Closed to FDI 
v. Installation of electric power utilization Maximum 95% Closed to FDI 
Communication and 
Information  
i. Operation of 
Telecommunications Services 
  
 Maximum 100%  
 Maximum 49% 
ii. Data Communications Systems Services Maximum 95% Maximum 49% 
iii. Internet Services Maximum 65% Maximum 49% 
Source: Indonesia-investments.com (Indonesia Revises Negative Investment List to Boost Foreign 
Investments, 7 May 2014. Available at http://www.indonesia-investments.com/news/todays-
headlines/indonesia-revises-negative-investment-list-to-boost-foreign-investments/item1966  
 
3.4.2  Audiovisual and telecommunication services 
3.51.  Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Communications an d High Technologies (MCHT) has announced that 
work is under way to set up a telecommunications regulatory body that is independent from the Ministry. Currently, MCHT is responsible for all telecoms regulation as well as for the state’s shareholdings in the telecommunications sector, which is often considered a conflict of interest. 
The country’s "e-Azerbaijan” programme signed by the President in 2010 had called for the 
establishment of an independent national telecommunications regulator.
39 
3.52.  The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) in February 2014 
ordered mobile service providers GrameenPhone and Airtel Bangladesh to cease providing 
BlackBerry services because the country’s security/law agencies are unable to monitor 
                                               
39 Autonomous regulator in pipeline, Telegeography ,18 February 2014 
http://www.telegeography.com/products/commsupdate/articles/2014/02/18/autonomous-regulator-in-
pipeline-ict-revenue-nears-usd2bn/  WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 38 - 
communications on the encrypted system. As per licensing terms and conditions, the government 
reserves the right to gain access to telecom service providers’ networks when deemed necessary.
40 
3.53.  On 23 April 2014, Brazil's Government signed into law a bill previously passed by Congress 
and intended to guarantee equal access to the Internet and protect privacy of users. On equal 
access, the bill bars telecommunications companies from charging higher prices for different content. On privacy, the bill sets limits to the gathering and use of metadata about Internet users, 
while a provision was dropped that would have required Internet companies to store data on 
Brazilian servers inside the country. Instead, the bill makes Internet service suppliers subject to 
Brazilian laws and courts in cases involving information on Brazilians, even when the data is on servers outside Brazil.  
3.54.  On 13 March 2014, the European Parliament approved a Network & Information Security 
(NIS) Directive which calls for greater preparedne ss, collaboration, and transparency by Member 
States to address cyber security matters. The sc ope of the measures was designed to ensure 
added protection in a new environment in which activities may take place by means of so-called 
cloud services. Member States will have to implement the Directive within 18 months of its adoption.
41 Apart from that Directive, on 27 March 2014, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled 
that an Internet Service Provider (ISP) may be ordered to block customers' access to a website 
where material that infringes copyright may be av ailable. The ECJ had been asked to interpret EU 
copyright law by Austria's Supreme Court.42 The ECJ ruled that a person who makes protected 
subject-matter available to the public on a websit e without the agreement of the rights holder is 
using the services of the business which provides internet access to those accessing that material. 
Thus, an ISP which allows such access is an intermediary whose services are used to infringe a copyright.
43 
3.55.  A package of amendments to the Mexican Constitution, aimed at reforming Mexico’s 
telecommunications and broadcast media sectors, became effective as of 23 June 2013.44 The 
amendments clarify that telecommunications are public services of general interest and, therefore, 
the State must guarantee that these services w ill be provided under competitive conditions, 
quality, plurality, universal coverage, networking, convergence, and continuity.45 Moreover, the 
Decree introducing the amendments states that foreign direct investment is allowed up to 100% in telecommunications and satellite communications. Foreign direct investment in broadcasting is 
permitted up to 49%, subject to reciprocity in the investor's country or the country of the operator 
that ultimately exercises direct or indirect control over the operator. 
3.56.  On 27 March 2014, the Republic of Moldov a ("Moldova") adopted Law No. 40, which amends 
the Electronic Communications Law No. 241-XVI of 15 November 2007. The amendments seek to 
                                               
40 Regulator halts BlackBerry services, Telegeography, 21 Feb 2014,  
http://www.telegeography.com/products/commsupdate/articles/2014/02/21/regulator-halts-blackberry-
services/index.html. Measures adopted by Bangladesh  have not yet been veri fied by the Government. 
41 The EP successfully votes through the Network & Information Security (NIS) directive,  European 
Commission - STATEMENT/14/68, 13/03/2014, http:/ /europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-14-
68_en.htm.  See also http ://europa.eu/rapid/press-r elease_MEMO-13-71_en.htm. 
42 In a case between ISP UPC Telekabel Wien and fi lm companies Constantin Film Verleih and Wega-
Filmproduktionsgesellschaft, the film companies wanted  the ISP to block access to the Kino.to site, but UPC 
Telekabel argued that it did not have  any business relationship with the operators of kino.to and it was never 
established that its own customers acted unlawfully. 
43ECJ rules that ISPs may be ordered to block websites , Telecompaper, 27 March 2014,  
http://www.telecompaper.com/news/ecj-rules-that-isps-may-be-ordered-to-block-websites--
1004599?utm_source=headlines_-_english&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=28-03-2014&utm_content=textlink 
44 Decree Amending, Supplementing and Repealing Certain Provisions of Articles 6, 7, 27, 28, 73, 78, 94 
and 105 of the Constitution of the United Mexican States, in the Field of Telecommunications (Decreto por el que se reforman y adicionan diversas disposiciones de los artículos 6o., 7o., 27, 28, 73, 78, 94 y 105 de la Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos, en materia de telecomunicaciones).  
45 Under the updated legislation the Ifetel is now the highest authority on antitrust issues in telecoms 
and broadcasting, while separate legal changes mean co mpanies can no longer suspend regulatory decisions 
pending appeal. WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 39 - 
make an efficient use of radio spectrum by prohibiting 'spectrum hoarding' in accordance with the 
provisions of article 9, paragraph (7), of the EU Directive 2009/140/EC.46 
3.57.  The Telecommunications Regulatory Authorit y (TRA) of Oman will introduce a consumption 
limit (in the form of a roaming cap) for mobile subscribers making calls and using data abroad. 
The limit of OMR100 (USD259) is being introduced due to a large number of complaints from 
customers of roaming ‘bill shock’.  The roaming cap is due to enter into force later this year.47 
3.58.  Senegal’s telecoms regulator, the Agence de Regulation des Telecoms et Postes (ARTP), has 
implemented two new decisions to modify the scope of interconnection in the country, as it looks 
to promote competition in the local market. According to Agence Ecofin, the watchdog’s first decision is designed to identify operators with si gnificant market power (SMP), and as such it has 
designated Sonatel, Tigo Senegal (Sentel) and Sudatel-owned Expresso as having SMP. The trio 
will now be required to approve a draft interconnect ion tariff plan within 30 days of the issuance of 
the decision. In the second amendment, ARTP has identified and ruled on a list of relevant markets in which the three operators are said to enjoy a dominant market position.
48 
3.59.  On 21 March 2014, the Turkish Information Technologies and Communications Authority 
(ICTA) restricted access to Twitter for failure to remove illegal content form certain accounts. The decision was taken in accordance with the decision s of judicial authorities and Article 8 of the 5661 
numbered Law on "Regulation of Publications on the Internet and Combating Crime Committed via 
These Publications”. ICTA later issued a statement that the site was blocked “in line with court decisions to avoid the possible future victimisatio n of citizens", and observing that the company 
had previously failed to remove content when it had been asked to do so. The blockage of access 
to Twitter was removed by decision of the Tu rkish Constitutional Court dated 2 April 2014.  
3.60.  The U.S. Federal Communications Commissio n (FCC) has clarified its Policy for Foreign 
Investment in Broadcast Licensees regarding policies and procedures for reviewing transactions 
that would result in foreign ownership exceeding the 25%. Section 310(b)(4) of the 
Communications Act of 1934 limits foreign ownership of U.S.-organized entities that control broadcast licensees to 25% when the Commission finds the limitation to be in the public interest. 
The ruling clarifies the FCC’s intent to review applications and petitions for declaratory rulings 
proposing such ownership on a case-by-case basis.  It also specifies the filing procedures for 
applicants and petitioners seeking approval for foreign ownership above 25%. According to the 
FCC, the clarification does not alter its obligations to protect the public interest, including national 
security, localism and media diversity.
49 
3.61.  A new Vietnamese regulation on the manage ment of pay television, which came into effect 
on 15 May 2013, requires that all content on film channels, reportage and documentary 
programmes on general channels, general entert ainment channels, sports channels and music 
channels be translated in Vietnamese in advance of airing.50 Foreign channels are required to work 
with a government-sanctioned local partner who will subtitle and edit their content for a local 
audience.51 
                                               
46 "Spectrum hoarding" means acquirin g some spectrum and not using it with the purpose of preventing 
new entry into the market or reducing competition. 
47 Regulator to introduce cap on roaming charges , Telegraphy CommsUpdate, 27 Mar 2014,  
http://www.telegeography.com/products/commsupdate/articles/2014/03/27/regulator-to-introduce-cap-on-
roaming-charges/index.html . Measures adopted by Oman have not yet been verified by the Government. 
48 ARTP Senegal amends interconnection rules to boost competition , Telegraphy CommsUpdate, 
15 Nov 2013,   
http://www.telegeography.com/products/commsupdate/articles/2013/11/15/artp-senegal-amends-
interconnection-rules-to-boo st-competition/index.html . Measures adopted by Senegal have not yet been 
verified by the Government.  
49 FCC Clarifies Policy for Foreign Investment in Broadcast Licensees , FCC Media Release, 14 Nov. 2013,  
http://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-clarifies-policy-foreig n-investment-broadcast-licensees.  Full text of a 
Commission order, See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974). 
50  Talk Vietnam, 7 May 2013: http://www.talkvietnam.com/2013/05/all-foreign-films-on-pay-
television-to-be-translated/  ; Than Nien News, 27 May 2013:  http://thanhniennews.com/special-report/new-
rule-injects-more-confusion-into-vietnam-paytv-market-2401.html   
51 Measures adopted by Vietnam have not yet been verified by the Government.  WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
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3.4.3  Energy services 
3.62.  On 22 December 2013, Mexico implemented the "Decree Amending, Supplementing and 
Repealing Certain Provisions of Articles 25, 27 and 28 of the Constitution of the United Mexican States", the purpose of which is to modernize th e energy sector. This co nstitutional amendment, 
which still needs to be implemented through secondary legislation, provides greater autonomy to 
Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) and the Federal Elec tricity Commission (CFE), the two state-owned 
enterprises which control, respectively, the oil and electricity sectors in Mexico. The constitutional 
amendment aims at facilitating the supply of services and attracting investment in the Mexican oil 
and electricity sectors. According to Mexico, the amendment guarantees international standards of 
efficiency, transparency and accountability, and promotes social responsibility and environmental 
protection in the energy sectors. 
3.4.4  Financial services 
3.63.  The China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) has issued the new Insurance Company 
Mergers and Acquisitions Regulations, which will allow insurers with competing businesses in China 
to acquire and merge with each other, effective 1 June 2014.
52 Under current regulations, M&A in 
the insurance industry has been restricted, as insurance firms controlled by the same controlling shareholder are banned from selling products which compete with each other. Subject to 
conditions, the new regulation will allow an acquirer to control two insurers which operate in the 
same field of business. While the new regulation presents opportunities for foreign investors, foreign investors who will hold more than 25% of the equity or shares in a target insurance company following an acquisition or merger will still need to comply with the existing qualification 
requirements under the Administrative Regulations of Foreign-Invested Insurance Companies, 
which requires that (1) the foreign investor has been operating in the insurance business for at least 30 years, (2) the foreign investor has established a representative office within China for at 
least 2 years, (3) the total assets of the foreign investor as at the end of the previous year are not 
less than US$5 billion, (4) the country or region from which the foreign investor originates has a sound insurance regulatory system and the invest or is subject to effective regulation under 
relevant competent authorities, (5) the foreign investor meets the solvency standards of its 
country or region of origin, (6) the competent authorities of the country or region from where the foreign investor originates has consented to the f iling of the M&A transaction in China, and (7) the 
foreign investor satisfies any other prudential requirements prescribed by CIRC. In addition, 
foreign investors will need to comply with all relevant foreign investment rules, including the 
current limitation against owning more than 50% of a domestic life insurer.  
3.64.  On 13 March 2014, the China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) released the newly 
amended Administrative Measures for Financial Leasing Companies (Order of China Banking 
Regulatory Commission [2014] No. 3), which modifies provisions on market-entry requirements, business scope, operation rules, supervision and administration of financial leasing companies. The 
New Measures came into effect as of the date of promulgation while the old measures ceased to be 
effective on the same day. The New Measures lower the entry barriers for setting up a financial leasing company, by abolishing the distinction between "chief investor" and "ordinary investor" and providing that anyone that falls within five specific types of institutions (i.e. domestic and 
overseas commercial banks, domestic large manufacturers, overseas financial leasing companies, 
other domestic institutions and other overseas finance institutions) can apply to establish a financial leasing company as an initiator. Moreover, the New Measures require at least one eligible 
commercial bank, domestic large manufacturer or overseas financial leasing company among the 
initiators having an investment proportion of no less than 30%. The New Measures broaden the permissible business scope of financial leasing companies to include purchasing and transferring 
financial leasing assets (and not only to commercial banks as required under the previous 
measures), accepting deposits (term no less than three months) from non-bank shareholders, and investing in fixed income securities. The New Measures also allow financial leasing companies to establish branches and subsidiaries with CBRC’s approval. 
3.65.  On 27 December 2013, Hong Kong, Ch ina published the Inland Revenue (Amendment) 
(No.3) Bill 2013 (the "Bill") to effect, inter alia, certain measures to attract offshore insurance companies to set up their captive insurance business in Hong Kong, China. The Bill, which passed 
on 19 March 2014, is intended to promote associ ated areas of the insurance industry and help 
                                               
52 This information has not yet been verified by the competent Chinese authorities. WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
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expand and develop Hong Kong's insurance busine ss. Qualifying captive insurance companies will 
enjoy the same concessions as those of a qualifying reinsurance business. Thus, profits tax will be assessed at one-half of the standard rate of prof its tax in respect of a corporation. In order to 
qualify for the profits tax break, the captive insurance company must be an authorized captive 
insurer as defined under the Insurance Companies Ordinance and authorized by the Insurance 
Authority. 
3.66.  In the period under review, India introduced its long-awaited policy on foreign bank 
establishments. On 6 November 2013, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the "Scheme for 
Setting up of Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries (WOS) by foreign banks in India".
53 The policy is guided 
by two principles: reciprocity and single mode of presence. As a locally incorporated bank, the WOSs will be given "near national treatment" whic h will enable them to open branches anywhere 
in the country at par with Indian banks (except in certain sensitive areas where the Reserve 
Bank’s prior approval would be required). The policy provides incentives to the existing foreign bank branches which operate within the framewor k of India’s commitment to the WTO to convert 
into WOS.  
3.67.  The key features of the framework are the following:  
a. Foreign banks with complex structures, banks which do not provide adequate disclosure 
in their home jurisdiction, banks which are not widely held, banks from jurisdictions 
having legislation giving a preferential claim to depositors of the home country in winding-up proceedings, etc., can only enter India through a WOS.  
b. Foreign banks in whose case the above conditions do not apply can opt for a branch or a 
WOS form of presence. 
c. A foreign bank opting for the branch form of presence shall convert into a WOS as and 
when the above conditions become applicable to it or it becomes systemically important 
on account of its balance sheet size in India. 
d. Foreign banks which commenced banking business in India before August 2010 shall 
have the option to continue their banking business through the branch mode. However, 
they will be incentivised to convert into a WOS because of the attractiveness of the "near 
national treatment" afforded to WOSs. 
e. To prevent domination by foreign banks, restrictions would be placed on further entry of 
new WOSs of foreign banks or further capital infusion of WOSs of foreign banks, when 
the capital and reserves of the WOSs and fore ign bank branches in India exceed 20% of 
the capital and reserves of the banking system. 
f. The initial minimum paid-up voting equity capital for a WOS shall be Rs 5 billion for new 
entrants. Existing branches of foreign banks desiring to convert into WOS shall have a 
minimum net worth of Rs 5 billion. 
g. The parent of the WOS would be required to issue a letter of comfort to the RBI for 
meeting the liabilities of the WOS. 
h. Corporate Governance – (i) not less than two-thirds of the directors should be 
non-executive directors; (ii) a minimum of one-third of the directors should be independent of the management of the subsid iary in India, its parent or associates; 
(iii) not less than fifty per cent of the directors should be Indian nationals, subject to the 
condition that not less than one-third of the directors are Indian nationals resident in India. 
                                               
53 Consulted at http://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/bs_viewcontent.aspx?Id=2758 . This information has not 
yet been verified by India. WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 42 - 
i. The branch expansion guidelines as applicable to domestic scheduled commercial banks 
would generally be applicable to WOSs of foreign banks, except that they will require prior approval of RBI for opening branches at certain locations that are sensitive from the perspective of national security. 
j. The "priority sector lending requirement" would be 40% for WOS, like 
domestic-scheduled commercial banks, with an adequate transition period provided for existing foreign bank branches converting into WOS. 
k. On an arm’s length basis, WOSs would be permitted to use parental guarantee/credit 
rating only for the purpose of providing custodial services and for their international operations. However, WOSs should not provide counter guarantee to its parent for such support. 
l. WOSs may, at their option, dilute their stake to 74% or less in accordance with the 
existing FDI policy. In the event of diluti on, they will have to list themselves.  
3.68.  The issue of permitting WOS to enter into M&A transactions with any private sector bank in 
India subject to the overall investment limit of 74% would be considered after a review is made 
with regard to the extent of penetration of foreign investment in Indian banks and functioning of foreign banks (branch mode and WOS). 
3.69.  On 25 March 2014, the Governor of the Ce ntral Bank of Kuwait (CBK) announced that the 
CBK’s Board of Directors has approved the princi ples, rules and regulation for the licensing and 
operations of foreign banks' branches, and the regulations for opening a foreign banks' representative offices in Kuwait, the State of ("Kuwait").
54 Foreign banks will be allowed to open 
multiple branches in the country. Previously, each foreign bank was limited to opening one branch 
in Kuwait; that restriction will now be removed,  though the Central Bank will still approve new 
branches on a case-by-case basis. The new rules also allow foreign lenders to open representative 
offices in Kuwait.55 
3.70.  Moldova's new Capital Market Law (Law No. 171 of 11 July 2012) entered into force on 14 
September 2013. This law, which was further amended in April 2014, replaced the Securities 
Market Law of 1998, and seeks to adopt the acquis communautaire, by transposing  11 EU 
Directives related to capital markets, including MiFID, the Directive on Takeover Bids, the Investor Compensation Scheme Directive, the Market Abus e Directive, the Capital Adequacy Directive and 
the UCITS Directive. 
3.71.  To be authorized as an investment firm, the applicant must be a joint stock company, and 
have an operation plan as well as duly certified managers. Initial minimum capital requirements have been set in accordance with the business scope. Thus, a minimum initial capital of 8,000 EUR 
allows market operators to provide basic types of investment services and activities, e.g. orders 
reception, transmission and execution on behalf of  the clients, while an initial capital of 100,000 
EUR allows investment firms to provide all types of investment services and activities. These 
thresholds must increase, respectively, to 50,000 and 300,000 in 10 years. Investment firms 
authorised by an EU regulator may open branch es and provide services without the Moldovan 
regulator's authorisation. However, those investment firms are entitled to supply only the investment services and activities set out in the authorization issued by the competent EU 
regulator. 
3.72.  Effective 1 July 2014, the Central Bank of the Philippines (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, BSP) 
is lifting the bank branching restriction in eight areas in Metro Manila, including Makati, 
Mandaluyong, Manila, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, Quez on, and San Juan. This is in line with a June 
2011 BSP circular that provided for the phased lifting of branching restrictions.
56 Putting up a 
branch would entail a P20million license fee. 
                                               
54 http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/204755/reftab/96/t/CBK-
OKs-opening-of-multiple-branches -of-foreign-banks/Default.aspx. 
55 Measures adopted by Kuwait have not yet been verified by the Government. 
56 Available at http://www.bsp.gov.ph/regu lations/regulations. asp?type=1&id=2757. WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
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3.73.  On 18 February 2014, the Board of Govern ors of the U.S. Federal Reserve System issued 
the "Final Rule" implementing the "Enhanced Prudential Standards for Bank Holding Companies and Foreign Banking Organizations."
57 The rule, which was required by section 165 of the Dodd-
Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, establishes a number of enhanced 
prudential standards for large U.S. bank holding companies and foreign banking organizations, 
including on liquidity, risk management, and capital. It also requires a FBO with a significant presence in the U.S. to establish an intermediate holding company over its US subsidiaries.
58 The 
Final Rule contains requirements that are applicable primarily to two types of banking 
organizations: 1) U.S. top-tier bank holding companies (U.S. BHCs) with total consolidated assets of US$50 billion or more; and 2) foreign banking organizations (FBOs) with total consolidated assets of US$50 billion or more. 
3.74.  For U.S. BHCs with total consolidated assets of US$50 billion or more, the final rule 
incorporates the previously issued capital planning and stress testing requirements as an enhanced prudential standard. It also requires such a U. S. BHC to comply with enhanced risk-management 
and liquidity risk-management standards, conduct liq uidity stress tests, and hold a buffer of highly 
liquid assets based on projected funding needs during a 30-day stress event. The Final Rules further require a U.S. BHC with total consolidated assets of US$50 billion or more to establish an 
enterprise wide risk committee chaired by an independent director and to have at least one 
member with experience in identifying, assessing , and managing risk exposures of large, complex 
financial firms. A BHC with total consolidated asse ts of US$50 billion or more must also appoint a 
chief risk officer. In addition, publicly traded BH Cs with total consolidated assets of US$10 billion 
or more but less than US$50 billion are also required to establish a risk committee chaired by an 
independent director that includes at least on e member having experience in identifying, 
assessing, and managing risk exposures of large, complex firms. 
3.75.  FBOs with U.S. non-branch assets of US$50 billion or more will be required to establish a 
U.S. intermediate holding company (IHC) over their U.S. subsidiaries. The foreign-owned U.S. IHC generally will be subject to the same risk-based an d leverage capital standards applicable to U.S. 
BHCs. The IHCs also will be subject to the Federa l Reserve's rules requiring regular capital plans 
and stress tests. Like U.S. BHCs with assets of  US$50 billion or more, a FBO with combined U.S. 
assets of US$50 billion or more will be required to establish a U.S. risk committee and employ a 
U.S. chief risk officer to help ensure that the foreign bank understands and manages the risks of 
its combined U.S. operations. In addition, these FBOs will be required to meet enhanced liquidity 
risk-management standards, conduct liquidity stress te sts, and hold a buffer of highly liquid assets 
based on projected funding needs during a 30-day stress event. FBOs with total consolidated 
assets of US$50 billion or more, but combined US assets of less than US$50 billion, are subject to 
enhanced prudential standards. However, the ca pital, liquidity, risk-management, and stress 
testing requirements applicable to these FBOs are substantially less than those applicable to FBOs 
with a larger U.S. presence. In addition, the fina l rule implements stress testing requirements for 
foreign banking organizations with total consolidated assets of more than US$10 billion and risk committee requirements for foreign banking organizations that meet the asset threshold and are publicly traded. 
3.76.  Under section 165 of the Dodd-Frank Act, upon a determination by the Financial Stability 
Oversight Council that a company poses a grave th reat to U.S. financial stability and that the 
imposition of the requirement is necessary to mitigate that risk, the Federal Reserve must require 
a U.S. bank holding company and an FBO with US$50 billion or more in total consolidated assets, 
as well as a nonbank financial company supervised by the Federal Reserve, to maintain a debt-to-equity ratio of no more than 15-to-1. Consistent with the Dodd-Frank Act, the Final Rules 
define the 15-to-1 debt-to-equity limitation and adopt procedures for its implementation. 
3.77.  U.S. BHCs subject to the rule will need to comply by 1 January 2015, while the deadline for 
compliance by FBO is 1 July 2016. The final rule also generally defers application of the leverage ratio to foreign-owned U.S. IHCs until 2018. The Federal Reserve Board estimates that 24 U.S. 
                                               
57 Federal Register / Vol. 79 , No. 59 / Thursday, March 27, 2014 / Rules and Regulations. 
58 See the Federal Reserve's press release at 
http://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/press/bcreg/20140218a.htm. WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
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BHCs and approximately 100 FBOs will be affected by the final rule, and as many as 20 FBOs will 
meet the IHC requirement.59 
3.4.5  Distribution, postal  and transport services 
3.78.  In January 2104, Argentina's Federal Administration of Public Revenue (Administración 
Federal de Ingresos Públicos/AFIP, in Spanish) issued General Resolutions 3579 and 3582, 
establishing a procedure for the submission of affidavit in order to optimize the traceability of transactions. The new procedure requires individuals purchasing goods from overseas suppliers 
and delivered through the official postal service (including door-to-door delivery) or by courier 
companies to complete a specific form online (AFIP Form 4450 - Purchases from overseas suppliers), containing the details of the acquisition, and to present the affidavit when claiming the goods. Consumers are allowed to use the procedure twice a year, subject to the annual franchise 
of US$25 established by Article 80 of Decree 1001/ 82, as amended. Purchases above the franchise 
value are subject to a 50 per cent ad valorem tariff. When payment of the 50 per cent ad valorem tariff is due, the purchaser must present the affidavit at the appropriate Customs or Official Post 
Office, together with evidence of payment made. 
3.79.  In December 2013, Indonesia's Ministry of Trade released Regulation No. 70/M-
DAG/PER/12/2013 ("Regulation 70") on Traditional Markets, Shopping Centres and Modern Stores, 
which is set to enter into force on 12 June 2014.  The regulation limits the total number of modern 
retail store outlets to 150. To increase the number of stores, a modern store operator must enter 
into cooperation with micro-, small- and medium-sized businesses. Those suppliers that already have more than 150 outlets must bring themselves into conformity with the new regulation within 
five years of entry into force. The Regulation al so requires that a minimum of 80% of the total 
amount and types of goods sold in modern stores be domestic products. Exemptions may be granted. It also limits to 15% the sale of privat e label products. As regards limits on private label 
products and foreign products, suppliers have two years to comply. Further, modern stores in the 
form of minimarkets are prohibited from selling fresh products in bulk. Modern stores include minimarkets, supermarkets, department stor es, hypermarkets or wholesale outlets. 
3.80.  As of 31 January 2012, Malaysia allow full foreign ownership for department stores, and 
specialty stores, while retaining the requirement of 30% bumiputera equity for such other large retailers as hypermarkets, as well as for direct selling companies.  
3.81.  In June 2013, Panama enacted a new law that limits the supply of bunkering and other 
maritime auxiliary services to ships of compan ies 75% owned by Panamanians. At least 90% of 
the crew of ships providing such services should be nationals.
60  
3.4.6  Services supplied through the movement of natural persons 
3.82.  There have also been some developments regarding the supply of services through the 
movement of natural persons. Since 23 Novemb er 2013, employers seeking access to Australia's 
subclass 457 visa programme to employ foreign workers in certain professions are required to 
conduct a Labour Market Test (LMT). LMT does no t apply to nominations if the requirement would 
be inconsistent with an international treaty trade commitment.61  
3.83.  Effective 1 June 2014, study permit holders in Canada who are enrolled in academic, 
vocational or professional training programmes of at least six months will be automatically 
authorised to work, up to 20 hours per week.62 Currently, study permit holders must obtain a 
relevant work permit to accept employment. 
                                               
59 See http://www.federalreserve.gov/aboutthefed/boardmeetings/memo_20140218.pdf. 
60 Ship and Bunker, 27 June 2013: http://shipandbunker.com/news/am/387571-new-panama-law-
limits-foreign-ownership-in-bunkering  ; Seatrade Global, 25 June 2013: http://www.seatrade-
global.com/news/americas/panama-curbs-foreign-participation-in-maritime-services.html . This information has 
not yet been verified by Panama. 
61 http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2013L01954  
62 Regulations Amending the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, SOR/2014 of 29 January 2014, 
see http://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2014/2014-02-12/html/sor-dors14-eng.php   WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
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3.84.  Amendments to the Russian Federation's Federal Law "On the Legal Status of Foreign 
Citizens" (Law No. 115-FZ) came into force on 1 January 2014. Foreign citizens may obtain invitations for entry and work permits notwithstanding the annual quota, provided a number of conditions are met. Specifically, they must be assigned to representative offices, branches or 
subsidiaries of foreign business entities incorporated in a WTO Member which operate in the 
service sector; they must have been employed by the foreign entity for at least a year prior to their Russian assignment; they must not exceed a total number of five persons in each 
representative office, and only two if they are employed in representative offices of banking 
institutions; they must receive a prescribed minimu m salary if they are employed in a branch or 
subsidiary; they are permitted a du ration of stay of three years. 
3.85.  The Swiss Government has announced that it will not renew the quota limits on long-term 
work permit ('B' permits) for EU nationals that it had introduced in 2013, following the invocation 
of a safeguard clause contained in the Agreement on Free Movement of Persons between the Swiss Confederation, the EU and its Member States.
63 The quota restrictions will expire for most EU 
nationals by the end of May 2014.64 
3.86.  Turkey's new Law on Foreigners and International Protection (Law No. 6458) took effect on 
12 April 2014. The Law gradually introduces several changes to residence permit eligibility and 
procedure, as well as in visa and immigration processing, as follows. First, business visitors will be 
limited to a maximum cumulative period of stay  of 90 days, during any 180-day period. Second, 
residence permits will no longer be required unless an individual remains in Turkey 90 days or more, whereas previously a permit was required  after 30 days. Both the work permit and the 
exemption certificate for work permit can be used  instead of a residence permit. In other words, 
there is no requirement to obtain a residence permit separately, if a work permit issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security already exis ts. Residence permits are still required if issued 
for other reasons. Third, "sticker visas" obtained upon arrival will be replaced by an electronic visa 
system for eligible visitors.
65 
4  GOVERNMENT SUPPORT MEASURES  
4.1.  Regrettably, as for previous reports, the re quest for information on specific general economic 
support measures generated a disappointing rate  of response. Only four Members volunteered 
information relating to economic support measures. The WTO Secretariat requested confirmation of several such measures (some of them obtained from other public sources) from a larger group 
of Members, but mostly without success and often generating a request not to include those 
measures in the Report. Hence, according to information provided to the Secretariat or obtained through other public sources, 21 new general econ omic support measures were put in place by 
WTO Members during the review period. More than one-third of these measures were not 
confirmed or verified by the Member. Annex 4 lists the economic support programmes compiled for this report. 
4.2.  As in the past, the Annex covers measures that provide economic assistance and financial 
support targeted at certain sectors, including financial aid for specific industries and export credit and insurance support. The main beneficiary sectors were indicated to be SMEs, agricultural producers, the automotive industry and producers of  packaging. In contrast to previous reports, 
general economic support related to infrastructure did not feature in any of the information 
provided by Members. 
4.3.  As indicated in the last reports, the moni toring and reporting of general economic support 
measures remains a big challenge. The lack of active participation of governments in the provision 
of relevant information and in the verification process makes any assessment of overall trends not only partial, but also possibly inaccurate. It is im portant to emphasize that Annex 4 of this report 
was never limited to general economic support measures linked to the financial crisis. Although the 
initial reports saw a significant number of measures which – in spirit as well as words - were 
                                               
63 https://www.bfm.admin.ch/content/bfm/fr/home/d okumentation/medienmitteilungen/2014/ref_2014-
04-301.html  
64 Bulgarian, Croatians and Romanians will continue to require work authorisation and be subject to 
quotas. 
65 See www.evisa.gov.tr . WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 46 - 
directly related to the financial crisis, others were not – and yet their trade-related effects were 
potentially significant. 
4.4.  There is wide recognition that general economic support programmes can affect exports as 
well as imports by broadly stimulating economic activity. However, the current poor response rate 
in this area makes it impossible in the context of the monitoring exercise to determine the net 
trade effect of such measures and that calls into question the usefulness of maintaining an annex dedicated to general economic support measures. 
5  TRADE FINANCING  
5.1.  Trade finance markets have experienced several periods of stress in recent years, particularly 
during the global financial crisis of 2008-09, and at  the end of 2011, in the context of deleveraging 
of banks' balance sheets in the euro-zone. Given the systemic importance of the availability of 
trade finance for trade, market trends are subj ect to regular assessment in the context of the 
Director-General's Expert Group on Trade Finance.
66 At the last meeting of the Group on 
25 April 2014, the Director-General of the WTO said that all recent evidence pointed to continued 
difficulties for developing countries in accessing trade finance, in particular in the smallest and/or 
the poorest, and even for SMEs in larger and more developed countries. 
5.2.  With respect to the current market situ ation, Members of the expert group generally 
considered that liquidity was sufficient in the largest trading hubs, in line with the favourable risk 
profile of the industry (0.02% of loss record on short-term trade finance) and the relatively easy 
monetary policies run in the major economies. U.S. dollar funding was a less pressing issue 
outside the United States than it has been, in  part because of the emergence of alternative 
currencies, notably the RMB in the Asia-Pacific area, which increased funding opportunities and 
choice. Among the good news was the fact that liquidity was returning for trade in the southern region of Europe; some countries had been graduating from trade finance facilitation programmes 
from Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) (the Philippines); while in others the local financial 
sector had increased its ability to support traders (Bangladesh). In Africa, the largest regional banks had shown greater ability to syndicate larger  trade finance deals, mostly in the commodity 
area, without external support. In general, more and more local and regional banks invested in 
trade, filling in part the gap left by the retreat of global banks since the financial crisis.  
5.3.  The problem was that markets had become more selective, and supply focused on the best 
rated "customers", leaving smaller traders with less finance than even before. Hence the continued 
difficulties focused on the small- and medium-sized enterprises in low-income countries, and 
higher-income countries of Asia, Latin America, the Middle-East, and Africa. The activity of MDBs was a good proxy for the existing market gap, fr om this point of view, and the demand on MDB 
risk mitigation products for trade had never been so high. 
5.4.  The was very little appetite by private markets to venture into most of Sub-Saharan Africa, 
leaving the IFC (the World Bank Group), the ITFC  (Islamic Development Group), and the African 
Development Bank to fill only part of a financ ing gap estimated between US$30 and 50 billion. The 
Asian Development Bank had received particularly strong demand, inter alia, to support trade from clients in Viet Nam, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Particularly strong demand had also been addressed to the Inter-American Developmen t Bank (+40%), in line with capital movement 
reversals, higher risk aversion, and continued structural weakness in local financial sectors. The 
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) had been quite active in supporting trade in Ukraine and Russia lately, but also in the Middle East and North Africa Region (MENA), 
which was benefitting from the Islamic Development Bank Group's support (Egypt and other 
countries). IFC's products were equally distributed across the world and were in high demand. 
5.5.  With respect to regulatory matters under the Basel framework, the Director-General pointed 
to recent steps by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision to ensure fair prudential treatment 
of the trade finance industry, particularly traditional instruments such as letters of credit. 
5.6.  The discussion which was initiated at th e previous meeting on other non-prudential 
regulatory issues described as "know-your-customers" (KYC) requirements was continued. The 
                                               
66 WTO document WT/WGTDF/W72 WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 47 - 
debate did not focus on the regulatory requirem ents themselves, which legitimately aimed at 
increased transparency in financial relations, rather on the various ways that they are being structured, defined and implemented according to different countries and regions. However, more clarity was needed on whether the lack of harmonization in countries' requirements had led to 
missed trade opportunities for developing countries. The discussion also urged the trade industry 
to come up with more fact-based evidence, in te rms of trade foregone, lost correspondent banking 
relations, and other possible criteria, before the impact of lack of regulatory harmonization in this 
area could be assessed. Several participants, including MDBs, made the point that, while the lack 
of harmonization in this area could clearly increase the cost of trade in developing countries, it did not fall on the WTO to fix the problem.  
6  TRANSPARENCY OF TRADE POLICIES 
6.1  Notifications and surveillance in WTO Councils and Committees
67 
6.1.1  Agriculture 6.1.  The Committee on Agriculture  continued its review of the implementation of Members' 
commitments under the Agreement on Agriculture.  Members' notifications remain the primary 
basis for the Committee to conduct the review process and the Committee provides detailed guidance for the notifying Members including the common notification formats in various areas as 
well as the timelines to be respected in furnishi ng those notifications. There are twelve distinct 
notification requirements covering the following five areas: (i) market access, (ii) domestic support, (iii) export subsidies, (i v) export prohibitions or restrictions, and (v) follow-up to the 
Marrakesh Net Food-Importing De veloping Countries Decision.  
6.2.  Timely and complete notifications are fundamental for effective monitoring of the 
implementation of commitments. Chart 6.1 presen ts an overview of Members’ compliance with 
notification obligations for the period 2009-2013 in respect of five ‘regular’ or ‘annual’ notification 
requirements, i.e. Table MA:2 (imports under tariff quotas), Table MA:5 (special safeguard), 
Table DS:1 (domestic support), and Tables ES:1 and ES:2  (export subsidies). Annual notifications 
are required to be submitted soon af ter the end of the year in question.
68 The distribution of 
outstanding notifications by group of countries is presented in Chart 6.2. 
6.3.  Notifications remain outstanding for the reporting period with respect to all five notification 
requirements. The lack of compliance with notification obligations is especially visible for notification requirements related to agricultural subsidization (i.e. DS:1 and ES:1).
69 For example, 
for nearly all the five years reported, the compliance with notification obligations in the areas of 
domestic support and export subsidies generally remains below the 50% level.  For the most recent reporting year - 2013 - the percentage of outstanding DS:1 and ES:1 notifications is 88% 
and 85% respectively, implying compliance rates fo r these categories of notifications of 12% and 
15%. Chart 6.1 also indicates that the number of outstanding notifications is typically higher for recent years because for many Members a lag exis ts between the end of the reporting period and 
the submission of notifications.   
                                               
67 See above sections 3.1.5 and 3.1.6 for recent de velopments regarding notifications under the SPS 
and TBT Agreements. 
68 The applicability of a notification requirement to a Member is largely dependent on the specific 
commitments it has assumed under the Agreement on Agri culture. In many cases only a limited number of 
notification requirements will apply for a particular Member. Simu ltaneously, there are a few notifications 
requirements especially in the area of agricultural subs idization (i.e. Tables DS:1 and ES:1) that apply to all 
WTO Members. The notifications circulated as  of 27 May 2014 are used in the report. 
69 These two notification requirements are applicable to all WTO Members. The figures reported in Chart 
6.1 corresponding to outstanding Tables DS:1 and ES:1 notifications for a year, therefore, also represent the percentage of  total WTO Members who do not yet comply with their notification obligations in these two areas. WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 48 - 
Chart 6.1 Current outstanding notifications in agriculture  
(%) 
 
Source: WTO Secretariat 
 
Chart 6.2 Outstanding notifications by country group  (%) 
 
 
Source: WTO Secretariat  
6.4.  The different deadlines of notifications in agriculture as well as the varying reporting years 
used by Members can make it difficult to compare the "timeliness" aspect of the notifications 
across the WTO membership. However, one indicator of timeliness of notifications is the "average reporting years per notification". For example, a notification which covers more than one reporting year implies that a Member has missed the prescribed timelines at least in respect of years other 
than the latest year covered in the notification. Table 6.1  presents information on "average 
reporting years per notification" with respect to notifications circulated  during 2009-2014. The 
Table shows that the average number of reported years per notification remains slightly greater 
than two for all years in that period. This means that, on average, Members did not respect the 
prescribed timelines in respect of at least half of the reporting years. 
WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 49 - 
Table 6.1 Number of ag riculture notifications 
Total 
(MA:2, MA:5, DS:1, ES:1, ES:2)  2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 
Number of notifications 
(excluding Add., Corr. and Rev.) 154 128 134 156 109 106 
Total of years reported 401 321 324 365 238 245 
Average reporting years per notification 2.60 2.51 2.42 2.34 2.18 2.31 
 
6.5.  The lack of timeliness in Member's notification is particularly evident in the area of 
agricultural subsidization. Chart 6.3 provides information on "average reporting years per notification" in domestic support notifications circulated during the years 2009-2014. In some years, the "average reporting years per notification" figure remains close to three, implying that 
less than one-third of total domestic notificati ons were submitted according to the prescribed 
submission deadlines. At the same time, the increase in number of notifications issued per year and the increase in number of years reported demonstrate the increased effort Members have 
been making in recent years to bring their notifications up-to-date. 
Chart 6.3 Number of agriculture notifi cations – domestic support (DS: 1) 
 
 
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
 
6.1.2  Quantitative restrictions 
6.6.  The notification of quantitative restrictions  is an obligation established by the 2012 Decision 
on Notification Procedures for Quantitative Restrictions (G/L/59/Rev.1) of the Market Access 
Committee. The Decision requires Members to notify every two years the quantitative restrictions (QRs) they maintain and to notify any changes in the interim. The decision also gives Members the possibility of making reverse notification of QR s maintained by another Member. The Decision on 
Reverse Notification of Non-Tariff Measures (G/L/60) gives Members the possibility of making 
reverse notifications of non-tariff measures imposed by another Member subject to certain conditions. Only one notification has been made  since the adoption of the decision in 1995 
(Table 6.2).  
WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 50 - 
Table 6.2 Notification procedures for QRs  
 
No.  
Notification requirement  
Number of notifications as of 19 May 2014 
 
1 Quantitative restrictions 
maintained (regular notification) The quantitative restriction notifications of 20 Members have been 
circulated.  Eighteen for the biennial period 2012-2014 and two for the biennial period 2014-2016.  
2 Changes to the quantitative 
restrictions maintained  
(ad hoc ) or introduction of 
new restrictions Only two Members have notified modifications. 
3 Restrictions maintained by 
other Members  (reverse notification) No Member has notified. 
4 Non-tariff measures, 
maintained by other 
Members  
(reverse notification) Only one Member has notified.  
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
6.1.3  Import Licensing 
6.7.  During the period under review, 50 new notifications under the Agreement on Import 
Licensing have been received and circulated by the Secretariat. Among these, 12 notifications are about new licensing procedures or changes in these procedures (four from Indonesia, two from Mexico, two from Paraguay, one from the Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of, one from South Africa, and 
one from Ukraine). Some of the measures contained in these 12 notifications were implemented 
before November 2013 (i.e. Indonesia, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of). Table 6.3 lists the measures referred to in the 12 notifications that were implemented during the period under 
review. WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 51 - 
Table 6.3 Import licensing measures notified and applied during the period under review 
Country Legislation Type of 
licence Products Policy objective Duration 
Ukraine 
(G/LIC/N/2/U
KR/5) "Resolutions of the 
Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine as of 30 October 2013 № 791 and № 792 
"On amendments 
to the Annex 8 of the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine № 1201 of 
19 Dec. 2012"
70 Non-automatic - Coking coal  
(UKTZED2701.12.10.00 - Bituminous coal  (UKTZED2701.12.90.00 - Other coal  (UKTZED2701.19.00.00 
- Coke and semi-coke of 
coal for the manufacture of electrodes  (UKTZED2704.00.11.00 - Other Coke and semi-coke of coal (UKTZED2704.00.19.00 - Coke and semi-coke of lignite  (UKTZED2704.00.30.00 - Coke and semi-coke of peat, whether or not 
agglomerated, retort 
carbon (UKTZED2704.00.90.00) Increase volume of 
quota on imports of coking coal and coke up to 11,200,000 and 300,000 tons, 
respectively From date 
of publication to 31 Dec. 13 (included) 
Malaysia 
(G/LIC/N/2/
MYS/6) Custom 
(Prohibition of 
Imports) 
(Amendment) 
(No.5) Order 2013, 
19 Dec. 1371 Non-automatic HS 72.27: Bars and rods, 
hot-rolled, in irregularly 
wound coils, of other alloy 
steel 
-- Of high speed steel 
(HS 7227.20.00.00) 
-- Of silico-manganese 
(HS 7227.90.00.00) 
-- Other  
(HS 7227.90.00.00) Ensure public 
safety and 
monitoring of 
importation As from 
1 Jan. 14 – 
as long as 
needed 
Saudi Arabia , the 
Kingdom of (G/LIC/N/2/ SAU/1)  Ministry of 
Agriculture Decision No. 888174 of 28 Apr. 12
72 Non-automatic 
(five working days after submission of application provided that all the requirements are fulfilled) Any product of Chapter 7 
(Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers) and Chapter 8 (Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus Fruit or melons) of the HS labelled as organic Consumer health, 
food safety, conformity with international standards on Organic Farming as well as monitoring of importation  As long as 
needed 
Mexico 
(G/LIC/N/2/
MEX/2) Agreement under 
which the Ministry 
of the Economy 
issues "general 
rules and criteria in 
respect of foreign 
trade"73 Automatic 
 Certain steel products 
falling under Chapters 72 
and 73 of the HS 2012 
(see list attached, in 
Spanish) Monitoring of 
importation  
Mexico (G/LIC/N/2/
MEX/3)  Agreement under 
which the Ministry 
of the Economy 
issues "general rules and criteria in respect of foreign trade"
74 Automatic Electrical, electronic and/or 
mechanical gaming 
machines that perform 
random drawings with numbers of symbols (9504.30.02 of the HS 2012) Monitoring of 
importation  
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
 
                                               
70 Source of publication (in Ukrainian): http://zakon4.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/791-2013-%D0%BF  and 
http://zakon3.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/792-2013-%D0%BF  
71 Source of publication:  http://www.miti.gov.my 
72 Source of publication: http ://www.moa.gov.sa/public/portal 
73 Source of publication: http://www.dof.gob. mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5324494&fecha=05/12/2013  
74 Source of publication: http://www.dof.gob. mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5324494&fecha=05/12/2013  WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 52 - 
6.1.4  Rules of origin 
6.8.  Since November 2013, the Committee on Rules of Origin has received about ten new 
notifications on rules of origin. Most of these notifications concern preferential rules of origin in the context of new regional trade agreements. Three of them inform WTO Members that the notifying 
Members do not maintain any type of non-preferen tial rules of origin (rules in the absence of 
preferential agreements). These notifications are made in accordance with the WTO Agreement on Rules of Origin and are intended to be instruments of transparency only. No significant trend can 
be inferred from them. 
6.1.5  Subsidies and countervailing measures 6.9.  The trends in the status of compliance with the obligation to notify subsidies to the 
Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures  under Article 25.1 during the period 
1995-2013 are shown in Table 6.4. It shows that th e share of Members that notified subsidies has 
remained between 38% and 50% since 1995. The share of Members that made a "nil" notification fell significantly, from 23% to 9%, in the same period. With the exception of 1995, the share of 
Members making the required notifications ha s not exceeded 70%, and generally has hovered 
around 56%. Conversely, the share of Members not making any notification registered a substantial increase since 1995, from 27% to 46%, albeit with some intervening fluctuations. 
Table 6.4 Status of subsidy notifications 
New and full subsidy 
notification Per cent share of total 
1995 1998 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011  2013 
Members that notified 
subsidies 50 38 44 44 46 46 46 44 41 
Members that made a "nil" 
notification 23 15 14 12 11 9 15 16 13 
Sub-total notifying Members 73 53 58 56 57 55 61 60 54 
Members that did not make 
any notification 27 47 42 44 43 45 39 40 46 
Source: WTO Secretariat 
6.10.  Pursuant to Article 25.11 of the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures, all 
Members are required to submit to the Commi ttee, on a semi-annual basis, reports of any 
countervailing duty actions taken within the preceding six months. Approximately 45 Members 
(counting the EU as a single Member) regularly submit semi-annual reports, either of countervailing duty actions taken, or of no actions having been taken, during the preceding six months. Twenty-eight Members have submitted one-time nil notifications. The remaining 
(approximately 60) Members generally fail to submit semi-annual reports in respect of 
countervailing duty actions.
75 
6.1.6  Anti-dumping 
6.11.  Pursuant to Article 16.4 of the Agreement on the Implementation of Article VI of GATT 1994 
("the Anti-Dumping Agreement"), all Me mbers are required to submit to the Committee on 
Anti-Dumping Practices , on a semi-annual basis, reports of any anti-dumping actions taken 
within the preceding six months, using an agreed standard form. Members that have not 
established an authority competent to conduct anti-dumping investigations have the option to make a one-time "nil" notification, valid unless and until they establish an investigating authority, in lieu of submitting nil notifications each six months. 
6.12.  Approximately 45 Members (counting the EU as a single Member) regularly submit 
semi-annual reports, either of anti-dumping actions taken, or of no actions having been taken, during the preceding six months. Thirty-seven Members have submitted one-time nil 
notifications. The remaining (approximately 50) Members generally fail to submit semi-annual 
reports in respect of anti-dumping actions. 
                                               
75 WTO document G/SCM/W/546/Rev.5, pp. 22-24, 11 April 2014. WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 53 - 
6.1.7  State-trading enterprises 
6.13.  Notifications related to state trading enterprises are reviewed by the Working Party on 
State Trading Enterprises  on behalf of the Council for Trade in Goods. In July 2012, the Council 
for Trade in Goods agreed to extend indefinitely the new biannual frequency of notifications. Thus, 
all WTO Members must notify their state trading enterprises every two years, with no notifications 
in the intervening years. 
6.14.  Table 6.5 presents notifications received for the years in which a new and full notification 
was due. A "nil" notification means that the Member reported that it did not have any state trading 
enterprises, while an "STE" notification means th at the Member reported information on one or 
more state trading enterprises. The Table shows a declining trend in total notifications over the 
period examined. Indeed, notifications fell by more  than half - from 63% in 1995 to 29% in 2012. 
It is worth noting that the deadline for STE notifications for 2014 is 30 June 2014. Accordingly, the 
data for notifications in Table 6.5 that was received by mid-May 2014 is expected to increase. 
Table 6.5 New and full notifications related to state-trading enterprises 
New and full STE notification Per cent share of total 
1995 1998 2001 2003 2006 2008 2010 2012 201476 
Members that notified STEs 40 27 21 14 15 17 16 14 1 
Members that made a "nil" 
Notification 23 23 29 24 24 23 20 15 5 
Subtotal notifying Members 63 50 50 38 39 40 36 29 6 
Members that did not make any 
notification 37 50 50 62 61 60 64 71 94 
 
6.15.  Since the entry into force of the WTO in 1995 until 15 May 2014, 535 notifications have 
been submitted to the Council for Trade in Services  pursuant to GATS Article III, by 74 
Members (counting European Union Member States individually). Among these notifications, 22 have been submitted by six Members since the last report. Compliance with the notification obligation in Article III:3 of the GATS, which has been left to Members' discretion, has not 
improved over the last years. There is, however, an on-going discussion in the Council for Trade in 
Services on how to enhance transparency through the improvement of notifications.
77  
6.16.  No notification was made under Article VII: 4 of the GATS (Recognition) during the reporting 
period. 
6.2  WTO databases 6.2.1  Integrated database 
6.17.  The submission of tariff and trade information to the Integrated Database (IDB)  is a 
notification requirement provided for in the General Council Decision of 16 July 1997 (WT/L/225).
78 
To overcome gaps in Members' notifications and delays in providing the information to users the Committee on Market Access adopted in July 2009 a framework to enhance the IDB notifications 
compliance and gave the WTO Secretariat flexibility to collect missing data from other official 
sources subject to Member's approval (G/MA/239). The information included in the IDB is therefore either directly notified to the Secretar iat by Members or collected by the Secretariat and 
then subsequently approved by the Members concerned. 
                                               
76 The deadline for submission of STE notifications for 2014 is 30 June 2014. WTO document 
G/STR/N/15, p. 1, 20 January 2014. 
77 A number of Members submit notifications under th e caveat that there is no common understanding 
among WTO Members on when a measure "significantly affects trade in services" within the meaning of GATS Article III:3 and that the notified measures may be rele vant to trade in services without prejudice to the 
interpretation of the phrase "significantly affect trade in services" in Article III:3. 
78 The deadlines are 30 March for the tariff of the current year and 30 Septem ber for imports of the 
previous year (WTO document G/MA/IDB/1/Rev.1/Add.1). WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 54 - 
6.18.  The IDB is the only case where proactive data collection by the Secretariat has been 
established by Members to assist them in comp lying with their WTO notification requirements. 
Since the adoption of the IDB framework decision in 2009 completeness and timeliness have significantly improved. The IDB approach can serve as a "good-practice" example for other 
databases based on notifications with respect to the data collection policy and the establishment of 
a network of data providers and of reliable data sources. Much of the information, including the 
information that Members have to notify to the WTO, can now be found through the Internet for 
free. 
6.19.  The IDB notifications currently cover on  average 77% of the membership with tariff 
notifications being generally more complete than th e import notifications. Overall, 28% of the IDB 
information is collected by the Secretariat mainly through governmental websites, regional 
secretariats and international organizations. As concerns timeliness, on average only 30% of the 
notification requirements are receiv ed within the prescribed deadlines. 
6.20.  Charts 6.4 and 6.5 present the number of ta riff and import notifications received by the 
IDB, the number of notifications directly submi tted by Members and the number of notifications 
collected by the Secretariat. The completeness of notifications is calculated on the number of Members' schedules and not on the number of WT O Members (i.e. European Union Member States 
all fall under the European Union schedule and Lichtenstein reports with Switzerland). 
6.21.  The IDB coverage has improved significantly in recent years as, in addition to the regular 
submissions by Members, a good number of data gaps have been filled in with relevant information collected by the Secretariat. Overall on  average, the completeness of IDB notifications 
amounts to 80% for the tariff information and 75% for the import statistics, with a maximum 
completeness of 98% and of 94% attained for tariff notifications in 2011 and for import notifications in 2006. For now, about 17 Members have complete submissions, 12 of which are 
developing-country Members. 
Chart 6.4 Completeness of IDB tariff notifications
 
(%) 
 
 
Source: WTO Secretariat.   
6.22.  As shown in Chart 6.4, the IDB tariff coverage has been fairly good in recent years with 
more than 90% coverage of the Membership since 2006. About 40% of the 2006-2014 tariff information has been collected by the Secretariat mainly through the Internet as most of the 
countries make available their customs duties to the public. For 2012 more than half of the 
notifications were collected by the Secretariat. 
WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 55 - 
6.23.  The completeness of import statistics' notifications is slightly lower compared to the tariff 
notifications (Chart 6.5) mainly because few countries publish detailed import statistics on the Internet and it is difficult for the Secretariat to find reliable sources to collect the missing information. However, for 2010 and 2011 more than 40% of the imports statistics were collected 
by the Secretariat. 
Chart 6.5 Completeness of IDB import notifications  
(%) 
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
  
6.24.  Tables 6.6 and 6.7 show the number of subm issions received by the Secretariat within the 
years of the deadlines. The timeliness of notifications is calculated, as in the previous section, on 
the number of schedules. Since the establishment of  the IDB notification requirement, relatively 
few Members have complied with the specific de adlines. On average, for the period 1996-2012, 
about 37 Members have reported within the year of the deadlines representing roughly 30% of the 
membership. 
6.25.  For both tariff information and import statistics, the timeliness of IDB notifications is 
respected by 30% of Members. The timeliness has peaked in most recent years - especially for the 
tariff information - and this since the adoption of the IDB framework decision in 2009. 
Table 6.6 Timeliness of IDB noti fications - tariff information  
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Number of notifications w ithin the 
year of the deadline 1 4 19 22 29 36 44 33 34 31 27 28 33 49 65 84 78 96
   submitted by Members 1 4 19 22 29 36 44 33 34 31 27 28 33 49 40 54 54 53
   collected -------------- 25 30 24 43
Total number of notifications 62 59 61 68 81 106 110 107 99 105 116 116 115 112 121 123 119 101
Number of schedules 112 116 117 119 124 127 128 130 122 123 123 123 125 125 125 125 129 130
Notifications within the deadline (%) 1    3     16   18   23   28   34   25   28   25   22   23   26   39   52   67   60   74    
Source: IDB, 22 May 2014. 
WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
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Table 6.7 Timeliness of IDB noti fications - import information   
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Number of notifications w ithin the 
year of the deadline 12 33 29 30 37 40 33 36 24 24 29 31 43 35 64 57 56
   submitted by Members 12 33 29 30 37 40 33 37 25 24 30 31 43 28 45 40 33
   c ollec ted ------------- 71 91 72 3
Total number of notifications 57 61 62 72 98 103 97 100 103 110 116 111 109 104 106 93 66
Number of schedules 112 116 117 119 124 127 128 130 122 123 123 123 125 125 125 125 129
Notifications within the deadline (%) 11  28   25   25   30   31   26   28   20   20   24   25   34   28   51   46   43    
Source: IDB, 22 May 2014. 
 
6.26.  I-TIP Services79, i.e. integrated database for trade in services, was launched in 2013 
under the umbrella of the Integrated Trade Intelli gence Portal (I-TIP). This database, which is a 
joint initiative with the World Bank, consists of linked databases that provide information on 
(i) specific commitments and MFN exemptions under the GATS; (ii) services commitments in RTAs; 
(iii) applied measures in services; (iv) and services trade statistics. Its main objective is to make it easier for WTO Members and other stakeholders to access the various types of information relevant for services trade policy making. Easy access to these data is valuable to Members, the 
private sector and other stakeholders in terms of monitoring and analysis of trade policies, as well 
as to facilitate trade negotiations. 
6.27.  In the four modules (GATS, RTA Commi tments, Applied Regimes, and Statistics), the 
integrated database permits searches according to such criteria as Member, sector, agreement, or 
source of information. Over the course of the last year, the coverage of the database was expanded (e.g., commitments from additional RTAs were added) and a number of new features 
have been put in place, such as access to summa ry reports. . By centralizing and organizing 
information coming from various WTO sources, I-TIP Services allows, for example, to obtain all relevant information on policy changes mentioned in the Director-General's trade monitoring reports and therefore also serves as a trade monitoring database for trade in services. The 
Secretariat is continuously looking to expand the scope of information contained in I-TIP Services, 
and enhance its functionalities. 
                                               
79 Viewed at: http://i-tip.wto.org/services  
 WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
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ANNEX 1 
MEASURES FACILITATING TRADE1 
(MID-NOVEMBER 2013 TO MID-MAY 2014) 
 
Confirmed information2 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
Argentina Measures to facilitate trade 
through the implementation of a new informatic customs system ( Sistema Informático 
Malvinas "SIM" ) Administración Federal de 
Ingresos Públicos - Resolución General No. 3560/2013 (5 December 2013) Effective 
9 December 2013 
Azerbaijan Temporary elimination of 
import tariffs and reduction of 
import excise duties on 
petroleum oils (HS 2710) Permanent Delegation of 
Azerbaijan to the United 
Nations (13 May 2014) Effective 1 February 2014 
Azerbaijan Exemption of import tariffs and 
VAT for certain g oods, i.e. live 
sheep, goats and poultry; soya beans; sugar beet seeds; seed of forage plants; machinery and mechanical appliances used in foreign economic activities in the non-oil sector (HS Chapters 01; 12; 84) Permanent Delegation of 
Azerbaijan to the United Nations (13 May 2014) Exemption extended until 
1 March 2014 
Bolivia, 
Plurinational 
State of Temporary elimination of 
import tariffs on diesel 
(HS 2710.19.21)  Decreto Supremo 
No. 1873 
(23 January 2014) Effective for 1 year 
Bolivia, 
Plurinational 
State of Extension of the temporary 
elimination of import tariffs on 
wheat and meslin (HS 1001.11.00; 1001.19.00), wheat and meslin flour (HS 1101.00.00) (originally effective until December 2013), under a new Food Security Policy  Decreto Supremo No. 
1902 (25 February 2014) Extended for 180 days 
Bolivia, 
Plurinational 
State of Increase of the volume 
(300,000 metric tonnes) of 
export quota of soya beans 
(HS 1201.10.00; 1201.90.00) 
(originally implemented on 
6 March 2013) Decreto Supremo 
No. 1925 
(13 March 2014)   
                                               
1 The inclusion of any measure in this table implies no judgement by the WTO Secretariat on whether or 
not such measure, or its intent, is protectionist in  nature. Moreover, nothing in the table 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/8 
 
- 58 - 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import 
tariffs (to 2%) on 4-cloro-alfa, alfa, alfa-trifluor-3,5-dinitrotolueno (NCM 2904.90.14), under an import quota of 3,600 tonnes; monomethylamine (NCM 2921.11.11), under an import quota of 60 tonnes; monoethylamine and its salts (NCM 2921.19.11), under an 
import quota of 738 tonnes; 
di-n-propilamine and its salts (NCM 2921.19.22), under an import quota of 1,205 tonnes; and titanium oxides (NCM 2823.00.10), under an import quota of 8,000 tonnes  Permanent Delegation of 
Brazil to the WTO (28 May 2014), Camex Resolution No. 96/2013 (25 November 2013) and Secex Portaria No. 50/2013 (12 December 2013) Effective 
26 November 2013 to 25 November 2014 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import 
tariffs (to 2%) on 476 capital 
goods tariff lines (in NCM 
Chapters 73; 84; 85; 86; 87; 
89; 90) and 11 informatic and 
telecommunication equipment 
tariff lines (NCM 8517.62.32; 
8517.62.49; 8517.62.59; 
8528.51.20; 8530.10.10), 
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 
(28 May 2014); Camex 
Resolutions Nos. 
103/2013 
(6 December 2013), 
119/2013, 120/2013 
(26 December 2013), 
and 23/2014 
(9 April 2014) Effective until 
31 December 2014 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import 
tariffs (to 2%) on sardines (NCM 0303.53.00), under an import quota of 30,000 tonnes Permanent Delegation of 
Brazil to the WTO (28 May 2014), Camex Resolution No. 125/2013 (26 December 2013) and Secex Portaria No. 1/2014 (3 January 2014) Effective 
26 December 2013 to 30 April 2014 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import 
tariffs (to 2%) on 1 capital 
goods tariff line (portal or 
pedestal jib cranes) (NCM 
8426.30.00), through the 
"ex-out" regime Permanent Delegation of 
Brazil to the WTO 
(28 May 2014), and 
Camex Resolution 
No. 120/2013 (26 
December 2013) Effective until 
30 June 2014 WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 59 - 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
Brazil Elimination of import tariffs 
(from 2%) on certain antisera and other blood fractions and modified immunological products, whether or not obtained by means of biotechnological processes (i.e. concentrado de fator VIII 
da coagulação recombinante, concentrado de fator IX, concentrado de fator de von 
Willebrand de alta pureza ) (HS 
3002.10.39); and reduction of import tariffs (from 14% to 8%) on certain medicines (NCM 3004.90.99)  Permanent Delegation of 
Brazil to the WTO (28 May 2014), and Camex Resolution No. 102/2013 (3 December 2013)  Effective 1 January 2014  
Brazil Temporary elimination of 
import tariffs on o-Xylene 
(NCM 2902.41.00), under an 
import quota of 10,200 tonnes Permanent Delegation of 
Brazil to the WTO 
(28 May 2014), Camex 
Resolution No. 4/2014 
(30 January 2014) and 
Secex Portaria 
No. 3/2014 
(31 January 2014) Effective 
31 January 2014 to 
29 July 2014 
Brazil Temporary elimination of 
import tariffs on certain medicines consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, put up in measured doses or in forms or packings for retail sale (NCM 3004.90.78); and temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 2%) on 
unwrought aluminium not 
alloyed (NCM 7601.10.00), under an import quota of 39,000 tonnes Permanent Delegation of 
Brazil to the WTO (28 May 2014), Camex Resolutions Nos. 6/2014 and 7/2014 (18 February 2014) and Secex Portaria No. 5/2014 (19 February 2014) Effective 
19 February 2014 to 17 August 2014 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import 
tariffs (to 2%) on 754 capital 
goods tariff lines (in NCM 
Chapters 73; 82; 84; 85; 86; 
87; 90) and 24 informatic and 
telecommunication equipment 
tariff lines (NCM 8443.32.99; 
8528.51.10; 8528.51.20; 
8530.10.10; 8537.10.20; 
8543.70.99; 9030.40.90; 
9030.89.90). Elimination of 
import tariffs on 2 informatic 
and telecommunication 
equipment tariff lines and 9 
capital goods tariff lines 
(NCM 8528.49.21; 
9030.89.90), through the 
"ex-out" regime  Permanent Delegation of 
Brazil to the WTO 
(28 May 2014), Camex 
Resolutions Nos. 
19/2014,  20/2014 
(13 March 2014), and 
35/2014 (28 April 2014) Effective until 
31 December 2015 WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 60 - 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
Brazil Extension of the temporary 
elimination of import tariffs on methanol (netthyl alcohol) (NCM 2905.11.00), under an import quota of 282,500 tonnes (effective 5 April 2014 to 2 October 2014); and fire fighting vehicles (NCM 8705.30.00), under an import quota of 80 units (effective 17 March 2014 to 16 March 2015) Permanent Delegation of 
Brazil to the WTO (28 May 2014), Camex Resolution No. 21/2014 (13 March 2014), Secex Portarias Nos. 7/2014 and 8/2014 (19 March 2014)   
Brazil Temporary reduction of import 
tariffs (to 2%) on aluminium 
foil (NCM 7607.19.90), under 
an import quota of 
3,000,000 m2 (effective until 
13 April 2015); adiponitrila 
(1,4-dicianobutano) 
(NCM 2926.90.91), under an 
import quota of 30,700 tonnes 
(effective until 30 May 2015); 
silicones in primary forms 
(NCM 3910.00.90), under an 
import quota of 132 tonnes 
(effective until 13 April 2015); 
barium carbonate 
(NCM 2836.60.00), under an 
import quota of 4,125 tonnes 
(effective until 
13 October 2014); certain 
synthetic filament yarn 
(NCM 5402.46.00), under an 
import quota of 40,400 tonnes 
(effective until 
13 October 2014); and palm 
kerner or babassu oil ( palmiste ) 
(NCM 1513.29.10), under an 
import quota of 99,332 tonnes 
(effective until 
17 October 2014). Temporary 
elimination of import tariffs on 
p-Xylene (NCM 2902.43.00), 
under an import quota of 
160,000 tonnes (effective until 
30 May 2015) Permanent Delegation of 
Brazil to the WTO 
(28 May 2014), Camex 
Resolution No. 31/2014 
(11 April 2014), Secex 
Portarias Nos. 10/2014 
and 11/2014 
(14 April 2014)   
Brazil Temporary reduction of import 
tariffs (to 2%) on 6-hexanelactam (epsilon-caprolactam) (NCM 2933.71.00), under an import quota of 16,000 tonnes Permanent Delegation of 
Brazil to the WTO (28 May 2014), Camex Resolution No. 33/2014 (28 April 2014) and Secex Portaria No. 14/2014 (29 April 2014) Effective 29 April 2014 to 
25 October 2014 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import 
tariffs (to 2%) on sardines 
(NCM 0303.53.00), under an 
import quota of 23,000 tonnes Permanent Delegation of 
Brazil to the WTO 
(28 May 2014), Camex 
Resolution No. 36/2014 
(28 April 2014) and 
Secex Portaria 
No. 13/2014 
(29 April 2014) Effective 1 May 2014 to 
30 September 2014 WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 61 - 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
Canada Elimination of import tariffs 
(from 20%) on mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs) used in oil and gas exploration and development (HS 8905.20.11; 8905.90.11)  Permanent Delegation of 
Canada to the WTO (23 May 2014)  Effective 5 May 2014 
Chile Measures to facilitate trade 
through the implementation of 
new online customs procedures  Permanent Delegation of 
Chile to the WTO 
(13 May 2014)  Effective December 2013 
China Release in December 2013 of 
the catalogue of items subject 
to automatic import licensing, 
i.e. meat and edible meat offal, products of animal origin, milk and cream, soya beans, rape or colza seeds, animal or vegetable fats and oils, tobacco and manufactured tobacco, wadding, artificial filament tow, ores, mineral fuels, inorganic chemicals, fertilisers, flat-rolled products, machinery and mechanical appliances, 
electrical machinery and equipment, vehicles and parts, aircraft, and ships (HS Chapters 02; 04; 05; 12; 15; 19; 23; 24; 26; 27; 28; 31; 48; 55; 56; 72; 84; 85; 86; 87; 88; 89; 90; 95)  Permanent Delegation of 
China to the WTO 
(21 May 2014) and 
MOFCOM Announcement No. 98/2013 Effective 1 January 2014 
China Tariff Implementation Plan for 
2014 resulting in the decrease 
of import tariffs and export 
duties on selected products  Permanent Delegation of 
China to the WTO 
(30 April 2014) Effective 1 January 2014 
China Measures to facilitate trade 
through the implementation of the paperless customs clearance reform nation-wide Permanent Delegation of 
China to the WTO (21 May 2014) Effective 1 April 2014 
Colombia Reduction of import tariffs 
(from 10% to 5%) on 
poly(vinyl chloride) 
(HS 3904.10.20) Permanent Delegation of 
Colombia to the WTO 
(29 May 2014) and 
Decreto No. 2459 
Ministerio de Comercio, 
Industria y Turismo 
(7 November 2013)   
Colombia " Programa de Fomento de la 
Industria Automotriz ", scheme 
granting import tariffs reduction and/or elimination on certain materials and auto-parts (538 tariff lines in HS Chapters 25; 26; 27; 28; 29; 32; 34; 35; 38; 39; 40; 45; 48; 49; 56; 57; 59; 68; 70; 72; 73; 74; 76; 78; 80; 82; 83; 84; 85; 86; 87; 90; 91; 94) for the 
automotive industry Permanent Delegation of 
Colombia to the WTO (29 May 2014) and Decreto No. 2910 Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo (17 December 2013)   WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 62 - 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
Colombia Temporary elimination of 
import tariffs on electrical 
motor vehicles for the transport 
of 10 or more persons 
(HS 8702.90.91; 8702.90.99; 
8703.90.00; 8704.90.00), 
under an import quota of 750 
units; and static converters 
(HS 8504.40.90), under an 
import quota of 1,600 units. 
Temporary reduction of import 
tariffs (to 5%) on hybrid motor 
vehicles for the transport of 10 
or more persons 
(HS 8702.90.91; 8703.90.00; 
8704.90.00), under an import 
quota of 750 units; and certain 
chassis fitted with engines 
(HS 8702.90.99; 8704.31.90; 
8704.32.10; 8704.32.20; 
8704.32.90; 8704.90.00) Permanent Delegation of 
Colombia to the WTO 
(29 May 2014) and 
Decreto No. 2909 
Ministerio de Comercio, 
Industria y Turismo 
(17 December 2013) Effective for 3 years 
Egypt Withdrawal of sealed beam 
lamps with a capacity exceeding 40 watts from import/export control procedure requirements (HS 8539.22.90; 8539.29)  Permanent Delegation of 
Egypt to the WTO (28 May 2014)  Effective 5 January 2014 
European Union Multiannual Action Programme 
"Customs 2020" established to 
support the functioning of the 
customs union Regulation 
No. 1294/2013 of the 
European Parliament and 
of the Council 
(11 December 2013) Effective 1 January 2014 
to 31 December 2020  
India Temporary elimination of 
import tariffs and "additional 
duty" on anti-tuberculosis drugs 
and certain medical diagnostics and equipments, under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme  Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO 
(25 May 2014) and 
Notification Customs, Ministry of Finance- Department of Revenue No. 49/2013 (29 November 2013)  Effective until 
1 October 2015 
India Elimination of import tariffs on 
human embryo, subject to a 
"No Objection Certificate" from 
Indian Council of Medical 
Research (ICMR) 
(HS 0511.99.99) Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO 
(25 May 2014) and 
Notification, Ministry of 
Commerce & Industry 
No. 52/RE-2013 
(2 December 2013)  Effective 
2 December 2013 
India Authorization to export certain 
narcotics drugs and psychotropic substances (HS Chapter 29) (subject to "No Objection Certificate" from Narcotic Commissioner of India (Gwalior)) Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO (25 May 2014) and Notification, Ministry of Commerce & Industry No. 55/RE-2013 (3 December 2013)  Effective 
3 December 2013 
India Elimination of minimum export 
price "MEP" on export of onions 
(HS 0703) (originally 
implemented on 1 November 
2013) Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO 
(25 May 2014); 
Notification, Ministry of 
Commerce & Industry 
No. 72/RE-2013 
(4 March 2014); and 
WTO document 
WT/TPR/OV/16, 
31 January 2014 Effective 4 March 2014 WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 63 - 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
Korea, Rep. of Extension of tariff reductions on 
goods (21 tariff lines) for prevention of environmental pollution (HS Chapters 69; 84; 85; 90) (originally implemented in 1993)  Permanent Delegation of 
Korea to the WTO (27 May 2014) and WTO document WT/TPR/OV/16, 31 January 2014 On 1 January 2014 
extended for 2 years only for SMEs 
Korea, Rep. of Temporary reduction or 
elimination of import tariffs on 
50 items, i.e. wheat for milling 
(HS 1001.99), under an import 
quota of 0.8 million tonnes; 
soya bean for soya bean oil and 
oil cake (HS 1201.90), under 
an import quota of 1 million 
tonnes; maize for feeding and 
mushroom growing 
(HS 1005.90), under an import 
quota of 9 million tonnes for 
feeding, and 10,000 tonnes for 
mushroom growing Permanent Delegation of 
Korea to the WTO 
(27 May 2014) Effective 1 January 2014 
to 31 December 2014 
(the reduction on 7 items 
is applicable only until 30 
June 2014, while it is 
applied to 43 items 
throughout the year) 
Mauritius Withdrawal of certain products, 
i.e. sugar confectioneries and products with sugar content, fruit juice, and non-alcoholic beverages (soft drinks) from the export control list (HS 1704; 2009; 2202) Permanent Delegation of 
Mauritius to the WTO (16 May 2014) and Government Notice No. 297/2013 Effective 
10 December 2013 
Mexico Implementation of automatic 
import licensing requirements 
(aviso automático de 
importaci ón) on 113 tariff lines 
of stell, and products of steel; 
and certain slot machines  Permanent Delegation of 
Mexico to the WTO 
(22 May 2014) Effective December 2013 
Mexico Elimination of import tariffs on 
21 medicaments tariff lines (HS Chapter 30), and reduction of import tariffs (to 7%) on certain metal furniture 
(HS 9403.20.01; 9403.20.02; 
9403.20.04) Permanent Delegation of 
Mexico to the WTO (22 May 2014) Effective 
13 December 2013 
Moldova, Rep. of Reduction of VAT (from 20% to 
8%) on imports of sugar beet 
(HS 1701). Temporary VAT 
exemption on imports of certain 
agricultural machinery 
(effective until March 2014); 
waste and scrap of primary 
cells, primary batteries and 
electric accumulators 
(HS 8548.10); and long-term 
material assets Permanent Delegation of 
Moldova (30 May 2014) 
and Law No. 324 Effective 
31 December 2013 
Pakistan Temporary 
elimination/reduction of import tariffs on certain raw materials, equipment, parts and components for local industries  Permanent Delegation of 
Pakistan to the WTO (30 May 2014) referring to SRO No. 221(i)/2014 Federal Board of Revenue Effective 31 March 2014 
Paraguay Elimination of prior-import 
licensing requirements on soya 
beans (NCM 1201) (originally 
implemented in August 2006) Permanent Delegation of 
Paraguay to the WTO 
(22 May 2014) and 
Resoluci ón No. 1358 
Ministry of Agriculture 
(21 November 2013) Effective 
22 November 2013 WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 64 - 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
Peru Incorporation of new 
administrative procedures to be processed through the single window. These procedures have been incorporated on a regular basis as from 30 November 2013 Permanent Delegation of 
Peru to the WTO (20 May 2014)   
Customs Union 
between the 
Russian Federation, 
Belarus, and 
Kazakhstan Temporary reduction of import 
tariffs on certain condensers 
(HS 8418.99.10) Permanent Delegation of 
the Russian Federation 
(23 May 2014) and 
Decision of the Council of 
the Eurasian Economic 
Commission No. 83 Effective until 
31 December 2014 
Customs Union 
between the Russian Federation, Belarus, and Kazakhstan Temporary elimination of 
import tariffs on concentrated apple juice, ground natural calcium phosphates, natural aluminium calcium phosphates and phosphatic chalk (HS 2009.79.19; 2009.79.30; 2510.20) Permanent Delegation of 
the Russian Federation (23 May 2014) Effective from 
1 December 2013 to 30 November 2014 
Customs Union 
between the 
Russian Federation, 
Belarus, and 
Kazakhstan Reduction of import tariffs on 
certain type of motor vehicles 
and semi-trailers (HS 8702; 
8704; 8705; 8716) Permanent Delegation of 
the Russian Federation 
(23 May 2014) and 
Decision of the Council of 
the Eurasian Economic 
Commission No. 92 Effective 
23 December 2013 
Customs Union 
between the Russian Federation, Belarus, and Kazakhstan Temporary elimination of 
import tariffs on aeroplanes and other aircraft of an unladen weight exceeding 120,000 kg (HS 8802.40.09)  Permanent Delegation of 
the Russian Federation (23 May 2014) and Decisions of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission Nos. 101 and 28 Effective 
23 December 2013 to 31 December 2017 
Customs Union 
between the 
Russian Federation, 
Belarus, and 
Kazakhstan Temporary elimination of 
import tariffs on certain 
vehicles with electrical engines 
(HS 8703.90.10)   Permanent Delegation of 
the Russian Federation 
(23 May 2014) and 
Decision No. 98 Eurasian 
Economic Commission 
Council 
(23 December 2013)   
Customs Union 
between the Russian Federation, Belarus, and Kazakhstan Temporary reduction of import 
tariffs on wood pulp (HS 4703.29.00) Permanent Delegation of 
the Russian Federation (23 May 2014) and Decision of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission No. 266 Effective January 2014 to 
December 2015 
Customs Union 
between the 
Russian Federation, 
Belarus, and 
Kazakhstan Temporary elimination of 
import tariffs on railway coach 
(HS 8603.90.00)  Permanent Delegation of 
the Russian Federation 
(23 May 2014) and 
Decision of the Council of 
the Eurasian Economic 
Commission No. 14 Effective 5 February 2014 
to 31 July 2014 
Customs Union between the Russian Federation, 
Belarus, and 
Kazakhstan Temporary decrease of import 
tariffs on certain paper and paper board (HS 4810.13.80; 
4810.19.90)  Permanent Delegation of 
the Russian Federation (23 May 2014) and 
Decision of the Council of 
the Eurasian Economic Commission No. 9 Effective 1 March 2014 to 
31 August 2014 
Customs Union 
between the 
Russian Federation, 
Belarus, and 
Kazakhstan Temporary elimination of 
import tariffs on ores and lead 
concentrates (HS 2607.00)  Permanent Delegation of 
the Russian Federation 
(23 May 2014) and 
Decision of the Council of 
the Eurasian Economic 
Commission No. 25 Effective 1 April 2014 to 
31 March 2015 WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 65 - 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
Customs Union 
between the Russian Federation, Belarus, and Kazakhstan Temporary elimination of 
import tariffs on rare earth minerals (HS 2805.30)  Permanent Delegation of 
the Russian Federation (23 May 2014) and Decision of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission No. 24 Effective 1 May 2014 to 
30 April 2015 
SACU - Southern 
African Customs 
Union (Botswana, 
Lesotho, Namibia, 
South Africa, and 
Swaziland) Elimination of import tariffs 
(from 10%) on poly(vinyl 
butyral) (HS 3920.91) Permanent Delegation of 
South Africa to the WTO 
(20 May 2014) Effective 
20 December 2013 
Trinidad and Tobago Temporary elimination of 
import tariffs on certain products, i.e. meat, dried fish, cheese, tea, oils, prepared or preserved fish, fruit juices, active yeasts, certain food preparations, salt, fertilisers, articles of plastic, apparel and clothing, footwear, iron and steel, and alumin ium reservoirs 
(HS Chapter 02; 03; 04; 09; 15; 16; 20; 21; 25; 31; 39; 62; 64; 72; 73; 76; 87; 95) Permanent Delegation of 
Trinidad and Tobago to the WTO (13 May 2014) Effective until 
31 December 2014 
Trinidad and 
Tobago Temporary elimination of 
import tariffs on dried, salted 
pollock fillets; compact 
fluorescent lamps; and certain 
cane or beet sugar (HS 
0305.30.00; 1701.99.90; 
8539.31.00) Permanent Delegation of 
Trinidad and Tobago to 
the WTO (13 May 2014) Effective until 
31 December 2015 
Turkey Elimination of import tariffs 
(from 19.3%) on dried beans 
(HS 0713)  Permanent Delegation of 
Turkey to the WTO 
(13 May 2014) Effective 
21 January 2014 
Uruguay Measures to facilitate trade 
through the implementation of 
the "Authorized Economic 
Operator" scheme of the World 
Customs Organization SAFE 
Framework of Standards to 
Secure and Facilitate Global 
Trade  Permanent Delegation of 
Uruguay to the WTO 
(7 May 2014) and 
Resoluci ón No. 1470 
Ministerio de Economía y 
Finanzas 
(28 February 2014) Effective 
28 February 2014 
Venezuela, 
Bolivarian Rep. of Measures to facilitate trade 
through the implementation of enhanced customs clearance procedures   Permanent Delegation of 
Venezuela to the WTO (22 May 2014) and Government Announcement Official Gazette No. 40349 (5 February 2014)   
 WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 66 - 
Recorded, but non-confirmed information3 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Date 
Bangladesh Elimination of import tariffs on 
fire-safety equipment  BDnews24.com 
(28 April 2014)   
Ghana Termination of the temporary 
import ban on rice (HS 1006) 
(originally implemented on 
1 November 2013) Press reports 
(3 January 2014) Effective 3 January 2014 
Norway Measures to facilitate trade 
through the implementation of customs clearance formalities for preferential tariffs goods from developing countries  Press release by the 
Ministry of Finance (19 December 2013)   
Viet Nam Measures to facilitate trade 
through the implementation of 
an electronic customs clearance 
system The Japan News 
(7 April 2014)   
 
                                               
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/8 
 
- 67 - 
ANNEX 2 
TRADE REMEDY MEASURES1 
(MID-NOVEMBER 2013 TO MID-MAY 2014) 
Confirmed information2 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
Argentina Initiation on 
28 November 2013 of anti-dumping investigation on imports of ceramic electrical insulators (NCM 8546.20.00) from Brazil, China, and Colombia WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/ARG, 20 February 2014   
Argentina Termination on 
3 December 2013 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of 
electric accumulators, 
including separators therefor, 
whether or not rectangular 
(including square) 
(NCM 8507.90.20) from Brazil 
(initiated on 1 June 2012) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/ARG, 
20 February 2014   
Argentina Termination on 
27 December 2013 (without measure) of anti-dumping investigation on imports of conveyor or transmission belts or belting, of vulcanised rubber reinforced only with textile materials (NCM 4010.12.00) from Brazil (initiated on 1 June 2012) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/ARG, 20 February 2014   
Argentina Termination on 11 April 2014 
of anti-dumping duties on 
imports of synthetic organic 
colouring matter 
(NCM 3204.12.10; 
3204.14.00; 3204.17.00) from 
China and India (imposed on 
29 January 2010) Permanent Delegation of 
Argentina to the WTO 
(29 April 2014) and 
Resolución No. 92/2014 
Ministerio de Economía y 
Finanzas Públicas 
(7 April 2014)   
Australia Termination on 
4 December 2013 of anti-dumping duties on imports of linear low density polyethylene "LLDP" (HS 3901.10.00; 3901.90.00) from Thailand (imposed on 4 December 2003)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/AUS, 17 March 2014   
                                               
1 The inclusion of any measure in this table implies no judgement by the WTO Secretariat on whether or 
not such measure, or its intent, is protectionist in  nature. Moreover, nothing in the table 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/8 
 
- 68 - 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
Australia Termination on 
12 December 2013 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of 
prepared or preserved peach 
products (HS 2008.70.00) 
from South Africa (initiated on 
10 July 2013) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/AUS, 
17 March 2014   
Australia Termination on 
20 December 2013 (without measure) of safeguard 
investigation on imports of 
canned tomatoes (HS 2002.10.00) (initiated on 21 June 2013) WTO document 
G/SG/N/9/AUS/3, 6 January 2014   
Australia Termination on 
20 December 2013 (without 
measure) of safeguard 
investigation on imports of 
certain processed fruit 
products (i.e. citrus fruits; 
pears; apricots; peaches, 
including nectarines) 
(HS 2008.30.00; 2008.40.00; 
2008.50.00; 2008.70.00; 
2008.97.00; 2008.99.00) 
(initiated on 21 June 2013) WTO document 
G/SG/N/9/AUS/4, 
6 January 2014   
Australia Termination on 1 January 2014 
of anti-dumping duties on imports of tubeless steel demountable rims (HS 8708.70.99) from China (imposed on 31 December 2008) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/AUS, 17 March 2014   
Australia Initiation on 8 January 2014 of 
anti-dumping investigation on 
imports of quenched and 
tempered steel plate "Q&T" 
(HS 7225.40.00) from Finland, 
Japan, and Sweden Permanent Delegation of 
Australia to the WTO 
(21 May 2014) and 
Australia Customs Dumping 
Notice No. 2014/1 
(8 January 2014)   
Australia Initiation on 6 February 2014 
of anti-dumping investigation on imports of silicon metal (HS 2804.61.00; 2804.69.00) from China Permanent Delegation of 
Australia to the WTO (21 May 2014) and Australia Customs Dumping Notice No. 2014/8 (6 February 2014)   
Australia Initiation on 6 February 2014 
of countervailing investigation 
on imports of silicon metal 
(HS 2804.61.00; 2804.69.00) 
from China Permanent Delegation of 
Australia to the WTO 
(21 May 2014) and 
Australia Customs Dumping 
Notice No. 2014/8 
(6 February 2014)   
Australia Initiation on 18 March 2014 of 
anti-dumping investigation on imports of deep drawn stainless steel sinks 
(HS 7324.10.00) from China Permanent Delegation of 
Australia to the WTO (21 May 2014) and Australia Customs Dumping 
Notice No. 2014/20 
(18 March 2014)   
Australia Initiation on 18 March 2014 of 
countervailing investigation on 
imports of deep drawn 
stainless steel sinks 
(HS 7324.10.00) from China Permanent Delegation of 
Australia to the WTO 
(21 May 2014) and 
Australia Customs Dumping 
Notice No. 2014/20 
(18 March 2014)   WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
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Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
Australia Initiation on 10 April 2014 of 
anti-dumping investigation on imports of rod in coils (HS 7213.91.00; 7227.90.90) from Indonesia, Chinese Taipei and Turkey Permanent Delegation of 
Australia to the WTO (21 May 2014) and Australia Customs Dumping Notice No. 2014/27 (10 April 2014)   
Australia Initiation on 14 April 2014 of 
anti-dumping investigation on 
imports of aluminium 
extrusions (HS 7604.10.00; 
7604.21.00; 7604.29.00; 
7608.10.00; 7608.20.00; 
7610.10.00; 7610.90.00) from 
China (possible circumvention 
of anti-dumping measures 
imposed on 29 October 2010) Australia Customs Dumping 
Notice No. 2014/31 
(14 April 2014)   
Australia Initiation on 22 April 2014 of 
anti-dumping investigation on imports of newsprint (HS 4801.00.20; 4801.00.31; 4801.00.39) from France and Korea Permanent Delegation of 
Australia to the WTO (21 May 2014) and Australia Customs Dumping Notice No. 2014/34 (22 April 2014)   
Australia Initiation on 14 May 2014 of 
anti-dumping investigation 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 Australia Customs Dumping 
Notice No. 2014/38 
(14 May 2014)   
Brazil Initiation on 
18 November 2013 of anti-dumping investigation on imports of seamless steel 
chrome alloyed tubes 
(NCM 7304.51.19; 7304.59.11; 7304.59.19) from China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/BRA, 28 March 2014; Camex Resolution No. 30/2014 
(11 April 2014); and 
Permanent Delegation of Brazil to the WTO (28 May 2014) Provisional duty imposed 
on 14 April 2014 
Brazil Initiation on 
18 November 2013 of 
anti-dumping investigation on 
imports of acrylic sheets 
(NCM 3920.51.00) from China; 
Hong Kong, China; Malaysia; 
and the United States WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/BRA, 
28 March 2014   
Brazil Initiation on 
18 November 2013 of anti-dumping investigation on imports of sodium acid pyrophosphate "SAPP" (NCM 2835.39.20) from Canada, China, and the United States WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/BRA, 28 March 2014; Camex Resolution No. 22/2014 (17 March 2014); and Permanent Delegation of Brazil to the WTO (28 May 2014) Provisional duty imposed 
on 19 March 2014 
Brazil Initiation on 
16 December 2013 of 
anti-dumping investigation on 
imports of adipic acid 
(NCM 2917.12.10) from China, 
France, Germany, Italy, and 
the United States  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/BRA, 
28 March 2014   WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
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Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
Brazil Initiation on 
16 December 2013 of anti-dumping investigation on imports of biaxially oriented polpropylene "BOPP", without graphics (NCM 3920.20.19) from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, India, Peru, and Chinese Taipei WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/BRA, 28 March 2014   
Brazil Termination on 
19 December 2013 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of 
new pneumatic tyres of rubber 
for motorcycles 
(NCM 4011.40.00) from 
Chinese Taipei (initiated on 
25 June 2012)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/BRA, 
28 March 2014   
Brazil Termination on 
19 December 2013 (request from petitioner) of anti-dumping investigation on imports of resin pencils (NCM 9609.10.00) from China (initiated on 16 September 2013) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/BRA, 28 March 2014   
Brazil Temporary suspension on 
20 December 2013 of 
anti-dumping duties on 
imports of viscose fibres 
(NCM 5504.10.00) from 
Austria, China, Indonesia, 
Chinese Taipei, and Thailand 
(imposed on 9 April 2009) Permanent Delegation of 
Brazil to the WTO 
(28 May 2014) and Camex 
Resolution No. 116/2013 
(18 December 2013)  Effective for 1 year 
Brazil Initiation on 
23 December 2013 of anti-dumping investigation on imports of inner grooved copper tubes (NCM 7411.10.90) from China and Mexico WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/BRA, 28 March 2014   
Brazil Termination on 
31 December 2013 (request 
from petitioner) of 
anti-dumping investigation on 
imports of liquid epoxy resin 
(NCM 3907.30.11; 
3907.30.19; 3907.30.21; 
3907.30.22; 3907.30.29) from 
China; India; Korea; Mexico; 
Saudi Arabia; and Chinese 
Taipei (initiated on 
3 January 2013) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/BRA, 
28 March 2014   
Brazil Initiation on 10 February 2014 
of anti-dumping investigation on imports of wooden pencils 
(NCM 9609.10.00) from China  Permanent Delegation of 
Brazil to the WTO (28 May 2014) and Secex 
Circular No. 7/2014 
(7 February 2014)    WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 71 - 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
Brazil Termination on 
12 February 2014 of 
anti-dumping duties on 
imports of glyphosate 
(NCM 2931.00.32; 
2931.00.39; 3808.93.24) from 
China (imposed on 
12 February 2003)  Permanent Delegation of 
Brazil to the WTO 
(28 May 2014) and Secex 
Circular No. 25/2013 
(31 May 2013)   
Brazil Initiation on 17 February 2014 
of anti-dumping investigation on imports of line pipe of a 
kind used for oil or gas 
pipelines (NCM 7304.19.00) from Ukraine Permanent Delegation of 
Brazil to the WTO (28 May 2014) and Secex 
Circular No. 5/2014 
(14 February 2014)   
Brazil Initiation on 24 February 2014 
of anti-dumping investigation 
on imports of styrene-
butadiene rubber "SBR" 
(NCM 4002.19.11; 
4002.19.19) from Argentina 
and the EU  Permanent Delegation of 
Brazil to the WTO 
(28 May 2014), Secex 
Circulars Nos. 6/2014 
(21 February 2014) and 
15/2014 (4 April 2014) Terminated on 
7 April 2014 (without 
measure) 
Brazil Initiation on 25 February 2014 
of anti-dumping investigation on imports of photographic plates and film (NCM 3701.30.21; 3701.30.31) from China; EU; Hong Kong, China; Chinese Taipei; and the United States  Permanent Delegation of 
Brazil to the WTO (28 May 2014) and Secex Circular No. 10/2014 (24 February 2014)   
Brazil Termination on 9 April 2014 of 
anti-dumping duties on 
imports of viscose fibres 
(NCM 5504.10.00) from 
Austria, China, Indonesia, 
Chinese Taipei, and Thailand 
(imposed on 9 April 2009)  Permanent Delegation of 
Brazil to the WTO 
(28 May 2014) and Secex 
Circular No. 25/2013 
(31 May 2013)   
Brazil Termination on 10 April 2014 
(request from petitioner) of anti-dumping investigation on imports of tableware, kitchenware, other household articles and toil ets articles of 
plastics (NCM 3922.10.00; 3924.90.00) from China (initiated on 22 July 2013) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/BRA, 28 March 2014; Secex Circular No. 16/201  (9 April 2014); and Permanent Delegation of Brazil to the WTO (28 May 2014)   
Brazil Initiation on 22 April 2014 of 
anti-dumping investigation on 
imports of "heavy plates" 
flat-rolled products of iron or 
non-alloy steel, of a width of 
600 mm or more, hot-rolled, 
not clad, plated or coated, of a 
thickness of 4.75 mm or more 
(NCM 7208.51.00; 
7208.52.00) from China and 
Ukraine (possible 
circumvention of anti-dumping 
measures imposed in 2013) Permanent Delegation of 
Brazil to the WTO 
(28 May 2014) and Secex 
Circular No. 19/2014 
(17 April 2014)   WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 72 - 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
Brazil Termination on 23 April 2014 
(without measure) of anti-dumping investigation on imports of precipitated silicon dioxide (NCM 2811.22.10) from India (initiated on 26 October 2012)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/BRA, 16 April 2013; Permanent Delegation of Brazil to the WTO (28 May 2014); and Camex Resolution No. 32/2014 (23 April 2014)    
Canada Termination on 
20 December 2013 of 
anti-dumping duties on 
imports of hollow structural 
sections (HS 7306.30; 
7306.50; 7306.61) from South 
Africa (imposed on 
23 December 2003)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/CAN, 
3 March 2014   
China Termination on 
15 December 2013 of anti-dumping duties on imports of saloon cars and cross-country cars of a cylinder capacity of no less than 2,000 cc (HS 8703.23; 8703.24; 8703.32; 8703.33; 8703.90) from the United States (investigation initiated on 6 November 2009. Preliminary ruling released on 2 April 2011, without provisional duty imposed. Final ruling released on 5 May 2011 with authorities deciding not to implement AD measure temporarily. Definitive duty 
imposed on 
15 December 2011) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/CHN, 5 February 2014    
China Termination on 
15 December 2013 of 
countervailing duties on 
imports of saloon cars and 
cross-country cars of a cylinder 
capacity of no less than 2,000 
cc (HS 8703.23; 8703.24; 
8703.32; 8703.33; 8703.90) 
from the United States 
(investigation initiated on 
6 November 2009. Preliminary 
ruling released on 
2 April 2011, without 
provisional duty imposed. Final 
ruling released on 5 May 2011 
with authorities deciding not to 
implement CVD measure 
temporarily. Definitive duty 
imposed on 
15 December 2011) WTO document 
G/SCM/N/267/CHN, 
5 February 2014   WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 73 - 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
China Termination on 
19 February 2014 of anti-dumping duties on imports of X-ray security inspection equipment (HS 9022.19.10) from the EU (investigation initiated on 23 October 2009. Provisional and definitive duties imposed on 9 June 2010 and 
23 January  2011, 
respectively) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/216/CHN/Rev.1, 19 October 2011; Permanent Delegation of China to the WTO (21 May 2014); and MOFCOM Announcement No. 9/2014 (21 February 2014)    
China Initiation on 19 March 2014 of 
anti-dumping investigation on 
imports of optical fibre preform 
(HS 7002.20.10) from Japan 
and the United States Permanent Delegation of 
China to the WTO 
(21 May 2014) and 
MOFCOM Announcement 
No. 17/2014 
(19 March 2014)   
China Termination on 24 March 2014 
(without measure) of anti-dumping investigation on imports of wine (HS 2204.10.00; 2204.21.00; 2204.29.00) from the EU (initiated on 1 July 2013)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/CHN, 5 February 2014; Permanent Delegation of China to the WTO (21 May 2014) and MOFCOM Announcement No. 19/2014 (24 March 2014) 
  
China Termination on 24 March 2014 
(without measure) of 
countervailing investigation on 
imports of wine 
(HS 2204.10.00; 2204.21.00; 
2204.29.00) from the EU 
(initiated on 1 July 2013) WTO document 
G/SCM/N/267/CHN, 
5 February 2014; 
Permanent Delegation of 
China to the WTO 
(21 May 2014) and 
MOFCOM Announcement 
No. 19/2014 
(24 March 2014)   
China Termination on 9 April 2014 of 
anti-dumping duties on imports of acrylate esters (HS 2916.12) from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore (imposed on 10 April 2003)  Permanent Delegation of 
China to the WTO (21 May 2014) and MOFCOM Announcement No. 64/2013 (8 October 2013)   
China Termination on 10 May 2014 of 
anti-dumping duties on 
imports of certain alloy-steel 
seamless tubes and pipes for 
high temperature and pressure 
service (HS 7304.51.10; 
7304.51.90; 7304.59.10; 
7304.59.90) from Japan 
(investigation initiated on 
10 May 2013 and provisional 
duty imposed on 
17 December 2013) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/CHN, 
5 February 2014; and 
MOFCOM Announcement 
No. 34/2014 (9 May 2014)    
Costa Rica Initiation on 11 February 2014 
of safeguard investigation on imports of pounded rice (HS 1006.30.90) WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/CRI/3, 28 February 2014   WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 74 - 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
Dominican 
Republic Initiation on 
18 November 2013 of 
anti-dumping investigation on 
imports of steel rods and bars 
for concrete reinforcement 
(HS 7214.10.00; 7214.20.00; 
7214.30.00; 7214.99.00) from 
Portugal and Spain WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/DOM, 
17 April 2014; Permanent 
Delegation of the 
Dominican Republic to the 
WTO (23 May 2014); and 
Resoluci ón 
No. CDC-RD-AD-006-2014 
(13 March 2014) Provisional duty imposed 
on 13 March 2014 on 
imports from Spain 
Dominican 
Republic Termination on 
9 December 2013 of safeguard duties on imports of sports and other socks for women, men, children and babies, of cotton or synthetic fibres, excluding 
woollen socks, panties, support 
socks for varicose veins and other socks used in the health sector (HS 6115.95.00; 6115.96.20) (investigation initiated on 2 March 2010, provisional and definitive duties imposed on 20 May and 6 December 2010, respectively) WTO documents 
G/SG/N/6/DOM/5, 10 March 2010; G/SG/N/7/DOM/2, 20 May 2010; G/SG/N/10/DOM/2, 
3 November 2010; and 
G/SG/N/10/DOM/2/Suppl.3, 12 December 2013   
Dominican 
Republic Termination on 
31 December 2013 of 
safeguard duties (China 
specific) on imports of ceramic 
sinks, wash basins, wash basin 
pedestals, baths,  bidets, water 
closet pans, flushing cisterns, 
urinals and similar sanitary 
fixtures of porcelain or china 
(HS 6910.10.10; 6910.10.30) 
(investigation initiated on 
5 April 2010, provisional and 
definitive duti es imposed on 
15 June 2010 and 
1 January 2011, respectively) WTO documents 
G/SG/N/16/DOM/1, 
8 April 2010; 
G/SG/N/16/DOM/1/Suppl.2, 
16 June 2010; and 
G/SG/N/16/DOM/1/Suppl.8, 
13 December 2013   
Egypt Termination on 
21 November 2013 of safeguard duties on imports of steel rebar (HS 7213; 7214)  
(investigation initiated on 30 November 2012 and provisional duty imposed on 2 December 2012) WTO documents 
G/SG/N/6/EGY/9, 5 December 2012; and G/SG/N/7/EGY/8/Suppl.1, 4 December 2013   
Egypt Initiation on 
24 December 2013 of 
anti-dumping investigation on 
imports of synthetic staple 
fibres, not carded, combed or 
otherwise, processed for 
spinning of polyesters 
(HS 5503.20.00) from China 
and India WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/EGY, 
17 January 2014   WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 75 - 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
European Union Termination on 
26 November 2013 (without measure) of countervailing investigation on imports of biodiesel (fatty-acid mono-alkyl esters and/or paraffinic gasoils obtained from synthesis and/or hydro-treatment, of non-fossil origin, in pure form or as included in a blend) (HS 1516.20.98; 
1518.00.91; 1518.00.95; 
1518.00.99; 2710.19.43; 2710.19.46; 2710.19.47; 2710.20.11; 2710.20.15; 2710.20.17; 3824.90.97; 3826.00.10; 3826.00.90) from Argentina and Indonesia (initiated on 10 November 2012) WTO document 
G/SCM/N/267/EU, 11 March 2014   
European Union Initiation on 
29 November 2013 of 
anti-dumping investigation on 
imports of monosodium 
glutamate (HS 2922.42.00) 
from Indonesia WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/EU, 
14 March 2014    
European Union Initiation on 
12 December 2013 of countervailing investigation on imports of chopped glass fibre strands, of a length of not more than 50 mm; glass fibre rovings, excluding glass fibre rovings which are impregnated 
and coated and have a loss on 
ignition of more than 3% (as determined by the ISO Standard 1887); and mats made of glass fibre filaments excluding mats of glass wool (HS 7019.11.00; 7019.12.00; 7019.31.10) from China WTO document 
G/SCM/N/267/EU, 11 March 2014   
European Union Termination on 
17 December 2013 of 
anti-dumping duties on 
imports of steel ropes and 
cables including locked coil 
ropes, excluding ropes and 
cables of stainless steel, with a 
maximum cross-sectional 
dimension exceeding 3 mm, 
with fittings attached or not 
(HS 7312.10.81; 7312.10.83; 
7312.10.85; 7312.10.89; 
7312.10.98) from the Russian 
Federation (imposed on 
4 August 2001)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/EU, 
14 March 2014    WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 76 - 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
European Union Initiation on 
18 December 2013 of anti-dumping investigation on imports of certain slightly modified open mesh fabrics of glass fibres, of a cell size of 
more than 1.8 mm both in length and in width and weighing more than 35 g/m
2, 
excluding fibreglass discs (HS 7019.40.00) from China 
(possible circumvention of 
anti-dumping measures of imports from China imposed in 2011) Commission Regulation 
No. 1356/2013 (17 December 2013)   
European Union Initiation on 
19 December 2013 of 
countervailing investigation on 
imports of synthetic polyester 
staple fibres "PSF" 
(HS 5503.20.00) from China, 
India, and Viet Nam  WTO document 
G/SCM/N/267/EU, 
11 March 2014   
European Union Termination on 
20 December 2013 of anti-dumping duties on imports of welded tubes and pipes of iron or non-alloy steel (HS 7306.30.41; 7306.30.49; 7306.30.72; 7306.30.77) from Thailand (imposed on 19 December 2008)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/EU, 14 March 2014    
European Union Termination on 
23 December 2013 of 
anti-dumping duties on 
imports of synthetic fibre ropes 
(HS 5607.49.11; 5607.49.19; 
5607.50.11; 5607.50.19) from 
India (imposed on 
26 June 1998)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/EU, 
14 March 2014    
European Union Termination on 
12 February 2014 of anti-dumping duties on imports of dicyandiamide "DCD" (HS 2926.20.00) from China (imposed on 15 November 2007)  Council Implementing 
Regulation No 135/2014 (11 February 2014)   
European Union Initiation on 15 February 2014 
of anti-dumping investigation 
on imports of rainbow trout 
(HS 0301.91.90; 0302.11.80; 
0303.14.90; 0304.42.90; 
0304.82.90; 0305.43.00) from 
Turkey Commission Notice 2014/C 
44/11 (15 February 2014)   
European Union Initiation on 15 February 2014 
of countervailing investigation on imports of rainbow trout 
(HS 0301.91.90; 0302.11.80; 
0303.14.90; 0304.42.90; 0304.82.90; 0305.43.00) from Turkey Commission Notice 2014/C 
44/10 (15 February 2014)   WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
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Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
European Union Termination on 13 May 2014 
(without measure) of 
anti-dumping investigation on 
imports of agglomerated stone 
(HS 6810.11.90; 6810.19.00; 
6810.91.00; 6810.99.00; 
7016.10.00; 7016.90.40; 
7016.90.70; 7020.00.80) from 
China (initiated on 
28 June 2013) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/244/EU, 
20 September 2013; and 
Commission Im plementing 
Decision 2014/272 
(12 May 2014)    
India Termination on 
21 November 2013 of 
anti-dumping duties on imports of compact fluorescent lamps "CFL" (HS 8539.31; 8539.90) from Viet Nam (duties imposed on 21 November 2008) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/IND, 
15 April 2014    
India Termination on 
2 December 2013 of 
anti-dumping duties on 
imports of polypropylene 
(HS 3902.10.00; 3902.30.00) 
from Oman (investigation 
initiated on 24 February 2009 
and provisional and definitive 
duties imposed on 
30 July 2009 and 
19 November 2010) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/IND, 
15 April 2014    
India Initiation on 
20 December 2013 of  anti-dumping investigation on imports of sheet glass (HS 7004.20) from China  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/IND, 15 April 2014    
India Termination on 
31 December 2013 of 
safeguard duties (China 
Specific) on imports of carbon 
black (HS 2803.00.10) 
(investigation initiated on 
2 December 2011 and 
definitive duty imposed on 
5 October 2012) WTO documents 
G/SG/N/16/IND/8, 
9 January 2012; 
Notification No. 4/2012-
Customs (SG) Ministry of 
Finance - Department of 
Revenue (5 October 2012); 
and Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO 
(25 May 2014)   
India Termination on 
31 December 2013 of safeguard duties (China specific) on imports of electrical insulators made of porcelain/ceramic or glass, whether assembled or unassembled (HS 8546.10; 8546.20) (investigation initiated on 30 May 2012 and definitive duty imposed on 20 December 2012) WTO document 
G/SG/N/16/IND/9, 19 June 2012; Notification No. 5/2012-Customs (SG) Ministry of Finance - Department of Revenue (20 December 2012); and Permanent Delegation of India to the WTO (25 May 2014)    
India Initiation on 22 January 2014 
of anti-dumping investigation 
on imports of poly vinyl 
chloride paste/emulsion resin 
(HS 3904.22.10) from Mexico 
and Norway Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO 
(25 May 2014) and 
Notification No. 14/5/2013-
DGAD Ministry of 
Commerce & Industry 
(22 January 2014)    WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
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Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
India Initiation on 13 February 2014 
of safeguard investigation on imports of saturated fatty alcohols with carbon chain length of C8, C10, C12, C14, C16 and C18 (HS 2905.17.00; 3823.70.10; 3823.70.20; 3823.70.40; 3823.70.90)  WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/IND/34, 20 February 2014   
India Initiation on 24 February 2014 
of anti-dumping investigation 
on imports of acrylic fibre 
(HS 55) from Egypt Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO 
(25 May 2014) and 
Notification 
No. 14/18/2013-DGAD 
Ministry of Commerce & 
Industry 
(24 February 2014)    
India Initiation on 28 February 2014 
of anti-dumping investigation on imports of sodium citrate (HS 2918.15.20) from China  Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO (25 May 2014) and Notification No. 14/23/2013-DGAD Ministry of Commerce & Industry (28 February 2014)    
India Initiation on 28 February 2014 
of safeguard investigation on 
imports of bare elastomeric 
filament yarn (HS 5402.44.00; 
5404.11.00)  WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/IND/35, 
5 March 2014   
India Initiation on 4 March 2014 of 
safeguard investigation on imports of sodium citrate (HS 2918.15.20)  WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/IND/36, 11 March 2014   
India Initiation on 11 March 2014 of 
anti-dumping investigation on 
imports of hot-rolled flat 
products of stainless steel of 
304 series (HS 7219; 7220) 
from China; Korea, and 
Malaysia  Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO 
(25 May 2014) and 
Notification 
No. 14/30/2013-DGAD 
Ministry of Commerce & 
Industry (11 March 2014)    
India Initiation on 25 March 2014 of 
anti-dumping investigation on imports of hexa methylene tetramine "hexamine" (HS 2921.29.10) from China and the United Arab Emirates Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO (25 May 2014) and Notification No. 14/16/2013-DGAD Ministry of Commerce & Industry (25 March 2014)    
India Initiation on 7 April 2014 of 
safeguard investigation on 
imports of not-alloyed ingots of 
unwrought aluminium 
(HS 7601.10.10)  WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/IND/37, 
29 April 2014   
India Termination on 24 April 2014 
of safeguard duties on imports of PX-13 or 6-PDD (HS 2921; 2925; 2934; 2942; 3810; 
3812) (duties imposed on 
30 August 2011)  Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO (25 May 2014)   
Indonesia Termination on 
20 November 2013 (without 
measure) of safeguard 
investigation on imports of 
sheath contraceptive 
(HS 4014.10.00) (initiated on 
28 November 2012) WTO document 
G/SG/N/9/IDN/8, 
20 December 2013   WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 79 - 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
Indonesia Termination on 
25 November 2013 (without measure) of safeguard investigation on imports of kilowatt hour meters including relevant parts and accessories (HS 9028.30.10; 9028.90.90) (initiated on 28 December 2012) WTO document 
G/SG/N/9/IDN/9, 10 January 2014    
Indonesia Termination on 
2 December 2013 (without 
measure) of safeguard 
investigation on imports of 
"Mackerel", excluding fillets, 
livers and roes, fresh or 
chilled, or frozen 
(HS 0302.64.00; 0303.74.00) 
(initiated on 27 January 2012) WTO document 
G/SG/N/9/IDN/7, 
20 December 2013   
Indonesia Initiation on 17 January 2014 
of safeguard investigation on imports of bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularity wound coils, of iron or non-alloy steel or of other alloy steel (HS 7213.91.10; 7213.91.20; 7213.91.90; 7213.99.10; 7213.99.20; 7213.99.90; 7227.90.00)  WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/IDN/24, 24 January 2014    
Indonesia Initiation on 12 February 2014 
of safeguard investigation on 
imports of I and H sections of 
other alloy steel 
(HS 7228.70.10; 7228.70.90)  WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/IDN/25, 
13 February 2014    
Indonesia Termination on 
26 February 2014 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation on imports of polyethylene terephthalate "PET" (HS 3907.60.10; 3907.60.20; 3907.60.90) from China; Korea; Singapore; and Chinese Taipei (initiated on 29 June 2012) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/230/IDN, 
26 September 2012; and Permanent Delegation of Indonesia to the WTO (30 May 2014)   
Indonesia Termination on 23 March 2014 
of safeguard duties on imports 
of wire of iron/non-alloy steel, 
not plated/coated, containing 
carbon less than 0.25% by 
weight (HS 7217.10.10) 
(investigation initiated on 
19 January 2010 and definitive 
duty imposed on 
23 March 2011) WTO documents 
G/SG/N/6/IDN/7, 
5 February 2010 and 
G/SG/N/8/IDN/8, 
12 April 2011; and 
Permanent Delegation of 
Indonesia to the WTO 
(30 May 2014)   
Indonesia Termination on 23 March 2014 
of safeguard duties on imports of wire of iron/non-alloy steel, 
plated with zinc 
(HS 7217.20.10) (investigation initiated on 21 January 2010 and definitive duty imposed on 23 March 2011) WTO documents 
G/SG/N/6/IDN/8, 5 February 2010 and 
G/SG/N/8/IDN/7, 
12 April 2011; and Permanent Delegation of Indonesia to the WTO (30 May 2014)   WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 80 - 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
Indonesia Termination on 23 March 2014 
of safeguard duties on imports 
of stranded wire, ropes and 
cables for locked coil, flattened 
strands and non-rotating wire 
ropes (HS 7312.10.10) 
(investigation initiated on 
5 February 2010 and definitive 
duty imposed on 
23 March 2011) WTO documents 
G/SG/N/6/IDN/9, 
18 February 2010 and 
G/SG/N/8/IDN/6, 
12 April 2011; and 
Permanent Delegation of 
Indonesia to the WTO 
(30 May 2014)   
Indonesia Termination on 23 March 2014 
of safeguard duties on imports 
of stranded wire, ropes and cables, excluding locked coil, flattened strands and non-rotating wire ropes; platted or coated with brass, and of a nominal diameter not exceeding 3 mm; and stranded wire of diameter of less than 3 mm (HS 7312.10.90) (investigation initiated on 30 April 2010 and definitive duty imposed on 23 March 2011) WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/IDN/10, 
21 May 2010 and G/SG/N/8/IDN/5, 12 April 2011; and Permanent Delegation of Indonesia to the WTO (30 May 2014)   
Indonesia Termination on 23 March 2014 
of safeguard duties on imports 
of bleached and unbleached 
woven fabrics of cotton 
(HS 5208.11.00; 5208.12.00; 
5208.13.00; 5208.19.00; 
5208.23.00; 5208.29.00; 
5209.29.00; 5210.11.00; 
5211.11.00; 5211.12.00; 
5212.11.00) (investigation 
initiated on 25 June 2010 and 
definitive duty imposed on 
23 March 2011) WTO documents 
G/SG/N/6/IDN/12, 
16 July 2010; 
G/SG/N/8/IDN/9, 
12 April 2011; and 
Permanent Delegation of 
Indonesia to the WTO 
(30 May 2014)   
Israel Termination on 
31 December 2013 of anti-dumping duties on cutting and grinding wheels (HS 6804.22) from China (imposed on 26 November 2007 and originally terminated on 18 November 2012)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/ISR, 2 April 2014 Due to legal 
proceedings, the anti–dumping procedure was reinstituted on 10 June 2013 
Israel Termination on 
23 February 2014 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping 
investigation on machine made 
rugs (HS 5701; 5702; 5703; 
5704; 5705) from Turkey 
(initiated on 5 May 2013) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/244/ISR, 
30 July 2013; and 
Permanent Delegation of 
Israel to the WTO 
(23 May 2014)   WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 81 - 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
Israel Termination on 
26 February 2014 (without measure) of anti-dumping investigation on bituminous membranes (HS 6807.10) from Italy (initiated on 16 December 2012) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/ISR, 2 April 2014; and Permanent Delegation of Israel to the WTO (23 May 2014)   
Japan Initiation on 14 February 2014 
of anti-dumping investigation 
on imports of 
toluenediisocyanate 
(HS 2929.10) from China  Notification No. 53 - 
Ministry of Finance 
(14 February 2014) and 
Permanent Delegation of 
Japan to the WTO 
(21 May 2014)   
Korea, Rep. of  Initiation on 
29 November 2013 of anti-dumping investigation on imports of PET film (HS 3920.62) from Japan WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/KOR, 4 March 2014   
Korea, Rep. of  Initiation on 
23 December 2013 of 
anti-dumping investigation on 
imports of ethanolamine 
(HS 2922.11.10; 2922.12.10; 
2922.13.10) from Japan, 
Malaysia, Thailand, and the 
United States WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/KOR, 
4 March 2014   
Korea, Rep. of Initiation on 21 January 2014 
of anti-dumping investigation on imports of valves for pneumatic transmissions (HS 8481.20.20; 8481.90.90) from Japan Permanent Delegation of 
Korea to the WTO (27 May 2014)   
Mexico Initiation on 14 March 2014 of 
anti-dumping investigation on 
imports of stainless steel sinks 
and wash basins 
(HS 7324.10.01) from China  Permanent Delegation of 
Mexico to the WTO 
(22 May 2014)   
Mexico Initiation on 24 April 2014 of 
anti-dumping investigation on imports of cold-rolled sheet (HS 7209.16.01; 7209.17.01) from China  Permanent Delegation of 
Mexico to the WTO (22 May 2014)   
New Zealand Termination on 
5 December 2013 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of 
diaries, with or without covers, 
containing a written record of 
daily/weekly/yearly events, 
appointments, reference 
material and observations 
(HS 4820.10.00) from 
Korea (initiated on 
11 June 2013) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/NZL, 
7 February 2014   
Pakistan Initiation on 
18 November 2013 of  
anti-dumping investigation on 
imports of polyvinyl chloride (HS 3904.10.90) from Korea, and Chinese Taipei WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/PAK, 
28 February 2014; and 
Permanent Delegation of Pakistan to the WTO (30 May 2014) Terminated on 
14 May 2014 (without 
measure) WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
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Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
Pakistan Termination on 
3 December 2013 of 
anti-dumping duties on 
imports of polyester filament 
yarn (HS 5402.33.00; 
5402.47.00) from Indonesia; 
Korea; Malaysia; and Thailand 
(imposed on 
12 November 2005)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/PAK/Corr.1, 
11 March 2014   
Peru Termination on 
24 November 2013 (without 
measure) of countervailing 
investigation on imports of cotton fibre not carded or combed (HS 5201.00.10; 5201.00.20; 5201.00.30; 5201.00.90) from the United States (initiated on 2 June 2012) WTO document 
G/SCM/N/267/PER, 
2 April 2014    
Customs Union 
between the 
Russian 
Federation, 
Belarus, and 
Kazakhstan Initiation on 
20 November 2013 of 
anti-dumping investigation on 
imports of bars and rods 
(HS 7213.10; 7213.91; 
7213.99; 7214.20; 7214.99; 
7227.20; 7227.90; 7228.20; 
7228.30; 7228.60) from 
Ukraine WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/RUS, 
12 March 2014   
Customs Union 
between the Russian Federation, Belarus, and Kazakhstan Termination on 
25 December 2013 of anti-dumping duties on imports of nickel-containing flat-rolled steel products from Brazil; China; Hong Kong, 
China; Korea; Macao, China; 
Chinese Taipei; and South Africa (imposed on 26 December 2010) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/RUS, 12 March 2014   
Customs Union 
between the 
Russian 
Federation, 
Belarus, and 
Kazakhstan Initiation on 31 January 2014 
of anti-dumping investigation 
on imports of stainless steel 
flatware (HS 8211.91.00; 
8215.99.10; 8215.20.10) from 
China Permanent Delegation of 
the Russian Federation 
(23 May 2014) and 
Eurasian Economic 
Commission Notice 
No. AD-14-CN 
(31 January 2014)   
Customs Union 
between the Russian Federation, Belarus, and Kazakhstan Initiation on 21 February 2014 
of anti-dumping investigation on imports of citric acid (HS 2918.14) from China  Permanent Delegation of 
the Russian Federation (23 May 2014) and Eurasian Economic Commission Notice No. AD-15-CN (21 February 2014)   
SACU - Southern 
African Customs 
Union (Botswana, 
Lesotho, Namibia, 
South Africa, and 
Swaziland) Initiation on 
22 November 2013 of 
anti-dumping investigation on 
imports of graphite electrodes 
(HS 8545.11) from China and 
India WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/ZAF, 
3 February 2014; 
Permanent Delegation of 
South Africa to the WTO 
(20 May 2014); and ITAC 
Notice No. 263/2014 
(28 March 2014) Terminated on 
28 March 2014 (without 
measure) WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 83 - 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
SACU - Southern 
African Customs Union (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland) Termination on 
21 February 2014 of anti-dumping duties on imports of coated paper and paperboard (HS 4810.19.90) from China and Korea, (investigation initiated on 25 January 2013 and provisional duty imposed on 27 September 2013) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/ZAF, 3 February 2014; Permanent Delegation of South Africa to the WTO (20 May 2014); and ITAC Notice No. 110/2014 (21 February 2014)   
Separate Customs 
Territory of 
Taiwan, Penghu, 
Kinmen and Matsu Initiation on 
25 November 2013 of 
anti-dumping investigation on 
imports of computer to plate 
(HS 3701.30; 3701.91) from 
China  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/TPKM, 
27 January 2014   
Separate Customs 
Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu Termination on 30 April 2014 
(without measure) of safeguard investigation on imports of high density polyethylene "HDP E" and linear 
low density polyethylene "LLDPE" (HS 3901.10.00; 3901.20.00) (initiated on 18 October 2013) WTO document 
G/SG/N/9/TPKM/1, 14 May 2014   
Thailand Initiation on 30 January 2014 
of safeguard investigation on 
imports of non alloy hot rolled 
steel flat products in coils and 
not in coils (HS 7208.36.00; 
7208.37.00; 7208.38.00; 
7208.39.00; 7208.51.00; 
7208.52.00; 7208.53.00; 
7208.54.00)  WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/THA/4, 
3 February 2014   
Turkey Initiation on 
18 December 2013 of anti-dumping investigation on imports of laminated flooring (HS 4411.13.90; 4411.14.90; 4411.92.90; 4411.93.90) from Germany WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/TUR, 24 January 2014   
Turkey Initiation on 
21 December 2013 of 
anti-dumping investigation on 
imports of aluminium foil of a 
thickness not exceeding 0.2 
mm, not backed, (HS 7607.11; 
7607.19) from China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/TUR, 
24 January 2014   
Turkey Termination on 
31 December 2013 of anti-dumping duties on imports of polyester textured yarn (HS 5402.33) from Thailand (imposed on 31 December 2008) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/TUR, 24 January 2014    
Turkey Initiation on 10 January 2014 
of anti-dumping investigation 
on imports of uncoloured float 
glass (HS 7005.29) from Israel Permanent Delegation of 
Turkey to the WTO 
(23 May 2014)   WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 84 - 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
Turkey Initiation on 14 January 2014 
of anti-dumping investigation on imports of yarn of man-made or synthetic or artificial staple fibres (HS 5508; 5509; 5510; 5511) from China, Indonesia, India  Permanent Delegation of 
Turkey to the WTO (23 May 2014)   
Turkey Initiation on 26 March 2014 of 
anti-dumping investigation on 
imports of motor hue (tiller) 
(HS 8432.29.90) from China Permanent Delegation of 
Turkey to the WTO 
(23 May 2014)   
Turkey Termination on 8 April 2014 
(without measure) of anti-dumping investigation on imports of yarn of man-made or synthetic or artificial staple fibres (HS 5508; 5509; 5510; 5511) from Egypt (initiated on 18 October 2012) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/TUR, 28 March 2013; and Permanent Delegation of Turkey to the WTO (23 May 2014)   
Ukraine Initiation on 
28 November 2013 of 
anti-dumping investigation on 
imports of rubber conveyor 
belts (HS 4010.12.00) from 
the Russian Federation WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/UKR, 
15 April 2014   
United States of 
America Initiation on 
18 November 2013 of anti-dumping investigation on imports of non-oriented electrical steel (HS 7225.19.00; 7225.50; 7225.99; 7226.19.10; 7226.19.90; 7226.92; 7226.99) from China; 
Germany; Japan; Korea; 
Sweden; and Chinese Taipei  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/USA, 6 March 2014   
United States of 
America Initiation on 9 December 2013 
of anti-dumping investigation 
on imports of 1,1,1,2-
Tetrafluoroethane 
(HS 2903.39.20) from China  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/USA, 
6 March 2014   
United States of 
America Initiation on 9 December 2013 
of countervailing investigation on imports of 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane (HS 2903.39.20) from China  WTO document 
G/SCM/N/267/USA, 10 March 2014   
United States of 
America Termination on 
12 December 2013 of 
provisional anti-dumping 
duties on imports of silica 
bricks and shapes 
(HS 6901.00.00; 6902.20.10; 
6902.20.50) from China 
(investigation initiated on 
12 December 2012 and 
provisional duty imposed on 
20 June 2013)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/USA, 
6 March 2014   
United States of 
America Initiation on 14 January 2014 
of anti-dumping investigation on imports of calcium hypochlorite (HS 2828.10.00) from China  Permanent Delegation of 
the United States to the WTO (24 May 2014) and International Trade Administration [A-570-008] (14 January 2014)   WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 85 - 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
United States of 
America Initiation on 14 January 2014 
of countervailing investigation 
on imports of calcium 
hypochlorite (HS 2828.10.00) 
from China  Permanent Delegation of 
the United States to the 
WTO (24 May 2014) and 
International Trade 
Administration [C-570-009] 
(14 January 2014)   
United States of 
America Initiation on 29 January 2014 
of anti-dumping investigation on imports of certain crystalline silicon photovoltaic products (HS 8501.31.80; 
8501.61.00; 8507.20.80; 
8541.40.60) from China and Chinese Taipei Permanent Delegation of 
the United States to the WTO (24 May 2014) and International Trade Administration [A-570-010 
and A-583-853] 
(29 January 2014)   
United States of 
America Initiation on 29 January 2014 
of countervailing investigation 
on imports of certain 
crystalline silicon photovoltaic 
products (HS 8501.31.80; 
8501.61.00; 8507.20.80; 
8541.40.60) from China  Permanent Delegation of 
the United States to the 
WTO (24 May 2014) and 
International Trade 
Administration [C-570-011] 
(29 January 2014)   
United States of 
America Initiation on 27 February 2014 
of anti-dumping investigation on imports of carbon and certain alloy steel wire rod (HS 7213.91.30; 7213.91.45; 7213.91.60; 7213.99.00; 7227.20.00; 7227.90.60) from China  Permanent Delegation of 
the United States to the WTO (24 May 2014) and International Trade Administration [A-570-012] (27 February 2014) 
  
United States of 
America Initiation on 27 February 2014 
of countervailing investigation 
on imports of carbon and 
certain alloy steel wire rod 
(HS 7213.91.30; 7213.91.45; 
7213.91.60; 7213.99.00; 
7227.20.00; 7227.90.60) from 
China  Permanent Delegation of 
the United States to the 
WTO (24 May 2014) and 
International Trade 
Administration [C-570-013] 
(27 February 2014)   
United States of America Termination on 7 April 2014 
(without measure) of countervailing investigation on imports of monosodium glutamate "MSG" (HS 2103.90; 2922.42.10) from China and Indonesia (initiated on 31 October 2013) WTO document 
G/SCM/N/267/USA, 10 March 2014; Permanent Delegation of the United States to the WTO (24 May 2014); and International Trade Administration [C-570-993 and C-560-827] (7 April 2014)   
United States of 
America Initiation on 24 April 2014 of 
anti-dumping investigation on 
imports of sugar (HS 1701) 
from Mexico  Permanent Delegation of 
the United States to the 
WTO (24 May 2014) and 
International Trade 
Administration [A-201-845] 
(24 April 2014)   
United States of 
America Initiation on 24 April 2014 of 
countervailing investigation on imports of sugar (HS 1701) 
from Mexico  Permanent Delegation of 
the United States to the WTO (24 May 2014) and 
International Trade 
Administration [C-201-846] (24 April 2014)   
United States of 
America Termination on 28 April 2014 
of anti-dumping duties on 
imports of frontseating service 
valves (HS 8415.90; 8481.80; 
8481.90) from China (imposed 
on 28 April 2009) Permanent Delegation of 
the United States to the 
WTO (24 May 2014) and 
International Trade 
Administration [A-570-933] 
(14 May 2014)   WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 86 - 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
United States of 
America Termination on 5 May 2014 of 
provisional anti-dumping duties on imports of prestressed concrete steel rail tie wire (HS 7217.10.80; 7217.10.90; 7229.90.10;7229.90.50; 7229.90.90; 7312.10.30) from Thailand (investigation initiated on 20 May 2013 and provisional duty imposed on 
12 December 2013) Permanent Delegation of 
the United States to the WTO (24 May 2014) and International Trade Administration [A-549-829] (5 May 2014)   
United States of 
America Termination on 7 May 2014 of 
anti-dumping duties on 
imports of steel threaded rod 
(HS 7318.15.20; 7318.15.50) 
from Thailand (investigation 
initiated on 24 July 2013 and 
provisional duty imposed on 
31 December 2013) Permanent Delegation of 
the United States to the 
WTO (24 May 2014) and 
International Trade 
Administration 
[A-731-TA-1244] 
(7 May 2014)   
 
 WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
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ANNEX 3 
OTHER TRADE AND TRADE-RELATED MEASURES1 
(MID-NOVEMBER 2013 TO MID-MAY 2014) 
Confirmed information2 
 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
Argentina Updated li st of "reference 
values" for exports of cranberries ( arándanos ) 
(NCM 0810.40.00), for certain specified de stinations Administración Federal de 
Ingresos Públicos - Resolución General No. 3542/2013 (14 November 2013) Effective 
20 November 2013 
Argentina Updated list of  "criterion 
values" ( valores criterio de 
carácter preventivo ) for imports 
of certain products, i.e. 
microphones and stands; 
knitted or crocheted jerseys, 
pullovers, cardigans, and waist-
coats; and swimming pools 
(NCM 6110.11.00; 6110.12.00; 
6110.19.00; 6110.20.00; 
6110.30.00; 6110.90.00; 
8518.10.10; 8518.10.90; 
9506.99.00), from specific 
origins  Administración Federal de 
Ingresos Públicos - 
Resoluciones Generales 
Nos. 3544/2013, 
3546/2013, and 
3547/2013 
(14 November 2013) Effective 
20 November 2013 
Argentina Increase of  export duties (to 
32%) on soy residues and soy by-products (NCM 2302.50.00; 
2308.00.00; 2309.90.90) Decreto No. 2014/2013 
(2 December 2013)   
Argentina Updated list of  "criterion 
values" for imports of certain 
products, i.e. shawls, scarves, 
mufflers, mantillas, veils and 
the like; men's or boy's 
overcoats, raincoats, 
car-coats, capes, cloaks and 
similar articles; and toys; 
articles for Christmas festivities 
(NCM 6201.11.00; 6201.12.00; 
6201.13.00; 6201.91.00; 
6201.92.00; 6201.93.00; 
6117.10.00; 9503.00.10; 
9503.00.21; 9503.00.22; 
9503.00.31; 9503.00.39; 
9503.00.60; 9503.00.80; 
9503.00.91; 9503.00.97; 
9503.00.98; 9503.00.99; 
9504.90.90; 9505.10.00), 
from specific origins  Administración Federal de 
Ingresos Públicos - 
Resoluciones Generales 
Nos. 3554/2013, 
3555/2013, and 
3556/2013 
(2 December 2013) Effective 
5 December 2013 
                                               
1 The inclusion of any measure in this table implies no judgement by the WTO Secretariat on whether or 
not such measure, or its intent, is protectionist in  nature. Moreover, nothing in the table 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/8 
 
- 88 - 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
Argentina Updated li st of "reference 
values" for exports of raw hides and skins (other than furskins) and leather (NCM 4101.20.00; 4101.50.10; 4101.50.20; 4101.50.30; 4101.90.10; 4101.90.20; 4101.90.30; 4104.11.11; 4104.11.13; 4104.11.14; 4104.11.21; 4104.11.23; 4104.11.24; 4104.19.10; 4104.19.30; 
4104.19.40), for certain 
specified de stinations Administración Federal de 
Ingresos Públicos - Resoluciones Generales Nos. 3557/2013 (2 December 2013) and 3578/2013 (7 January 2014) Effective 
5 December 2013. Reference values updated on 9 January 2014 
Australia Increase (12.5%) in excise and 
excise equivalent customs duty 
for imports of certain tobacco 
products (HS 2401.10.00, 
2401.20.00, 2401.30.00, 
2402.10.80, 2402.20.80, 
2403.11.00, 2403.19.90, 
2403.91.00, 2403.99.80, 
2402.10.20, 2402.20.20, 
2403.19.10) Permanent Delegation of 
Australia to the WTO 
(21 May 2014) and 
Australia Customs Border 
Protection Notice 
No. 2013/58 
(27 November 2013) Effective 
1 December 2013 
Australia Additional consumer price index 
adjustment for the calculation of new rates of customs duties for alcoholic beverages resulting in increase of the customs and excise duties (HS 2203; 2204; 2205; 2206; 2207; 2208) Permanent Delegation of 
Australia to the WTO (21 May 2014) and Australia Customs Border Protection Notice No. 2014/03 (24 January 2014) Effective 1 February 2014 
Australia Adjustment in the indexation of 
certain customs and excise duty 
rates for tobacco and tobacco 
products (HS 2401; 2402; 
2403) based on average weekly 
ordinary time earnings 
(AWOTE) instead of the 
Consumer Price Index (CPI), 
resulting in increase of the 
customs and excise duties Permanent Delegation of 
Australia to the WTO  
(21 May 2014) and 
Australia Customs Border 
Protection Notice 
No. 2014/12 
(26 February 2014) Effective 1 March 2014 
Brazil Prolongation of temporary 
authorization to increase the Mercosur Common External Tariff (to 55%), but not above their bound levels, for imports of canned peaches (NCM 2008.70.90) Permanent Delegation of 
Brazil to the WTO (28 May 2014) and Camex Resolution No. 47/2013 (24 June 2013) Effective 
1 December 2013 to 31 December 2014 
Brazil New Decrees temporary 
granting up preference in 
government procurement (up 
to 25% preference margin) on 
certain locally produced 
informatics and 
telecommunication equipment, 
software and related services 
and executive aircraft  Permanent Delegation of 
Brazil to the WTO 
(28 May 2014) and 
Decrees Nos. 8.184, 
8.185, 8.186 
(17 January 2014) and 
8.194 
(12 February 2014) Effective until 
31 December 2015 WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 89 - 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
China Release in December 2013 of 
the catalogue of items subject to export licensing administration, i.e. live animals, meat, cereals, cereal flours, liquorice roots, vegetable saps and extracts, bamboos, organic chemicals, mattresses, ores, miscellaneous chemical products, iron and steel, tin and articles, mineral 
fuels and oils, wood and articles 
of wood, cotton, precious metals, machinery and mechanical ap pliances, and 
vehicles and parts, (HS Chapters 01; 02; 10; 11; 12; 13; 14; 25; 26; 27; 28; 29; 32; 38; 44; 46; 52; 71; 72; 75; 80; 81; 84; 87; 94)  Permanent Delegation of 
China to the WTO (21 May 2014) and MOFCOM Announcement No. 96/2013 Effective 1 January 2014 
China Release in December 2013 of 
the catalogue of items subject 
to non-automatic import 
licensing, i.e. halogenated 
derivatives of hydrocarbons, 
miscellaneous chemical 
products, instantaneous gas 
water heaters, converters, 
pulley tackle and hoists other 
than skip hoists, ship's derricks, 
fork-lift trucks, machinery for 
making pulp or paper, electric 
motors and generators, 
centrifuges, dish washing 
machines, dairy machinery, 
harvesting or threshing 
machinery, printing machinery, 
weaving machines, knitting 
machines, dry-cleaning 
machines, and ship and boats 
(HS 2903; 3824; 8419; 8425; 
8454; 8426; 8427; 8428; 
8439; 8501; 8502; 8515; 
8421; 8422; 8434; 8438; 
8433; 8443; 8446; 8447; 
8451; 8453; 8901; 8903)  Permanent Delegation of 
China to the WTO 
(30 April 2014) and 
MOFCOM Announcement 
No. 97/2013 Effective 1 January 2014 
China First batch of 2014 export 
quotas for rare earth minerals (15,110 metal metric tonnes) and for non-ferrous metals (i.e. tungsten and its products (13,583 metal metric tonnes), antimony and its products (47,774 metal metric tonnes), silver (3,405 metal metric tonnes), tin and its products 
(11,900 metal metric tonnes), 
indium (162 metal metric tonnes), and molybdenum and its products (25,146 metal metric tonnes)) (HS Chapters 25; 26; 28; 72; 80; 81) Permanent Delegation of 
China to the WTO (21 May 2014)   WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 90 - 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
China Tariff Implementation Plan for 
2014 resulting in the increase 
of import tariffs and export 
duties on selected products  Permanent Delegation of 
China to the WTO 
(30 April 2014) Effective 1 January 2014 
Colombia Temporary export quota on raw 
hides and skins (12,682 tonnes) (HS 4101.20.00; 4101.50.00; 4101.90.00); and tanned or crust hides and skins in the wet state (including wet-blue) (27,244 tonnes) 
(HS 4104.11.00; 4104.19.00) 
(previously no export restriction in place) Permanent Delegation of 
Colombia to the WTO (29 May 2014) and Decreto No. 2469 Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo (7 November 2013) Effective for 2 years 
Colombia Amendments to the temporary 
increase of import tariffs 
(through a specific duty 
(US$3/kg for FOB declared 
value above US$10/kg; and 
US$5/kg for FOB declared value 
of US$10/kg or less), combined 
with an ad valorem  tariff 
(10%)) on articles of apparel 
and clothing accessories 
(HS 61; 62; 63). For footwear 
(HS 64) specific duty set at 
US$5/pair for FOB declared 
value of US$7/pair or less, and 
at US$1.75/pair for FOB 
declared value above 
US$7/pair, and an ad valorem  
tariff (10%). Imports from free-
trade agreement partners 
exempted (originally 
implemented on 1 March 2013 
for 1 year) Permanent Delegation of 
Colombia to the WTO 
(29 May 2014) and 
Decreto No. 456 
Ministerio de Comercio, 
Industria y Turismo  
(28 February 2014) Products included in tariff 
lines HS 6406 exempted 
from ad valorem  tariff 
(except HS 6404.10.00). 
Increase of import tariffs 
valid for 2 years 
Colombia Import ban on certain products, 
i.e. meat; oils; margarine; rice; tyres; waste and scrap of ferrous, copper, aluminium, zinc, tin, and other metals on certain entry points from Venezuela (HS 0207.13.00; 0207.14.00; 0207.26.00; 0207.27.00; 0207.54.00; 0207.55.00; 1006; 1507.90.90; 1512.19.10; 1512.19.20; 1517.90.00; 4011; 4012; 4013; 7204; 7404; 7503; 7602; 7802; 7902; 8002; 8101.97.00; 8102.97.00; 8103.30.00; 8104.20.00; 8105.30.00; 8106.00.20; 8107.30.00; 8108.30.00; 8109.30.00; 8110.20.00; 8111.00.12; 
8112.13.00; 8112.22.00; 
8112.52.00; 8112.92.20)  Permanent Delegation of 
Colombia to the WTO (29 May 2014) and Resolución No. 70 Dirección de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales (28 February 2014) Effective 
28 February 2014 WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 91 - 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
Ecuador Amendments introduced in the 
list of products (293) subject to 
prior import controls 
(certificado de reconocimiento ) 
(HS Chapters 02; 04; 09; 11; 
12; 15; 16; 19; 20; 21; 22; 
25; 27; 32; 33; 34; 38; 39; 
40; 72; 73; 76; 84; 85; 95; 
96) Resolución No. 116 
Comité de Comercio 
Exterior 
(19 November 2013)   
Egypt Temporary import ban on 
motorcycles, th ree-wheelers 
"tuk-tuks" (valid for 1 year), 
and certain engines and chassis parts(valid for 3 months) (HS 85; 8703; 8704; 8706; 8707; 8708; 8711; 8714) Permanent Delegation of 
Egypt to the WTO 
(28 May 2014) and 
Decree No. 105 Ministry of Trade and Industry  Effective 
16 February 2014 
Hong Kong, China Revised tender limits and 
admission requirements for the 
List of Approved Contractors for 
Public Works, establishing: 
(i) an increase in tender limits 
for the 3 groups of contractors; 
(ii) minimum 24-months 
probationary period waived for 
probationary contractors; and 
(iii) acceptance of relevant 
experience on both government 
and non-government contracts 
executed in Hong Kong for 
probationary contractors 
seeking confirmation status Permanent Delegation of 
Hong Kong, China to the 
WTO (16 May 2014)  Effective 
1 December 2013 
India Exports of dimethylamine 
hydrochloride, sodium cyanide and sodium fluoride restricted 
(HS 2826.19.90; 2837.19.90; 
2921.11.90) and only permitted under licence  Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO (25 May 2014) and 
Notification, Ministry of 
Commerce & Industry No. 56/RE-2013 (12 December 2013)  Effective 
12 December 2013 
India Increase of specific import 
tariffs (from Rs 20/kg to 
Rs 30/kg) on natural rubber in 
other forms (HS 4001.21; 
4001.22; 4001.29) Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO 
(25 May 2014) and 
Notification No. 51/2013-
Customs Ministry of 
Finance 
(20 December 2013)  Effective 
20 December 2013 
India Increase of import tariffs (from 
7.5% to 10%) on certain animal or vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products, and prepared edible fats (HS 1507; 1508; 1509; 1510; 1512; 1513; 1514; 1515; 1517; 1518) Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO (25 May 2014) and Notification No. 2/2014-Customs Ministry of Finance (20 January 2014)  Effective 
20 January 2014 
India Increase of import tariffs (from 
zero to 5%) on iron ore pellets 
(HS 2601.12.10) Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO 
(25 May 2014) and 
Notification No. 3/2014-
Customs Ministry of 
Finance 
(27 January 2014)  Effective 
27 January 2014 WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 92 - 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
India Further extension of export ban 
on pulses (HS 0713) (originally implemented on 27 June 2006 and effective until 31 March 2012, and extended until 31 March 2014). Exports of "Kabuli Chana" and 10,000 metric tonnes/annum of organic pulses and lentils exempted Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO (25 May 2014) and Notification, Ministry of Commerce & Industry No. 78/RE-2013 (31 March 2014)  Effective 31 March 2014 
Indonesia New requirement (technical 
verification) for exports of palm 
oil, crude palm oil (CPO) and 
derivative products Permanent Delegation of 
Indonesia to the WTO 
(30 May 2014) and 
Minister of Trade 
Regulation No. 29/ 
M-DAG/PER/6/2013 Effective 
24 December 2013 
Indonesia New excise tax on beverages 
containing ethyl alcohol, imposing higher excise tax on imported than on domestic products for 2 categories (category B: more than 5% up to 20%, and category C: more than 20%)  Permanent Delegation of 
Indonesia to the WTO (30 May 2014) and Regulation No. 207/2013 Minister of Finance (31 December 2013) Effective 
31 December 2013  
Indonesia Temporary revised import 
requirements on used capital 
goods. Used capital goods can 
only be imported by a direct 
user, reconditioning, 
manufacturing, and health 
equipment supplier companies Permanent Delegation of 
Indonesia to the WTO 
(30 May 2014) and 
Minister of Trade 
Regulation No. 75/ 
M-DAG/PER/12/2013 Effective 1 January 2014 
to 31 December 2016 
Indonesia Increase of import income tax 
on certain products (502 tariff lines at 10 digits), i.e. perfumes; articles of 
plastic; articles  of leather; 
wood and articles of wood; carpets; apparel and clothing; footwear; glass and glassware; articles of iron, steel and aluminium; tools; machinery and equipment; vehicles; boats; apparatus; and miscellaneous manufactures articles (HS Chapters 33; 39; 42; 44; 57; 61; 62; 64; 66; 70; 71; 73; 76; 82; 84; 85; 87; 89; 90; 91; 94; 95; 96) for importers using import identification number "API" Permanent Delegation of 
Indonesia to the WTO (30 May 2014)  Effective 6 January 2014 
Indonesia Export ban on raw minerals, 
mineral ores and unprocessed 
metals, linked with an 
obligation for mining operators 
to process the minerals locally. 
Certain metallic minerals, 
including copper concentrate, 
exempted until January 2017. 
In January 2014, the minimum 
processing degree of exportable 
cooper was reduced from 99% 
to 15%  Permanent Delegation of 
Indonesia to the WTO 
(30 April 2014) and 
Minister of Energy and 
Mineral Resources 
Regulation No. 1  Effective 
11 January 2014  WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 93 - 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
Indonesia  Imposition of export duties on 
copper (25%) and (20%) for other raw materials (HS 2601.11.00; 2601.12.00; 2602.00.00; 2603.00.00; 2607.00.00; 2608.00.00). Duties to further increase up to 60% in 2016  Permanent Delegation of 
Indonesia to the WTO (30 May 2014) and Minister of Finance Regulation No. 6/PMK.011/2014 Effective 
12 January 2014  
Indonesia Revised export procedures for 
processing and refining of 
mining products. Export 
prohibition for minerals not 
attaining locally minimum 
processing/refining threshold. 
Restrictions in place for other 
mineral exports Permanent Delegation of 
Indonesia to the WTO 
(30 May 2014) and 
Minister of Trade 
Regulation No. 4/ 
M-DAG/PER/1/2014 Effective 
13 January 2014 
Indonesia  Industry Law adopted in 
December 2013 increasing state ownership in strategic industries and the use of domestically produced goods and services. Law also includes export ban requirements on certain raw materials  Permanent Delegation of 
Indonesia to the WTO (30 May 2014) and Law No. 3  Effective 
15 January 2014  
Indonesia New Trade Law adopted by the 
Parliament on 
11 February 2014 containing 
provisions establishing the 
framework to further regulate 
domestic and international 
trade, including protecting 
domestic supply and 
production, rest ricting exports 
(including raw materials), and 
requiring various import/export 
licenses (i.e. registration, 
approval, determination, and/or 
recognition). In addition the 
Law also includes clauses on 
standardization, safeguards, 
and e-commerce (i.e. to protect 
and safeguard national 
interests from the negative 
impacts of international trade, 
through import/export 
restrictions) Permanent Delegation of 
Indonesia to the WTO 
(30 May 2014) and 
Law No. 7  Effective 11 March 2014 
Indonesia Temporary revised export 
requirements on rice (HS 1006.30.30; 1006.30.99) Permanent Delegation of 
Indonesia to the WTO (30 May 2014) and Minister of Trade Regulation No. 19/ M-DAG/PER/3/2014 Effective 28 March 2014 
Mexico Increase of import tariffs (to 
7%) on certain metal furniture 
(HS 9403.20.03; 9403.20.99) Permanent Delegation of 
Mexico to the WTO 
(22 May 2014) Effective 
13 December 2013 
Mexico Re-imposition of import tariffs 
(20%) on white maize 
(HS 1005) (eliminated in 2008); lemon (HS 0805) (eliminated in May 2013); (15%) on sorghum (HS 1007) (eliminated in 2012); and (10%) tomato (HS 0702) (eliminated in May 2013)  Permanent Delegation of 
Mexico to the WTO 
(22 May 2014) Effective 
13 December 2013 WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 94 - 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
Mexico Temporary extension of the 
export requirement permission 
on iron ore (HS 2601.11.01; 
2601.12.01) (originally 
implemented on 
22 March 2011) Permanent Delegation of 
Mexico to the WTO 
(22 May 2014) Extended on 
1 January 2014 until 
31 December 2014 
Russian Federation Development of the 
Pharmaceutical and Medical Industry scheme favouring locally manufactured medicines (HS 3004) (up to 50% by 
2020) Permanent Delegation of 
the Russian Federation (23 May 2014) Effective 1 April 2014 
Customs Union 
between the 
Russian Federation, 
Belarus, and 
Kazakhstan Increase of import tariffs (from 
5% to 11.7%) on compressors 
(HS 8414.30)  Permanent Delegation of 
the Russian Federation 
(23 May 2014) Effective 1 January 2014 
Customs Union 
between the Russian Federation, Belarus, and Kazakhstan Increase of export duties on 
tungsten ores and concentrates (HS 2611.00.00)  Permanent Delegation of 
the Russian Federation (23 May 2014) and Decision of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission No. 1202 Effective 
25 January 2014 
Customs Union 
between the 
Russian Federation, 
Belarus, and 
Kazakhstan Temporary increase of import 
tariffs (from zero to 5%) on 
alternating current motors 
(HS 8501.52.30) Permanent Delegation of 
the Russian Federation 
(23 May 2014) and 
Decision of the Council of 
the Eurasian Economic 
Commission No. 3 Effective until 
31 December 2015 
Customs Union between the Russian Federation, Belarus, and Kazakhstan Imposition of import tariffs 
(25%) on certain poultry frozen cuts and offal (HS 0207.14.10) Permanent Delegation of 
the Russian Federation (23 May 2014) and Decision No. 46 Eurasian Economic Commission 
Council (25 March 2014) Effective 26 April 2014 
Customs Union 
between the 
Russian Federation, 
Belarus, and 
Kazakhstan Increase of import tariffs on 
metal-rolling mills and rolls 
(HS 8455.30.31; 8455.30.39) Permanent Delegation of 
the Russian Federation 
(23 May 2014) and 
Decisions of the Council 
of the Eurasian Economic 
Commission 
Nos. 16 and 32 Effective 28 April 2014 
Sri Lanka Further increase of import 
tariffs (from 5% to 7.5%) on gold (originally implemented on 21 June 2013). Imports from India and Pakistan exempted. The temporary additional "surcharge" (5%) on gold imports was eliminated  Permanent Delegation of 
Sri Lanka to the WTO (3 December 2013) Effective 
21 November 2013 
Separate Customs 
Territory of Taiwan, 
Penghu, Kinmen 
and Matsu Special safeguard (volume-
based) measure on imports of 
dried shiitake (HS 0712.39.20) WTO document 
G/AG/N/TPKM/110, 
31 January 2014 Effective 
31 December 2013 to 
31 December 2013 
Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, 
Penghu, Kinmen 
and Matsu Special safeguard 
(volume-based) measure on 
imports of peanuts 
(HS 1202.30.10; 1202.30.20; 1202.41.00; 1202.42.00; 1208.90.11; 1208.90.21; 1508.10.00; 1508.90.00; 2008.11.11; 2008.11.12; 2008.11.91; 2008.11.92; 2008.19.42) WTO document 
G/AG/N/TPKM/113, 
9 May 2014 Effective 11 April 2014 to 
31 December 2014 WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 95 - 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
Turkey Increase of import tariffs (from 
zero to 6%) on certain flat 
rolled products of alloyed steel 
(HS 7225.30.90) and flat 
products of other alloyed steel 
with a width less than 600 mm 
(HS 7226.99.71), and (from 
zero to 10%) flat rolled 
products of a width less than 
600 mm (HS 7211.14.00; 
7211.23.30; 7211.23.80.90) Permanent Delegation of 
Turkey to the WTO 
(13 May 2014) Effective 1 January 2014 
Venezuela, 
Bolivarian Rep. of Establishment of the National 
Centre of Foreign Trade, and the Foreign Trade Corporation with the aim of controlling trade related matters and foreign currency issues, and coordinating the export of non-petroleum goods  Permanent Delegation of 
Venezuela to the WTO (22 May 2014) and Government Announcement extraordinary official gazette No. 6116   
Venezuela, 
Bolivarian Rep. of Revised import requirements on 
motor vehicles Permanent Delegation of 
Venezuela to the WTO 
(22 May 2014) and 
Government 
Announcement 
Extraordinary Official 
Gazette No. 6117 
(4 December 2013)   
 
Recorded, but non-confirmed information3 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
Belarus Introduction of recycle tax on 
vehicles  Press reports referring to 
President Executive order No. 64 (1 March 2014)  
Ecuador Import restrictions on 355 tariff 
lines (i.e. plastics, food 
products, cosmetics, chemicals, 
jewellery)  Gestión (10 March 2014)  
Ghana Petroleum Local Content and 
Local Participation Regulation endorsed by Parliament in November 2013, providing that entities in the petroleum industry must submit their local content plans regarding the use of local goods and services, and the transfer of advanced technology and skills to the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) Press reports referring to 
Petroleum Local Content and Local Participation Regulation (November 2013)  
India Temporary export ban on 
wheat (HS 1001)  Business-standard.com 
(6 April 2014)   
India Imposition of export duties (up 
to 60%) on raw hides and skins, and certain semi-finished leather  Press reports (April 2014)   
                                               
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/8 
 
- 96 - 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
Indonesia Temporary import restriction on 
alcoholic beverages, under an 
import quota of 553,000 
cartons Press reports referring to 
Regulation No. 19/2013 
Ministry of Trade Effective until 
31 March 2014 
Russian Federation New Decree granting up 
preference in government procurement favouring locally manufactured vehicles  Reuters (24 March 2014)   
Customs Union 
between the 
Russian Federation, 
Belarus, and 
Kazakhstan Import ban on synthetic lace 
lingerie containing less than 6% 
cotton International Business 
Times referring to 
Regulation 
TR CU 017/2011 
(24 February 2014)   
Customs Union 
between the Russian Federation, Belarus, and Kazakhstan Inclusion of raw hides and skins 
of swine, bovine (including buffalos) and equine animals (HS 4103.30.00; 4104; 4106.31.00; 4106.32.00) in the list of essential goods for the internal market of the Customs Union, authorizing in exceptional cases export bans  Press reports referring to 
Council of the Eurasian Commission Decision No. 30 (25 December 2013) Effective 
26 January 2014 
Tajikistan Imposition of ex port duties on 
more than 300 items of raw 
materials  Central Asia News 
(18 March 2014)   
Viet Nam Increase of import tariffs on 
products locally produced (3,425 tariff lines)  Library.PressDisplay.com 
(13 November 2013) 
  
 WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 97 - 
ANNEX 4 
GENERAL ECONOMIC SUPPORT MEASURES1 
(MID-NOVEMBER 2013 TO MID-MAY 2014) 
 
Confirmed information2 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
Azerbaijan Prolongation of tax exemption 
for processing and producing agricultural products Permanent Delegation of 
Azerbaijan (2 May 2014) Effective until 
1 January 2019 
China  Joint Statement issued by 9 
Government Departments 
establishing an aid scheme for 
SMEs in labour intensive 
industries, through the 
development of financial 
products and services for SMEs  Permanent Delegation of 
China to the WTO 
(21 May 2014)  
China Financial aid (Y 107.1 billion) 
for agricultural inputs for 
grain-growing producers Permanent Delegation of 
China to the WTO 
(21 May 2014)  
Costa Rica Extension of the transitional 
scheme established for the 
elimination of a rice price 
support mechanism ( esquema 
de fijación de precios ) (original 
elimination date 1 March 2014)  WTO documents 
G/AG/GEN/116, 
24 January 2014 and 
WT/TPR/OV/16, 
31 January 2014 Extended on 
17 January 2014 until 
1 March 2015 
European Union European Commission 
Communication on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU to short-term export-credit insurance Public information 
available on the European Co mmission's 
website transmitted by the European Union Delegation (22 May 2014) (Official Journal C 392, 19 December 2012) Effective until 
31 December 2018 
France State aid (€24.2 million) for 
industrial research and 
development to car component 
manufacturer Valeo  Public information 
available on the 
European Co mmission's 
website transmitted by 
the European Union 
Delegation 
(22 May 2014). 
EU State Aid SA. 34666  Effective 
25 February 2014 to 
31 December 2016 
                                               
1 The inclusion of any measure in this table implies no judgement by the WTO Secretariat on whether or 
not such measure, or its intent, is protectionist in  nature. Moreover, nothing in the table 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/8 
 
- 98 - 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
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 (up to the total guarantee commitment of HK$100 billion), through the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme (SFGS) (originally 
effective from 31 May 2012 to 
end-February 2013) Permanent Delegation of 
Hong Kong, China to the WTO (16 May 2014) and WTO document WT/TPR/OV/16, 31 January 2014 Extended until 
February 2015  
Iceland Prolongation of the Icelandic 
regional aid map 2007-13 until 
30 June 2014 EFTA Decision 
495/13/COL – 
Case No. 74723 
(11 December 2013)  
Malaysia New Automotive Policy 2014 - 
scheme granting financial aid (overall budget RM 2 billion) (i.e. tax incentives and soft loans) for automotive industry. The main objectives are to: (i) promote a competitive and sustainable domestic automotive industry; (ii) make Malaysia the regional automotive hub in energy efficient vehicles; (iii) promote increase in value-added activities in a sustainable manner; (iv) promote increase in exports of vehicle and automotive components; 
(v) promote participation of 
Bumiputera companies in the domestic automotive industry; and (vi) safeguard consumer interests Permanent Delegation of 
Malaysia to the WTO (22 May 2014) and document WT/TPR/S/292/Rev.1, 31 March 2014  
Norway Prolongation of the Norwegian 
regional aid map 2007-13 until 
30 June 2014 EFTA Decision 
495/13/COL  
- Case No. 74662 
(11 December 2013)  
Switzerland Agricultural policy for 2014-17: 
core of the new policy is a further developed direct payment system (overall budget Sw F 13.83 billion) Permanent Delegation of 
Switzerland to the WTO (19 May 2014) Effective 1 January 2014 
Thailand Termination in February 2014 
of the rice mortgage scheme 
(originally implemented on 
1 October 2013)  Permanent Delegation of 
Thailand to the WTO 
(28 May 2014) and WTO 
document 
WT/TPR/OV/16, 
31 January 2014 Terminated on 
28 February 2014 except 
for the Southern region, 
for which the scheme is 
expected to be 
terminated on 
31 July 2014 WT/TPR/OV/W/8 
 
- 99 - 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
United States of 
America Paper and Paper-Based 
Packaging Promotion, Research and Information Order aiming at expanding markets for paper-based packaging. Programme financed by an assessment (US$0.35/short tonne (equivalent of 2,000 pounds)) on importers and local manufacturers. Entities that domestically manufacture or 
import less than 100,000 short 
tonnes per marketing year exempted Department of 
Agriculture - Agriculture Marketing Service - Document Number AMS-FV-11-0069 FR - Federal Register, Volume 79 issue 14 (22 January 2014) Effective 
23 January 2014 
 
 
Recorded, but non-confirmed information3 
 
Country/ 
Member State 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
Albania Financial aid (€22 million) for 
agricultural sector  Xinhua 
(19 November 2013 and 
11 February 2014)  
India Increase of the funds allocated to 
the National Food Security Law 
(additional US$4 billion) aiming 
at distributing grains at a 
preferential price for farmers  The Wall Street Journal 
(4 July 2013)  
India Financial aid (Rs 3,333/tonne), 
and preferential interest rate for raw sugar exporters  PTI (16 January 2014)  
India Increase of the financial aid for 
rubber farmers  The Hindu 
(1 February 2014)  
India Reduction of the financial aid 
(Rs 11,300/tonne to Rs 9,300/tonne) for potash  Reuters 
(27 February 2014) Effective 1 April 2014 
Morocco Import subsidy scheme for wheat 
importers, reimbursing any cost 
over DH 2,600/tonne  Press reports 
(19 December 2013) Effective 1 January 2014 
to 30 April 2014 
Russian 
Federation State aid (Rub 271 billion) for car 
industry  Reuters 
(20 January 2014) Effective until 2016 
Ukraine Support scheme for dairy sector  AgraEurope  
(17 April 2014)  
 
  
 
 
__________  
                                               
3 This section includes information which has been obtained from public sources but has not yet been 
confirmed by the delegation concerned.