WT/TPR/OV/W/7  
 
5 July 2013  
(13-3559)  Page: 1/72  
 Trade Policy Review Body   
 
REPORT TO THE TPRB FROM  THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL 
ON TRADE-RELATED DEVELOPMENTS 
  
(Mid-October 2012 to mid-May 2013)1 
 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
 
The outlook for economic growth and job creation  remains a major global concern. The economy 
has continued to struggle over the past seven months, with negative consequences for merchandise trade flows. The most recent forecast for merchandise trade growth in 2013 is 3.3%. 
Although this is higher than the 2% growth in 2012,  it is still below the 20-year average of around 
5%.   
This report follows the new format requested by Members in discussions at the TPRB and 
therefore, trade measures are presented under thre e categories: trade-facilitating measures; trade 
remedy actions (both initiation of investigations and termination of actions); and other trade 
measures. 
 This report shows that 52 trade-facilitating meas ures were recorded during the review period. The 
m a j o r i t y  o f  t h e m  w e r e  e i t h e r  a  d e c r e a s e  o r  e l i m i n a t i o n  o f  i m p o r t  t a r i f f s  ( s o m e  o f  w h i c h  w e r e  
implemented only on a temporary basis).  The streamlining of customs procedures was the second 
most important facilitating measure.  Regarding trade remedies, 133 measures were recorded during the period reviewed (86 initiations of new investigations, and 47 terminations of either 
investigations or existing duties). The vast ma jority of trade remedy measures concerned anti-
dumping actions. Regarding the final category of other trade measures, 68 cases were compiled, more than one half of them being tariff increase s.  Sixteen per cent of the measures listed under 
this final category were applied on exports. 
 Diverse measures affecting trade in services have been introduced by Members in the period under 
consideration. However, no clear sectoral or policy trend has emerged.  Indeed, sectors affected 
are as diverse as banking, distribution, insurance or telecommunications; and measures range 
from liberalization and streamlining of regulatory frameworks to further limitations on market access and national treatment, through to the tightening up of regulations. 
 
Agriculture trade continues to be a highly restrict ed and distorted area of world trade due to policy 
interventions put in place in the past, even if during the review period, no new significant policy 
measures were observed in the area of agriculture. 
 A few governments have put in place new general economic support measures, particularly rescue aid for specific industries, export support, and ge neral financial support in the form of insurance 
and loan guarantees.  SMEs were the main beneficiaries.  The regular monitoring of this type of 
measure continues to be a challenge due to difficulties in obtaining relevant information.   
                                               
1 This Report is intended to be a purely factual repo rt and is issued under the sole responsibility of the 
Director-General.  It has no legal effe ct 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.  It is 
a preparatory contribution to the annual report by the Dire ctor-General that is called for in Paragraph G of the 
TPRM mandate and that aims to assi st the TPRB to undertake an annual overview of developments in the 
international trading environment which are having an impact on the multilateral trading system.   WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
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This report provides an overview of Members'  compliance record with their WTO notification 
obligations.  During the review period, Members have continued their work towards improving the 
timeliness and completeness of their notifications to the various WTO Committees and Councils.  
Although these efforts are showing improving comp liance rates across the board, progress remain 
slow and uneven.  The record of compliance has im proved considerably in some areas, such as the 
provision of tariff and trade information to the IDB, while much progress can be done in others, 
such as in agricultural support measures. 
 To overcome protectionist threats and to preven t economic nationalism, governments need to 
refocus their attention on reinforcing the multilateral trading system. More open trade can be an 
engine for growth and a source of strength for the global economy rather than as a source of 
instability and tension. At this stage, the world ec onomy needs all the help it can get, and trade is 
an important and viable option. 
 
1  INTRODUCTION 
1.1.  This monitoring report reviews trade and trade-related developments during the period mid-
October 2012 to mid-May 2013.  The Director-General has regularly reported to WTO Members on 
trade and trade-related policy developments.
2   
1.2.  At the last WTO Ministerial Conference in  December 2011 Ministers recognized the regular 
work undertaken by the TPRB on the monitoring exercise of trade and trade-related measures, 
took note of the work initially done in the context of the global financial and economic crisis, and 
directed it to be continued and strengthened.  Ministers invited the Director-General to continue presenting his trade monitoring reports on a regular basis, and asked the TPRB to consider these 
monitoring reports in addition to its meeting to undertake the Annual Overview of Developments in 
the International Trading Environment.  Minister s committed to duly comply with the existing 
transparency obligations and reporting requirements needed for the preparation of these 
monitoring reports, and to continue to support and cooperate with the WTO Secretariat in a 
constructive fashion.
3  
1.3.  Information on the measures included in this report has been collected from inputs submitted 
by Members and Observers, as well as from othe r official and public sources.  Replies to the 
Director-General's request for information on meas ures taken during the period under review were 
received from 34% of the Membership (Box 1), co mpared with 38% for the previous report.  Two 
Observers also replied to the request for information.  The WTO Secretariat has drawn on these 
replies, as well as on a variety of other public and official sources, to collect information to be 
included in the report.  All recorded country-spe cific information on trade measures was sent for 
verification to the delegations concerned.  Many  delegations 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 EU and its Member States as one).  Around 56%  of them provided replies in time for the finalization of the report, which is 
lower than the reply rate of 60% recorded for last year's 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 go vernments during the period under review.
4  The 
compilation of all measures implemented before  mid-October 2012 is available in the recently 
launched Trade Monitoring Database ( http://tmdb.wto.org/ ). 
                                               
2 The previous trade monitoring report presented to the TPRB (WT/TPR/OV/15 of 26 November 2012) 
covered measures taken over the period from mid-October 2011 to mid-October 2012.  More recently, the WTO Secretariat, together with the Secretariats of th e OECD and UNCTAD, issued on 17 June 2013 a report on 
trade and investment measures implemented by G-20 economies (available on the WTO website).  The relevant G-20 measures identified in that do cument are also reprod uced in this report. 
3 WTO document WT/L/848 of 19 December 2011. 
4 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 judge ment, either direct or indire ct, as to the consistency of any measure referred to in the 
Report with the provisions of any WTO Agreement. WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
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  Box 1: List of Members that replied to th e Director-General's request for information  
Argentina 
Australia  
Azerbaijan * 
Belarus* 
Brazil  
Canada  
China  
 Colombia 
El Salvador 
European Union  
Hong Kong, China 
India 
Indonesia  
Japan  
 Korea, Rep. of 
Macau, China 
Mexico  
New Zealand 
Peru 
Russian Federation  
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of  
 Singapore 
South Africa  
Switzerland 
Chinese Taipei 
Thailand 
Turkey  
United States 
 
* Observer     
 
2  TRADE AND TRADE-RELATE D POLICY DEVELOPMENTS 
2.1  TRADE MEASURES 
2.1.  Based on the methodology used by the WTO Secretariat until mid-May 2012, it possible to 
say that the pace of implementation of trade rest rictions over the review period has declined.  
During the period mid-October 2012 to mid-May 2013, 154 trade restrictive measures were 
recorded (out of which 143 were applied on imports, accounting for slightly more than 0.4% of 
world merchandise imports), compared with 182 measures recorded for the period mid-October 2011 to mid-May 2012.  Around 40% of the total number of measures recorded over the most 
recent period can be considered as trade-facilitating measures. 
2.2.  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 clearly facilitate trade;  (ii) trade remedy measures;  and (iii) other 
measures.   
2.1.1  Trade facilitating measures 2.3.  Over the period mid-October 2012 to mid-May 2013, 52 trade facilitating measures were 
recorded (Annex 1).  Close to 85% 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 measure (Table 1).  The measures 
that facilitate trade cover around 0.5% of world merchandise imports. 
Table 1 Measures facilitating trade 
Type of Measure Share in total (%) 
Import 94 
 Tariff 83 
 Customs procedures 9 
 Tax 2 
Export 6 
 Duties 4 
 Quantitative restrictions 2 
TOTAL 100 
Source: Annex 1. 
 
2.4.  The main sectors benefiting from facilitating measures over this period were IT 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. 
 WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
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  2.1.2  Trade remedies 
2.1.2.1  Trade-remedy measures 2.5.  Trade-remedy measures taken during the review period are listed in Annex 2.  Over the 
period from mid-October 2012 to mid-May 2013, 133 measures were recorded, of which the vast 
majority concerned anti-dumping actions (94 anti-dumping measures, 20 safeguard, and 19 
countervailing).
5  More initiations were recorded than terminations: out of the total number of 
trade-remedy measures, 86 were initiations of new trade-remedy investigations covering around 
0.2% of world merchandise imports, and 47 measures  were terminations of either investigations 
or existing duties covering ar ound 0.1% of world imports. 
2.6.  Anti-dumping actions account for the vast majority of both initiations (66% of all initiations) 
and terminations (79% of all terminations). 
2.1.2.2  Trade-remedy trends 
2.7.  This section provides an assessment of tren ds in trade-remedy measures during the period 
October 2011 to April 2012 ("first period") in comparison with October 2012 to April 20136 
("second period").  Concerning anti-dumping, the most recent data indicate stabilization in 
initiations following the previously reported increasing trend.7  Also, there has not been a 
significant change in countervail patterns between the two periods.  Safeguard initiations, 
however, doubled during the second period.   
2.8.  The initiation of anti-dumping investigations remained relatively stable over the two periods 
examined, with 100 initiations registered during the first period compared with 98 during the 
second (Table 2).  While the totals stayed stable, it is interesting to note that the geographical 
distribution of initiations changed significantly.   During the first period, the largest number of 
initiations was carried out by Brazil, the EU, Chin ese Taipei and the United States.  During the 
second period, except for Brazil whose initiations increased slightly, these Members' initiations 
decreased sharply.  Initiations by the EU fell from  14 in the first period to 4 in the second period, 
those by Chinese Taipei fell from 9 to 0, and those from the United States fell from 12 to 3.   
2.9.  At the same time, some Members which initiated few investigations in the first period sharply 
increased their activity during the second period.  Of note are Argentina which increased initiations 
from 5 to 14, India which increased initiations from 9 to 15, and Malaysia which increased initiations from 0 to 7.  Malaysia's increase is particularly noteworthy as it signals a return to activity by Malaysia after five years (2007-2011) in which Malaysia initiated no anti-dumping 
investigations.  Similarly, Morocco's initiations are noteworthy, increasing from 0 in the first period 
to 4 in the second period, given that Morocco initiated its first-ever investigation only in May 2011.   
Table 2 Initiations of anti-dumping investigations 
(Counted on the basis of ex porting countries affected) 
Reporting Member October 2011-April 2012 October 2012-April 2013 
Argentina 5 14 
Australia 4 5 
Brazil 16 18 
Canada 3 5 
Chile 0 1 
China 6 1 
Egypt 1 0 
European Union 14 4 
India 9 15 
                                               
5 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.  A single measure 
affecting many trading partners is coun ted only once, as listed in Annex 2. 
6 Data for January 2012-April 2013 is partly unverified and collected from various unofficial sources. 
7 WTO document WT/TPR/OV/15, pp 22-27, 29 November 2012. WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
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  Reporting Member October 2011-April 2012 October 2012-April 2013 
Israel 0 1 
Korea Rep. of 1 4 
Malaysia 0 7 
Mexico 2 4 
Morocco 0 4 
Pakistan 4 1 
Russian Federation 5 0 
South Africa 1 3 
Chinese Taipei 9 0 
Thailand 0 1 
Turkey 7 6 
Ukraine 1 1 
United States 12 3 
Total 100 98 
Source:  WTO Secretariat. 
 
2.10.  There appears to be a more even breakdown of products affected by anti-dumping initiations during the second period compared with the first when metals dominated the 
investigations (Chart 1).  The share of metals in total investigations, which was 42% during the 
first period, fell by half to 20% during the second period.  The share of plastics and resins rose during the second period to 23% from 9% in the first period, as did stones and plasters which 
increased significantly during the second period to 13% from 2% in the first.  Also worth noting is 
the decrease in the paper sector, whose share more than halved during the second period.  Other sectors remained relatively stable over the two periods. 
Chart 1
Anti-dumping initiations, product coverage
Source: WTO Secretariat.October 2011-April 2012 October 2012-April 2013
Chemicals
14%Plastics, resins
9%Vehicles
6%
Metals
42%Textile 7%Others
3%
Metals
20%
Chemicals
16%Plastics, resins
23% Wood 5%Others
3%
Wood 4%Paper
10%
Stone/plaster
2%Machinery
10%
Stone/plaster
13%Machinery
7%Vehicles
3%
Paper 3%
 
2.11.  China remained, by far, the country which was the most affected by anti-dumping initiations 
during the two periods – investigations of China's exports accounted for 32% of all investigations WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
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  during the second period, up from 27% in the first.   The second most affected country during both 
periods - the Republic of Korea - accounted for 10 % of investigations during the first period and 
9% in the second.  Other countries affected by in vestigations remained relatively constant during 
the two periods. 
2.12.  Initiations of countervailing-duty investigations increased slightly during the second period - 
19 investigations compared to 17 in the first peri od (Table 3).  Brazil increased its number of 
initiations from zero in the first period to 3 in the second.  Other countervail users' activity 
remained relatively stable over the two periods. 
2.13.  Concerning the types of products affected by these investigations, while metals accounted 
for 8 of the 17 initiations during the first period, this sector accounted for only 3 investigations in the second.  The largest sector in which initiation s were carried out during the second period was 
live animals and products (frozen warm-water shrimp which accounted for 7 of the 19 initiations).   
2.14.  Regarding the affected exporting countries, similarly to anti-dumping, China's share 
accounted for most initiations during the two periods (slightly more than 40% of all initiations 
during both periods). 
2.15.  Another noteworthy development is the continuation of simultaneous anti-dumping and 
countervail initiations on a given product originating in a given exporting country.  Twelve of the 
17 countervail initiations in the first period and eight of the 19 initiations in the second period were 
accompanied by simultaneous anti-dumping investigations.  Of the 12 simultaneous countervail initiations in the first period, five were on products from China and one each on products from India, the Rep. of Korea, Oman, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, the United States and 
Viet Nam.  Of the eight such simultaneous initiations in the second period, 5 were on products 
from China, and one each on products from India, South Africa and the European Union. 
Table 3 Initiations of countervailing duty investigations 
(Counted on the basis of ex porting countries affected) 
Reporting Member October 2011-April 2012 October 2012- April 2013 
Australia 1 1 
Brazil 0 3 
Canada 2 3 
China 0 1 
European Union 3 3 
Pakistan 2 0 
United States 9 8 
Total 17 19 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
2.16.  Initiations of safeguard investigations doubled from eight in the first period to 16 in the 
second (Table 4).  Indonesia remains the main initiator of safeguard investigations, accounting for 
2 5 %  o f  i n v e s t i g a t i o n s  i n  t h e  s e c o n d  p e r i o d  d o w n  f r o m  3 7 %  i n  t h e  f i r s t .   I n  t e r m s  o f  p r o d u c t  coverage, safeguard initiations did not reveal any particular pattern in either period.  During the second period, metals, foodstuffs and chemicals were the sectors which accounted for the most 
initiations.  During the first period, metals and textiles were the sectors that topped the initiations. WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
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  Table 4 Initiations of safeguard investigations 
Reporting Member October 2011-April 2012 October 2012-April 2013 
Brazil 1 0 
Chile 1 1 
Egypt 2 2 
India 0 2 
Indonesia 3 4 
Jordan 1 0 
Russian Federation 0 1 
South Africa 0 2 
Thailand 0 2 
Turkey  0 1 
Viet Nam 0 1 
Total 8 16 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
2.1.3  Other trade and trade-related measures 
2.17.  Sixty-eight measures were recorded in Annex 3 which includes all other trade and trade-
related measures.  Out of these, 50 measures were applied on imports, covering around 0.2% of 
world merchandise imports.  More than one-half 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 5).   
Table 5 Other trade and trade-related measures 
Type of Measure Share in total (%) 
Import 74 
 Tariff 55 
 Customs procedures 16 
 Quantitative restrictions 3 
Export 16 
 Quantitative restrictions 7 
 Other 9 
Other 10 
TOTAL  100 
Source: Annex 3. 
2.1.4  Sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS) 
2.18.  In the period from October 2012 through March 2013, 613 SPS notifications (regular and 
emergency) were submitted to the WTO. Notifications from developing-country Members accounted for 66% of the total number.  In the previous six-month period, the total number of 
notifications was higher and the proportion of measures notified by developing-country Members 
lower: from April through September 2012, a total of 696 notifications (regular and emergency) 
were submitted, of which 54% were  by developing-country Members. 
2.19.  From October 2012 through March 2013, WTO Members submitted 574 regular SPS 
notifications; 65% of which were submitted by developing-country Members. Compared with the 
previous six-month period (April-September 2012), there was a 10% decrease in the total number of notified measures, and a 25% increase in th e share of notifications by developing-country 
Members. 
2.20.  The number of notifications of emergenc y measures also dropped compared with the 
previous period (Chart 2).  The share of emerge ncy notifications submitted by developing-country 
Members was broadly similar to that of the previous period.  From October 2012 through March WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 8 - 
 
  2013, 79% of the 39 notifications of emergency me asures were submitted by developing-country 
Members.  For the previous period (April-September 2012), 81% of the 58 emergency notifications were submitted by developing-country Members. This high proportion of emergency measures 
notified by developing-country Members might stem from the fact that they do not have extensive 
SPS regulatory systems as developed-country Members do, and consequently, when facing 
emergency challenges, they are more likely to have to introduce new regulations or change existing ones. 
638
331574
37558
4739
31
0100200300400500600700800
All Members Developing-country
MembersAll Members Developing-country
MembersChart 2
Number of SPS notifications
Source: WTO Secretariat.Regular notifications Emergency notifications04/2012-09/2012 10/2012-03/2013
 
 
2.21.  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 409 regular notifications (excluding addenda) submitted from 
October 2012 to March 2013, 215 (53% of the total) indicated that an international standard, guideline or recommendation was applicable to the notified measure (Chart 3). Of these, 80% 
indicated that the proposed measure was in conformity with the existing international standard. WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
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  Codex
48%
OIE
16%
IPPC
36%
Source : WTO Secretariat.Chart 3
Regular SPS notifications and international standards
None
47%Relevant 
international 
standard
53%
 
 
2.22.  International standards often provide useful guidance regarding measures to address 
disease outbreaks and other emergency situations . Indeed, 83% of the 30 emergency notifications 
(excluding addenda) submitted from October 2012 to March 2013 indicated that an international standard, guideline or recommendation was applicable to the notified measure (Chart 4). Of these, 
96% indicated that the measure was in conformity with the existing international standard. 
2.23.  Of the 574 regular notifications submitted from October 2012 to March 2013, the majority 
were related to food safety and the protection of humans from animal diseases or plant pests.
8 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. 
2.24.  Of the 39 emergency measures notified in the same period, the majority related to animal 
health, followed by measures related to plant protection, the protection of humans from animal diseases or plant pests, food safety, and protecti on of the Member's territory from other damage 
from pests. Similarly, the majority of emergency notifications during this period identified more 
than one objective per measure. 
 
                                               
8 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/7 
 
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  Codex
4%
OIE
44%
IPPC
52%
Source : WTO Secretariat.Chart 4
Emergency SPS notifications and international standards
None
17%Relevant 
international 
standard
83%
 
 
2.25.  While there is no formal provision for "counter notification", concerns regarding the failure 
to notify an SPS measure, or regarding a notifi ed 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 2012 and March 2013, 14 new trade concerns were raised. Four of 
these STCs related to food safety, six to animal health, three to plant health, and one to other 
concerns (Table 6). 
Table 6 SPS specific trade concerns ra ised between October 2012 and March 2013 
STC Document Title Members 
maintaining 
the measure Members 
raising the 
concern Members 
supporting the 
concern Date raised Primary 
objective 
337 Delay in Finalizing 
Inspection Procedures of Bovine Meat 
 Canada Argentina  18/10/2012 Animal Health 
338 Import Ban on Live 
Animals Russian 
Federation European 
Union 
  18/10/2012 Animal health 
339 Restrictions on 
Tomatoes United 
States Senegal  18/10/2012 Plant health 
340 Requirements for 
Importation of 
Sheep Meat 
 Turkey Australia 
  18/10/2012 Animal health 
341 Russia's Listing of 
Export Establishments Russian 
Federation European 
Union Morocco, 
Norway, United States  
 18/10/2012 Animal Health 
342 Restrictions on 
Shrimp due to Anti-
oxidant Residues Japan India  18/10/2012 Food safety 
343 Import licensing 
Requirements on Horticultural Indonesia United 
States New Zealand 18/10/2012 Other 
concerns WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
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  STC Document Title Members 
maintaining 
the measure Members 
raising the 
concern Members 
supporting the 
concern Date raised Primary 
objective 
Products 
 
344 Measures on 
Shrimp Brazil Ecuador  18/10/2012 Animal health 
345 Import Conditions 
related to Phthalates China European 
Union  21/03/2013 Food safety 
346 Ban on Bisphenol A France United 
States  21/03/2013 Food safety 
347 Import Restrictions 
on Apples, Pears and Citrus India Argentina Chile 21/03/2013 Plant health 
348 
 Restrictions on 
Imports of Certain 
Pine Trees 
 European 
Union 
 Russian 
Federation 
  21/03/2013 
 Plant health 
 
349 
 MRLs for Veterinary 
Medicines in Live Animals  Costa Rica Panama 
  21/03/2013 Food safety 
 
350 
 
 
 Prohibition of Use 
and Sale of Treated 
Seeds European 
Union 
 
 United 
States 
  21/03/2013 
 Animal health 
 
Source : WTO Secretariat . 
2.26.  Sixteen previously raised STCs were discussed at the October 2012 and March 2013 SPS 
Committee meetings. Of these, six addressed persistent problems that have been discussed five times or more. In particular, two STCs have been  discussed on more than ten occasions (Table 7). 
Table 7 Previously-raised SPS specific trad e concerns discussed in October 2012 and 
March 2013 
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 Rep. of, Australia 
 European 
Union, 
United States Canada, Switzerland, 
Uruguay  01/06/2004 17 
238 Application and 
Modification of the EU 
Regulation on Novel 
Foods European 
Union Chile, 
Colombia, 
Ecuador, 
Paraguay, 
Peru Argentina, Benin, 
Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, 
China, Costa Rica, 
Cuba, El Salvador, 
Honduras, India, 
Indonesia, Mexico, 
Paraguay, Philippines, 
Uruguay, Venezuela 
  01/03/2006 12 
306 Maximum Residue 
Levels of Pesticides 
 European Union India Argentina, Brazil, 
Pakistan, Thailand  20/10/2010 7 
314 Ban on Offals Viet Nam European 
Union, 
United 
States 
 Australia, Canada, New 
Zealand 30/03/2011 6 WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
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  STC Document title Members 
maintaining 
the measure Members 
raising the 
concern Members supporting the 
concern First date 
raised Times 
raised  
278 Hygienic Standard for 
Distilled Spirits and Integrated Alcoholic Beverages   China Mexico European Union, 
Paraguay, United States 
25/02/2009 5 
319 Chinese Quarantine 
and Testing 
Procedures for 
Salmon 
 China Norway European Union, 
Switzerland, United 
States 30/06/2011 5 
325 EU Regulations on 
Cadmium in Cocoa European 
Union Colombia, 
Ecuador Brazil, Cameroon, 
Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ghana, Guatemala, 
Jamaica, Mexico, 
Nicaragua, Peru, Venezuela 
 19/10/2011 2 
330 Indonesia's Port 
Closures 
 Indonesia China, 
European 
Union, New 
Zealand, 
United 
States 
 Argentina, Australia, 
Canada, Chile, Japan, 
Korea, South Africa, 
Chinese Taipei, 
Thailand, Uruguay 27/03/2012 3 
289 Measures on catfish United 
States China  28/10/2009 1 
326 Restrictions on Table 
Grapes, Apples and 
Pears 
 Thailand South Africa Senegal 19/10/2011 1 
301 U.S. Risk Analysis for 
the Entry of Queen Bees 
 United States Argentina  
29/06/2010 1 
323 Import Restrictions 
on Pork and Pork 
Products 
 Malaysia European 
Union Canada, United States 
Paraguay 19/10/2011 1 
321 Japan's MRLs applied 
to Sesame Japan 
 Paraguay 
 Argentina, Ecuador, 
India, Indonesia, Mexico 30/06/2011 
 1 
 
340 
 Requirements for 
Importation of Sheep 
Meat 
 Turkey 
 Australia 
  18/10/2012 
 1 
 
342 Restrictions on 
shrimp due to anti-oxidant residues  Japan 
 India 
  
18/10/2012 
 1 
 
 
344  
Measures on Shrimp 
  
Brazil  
Ecuador  
 
  
18/10/2012  
1 
Source : WTO Secretariat. 
2.1.5  Technical barriers to trade (TBT) 
2.27.  During the period 15 October 2012 to 15 May 2013 (the "reviewed period") WTO Members 
submitted 858 regular TBT notifications; 80% of th ese notifications were submitted by developing-
country Members.9  Compared with the previous 6-month period – from May to October 2012 (the 
"previous period") – both the overall number of notifications (858 compared to the previous 868) 
and the number of developing-country Member noti fications (687 compared to the previous 705) 
                                               
9 Including CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) Members, with 34 notifications, and LDC 
Members, with 40 notifications. WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
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  remained relatively stable.10  Like the previous period, the largest number of notifications received 
during the reviewed period came from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (118 notifications). Other significant notifying Members were the United States (66), Israel (54), Kenya (46), China (43), and the European Union (40). 
2.28.  With respect to the stated objectives indi cated in the regular notifications submitted during 
the reviewed period, the overwhelming majority (m ore than 80%) related either to the protection 
of human health or safely (564) or to the protection of the environment (134).
11  Other relevant 
stated objectives included: consumer information and labelling (52) and prevention of deceptive 
practices and consumer protection (36). 
2.29.  Specific trade concerns (STCs) with respect to TBT measures taken by Members can be 
raised at any of the three regular meetings of the TBT Committee each year; 21 new STCs were 
raised during the two Committee meetings that fe ll during the reviewed period (the November 
2012 and March 2013 meetings). The list of all new concerns raised during this period is provided in Table 8. 
Table 8 TBT-specific trade concerns rais ed between November 2012 and March 2013 
STC Document title Member 
maintaining 
the 
measure Members 
raising the 
concern Date raised Objective 
 
359 EU – the protection 
of animals at the time of killing European 
Union Argentina 27/11/2012 Protection of animal or plant life 
or health 
360 EU – Implementation 
of the Regulation 
regarding the list of 
approved active 
substances – 
Submission of 
Confirmatory Data by 
companies other than 
the original notifier  European 
Union Israel 27/11/2012 Protection of animal or plant life 
or health, Protection of the 
environment, Protection of 
Human health or safety 
361 New Zealand – 
Proposal to introduce plain packaging of tobacco products in New Zealand  New Zealand Cuba, 
Dominican Republic, Honduras, Indonesia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Zimbabwe, Zambia 27/11/2012 Protection of Human health or 
safety 
362 Brazil – Draft ANVISA 
Resolution on used, 
refurbished, rented 
and lent medical 
devices  Brazil European 
Union 27/11/2012 Protection of the environment 
363 Indonesia – Import 
permit regulations for horticultural products from the Ministries of Agriculture and Trade  Indonesia South Africa, 
United States of America, European Union 27/11/2012 Consumer information, Labelling 
364 Israel – Warning 
regulations on 
alcoholic beverages  Israel Argentina, 
United States 
of America, 
European 
Union 27/11/2012 Prevention of deceptive 
practices and consumer 
protection, Protection of Human 
health or safety 
                                               
10 This contrasts with a similar comparison made in  the last report between the period from May to 
October 2012 and the previous 6 months, in which a sign ificant decrease of overall and developing-country 
Members' notifications was detected. 
11 A TBT measures may pursue a variet y of legitimate objectives, althou gh 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/7 
 
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  STC Document title Member 
maintaining 
the 
measure Members 
raising the 
concern Date raised Objective 
 
365 EU –Draft Regulation 
implementing Directive with regard to ecodesign 
requirements for 
directional lamps, light emitting diode lamps and related equipment  European 
Union Korea, 
Republic of 27/11/2012 Quality requirements, Protection 
of the environment 
366 Australia – Joint 
governments' 
response to the 2010 
Independent Review 
of the Water 
Efficiency Labelling 
and Standards 
Review Water 
Efficiency Labelling 
and Standards 
(WELS) scheme 
consultation paper  Australia Korea, 
Republic of 27/11/2012 Protection of the environment, 
Consumer information, Labelling 
367 India - Electronics 
and Information Technology Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2012  India Japan, Korea, 
Republic of, Switzerland, United States of America, European Union 06/03/2013 Protection of Human health or 
safety 
368 United Arab Emirates 
- Conformity 
Assessment 
Procedure for 
Automobile Tyres  United Arab 
Emirates Japan, 
European 
Union 06/03/2013 Consumer information, 
Protection of Human Health and 
Safety 
369 Thailand - Certificate 
Requirement and Administrative Measure Relating to Importation of New Pneumatic Tyres of Rubber into the Kingdom of Thailand  Thailand Japan, 
European Union 06/03/2013 Protection of Human health or 
safety 
370 Chile - Proposed 
amendment to the 
Food Health 
Regulations  Chile Argentina, 
Canada, 
Colombia, 
Guatemala, 
Mexico, Peru, 
United States 
of America, 
European 
Union 06/03/2013 Protection of Human health or 
safety, Consumer information, 
Labelling 
371 Korea - Proposed 
SAR Values or EMF exposure in cell phones  Korea, 
Republic of United States 
of America, European Union 06/03/2013 Protection of Human health or 
safety, Consumer information, Labelling 
372 Russia - Alcoholic 
Beverages Storage 
Technical Conditions  Russian 
Federation United States 
of America 06/03/2013 Setting up requ irements for 
warehousing of alcoholic 
products 
373 India - Proposed 
Amendment to 2008 Hazardous Waste Law  India United States 
of America 06/03/2013 Protection of the Environment WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
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  STC Document title Member 
maintaining 
the 
measure Members 
raising the 
concern Date raised Objective 
 
374 Ukraine - 
Amendment to Law 
on Advertising Ukraine United States 
of America 06/03/2013 Protection of Human health or 
safety 
375 Canada - Improved 
food inspection model: The Case for Change  Canada China 06/03/2013 Implementing a single and 
consistent approach to food inspection 
376 Korea - Draft 
amendment of 
Ordinance and 
Regulation of Motor 
Vehicle Control Act  Korea, 
Republic of European 
Union 06/03/2013 Enhancing vehicle safety and 
management 
377 EU - Tobacco 
products, nicotine containing products and herbal products for smoking. Packaging for retail sale of any of the aforementioned products  European 
Union Cuba, 
Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Malawi, Mexico, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Philippines, Zimbabwe, Zambia 06/03/2013 Protection of Human health or 
safety 
378 Ecuador - Draft 
Technical Regulation 
on "Labelling of 
footwear"  Ecuador Colombia 06/03/2013 Consumer information, Labelling 
379 Ecuador - Labelling of 
articles of apparel, household linen and clothing accessories  Ecuador Colombia 06/03/2013 Protection of Human health or 
safety, Protection of the environment, Consumer information, Labelling 
Source: WTO Secretariat 
2.30.  These 21 new STCs addressed a variety of issues (Chart 5).  Members discussed, for 
example, issues related to the rationale of specific measures, their trade-restrictiveness, the use 
(or non-use) of international standards – or, simply, matters related to further information or 
clarification. This picture contrasts with statistics from the previous period, during which Members mostly sought further information or clarification (with relatively less focus on other issues). 
 WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 16 - 
 
  
02468 1 0 1 2Further informationTransparencyRationale, legitimacyInternational standardsOtherTime to adaptUnnecessary barriers to tradeDiscriminationSpecial and differential treatmentTechnical assistanceChart 5
Issues raised in new TBT specific trade concerns
Source : a
a. From 15 October 2012 to 15 May 2013 (covering November 2012 and March 2013 TBT meetings).
WTO Secretariat.
 
2.31.  During the review period, measures related to tobacco and alcohol products remained high 
on the agenda. In addition to two new STCs br ought against EU's tobacco measure and Russia's 
alcohol measure, Members also raised concerns with respect to: New Zealand's proposal to 
introduce plain packaging of tobacco products (raised by Cuba, Dominican Republic, Honduras, 
Indonesia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Zambia, and Zimbabwe) as well as alcohol-related measures 
maintained by Israel (raised by Argentina, the European Union and the United States) and Ukraine 
(raised by the United States). Besides alcohol an d tobacco, a proposed measure by Chile on "junk 
food" labelling sparked concerns from various Members (Argentina, Canada, Colombia, the European Union, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, and the United States). 
2.32.  Since 1995, and up to 15 May 2013, Members have raised 376 STCs in the TBT Committee. 
The number of STCs raised and discussed in the Committee has grown over the last five years (Chart 6). The figures for 2013 reflect only the first meeting of the year (the second and the third 
meetings will be held in June and October of this year). Although in 2012 Members raised fewer 
new STCs as compared to 2011, the total number of STCs discussed in the TBT Committee 
continue to mark an upward trend. 
 WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 17 - 
 
  
12 12 13 12 1219262832 3259
2620 15 141224273246
294435
13
0102030405060708090100
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013Chart 6
Number of TBT specific trade concerns raised per year
WTO Secretariat.New concerns Previous concerns32
27 27 2436465874
617694
39
a
a. Data for 2013 includes only those STCs raised at th e TBT Committee meeting of the year (held in March 2013).
Source:
 
 
2.2  Policy developments in agriculture 
2.33.  In the area of agriculture, no new signif icant policy measures have been observed over the 
past seven months. In the framework of the Re gular Committee on Agriculture (CoA), Members 
continue to discuss some issues mainly related to domestic support programmes. This is consistent with the trend observed in 2012 where discussions revolving around the domestic support pillar 
represented 76% of all questions raised during the Regular CoA meetings. 
2.34.  During the last two CoA meetings (November 2012 and March 2013), several measures 
have been under scrutiny, inter alia : Costa Rica's compliance with its scheduled AMS 
commitments; Ukraine's AMS calculation and underfill of its TRQ allocated to raw cane sugar; 
Thailand's paddy pledging scheme; Indonesia's quantitative import restrictions; the European Union's issuance of export licences for out-of-quota sugar; and the correlation between Brazil's 
Premium per Output Flow (PEP) programme and exports. In May, Costa Rica announced that the 
price-support mechanism for rice will be eliminated as of 1 March 2014.  
2.35.  Other on-going developments in the area of agriculture policies include: India's National 
Food Security Bill that is yet to be passed; new five-year Farm Bill currently being debated in the 
US Congress; and current trilateral meetings between the European Parliament, Commission and 
Council on the CAP reform legislative package, before implementation in 2014.   
2.3  Policy developments in trade in services 
2.36.  A wide range of diverse measures affecting trade in services has been introduced by 
Members in the period under consideration. Howe ver, no clear sectoral or policy trend has 
emerged. Indeed, sectors affected are as diverse as banking, distribution, insurance and 
telecommunications; and measures range from liberalization and streamlining of regulatory 
frameworks to further limitations on market access and national treatment, through to the tightening up of regulations.   WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
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  2.37.  Developments in Indonesia  are worth noting.  Further to the adoption in August 2012 of the 
Regulation on Organizing a Franchise Business, two new regulations have been implemented placing restrictions on franchises (Ministry of Trade Regulation 68/MM-DAG/PER/10/2012 on Retail Shop Business Franchises on 29 October 2012 and 07/M-DAG/PER/2/2013 on the Development of 
Partnership in Food and Beverages Franchise Bu siness on 15 February 2013).  These regulations 
require retail, and food and beverage franchises to domestically source 80% of their equipment 
and inventory.  The regulations also limit the number of franchise outlets to 150 for retail 
franchises and 250 for food and beverage franchises.  These regulations apply to both domestic 
and foreign franchises. 
2.38.  On 12 October 2012, the Indonesian Government adopted Regulation 82 of 2012 concerning 
electronic systems and transaction operations which requires "public service providers" operating 
in Indonesia to build data and disaster recovery centres inside the country.  However, the specific 
language of the regulation appears vague on the scope of "service providers", which might include any company providing a public service. If strict ly implemented, such a requirement would create 
a significant hurdle to companies seeking to do business in Indonesia. 
2.39.  On 13 July 2012, the Central Bank of Indonesia (Bank Indonesia) issued Regulation 
14/8/PBI/2012 imposing new bank-ownership caps. Shareholders of banks and non-bank financial 
institutions considered as "unhealthy" can own no more than 40% of a bank’s equity; for non-
financial institutions this limit was set at 30%, while the ownership limit for individual investors in conventional banks and Islamic sharia banks were set at 20% and 25%, respectively. The regulations apply to both domestic and foreign inve stors. They do not apply, however, to publicly 
listed institutions that are sound and have a strong capital base, state-owned banks, and regional 
development banks.  Bank Indonesia will evaluate investor soundness. Only publicly listed banks 
that rank in the top two layers in terms of bank health and corporate governance, and have a 
minimum 6% Tier 1 capital will be exempt from the 40% ownership cap. Investors must also be 
committed to the development of the Indonesian  economy and owning the bank for a minimum 
period fixed by Bank Indonesia, and must buy th e papers issued by the bank. Banks with poor 
'health' and corporate-governance ratings must improve their scores before 31 December 2013. If 
they fail to do so, they will be given a five-year transition period starting 1 January 2014, in which 
they must divest their stakes so as to comply with the terms of the new ownership regulation. The 
objective of the Regulation is to disperse ownershi p of private banks. Further to this regulation, on 
6 March 2013 Bank Indonesia issued a circular establishing a five-year waiting period before banks 
can raise their stakes in other institutions above 40%, assuming they comply with bank health and corporate governance standards. Foreign acquirers must also commit, inter alia , to supporting 
Indonesia’s economy by lending to "productive sectors". 
2.40.  On 15 March 2013, Singapore  passed the Insurance (Amendment) Act to amend the 
Insurance Act (Chapter 142 of the 2002 Revise d Edition) (“Amended Act”). The Amended Act 
makes some major changes to the regulatory fr amework, including the following: (i) a pre-
registration requirement on representative offices of foreign insurers; (ii) a stipulation that no person may solicit insurance business in Singapore except a licensed insurer, an authorised reinsurer or a registered foreign insurer; (iii) a new requirement for the prior consent of the 
Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) before a licensed insurer may acquire an interest of 10% 
or more in another corporation; and (iv) a new requirement for the prior consent of MAS before a person obtains effective control (including when acting in concert with others) or a substantial 
shareholding (5% of the voting rights) of a licensed insurance company. 
2.41.  In April 2013, China  allowed private equity investment in insurance companies. On 24 April 
2013, China's Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) released the "Circular on Relevant Issues 
regarding the Investment and Shareholding of Limited Partnership Equity Investment Enterprises 
in Insurance Companies" (Baojianfa [2013] No. 36), allowing domestic and foreign investment by limited partners of private equity funds in domest ic Chinese insurance companies, i.e. all Chinese 
insurance companies in which the shareholding of all foreign investors is less than 25%. According 
to the Circular, which aims to broaden the sources of capital available to insurance, companies, 
individual qualified private equity investors can invest in up to 5% of the equity of domestic insurance companies, and the total capital contribution or shareholding of all private equity 
investors in an insurance company shall not exceed 15%. Private equity investors are prohibited 
from participating in the management of insurance companies and from being the largest single or controlling shareholder. WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
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  2.42.  The Philippines Republic Act No. 10574 ("An Ac t Allowing the Infusion of Foreign Equity in 
the Capital of Rural Banks”) was signed on 24 May, allowing foreign investors to take a majority stake in rural banks in the country.  Under th e law, which amends the 1992 Rural Bank Act, 
foreign individuals and companies may now own, acqu ire or purchase up to 60% of voting stocks 
in a rural bank in the Philippines. The law further provides that rural banks must be organized in 
the form of stock corporations and that non-Filipino citizens may become members of the Board of Directors but their participation in the Board shall be limited to their proportionate share in the 
equity of the rural bank, and provided that at leas t one independent director shall be elected to the 
Board of Directors. 
2.43.  On 17 May 2013, Ukraine  passed a law amending the Law on Insurance No. 2774-IV, and 
broadening the definition of "insurer".  Branches of foreign insurers will now be licensed to conduct 
insurance business in Ukraine, subject to the follow ing requirements: (i) the country of registration 
of the foreign insurer must participate in the international cooperation to fight money laundering and cooperate with FATF; (ii) an agreement on the exchange of data has been concluded between 
the insurance market regulator of the foreign insurer's country of registration and the Ukrainian 
regulator; (iii) insurance activities in the foreign insurer's country of registration are subject to regulation and supervision; (iv) a treaty between Ukraine and the foreign insurer's country of 
registration on the prevention of tax evasion an d avoidance of double taxation exists; (v) the 
foreign insurer's country is not included in the OECD’s list of offshore countries; (vi) the financial rating of the foreign insurer is not lower than that of "highly reliable" according to internationally recognized rating agencies at the time of submitting the application for branch registration; (vii) 
the non-resident insurer has placed a guarantee deposit in an Ukrainian commercial bank of no 
less than the minimum amount of share capital established for Ukrainian insurers (currently €1 million for non-life and €10 million for life insurers); (viii) a written irrevocable commitment 
note of the non-resident insurer confirming unconditional fulfilment of liabilities of its branch in 
Ukraine is available; and (ix) the laws of the foreign insurer's country of registration allow Ukrainian insurers to open branches on the territory of the foreign insurer's country of registration. 
2.44.  On 20 July 2013, the Reserve Bank of India announced that foreign financial institutions 
with a large presence in the country will have to follow the same priority sector lending norms as the domestic banks. The revised guidelines on priority sector lending targets provide that foreign banks with more than 20 branches will have to abide by the priority sector lending target, which 
has been set at 40% of their total advances (up fr om 32% previously). The foreign banks will have 
to meet the target in a phased manner over a maximum period of five years starting on 1 April 2013. Priority sectors include small value loans to  farmers for agriculture and related activities, 
micro and small enterprises, housing for low income segments of society, and small lending to 
individuals for educational purposes. 
2.45.  The Canadian  Government's 2013 budget implementation bill (C-60) includes a number of 
previously announced adjustments to the Investment Canada Act, which will affect investment in 
service sectors, among others. The amendments incl ude: (i) increases in the thresholds for review 
of most acquisitions to Can$1 billion in "enterprise value", phased in over a four-year period; (ii) the manner in which state-owned enterprises (SOEs)  will be defined and the introduction of an 
additional "control in fact" test for acquisitions by SOEs; and (iii) modest extensions to the 
timelines for national security reviews. These am endments follow the revisions to the guidelines 
for assessing investments by SOEs in December 2012. In particular, the amendments will raise the 
standard review threshold for acquisitions by investors from WTO Members from the current 
Can$344 million in asset value to Can$1 billion in "enterprise value" over a four-year period (up to Can$600 million the day of entry into force of the amendments; up to Can$800 million for the 
following two years; and up to Can$1 billion at the end of the four-year period). Investments by 
non-WTO-Member investors and in the cultural sector will continue to be subject to the Can$5 million asset value threshold. Investments by SOEs , (where the acquirer or vendor is from a WTO 
Member), will continue to be subject to the ex isting Can$344 million review threshold (with annual 
indexing to reflect changes in Canada's GDP). The de finition of "enterprise value" is still pending. 
Bill C-60 will broaden the definition of SOEs to include any entity that is directly or indirectly controlled or influenced by a foreign government or agency, as well as owned by the foreign 
government itself or a government agency. An individual acting under the direction or influence of 
a foreign government or agency could also be considered an SOE. In addition, Bill C-60 gives the Minister of Industry discretionary power to determin e whether an entity is controlled in fact by an 
SOE; whether there has been an acquisition of co ntrol of an entity by an SOE; and whether an 
entity which is otherwise Canadian-controlled is controlled in fact by an SOE. WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
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  2.46.  Over the past months, the United States  Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has 
issued two decisions that modernize and streamline its foreign investment policies for certain radio licensees, including wireless telecommunications carriers. Prior to these rulings, Section 310(b) of the Communications Act required the FCC to revi ew foreign investment in any "broadcast or 
common carrier or aeronautical en route or aeronautical fixed ‘radio station licence'".  Specifically, 
Section 310(b)(3) prohibited a corporation from holding these types of licenses if more than 20% of the corporation's equity or voting interests wa s held by foreign governments or representative 
thereof, or by a foreign corporation. In addition, Section 310(b)(4) prohibited a corporation from 
holding these types of licenses if it was directly or indirectly controlled by any other corporation of which more than 25% of the capital stock is owned or voted by aliens, foreign governments or foreign corporations. Unlike section 310(b)(3), however, section 310(b)(4) grants the FCC 
discretion to allow higher levels of foreign ownership in controlling US parent companies unless it 
finds such ownership would be inconsistent with the public interest. 
2.47.  In August 2012, the FCC ruled that it would no longer apply the 20% foreign-ownership 
limit set forth in section 310(b)(3) of the Communications Act. Instead, the FCC will now draw 
upon the discretionary authority found in sectio n 310(b)(4) of the same Act to determine on a 
case-by-case basis whether proposed foreign investment in a common carrier licensee is in the 
public interest. The prior approval requirement remains in place, though. In April 2013, the FCC 
took additional steps to streamline foreign-ownership policies. The Commission will now eliminate the distinction between foreign investment from WTO Members and non-WTO Members, and 
streamline the review of foreign investment by (i) requiring identification of only those foreign 
investors that would hold equity and/or voting interests greater than 5% (or 10% in certain 
situations); (ii) considering requests for specific approval for any named foreign investor (even those holding interests below these amounts) to increase its equity and/or voting interest at some 
future time; and (iii) considering requests under section 310(b)(4) for specific approval for any 
named foreign investor to acquire a controllin g interest up to 100% at some future time. 
2.48.  On 15 March 2013, Argentina 's Tax Revenue Federal Agency (AFIP) issued Resolution 
3450/2013, broadening the scope and increasing the rate of the withholding tax applicable to 
certain purchases of goods and services by Argentinians residing abroad. The tax applies as of 18 March to the following: (i) purchases made by Argentine residents, using credit or debit cards issued in Argentina, of goods and services outside the country, as well as purchases made in 
foreign currency through websites or through any other type of internet connection; (ii) the 
purchase of services abroad done through travel and tourism agencies in Argentina; and (iii) the purchase of passenger transportation services (by land, air and water) to foreign destinations. The 
new rule increases the tax rate from 15% to 20%. 
2.49.  In March 2013, the Russian Federation  adopted Federal Law No. 29 "On Amending Certain 
Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation". The new legislation amends the Russian Law on Banks 
and Banking by excluding the term "branch" from the definition of the banking system in Russia, 
and by removing the phrase "branches of foreign banks" from articles on the state registration of credit institutions with foreign investment and on additional requirements for their establishment and activity. In practice, the new regime prohib its the establishment of foreign bank branches. 
Under the new regime, therefore, foreign banks will ha ve to establish a subsidiary in Russia if they 
intend to supply services in the country. 
2.50.  Over the period under consideration, the European Commission authorised European Union  
member States to introduce various forms of subsidies for banks still affected by the financial 
crisis. The support measures included the following: (i) emergency recapitalisations for the Hypo Group Alpe Adria in Austria, the SNS REAAL an d its subsidiaries in the Netherlands, Banco 
Internacional do Funchal S.A. (Banif) in Portugal , and Nova Kreditna Banka Maribor d.d. ("NKBM") 
in Slovenia; (ii) aid granted by Belgium, France  and Luxemburg for the orderly resolution of the 
Dexia group, the sale of its subsidiary DMA (Dexia Municipal Agency) and the restructuring of Belfius (formerly Dexia Banque Belgique); (iii) a Cypriot State guarantee scheme for credit 
institutions until 30 June 2013 (originally 31 December 2012); (iv) the prolongation of a Danish 
scheme for the winding-up of banks and of a gu arantee scheme for merging banks until 30 June 
2013; (v) State guarantees to Crédit Immobilier de France (CIF); and (vi) the prolongation of 
various aid schemes by Germany, Greece, Hungar y, Ireland, Poland, Portugal and Spain until 
30 June 2013. WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 21 - 
 
  2.51.  There have also been some developments regarding the supply of services through the 
movement of natural persons.  In January 2013, the Russian Federation  announced the creation of 
a new multi-entry business visa for representatives and employees of multinational companies investing in the Russian economy. The visa will be  valid for five years. Starting from 13 December 
2012, intra-company transferees to the United Kingdom who earn an annual salary of more than 
GBP 150,000 are permitted to stay in the country fo r a maximum period of nine years, up from the 
five years previously allowed. A longer duration of stay of up to 180 days is also benefiting foreign 
visitors to Mexico. 
2.52.  Ireland  has announced the easing of a number of requirements for employment permits for 
non-European Economic Area nationals. As of 10 April 2013, persons entering Ireland as intra-corporate transferees need to have been previo usly employed by the overseas entity for six 
months, down from the previous one-year term re quired;  they are also subject to lower minimum 
salary thresholds for certain positions and faster and less cumbersome application processes. 
2.53.  Streamlined procedures for entry applications have been introduced by Brazil  for short-term 
technical visas (including reduced documentary requirements and shorter processing times) as 
well as the Netherlands (combined entry and residence permit application process). As of 1 January 2013, nationals of 45 countries are eligible to visit China without a visa when transiting 
through Beijing or Shanghai airports for up to 72 hours. 
2.54.  The Swiss  Government has decided to reintroduce quotas for long-term work permits for EU 
nationals from 17 member States.
12  53'700 B-type permits will be available between 1 June 2013 
and 31 May 2014 under the quota system. The current  B-type permits quota of 2,180 for nationals 
of other EU member States13 will also be extended ov er the same time period. 
2.55.  Fees have been raised in Viet Nam  for visa and residence permit applications and in Saudi 
Arabia for work permits for companies that employ more foreign nationals than Saudi nationals. 
3  GOVERNMENT SUPPORT MEASURES 
3.1.  According to information provided to the Secretariat by a few delegations, 32 new confirmed 
economic support measures (and 9 not confirmed) were put in place during the review period. 
Annex 4 lists the economic support programmes compiled for this report. The measures mainly 
provide economic assistance and financial support targeted at certain sectors, as was the case in previous periods. These were mainly rescue aid for specific industries, restructuring aid, export support, and general financial support in the form of insurance, and loan guarantees. The main 
beneficiary sectors were principally SMEs, and selected industries in the manufacturing sector 
(auto industry, telecoms, cement, etc.). 
3.2.  The monitoring and reporting of general ec onomic support measures remain a big challenge. 
One of the key limitations is related to the provision of relevant information on new measures or 
programmes implemented over the review period. Fo r instance, for the preparation of this report, 
only four Members (counting the EU and its member States as one) provided information on their 
measures to the Secretariat. And when the Secretariat uses other public sources to gather data 
(including official websites of ministries), certain delegations request the Secretariat to delete all information because the measures are not based on legal instruments, or they simply refuse to verify any information whose source is the public media. 
3.3.  Thus, any assessment of overall trends based on seemingly partial information included in 
Annex 4 can be inaccurate. In addition to other economic support programmes and targeted assistance to specific sectors that may exist and may not have been detected by the monitoring 
exercise, there have also been instances of other economic support measures, such as big 
monetary stimulus programmes to help boost economic growth. These programmes have an impact on trade flows, both exports and imports, by broadly stimulating economic activity. The net 
trade effect is difficult to determine without more analysis of the specificities of how the 
programmes are implemented (e.g. purchase of long-term bonds and increasing the monetary base). 
                                               
12 Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmar k, Finland, France, Germany, Gree ce, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, 
Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. 
13 The Czech Republic, Es tonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 22 - 
 
  4  TRADE FINANCING 
4.1.  After the pressures felt on liquidity and prices in 2012, market conditions returned to greater 
normality in the first half of 2013 in the main routes of trade. Liquidity available for trade financing has eased in recent months, in part due to the relatively accommodative monetary policies 
conducted in advanced economies and the favorable risk profile of trade finance. As confirmed at 
the WTO Expert Group on Trade Finance meeting held  on 12 April 2013, prices have been falling to 
relatively low levels due to the abundance of liquidity.  
4.2.  This does not mean that all difficulties in the provision of trade finance have been overcome.  
The continued downsizing of global banks' balance sheets has translated into a greater selectivity of risks and clients to be financed, notably at the low end of the markets (small and medium sized enterprises, and clients in poor and risky countries). This situation justifies the continued need for 
risk mitigation provided by multilateral developm ent banks. The global network of trade finance 
facilitation programmes run by multilateral development banks aimed at reducing the risk of financing trade in developing countries, in particul ar the poorest, has been expanded. At present, 
such programmes are operated by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the 
Asian Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, and the International Financial Corporation. The African Development Bank agreed at the 
beginning of 2013 to start a trade finance programme for African traders, helping to close a gap in 
the global support network.  As a result of these global programmes, the international community is now able to support billions of trade transactio ns by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) 
in poor countries, which would not have necessarily received support from private markets. 
4.3.  On regulatory matters under the Basel fram ework, positive steps have been taken 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 which are used in South-
South trade. This entailed the issuance in January 2013 of relatively favorable guidelines on 
liquidity for trade contingent instruments. The guidelines are consistent with the facts reported by the International Chamber of Commerce's trade finance register. Under the register, the 
percentage of default on trade finance transactions is only 0.02%. Trade finance is one of the 
safest of all financial activities. 
4.4.  Continued monitoring of the situation in trad e finance is needed, as lack of finance can be a 
threat to the proper functioning of the multilateral  trading system in periods of systemic risk, and 
a serious obstacle to trade for countries that do not have access to international finance. 
5  NOTIFICATIONS 5.1.  In 2013 WTO Committees and Councils continued their work towards improving the 
timeliness and completeness of notifications. Although these efforts are showing improved 
compliance rates across the board in terms of Members meeting their notification obligations, progress remains uneven and slow across WTO bodies. For example, in the context of the 
Integrated Database the ability of the WTO Secretariat to proactively collect information has 
significantly improved the completeness and timeliness of notifications.  On the other hand, in the area of agriculture, further progress is still required to lower the percentage of outstanding notifications in domestic support and export support . Overall, this section will show that despite 
many positive trends in terms of compliance with notification obligations there remains room for 
further improvement. 
5.2.  In the November 2012 report for the Annual Overview of Developments in the International 
Trading Environment (WT/TPR/OV15) the focus was on providing a qualitative overview of the 
different measures taken and facilities available in a number of Committees and Councils to facilitate the notification of trade measures by Memb ers.  In this report, the objective is to provide 
a more quantitative snapshot of compliance with notification obligations in a selected number of 
WTO bodies. 
5.3.  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 WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 23 - 
 
  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.  
5.4.  Timely and complete notifications are fundamental for effective monitoring of the 
implementation of commitments.  Chart 7 presents an overview of Members’ compliance with notification obligations for the period 2007-2011 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 afte r the end of the year in question.
14 The distribution of 
outstanding notifications by group of countries is presented in Chart 7 bis. 
5.5.  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).
15  For example, 
for 2007, close to 40% of notifications of do mestic support and export subsidies remain 
outstanding.  The same areas show less than 30% notification compliance rate in 2011. 
111823 2341
918 182739 4055 556877
4146536071
711223770
0255075100
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011MA:2 (Imports under tariff quotas)
MA:5 (Special safeguard)
DS:1 (Domestic support)
ES:1 (Export subsidies)
ES:2 (Export subsidies)Chart 7
Current outstanding notifications in agriculture
WTO Secretariat. Source:Per cent
 
 
                                               
14 The applicability of a notification requirement to a Member is largely dependent on the specific 
commitments it has assumed under the Agreement on Agriculture.  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. 
15 These two notification requirements are applicable to all WTO Members.   The figures reported in 
Chart 7 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/7 
 
- 24 - 
 
  2%5%
9%23%43%
32%41%47%55%69%
020406080100
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011Developed countries Developing countriesChart 7 bis
Outstanding notifications by country group
WTO Secretariat. Source:Per cent
 
 
5.6.  The different deadlines of notifications in agriculture as well as the various time periods utilized can make it somewhat 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 would miss the prescribed timelines at least in respect of years other than the year covered in 
the notification.  Table 9  presents information on "average reporting years per notification" in 
respect of notifications circulated  during 2007-2012.  The table shows that the average number 
reported years per notification remains slightly more than two for all years in that period. This means that, on average, Members did not respect th e prescribed timelines in respect of at least 
half of the reporting years. 
Table 9 Number of agriculture notifications  
Type of notification 
MA:2, MA:5, DS:1, ES:1, ES:2 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 
Number of notifications issued  
(excluding Add., Corr. and Rev.) 83 104 154 128 134 154 
Total of years reported 161 230 401 321 324 365 
Average reporting years per notification 1.94 2.21 2.60 2.51 2.42 2.37 
Source:  WTO Secretariat 
5.7.  The lack of timeliness in Member's notification is particularly evident in the area of 
agricultural subsidization.  Chart 8 indicates information on "average reporting years per 
notification" in domestic support notifications circulated during the years 2007-2012.  In some 
years, the "average reporting years per notification" figure remains close to three, indicating that only around one-third of total domestic notifications respected the prescribed deadline to submit. WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 25 - 
 
  312733 33394549546391101128
020406080100120140
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012Number of notifications issued (excluding Add., Corr. and Rev.)
Total of years reportedChart 8
Number of agriculture notifications (DS: 1)
WTO Secretariat. Source:
 
5.8.  Certainly, from the increase in the number of notifications, WTO Members overall appear to 
be making progress in reducing notifications covering multiple reporting periods and bringing their notification efforts up to date. 
5.9.  WTO Members are required to provide advance notice to the SPS Committee  of an intention 
to introduce new SPS measures or amend existing ones, or to notify immediately when emergency 
measures are imposed. All SPS notifications are available online from the SPS information management system (SPS IMS).
16 As shown in Table 10, overall, 66% of Members have submitted 
at least one notification (both regular and emergency) since 1995. This proportion decreases to 
53% of membership if we consider notifications submitted in the last five years. 
Table 10 SPS notifications record 
(%) 
Proportion of Members submitting notifications  
(Regular or Emergency) Since 1995 Since 2008 
All Members 66 53 
Developed-coun try Members 100 100 
Developing-country Members 64 50 
Source: WTO Secretariat 
5.10.  Under Article 15.2 of the TBT Agreement , Members are required to inform the TBT 
Committee  of measures in existence or taken to ensu re the implementation and administration of 
this Agreement. During the reporting period a total of 126 Members have submitted at least one 
such statement. 
5.11.  WTO Members are required to provide advanced notifications of any proposed regulation 
that may have a significant effect on trade of other Members and that is not based on a relevant 
international standard.17 Since 1995, about 16,500 notifications of new or revised regulations have 
been submitted by 117 WTO Members (73% of all Members). 
                                               
16 The SPS IMS is accessible  from the internet address http://spsims.wto.org . 
17 Except for measures taken in response to emergency situations for which notification is to be 
provided immediately upon taking the measure.  WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
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  5.12.  The 2012 Decision on notification procedures for quantitative restrictions  of the Market 
Access Committee  provides for the creation of a new database to store the notified information on 
quantitative restrictions. The biennial notification of quantitative restrictions required under the 2012 Decision would be considered a mixed type of notification. It is regular insofar as Members 
are to notify their QRs every two years, but also ad hoc  since it also requires Members to notify 
quantitative restrictions in force (Table 11). The Decision also requires Members to notify changes (ad hoc ) and gives them the possibility of making reverse notifications (notification of a measure 
which is being imposed by another Member). 
Table 11 Notification procedures for quantita tive restrictions (since September 2012) 
No Notification requirement Number of notifications as of 6 May 2013 
1 Notification of all quantitative 
restrictions maintained (regular notification - ad hoc ) 17 Members out of 132 (counting EU-27 as one) have notified all 
quantitative restrictions maintained. Therefore, 12.8% of the membership has notified. 
2 Notification of changes to the 
quantitative restrictions 
maintained  
(ad hoc ) Only two Members have notified modifications. 
3 Quantitative 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 
5.13.  The notification requirements in the area of  import licensing procedures stem not only from 
the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures  itself, but also from the "Procedures for 
Notification and Review under the Agreement" ad opted by the Committee on Import Licensing on 
12 October 1995.  The Agreement contains four prov isions, out of a total of eight, dealing with 
transparency, resulting in three different types of notifications requirements (two ad-hoc  and one 
yearly). 
5.14.  Even though during the last six years the number of notifications received in the Committee 
has increased, compliance with transparency obligations in the Agreement continues to be low, 
and this remains a matter of permanent concern in the Committee.  Up to April 2013 19 Members 
(including some recently acceded) had still not submitted any notification under any provision of 
the Agreement since joining the WTO.   
5.15.  With regard to the replies to the Annual Questionnaire, which are due before 30 September 
each year, by April 2013 104  Members have submitted their notifications since the entry into force 
of the WTO Agreement. However, out of these, 28 Members, including some recently acceded 
ones, had never replied to the Annual Questionnaire, and 60 Members had not updated their 
replies since 2011. 
5.16.  The notification requirements in the area of customs valuation stem not only from the 
Agreement on Customs Valuation  itself, but also from a number of Decisions that have been 
adopted by the Committee on Customs Valuation.  There are five main notification requirements 
(Table 12). 
Table 12 Notification procedures for customs valuation 
No Notification 
requirement Established in: Type 
1 Submission of 
complete texts of national legislation (laws, regulations, etc.) Decision on the Notification and circulation of 
national legislation  in accordance with Article 22 of the Agreement  (G/VAL/5, B.2, paragraph (i)) One-off WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
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  No Notification 
requirement Established in: Type 
2 Changes in laws 
and regulations on 
customs valuation Article 22.2 of the Agreement on Customs 
Valuation Ad hoc  
3 Responses to the 
checklist of issues Decision on the Checklist of Issues  
(G/VAL/5, B.3) One-off 
4 Decision on interest 
charges - Date of 
implementation  Decision on the treatment of interest charges 
in the customs value of imported goods 
(G/VAL/5, A.3, last paragraph) One-off 
5 Decision on Carrier 
Media (software) - Application of paragraph 2 Decision on the valuation of carrier media 
bearing software for data processing equipment (G/VAL/5, A.4, paragraph 2). Ad hoc  
Source: WTO Secretariat 
5.17.  The notification requirements in the ar ea of customs valuation are either one-off or ad hoc , 
which means that different approaches are required to estimate their level of compliance.  In 
addition, any estimate must take into account that the European Union notifies on behalf a group of Members, and that this number has changed se veral times since the WTO entered into force. 
5.18.  Taking all these elements into account, the maximum number of one-off notifications that 
are possible, as of 30 April 2013, is 132.  This is the denominator that has been used to estimate the degree of compliance for the following notifications: 1) submission of the complete texts of 
national legislation; 2) responses to the checklist of issues; and 3) date of implementation of the 
Decision on the treatment of interest charges in the customs value of imported goods (Table 13).   
5.19.  Because ad hoc  notifications are, by definition, only due when specific circumstances occur, 
there is no maximum number of notifications that can be used to estimate the overall degree of 
compliance.  This is the case of: 1) Changes in laws and regulations on customs valuation; and 2) 
the application of paragraph 2 of the Decision on Carrier Media (software). 
Table 13 Compliance in custom s valuation notifications 
No Notification requirement Compliance  
as of 30 April 2013 
1 Submission of complete texts 
of national legislation (laws, regulations, etc.) The large bulk of these notifications were received before 2003 and 
progress has been very slow since then.  The current compliance rate is approximately 68%, as 42 Me mbers still need to fulfil this 
notification requirement. 
2 Changes in laws and 
regulations on customs 
valuation Since this is an ad hoc  type of notification (i.e. a Member is only 
required to notify if there is a change in its legislation), it is not 
possible to assess the level of compliance.  Only 23 Members have 
notified changes to their national legislation on customs valuation 
since 1995. 
3 Responses to the checklist of 
issues The large bulk of these notifications were received before 2003 and 
progress has been very slow since then.  The current compliance level stands at approximately 48%, as 68 Members still need to fulfil 
this requirement. 
4 Decision on interest charges - 
Date of implementation  The level of compliance of this noti fication is very low as only one 
third of the Members have submitted it.  This means that 92 
Members still need to notify the date in which they implemented the 
Decision on interest charges. 
5 Decision on Carrier Media 
(software) - Application of paragraph 2 Since this is an ad ho c notification (i.e. a Memb er is only required to 
notify if it applies paragraph 2 of th e Decision), it is not possible to 
assess the level of compliance.  To date, 39 Members have made this notification, but it is not possible to know whether there are Members applying the paragraph without having submitted the notification. 
Source: WTO Secretariat 
5.20.  The Agreement on Rules of Origin  contains two obligations with respect to notifications 
(Table 14).  In 2013, the Committee on Rules of Origin continued to see a steady improvement in WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 28 - 
 
  Members' compliance with the two notification re quirements as contained in Article 5 or the 
Agreement on Rules of Origin and Paragraph 4 of Annex II of the Agreement. Nevertheless, compliance remains low. 
Table 14 Notification procedures for rules of origin 
No Legal source Notification requirement Type 
1 Article 5 of the 
Agreement Non-Preferential Rules of Origin 
 
All Members must submit a notification: 
- if they apply non-preferential rule s of origin (informing what the 
rules are); 
- or if they do not apply any non-preferential rules of origin 
Changes to the legislation must also be notified. One-
off 
2 Paragraph 4 of Annex 
II of the Agreement Preferential Rules of Origin 
 
Members only notify if they adopt new preferential rules of origin or 
changes to existing preferential rules (e.g. new Free Trade Agreements 
or new trade preferences) Ad 
hoc 
 Source: WTO Secretariat 
5.21.  With respect to the obligation of Members to notify non-preferential rules as stipulated in 
Article 5 of the Agreement, only 42 Members ha d not submitted notifications by May 2013. No 
changes to legislation have ever been notified and 44 Members have never submitted a notification 
to the Committee. 
5.22.  As for Paragraph 4 of Annex II of the Agreement which deals with preferential rules, 
Members are required to submit a notification of new rules only or a change to existing rules. 
Compliance in this area has been uneven across the membership. In addition, some Members have 
considered that the notification of a FTA to the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements (CRTA) would discharge them of their obligations under the Agreement on Rules of Origin. 
5.23.  The Committee adopted in early 2013 a decision which explicitly allows the Market Access 
Division to collaborate with the CRTA and the Committee on Trade and Development (CTD) on the 
issue of notifications of preferential Rules of Orig in. As a result, rules of origin-related items of 
notifications to the CRTA and the CTD are automatically circulated to the CRO. This new internal 
collaboration avoids duplicative notifications for Members and enhances the compliance records in the CRO. As a result, it is anticipated that the information available regarding preferential rules of origin should improve considerably over the coming years. 
5.24.  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 
1995-2011 are shown in Table 15.  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 22% to 10%, in the same  period.  With the exception of 1995, the share of 
Members making the required notifications ha s not exceeded 59%, and generally has hovered 
around 55%. Conversely, the share of Members not making any notification registered an 
important increase since 1995, from 28% to 46%, albeit with some intervening fluctuations. 
Table 15 Status of subsidy notifications  
New and full subsidy 
notification Per cent share of total 
1995 1998 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011  
Members that notified 
subsidies 50 38 43 43 46 46 46 44 
Members that made a "nil" 
notification 22 14 13 10 9 7 13 10 
Subtotal notifying Members 72 52 56 53 55 53 59 54 
Members that did not make 
any notification 28 48 44 47 45 47 41 46 
Source: WTO Secretariat WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 29 - 
 
  5.25.  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.  21 Members have submitted one-time nil notifications.  The remaining (approximately 66) Members generally fail to submit semi-annual reports in respect of countervailing duty actions. 
5.26.  Pursuant to Article 16.4  of the Agreemen t 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. 
5.27.  Approximately 45 Members (counting the EU as a single Member) regularly submit semi-
annual reports, either of anti-dumping actions take n, or of no actions having been taken, during 
the preceding six months.  37 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. 
5.28.  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 th e 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. 
5.29.  Chart 9 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 chart shows a declining trend in total notifications over the 
period examined.  Indeed, notifications fell by mo re than half - from 60 notifications in 1995 to 27 
in 2012.  Thus, in 2012, only 17% of Members complied with the notification obligation, while 83% failed to make the required notification. WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 30 - 
 
  
010203040506070
1995 1998 2001 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012Chart 9
Number of STE notifications by type
WTO Secretariat.STE notification Nil notification
Source:
 
5.30.  Since the entry into force of the GATS in 1995 until 30 April 2013, 495 notifications had 
been submitted to the Council for Trade in Services , pursuant to Article III's transparency 
provision, by 61 Members (counting the EU member states individually). Among these 
notifications, 28 were submitted by eight Members during the reporting period November 2012 to 
April 2013. It is generally considered that compliance with the notification obligation under Article III:3 has been left to Members' discretion. There is, however, an on-going discussion in the 
Council on how to enhance transparency through improving notifications. 
5.31.  Since the entry into force of the GATS in 1995 until 30 April 2013, in total, 52 notifications 
had been submitted to the Council for Trade in Se rvices pursuant to Article VII:4 by 37 Members 
(counting the EU member states individually), of which only one notification was made by one 
Member during the reporting period.  While all the notifications follow the prescribed format, their 
level of detail varies greatly concerning the main elements of the recognition measures or agreements notified. 
5.32.  GATS Articles III:4 requires that, within tw o years from the date of entry into force of the 
WTO Agreement, each Member establish one or more  enquiry points to provide information subject 
to the notification requirement in Article III:3. Article IV:2 further requires developed country 
Members to establish contact points within two years from the date of entry into force of the WTO 
Agreement, to facilitate the access of developing country Members' service suppliers to information.  As of 30 April 2013, 31 Members, mainly LDC Members and newly acceded Members, had yet to notify their establishment of enquiry points pursuant to Article III:4. 
5.33.  Submissions of tariff and trade information to the IDB are a notification requirement, as laid 
out in the General Council decision  of 16 July 1997 (WT/L/225).
18  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 th e IDB is therefore either directly notified to 
                                               
18 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/7 
 
- 31 - 
 
  the Secretariat by Members or collected by the Se cretariat and then subsequently approved by the 
Members concerned. 
5.34.  Charts 10 and 11 present the number of tariff and import notifications received by the IDB, 
the number of notifications directly submitted by the 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 number of the WTO Members, as the EU countries all fall under 
the EU schedule and Lichtenstein reports with Switzerland. 
5.35.  The IDB coverage has improved significantly in recent years as, in addition to the regular 
submissions by Members, several data gaps have b een filled in with relevant information collected 
by the Secretariat. Overall in average, the comp leteness of IDB notifications amounts to 78% for 
the tariff information and 73% for the import statistics, with a maximum completeness of 96% and 
of 93% observed for tariff notifications in 2010 and for import notifications in 2006. About 23 
Members have complete submissions of which 16 are developing-country Members. 
5.36.  As shown in Chart 10, the IDB tariff coverage has been fairly good in recent years: for 
example in 2011 the completeness of IDB tariff no tifications reached 94% covering 118 schedules 
out of 125. 
0102030405060708090100
1996
1997
1998
19992000
2001
20022003
2004
2005
2006
20072008
2009
20102011
2012Submitted Collected MissingChart 10 
Completeness of IDB tariff notifications
WTO Secretariat. Source:Per cent
 
5.37.  The completeness of import statistics' notifications is slightly lower compared to the tariff 
notifications (Chart 11). For example in 2010 the completeness of IDB import notifications amounts to 76% covering 95 schedules out of 125. WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 32 - 
 
  0102030405060708090100
1996
1997
1998199920002001200220032004200520062007
2008
200920102011Submitted Collected MissingChart 11 
Completeness of IDB import data notifications
WTO Secretariat. Source:Per cent
 
5.38.  Tables 16 and 17 show the number of submi ssions 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. 
5.39.  Since the establishment of the IDB notification requirement, relatively few Members have 
complied with the specific deadlines. On average, for the period 1996-2012, about 35 Members have reported within the year of the deadlines  representing roughly 25% of the membership. 
5.40.  For the tariff information the timeliness of  IDB notifications is maintained by 29% of all 
Members and for the import statistics by 28% of all Members.  The timeliness has peaked in the most recent years reaching 66% and 51%, respectively in 2011 for tariff notifications and in 2010 
for import notifications. This significant increase in recent years is mainly due to the adoption of 
the framework decision in 2009. 
5.41.  Since 2010, on average 76 tariff submissions and 61 import statistics' submissions were 
recorded within the years of the deadlines. 
Table 16 Timeliness of IDB notifi cations - Tariff information 
 
1996 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 
Number of 
notifications within the year of the deadline 1 44 33 34 31 27 28 33 49 65 83 79 
Submitted by 
Members 1 44 33 34 31 27 28 33 49 39 53 55 
Collected - - - - - - - - - 26 30 24 
Total number of 
notifications 59 111 106 98 104 114 115 113 110 120 118 99 
Number of schedules 112 128 130 122 123 123 123 125 125 125 125 129 
Notifications 
within the 
deadline (%) 1 34 25 28 25 22 23 26 39 52 66 61 
Source: IDB, 25 March 2013 WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 33 - 
 
  Table 17 Timeliness of IDB notifications - Import statistics 
 1996 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 
Number of 
notifications within the year of the deadline 12 33 37 25 24 30 31 43 35 64 57 
Submitted by 
Members 12 33 37 25 24 30 31 43 28 45 40 
Collected - - - - - - - - 7 19 30 
Total number of 
notifications 56 97 101 103 110 114 108 106 95 95 67 
Number of schedules 112 128 130 122 123 123 123 125 125 125 125 
Notifications 
within the 
deadline (%) 11 26 28 20 20 24 25 34 28 51 46 
Source: IDB, 25 March 2013 
5.42.  IDB notifications cover now on average 75%  of the membership with tariff notifications 
being generally more complete than the import notifications. The timeliness rates had been on 
average just 29% of the notification requirement. 
5.43.  Since the adoption of the IDB framework decision in 2009 which allowed the proactive 
collection (subject to later official approval), completeness and timeliness have significantly 
improved.  Thus an increase of about 25 percentage points per year has been recorded for the 
tariff notifications and of close to 20 percentage points for the import statistics. 
6  RECENT TRADE AND SELECTED ECONOMIC TRENDS 
6.1.  The global economy has continued to struggle since the last trade monitoring report was 
released. Modest improvements in economic conditions in some countries have been overshadowed by adverse developments in others, with negative consequences for global trade 
flows. 
6.2.  The United States maintained its unbroken run of positive quarterly increases in real GDP 
that began in the third quarter of 2009, despite th e fact that output slowed sharply in the fourth 
quarter of last year to just 0.4% (annualized) before rebounding to 2.5% in the first quarter of 
2013. The US unemployment rate ticked up to 7.6% in May from 7.5% in April, but this could be 
seen as a positive development since it was caused by a rise in the number of people looking for work in response to improved labour market conditions.  Despite the increase in the number of job 
seekers, overall labour force participation remained low. Other economic indicators for the United 
States' economy have been mildly positive, suggesting continued moderate expansion. This record contrasts sharply with that of the European Union, which saw its economy shrink by 2.0% 
(annualized) in the fourth quarter, and by a more mo dest 0.3% in the first quarter of this year as 
Germany returned to growth but France fell back in to recession. The EU jobless rate was 11.0% in 
April while the rate for the euro area was 12.2%. Japan’s GDP growth accelerated to 4.1% (annualized) in the first quarter after contracting by  3.6% in the third quarter of last year. China’s 
output grew more slowly than expected in the firs t quarter after rising 7.7% over the same period 
in 2012, or roughly 6.6% at an annualized rate over the previous quarter.  GDP also grew moderately in other economies, including the Republic of Korea (3.5% annualized), Singapore 
(1.8%) and Brazil (2.2%). The data paint a pictur e of a mixed recovery, with the EU lagging, other 
developed economies gradually regaining their fo oting, and developing economies growing at a 
relatively fast pace compared with the developed world but relatively slowly compared with their 
recent history. 
6.3.  Weak economic growth in developed economies reduced import demand and weighed heavily 
on world exports in the second half of 2012. This is illustrated by Chart 12, which shows 
contributions of developed and developing economies to year-on-year growth in the dollar value of 
world merchandise exports. The third quarter of 2012 was particularly negative, as developed 
economies subtracted 3.5% from world export gr owth and developing economies reduced it by a 
further 0.5%, for a total decline of 4.0%. Trade in nominal terms stabilized in the fourth quarter 
after policy pronouncements from the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank boosted WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 34 - 
 
  growth prospects in the United States and eased uncertainty over the future of the euro. Small 
positive and negative contributions to world exports from developing and developed economies (0.7% and -0.7%, respectively) roughly cancelled each other out in the first quarter of 2013, leading to stagnation at the global level. Alth ough not shown in this chart, contributions of 
developed and developing economies to import growth were of similar magnitude to their 
contributions on the export side. 
12.510.7
7.1 7.510.812.3
10.2
3.4
1.1
-2.0-3.5 -0.715.6
15.6
11.2 9.812.112.7
12.1
6.9
4.1
1.1
-0.51.60.728.1
26.3
18.3
17.322.925.0
22.3
10.3
5.2
-0.9
-4.00.80.0
-10-505101520253035
2010Q1 2010Q2 2010Q3 2010Q4 2011Q1 2011Q2 2011Q3 2011Q4 2012Q1 2012Q2 2012Q3 2012Q4 2013Q1Chart 12
Contributions to year-on-year growth in world merchandise exports, 2010Q1 - 2013Q1
Source:(Percentage change in US$ values)
Notea Includes significant re-exports. Also includes the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
Due to scarce data availability, Africa and Middle East are under-represented in world totals.
WTO Secretariat estimates, based on data compiled from IMF International Financial Statistics; Eurostat 
Comext Database; Global Trade Atlas; and national statistics.Developed economies Developing economies a
World merchandise exports, year-on-year percentage change-0.8
 
 
6.4.  The WTO's latest forecast for world trade, issued on 13 April 2013, takes the weaker-than-
expected results from the second half of 2012 fully into account (Table 18). The WTO predicts below average growth of 3.3% in the volume of world merchandise trade for 2013, to be followed 
by a 5% increase in 2014 as the global economy regains some momentum. Exports of developed 
economies are expected to increase by 1.4% this year while shipments from developing economies 
are expected to expand by 5.3%. Imports of deve loped economies should see a 1.4% rise in 2013 
while those of developing economies should advance 5.9%. In 2014, exports of developed and 
developing economies are expected to rise 2.6% and 7.5%, respectively. Meanwhile, imports of 
developed and developing economies should grow by 3.2% and 7.4%. These figures refer to “real” changes in the volume of trade, i.e. they are adjusted to take into account differences in inflation 
and exchange rates across countries. Projections for 2014 are based on stronger assumptions 
about the medium-term trajectory of the global ec onomy and should be interpreted with caution. 
6.5.  Traditional trade statistics cannot provid e a full picture of modern trade developments, 
because international supply chains have change d the way manufactures are produced and global 
value is created. Today, most products are "Made in the World" and it is increasingly difficult to 
assign them to a single country of origin. OECD and WTO have been closely cooperating to provide 
a clearer picture of the value-added content of trade flows. A joint Trade-in-Value-Added database 
(TiVA) was first issued in January 2013. In May 2013, a new version was released, adding several 
new features. In particular, 18 new countries (mostly developing countries) have been added and the EU aggregate was completed. With this new release, the whole of the EU and the G-20 are 
covered by TiVA statistics. Two years (1995 and 2000) were included in order to benchmark most 
recent observations (2008 and 2009) and enable long-term analyses. WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 35 - 
 
  Table 18 World merchandise trade volume, 2009-2014 
(Annual % change) 
 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013a 2014a 
Volume of world merchandise tradeb 
 -12.5 
 13.9 
 5.2 
 2.0 
 3.3 
 5.0 
 
Exports 
  Developed economies 
  Developing economiesc 
  
-15.2 
-7.4  
13.1 
15.4  
5.1 
5.5  
1.0 
3.3  
1.4 
5.3  
2.6 
7.5 
Imports 
  Developed economies 
 Developing economiesc  
-14.3 -10.5  
10.7 18.3  
3.1 8.0  
-0.1 4.6  
1.4 5.9  
3.2 7.4 
a  Figures for 2013 and 2014 are projections 
b  Average of exports and imports 
c  Includes the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) 
Source: WTO Secretariat estimates. 
6.6.  Looking at the value-added content of ex ports avoids the double-counting issue of goods 
crossing several borders along their supply chain, before reaching their final destination. Perhaps 
more importantly, it shows us in which country and, within this country, in which sector of activity, 
the value was created.  Without double counting, the ratio (VA exports/GDP) has risen from 15% in 1995 to 20% in 2008; this is somewhat lower that the ratio (gross exports/GDP), which was at 19.2% in 1995 and 27.8% in 2008. While exports of services represented 21% of gross exports in 
2008, this percentage is double in TiVA exports (42%) which identify the contribution of each 
sector (primary, secondary or tertiary) to the total value of the traded goods and services. The share of exports of manufactures in TiVA was 41% in 2008, while it was 66% in gross exports. 
6.1  MERCHANDISE AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES TRADE 
6.7.  The most important (but by no means the only) factor behind the recent trade slowdown has 
been the weakness of import demand in the Europe an Union, which has been in recession for five 
out of the last six quarters.
19 T h i s  h a s  r e s u l t e d  i n  a  s l o w e r  p a c e  o f  e x p o r t  g r o w t h  i n  t h e  E U ’ s  
external trading partners and a reduced volume of  trade between EU countries. As noted in the 
previous report, the EU accounted for roughly 60%  of developed economies’ merchandise imports 
and around 35% of world merchandise imports in 2011.20 Consequently, any significant reduction 
in EU imports would have a considerable negative impact on global trade flows. Recent trade 
developments can be observed in quarterly and monthly time-series on merchandise trade and commercial services prepared by the Secretariat. Merchandise trade statistics are presented in 
both nominal (i.e. dollar) and re al (i.e. volume) terms, whereas data on commercial services are 
only available in current dollar terms. 
6.1.1  Merchandise trade volume 
6.8.  Chart 13 shows seasonally adjusted quarterly merchandise exports and imports of developed 
and developing economies between 2010Q1 and 2 013Q1. Export volumes had been trending up 
for both groups of countries through 2012Q2.  However, between 2012Q2 and 2012Q4 shipments from developed economies fell by around 2%, while those of developing economies were flat, 
producing a small (-1%) decline in the volume of world merchandise exports in the second half of 
2012. Developed and developing economies both saw their exports expand by around 1% in 2013Q1, which resulted in global growth of the same magnitude for the quarter.  Between 2011Q2 
and 2013Q1, world exports recorded esse ntially no growth in volume terms. 
  
                                               
19 The euro area has been in recession cont inuously since the fourth quarter of 2011. 
20 After the trade slowdown in 2012, EU shares in world and developed economies’ imports dropped to 
32% and 55%, respectively. WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 36 - 
 
  
95100105110115120125
2010Q1 2010Q2 2010Q3 2010Q4 2011Q1 2011Q2 2011Q 3 2011Q4 2012Q1 2012Q2 2012Q3 2012Q4 2013Q1Chart 13
Merchandise exports and imports by level of development, 2010Q1-2013Q1
95100105110115120125
2010Q1 2010Q2 2010Q3 2010Q4 2011Q1 2011Q2 201 1Q3 2011Q4 2012Q1 2012Q2 2012Q3 2012Q4 2013Q1(Seasonally adjusted volume indices, 2010Q1 = 100)
Exports
Imports
World
Source: WTO Secretariat.Develo ping economies a Developed economies World
a    Includes the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
 
6.9.  Between 2011Q2 and 2013Q1, imports of de veloped economies fell by 2%, while those of 
developing economies rose 3%, producing 0% growth in world imports (equal to the rate for world 
exports).  Exports and imports of developed economies have both grown more slowly than those WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 37 - 
 
  of developing economies since the first quarter of 2011, but the divergence on the import side 
became stronger after 2012Q3. Since 2011Q1, imports of developed economies have fallen by 2%, while those of developing economies have increase d by 12%. World trade growth rate during this 
period was 4%. 
6.10.  Since aggregation obscures significant variation across countries, it is useful to consider 
trade developments for major economies separately. Chart 14 shows seasonally adjusted quarterly trade volumes for the United States, Japan and the European Union through 2013Q1, plus 
developing Asia (which includes China). 
6.11.  Since the second quarter of 2011, exports from the United States and from the EU to the 
rest of the world increased by 5% and 8%, respectively, whereas Japanese exports were more or less unchanged. In contrast to this performance, trade between EU countries (as measured by 
intra-EU trade) declined by 4%.  
6.12.  US and Japanese imports have both increased by roughly 12% between 2010Q1 and 
2013Q1. After a 6% decline between 2011Q1 and 2013Q1,  EU imports from the rest of the world 
(i.e. extra-EU imports) dropped to their lowest level since 2010Q1. 
6.13.  Although developed economies’ trade flows were mostly stagnant between 2011Q2 and 
2012Q4, exports and imports of developing Asia (which includes China but excludes Japan and 
Australia/New Zealand) each increased by 10%. China’s import growth in particular has partly 
cushioned the drop in EU demand, but the extent to which the country can offset the EU as an export destination is limited by its smaller share in world imports (around 9% in 2011, compared with the EU’s 35%). 
 WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 38 - 
 
  
95100105110115120125130
2010Q1 2010Q2 2010Q3 2010Q4 2011Q1 2011Q2 2011Q 3 2011Q4 2012Q1 2012Q2 2012Q3 2012Q4 2013Q1Chart 14
Volume of monthly exports and imports of selected economies, 2010Q1 - 2013Q1
95100105110115120125130
2010Q1 2010Q2 2010Q3 2010Q4 2011Q1 2011Q2 201 1Q3 2011Q4 2012Q1 2012Q2 2012Q3 2012Q4 2013Q1(Seasonally adjusted volume indices, 2010 = 100)
Exports
Imports
Source: National statistics for the United States, European Union and Japan; and Secretariat estimates for 
Developing Asia.JapanEU-extra EU-intra trade United States
Developing Asia
 WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 39 - 
 
  6.1.2  Merchandise trade values 
6.14.  Merchandise trade statistics in current US dollar terms are available for more countries and 
more recent time periods than trade statistics in volume terms. Chart 15 shows year-on-year growth in monthly exports and imports for selected economies. 
6.15.  As indicated in the last monitoring report, countries in the euro area (Germany, France and 
Italy) had recorded strong year-on-year declines in exports and imports in August, the last month for which EU data were available. The euro cris is eased after the ECB announced its willingness to 
purchase bonds of euro-area member governments under certain circumstances, which allowed EU 
trade flows to stage a partial recovery in the four th quarter of last year. However, the rebound was 
temporary and tentative, with positive export an d import growth in October and January separated 
by declines in November and December. By March 2013, trade of EU members appeared to be 
fading again, although some of this decline may be attributable to shifts in prices and exchange 
rates.  Germany’s exports and imports rebounded strongly in April, which may presage stronger 
growth in EU-wide figures when th ey are eventually released.   
6.16.  In March 2013, EU imports from the rest of the world were down 13% compared with the 
same month in the previous year, while EU exports to non-EU trading partners increased by 2%. 
6.17.  US merchandise trade flows have fluctuated  since the fourth quarter of last year. Imports 
dipped 4% in December and slid 8% in March before gaining 1% in April. Some of the decline in 
US imports may be related to increased production of oil and gas in the United States, which would tend to lessen the country’s demand for imported fuels.  Exports also declined by 3% in March before growing 2% in April, reflecting weak and volatile demand conditions in the rest of the 
world.  
6.18.  Japan’s exports and imports in April were down 13% and 9%, respectively, despite the pick-
up in the country’s economy since more stimulating monetary and fiscal policies were adopted by 
the Government. Meanwhile, the Republic of Korea’s trade growth in April was close to zero for 
both exports and imports. 
6.19.  China’s trade remained remarkably resili ent through April before weakening suddenly in 
M a y .  E x c e p t  f o r  a  1 5 %  y e a r - o n - y e a r  d r o p  i n  i m p o r t s  i n  F e b r u a r y  ( e x p l a i n e d  b y  t h e  f a c t  t h a t  
Chinese Lunar New Year fell in different months in the last two years), growth in China’s exports and imports were consistently positive until imports dipped slightly in the latest month.  Year-on-year growth in exports accelerated to 15% in April (up from 10% in the previous month) before 
slowing to -0.3% in May.  Growth in imports increased to 17% in April (up from 14% in the 
previous month) before dropping to 2% in May. 
6.20.  Brazil suffered a large decline in merchandise trade.  In August and September 2012, 
exports and imports both fell by 14% year-on- year. The country’s trade performance has been 
somewhat erratic since the last monitoring report. In April exports and imports were up 5% and 16%, respectively, compared to the same month in 2012, but growth fell in May to -6% for 
exports and 4% for imports. 
 WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 40 - 
 
  Chart  15
Merchandise exports and imports of sele cted economies, October 2011 - April 2013
United States Japan(Year-on-year percentage chan ge in current US$ values)
European Union (extra-trade) China
Russian Federation India
-10-5051015
Oct-11 Apr-12 Oct-12 Apr-13
-30-20-100102030
Oct-11 Apr-12 Oct-12 Apr-13
-15-10-5051015
Oct-11 Apr-12 Oct-12 Apr-13
-20-1001020304050
Oct-11 Apr-12 Oct-12 Apr-13
-20-100102030
Oct-11 Apr-12 Oct-12 Apr-13
-30-20-100102030
Oct-11 Apr-12 Oct-12 Apr-13Brazil Republic of Korea
-10010203040
Oct-11 Apr-12 Oct-12 Apr-13
-20-10010203040
Oct-11 Apr-12 Oct-12 Apr-13
-30-20-10010203040
Oct-11 Apr-12 Oct-12 Apr-13South Africa
-30-20-10010203040
Oct-11 Apr-12 Oct-12 Apr-13Singapore
 
 WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 41 - 
 
  Chinese Taipei Malaysia
Canada Turkey
Indonesia
Source :  IMF, International Financial Statistics;  Global Trade Information Services (GTIS) GTA database; national 
statistics.Imports ExportsChart 15 (continued)
-20-15-10-50510152025
Oct-11 Apr-12 Oct-12 Apr-13
-15-10-50510152025
Oct-11 Apr-12 Oct-12 Apr-13
-20-1001020304050
Oct-11 Apr-12 Oct-12 Apr-13Thailand
-20-100102030
Oct-11 Apr-12 Oct-12 Apr-13Australia
-10-5051015
Oct-11 Apr-12 Oct-12 Apr-13
-100102030
Oct-11 Apr-12 Oct-12 Apr-13
-30-20-10010203040
Oct-11 Apr-12 Oct-12 Apr-13
 WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 42 - 
 
  6.2  TRADE IN COMMERCIAL SERVICES 
6.21.  Although short-term data on trade in co mmercial services are more limited than existing 
datasets on merchandise trade, both display similar trends. The recent evolution of this type of trade is illustrated by Chart 16, which shows year-on-year growth in the dollar value of commercial 
services exports and imports for selected economies from 2012Q1 to 2012Q4.  
6.22.  Year-on-year growth in commercial services exports remained positive in the United States 
throughout 2012 despite a slowdown in the third qu arter. However, US services imports were flat 
in both Q3 and Q4. 
6.23.  The dollar value of Japan’s exports of services dropped 5% year-on-year in 2012Q3, and 
remained 4% lower than the previous year’s value in Q4. Japan’s import growth remained positive in all four quarters of 2012, but had dropped to just 1% by the fourth quarter. 
6.24.  The dollar value of the European Union’s commercial services exports declined in the last 
three quarters of 2012. Meanwhile, growth in serv ices imports was negative in all four quarters. 
However, the declines in Q4 (0.3% for exports, 0.2% for imports) were barely discernible from 
zero. 
6.25.  Growth in China’s exports of commercial services increased from 8% in Q3 to 10% in Q4. At 
the same time, the country’s imports of commercial services increased by 17% in Q4, down from 
20% in Q3. 
6.26.  Year-on-year growth rates for India’s expo rts and imports of commercial services diverged 
strongly in the second half of 2012. Export growth  jumped to 13% in Q3 before settling back to 
10% in Q4. Meanwhile, import growth dropped to just 1% in Q3 from 7% in Q2 before contracting 
by 8% in Q4. 
 WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 43 - 
 
  
-15-10-50510152025
United States Japan European
UnionFrance Germany United
KingdomChina IndiaChart 16
Commercial services exports and imports of selected economies, 2012Q1 - 2012Q4
-15-10-5051015
United States Japan European
UnionFrance Germany United
KingdomChina India(Year-on-year percentage change in current US$ values)
Exports
Imports
Source: WTO Secretariat.2012 Q4 2012 Q1 2012 Q2 2012 Q3
 WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 44 - 
 
  Annex 1 
Measures facilitating trade1 
(Mid-October 2012 to mid-May 2013) 
 
CONFIRMED INFORMATION2 
Country/ Member 
State Measure Source/Date Status 
Argentina Elimination of non-automatic import 
licensing requiremen ts on 25 January 
2013 (originally imposed in March 2011)  WTO documents WT/TPR/S/277/Add.1, 13 February 2013 and G/LIC/N/2/ARG/26, 31 January 2013 Effective 25 
January 2013 
Azerbaijan Elimination of import tariffs on gold (to 
be place in assets of State Oil Fund). 
Imports also exempted from VAT Permanent Delegation 
of Azerbaijan to the 
United Nations (8 May 
2013) Effective 19 
October 2012 
Azerbaijan Exemption of VAT for imports of 
machinery, technological equipment and installations for specified purposes  Permanent Delegation 
of Azerbaijan to the United Nations (8 May 2013) Effective 21 
December 2012 
Benin Temporary elimination of import tariffs 
on certain products, i.e. informatic 
equipment, software, buses, equipment 
and material for construction, trucks, 
cattle and poultry food, agricultural 
materials and machinery, fertilizers, 
materials for packaging, bicycles, 
helmets. Imports also exempted from 
VAT Loi No 2012-42 "Loi de 
finances pour la 
gestion 2013" (28 
December 2012) Effective 1 
January 2013 to 
31 December 
2013 
Bolivia (Plurinational State of) Temporary elimination of import tariffs 
on diesel (HS 2710.12.21) Decreto Supremo No. 
1468 (23 January 2013) Effective 28 
January 2013 for 1 year 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 
2%) on certain products, i.e. sardines 
(Sardina pilchardus, Sardinops spp, 
Sardinella spp), brisling or sprats  (NCM 
0303.53.00), under an import quota of 
50,000 tonnes; palm kernel or babassu 
oil (palmiste) (NCM 1513.29.10) under 
an import quota of 223,365 tonnes (for 
a period of 12 months); and 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 
exceeding 10 mm (NCM 7208.51.00) 
under an import quota of 8,000 tonnes 
(for a period of 4 months) Camex Resolution No. 
73/2012 (17 October 
2012) Effective 17 
October 2012 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 
2%) on 539 capital goods and integrated 
systems tariff lines (in NCM Chapters 73; 
84; 85; 86; 87; 90) and 4 informatic and telecommunication equipment tariff lines (NCM 8443.32.99; 8471.60.53; 9030.89.90; 9032.89.30); and temporary elimination of import tariffs on 7 informatics and telecommunication equipment tariff lines (NCM 8517.69.00; 8543.70.99), through the "ex-out" Camex Resolutions 
Nos. 74/2012 and 
75/2012 (29 October 
2012); and Nos. 81, 82 (13 November 2012) Effective until 30 
June 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 or such measure's impact on, or relationship with, the global financial crisis. 
2 This section includes information which has either been provided by the Member concerned or it has 
been confirmed at the request of the Secretariat. WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 45 - 
 
  Country/ Member 
State Measure Source/Date Status 
regime (mechanism designed to 
temporarily reduce import tariffs on capital goods and informatics and telecommunication equipment not locally produced)  
Brazil Elimination of import tariffs on non pure-
breed breeding live bovine animals (NCM 
0102.90.00) Camex Resolution No. 
76/2012 (29 October 
2012) Effective 31 
October 2012 
Brazil Temporary reduction (to 2%) of import 
tariffs on 6-Hexanelactam (epsilon-caprolactam) (NCM 2933.71.00), under an import quota of 26,000 tonnes Camex Resolution No. 
85/2012 (30 November 2012) Effective 3 
December 2012 for 180 days 
Brazil Temporary elimination of import tariffs 
on certain products, i.e. terephthalic acid 
and its salts (NCM 2917.36.00), under 
an import quota of  42,000 tonnes (valid 
for 90 days); antisera ( concentrado de 
fator VIII ) (NCM 3002.10.39), under an 
import quota of  34,500 flasks (valid for 
180 days); and other antisera 
(concentrado de fator IX, concentrado 
de fator von Willebrand de alta pureza, 
and concentrado de fator VIII da 
coagulação recombinante ) (NCM 
3002.10.39), under various import 
quotas  (valid for 12 months)  Camex Resolutions 
Nos. 84/2012, 85/2012 
and 86/2012 (30 
November 2012) Effective 3 
December 2012  
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 
2%) on 162 capital goods and integrated systems tariff lines (in NCM Chapters 73; 82; 84; 85; 90) and 10 informatic and telecommunication equipment tariff lines 
(NCM 8443.31.91; 8443.32.99; 
8537.10.20; 8543.70.99; 9030.40.90; 9032.89.21; 9032.89.82; 9032.89.89), through the "ex-out" regime   Camex Resolutions 
Nos. 90/2012,  91/2012 (17 December 2012), and 18/2013 (28 March 2013) Effective until 30 
June 2014 
Brazil Temporary elimination of import tariffs 
on antisera (soroalbumina humana) 
(NCM 3002.10.37), under an import 
quota of  360,000 flasks (valid until 2 
December 2013). Temporary reduction 
(to 2%) of import tariffs on casein and 
caseinates (NCM 3501.90.11; 
3501.90.19), under various import 
quotas (valid for 12 months)  Camex Resolution No. 
95/2012 (19 December 
2012) Effective 21 
December 2012 
Brazil Reduction of import tariffs (from 55% to 
35%) on peaches, including nectarines, otherwise prepared or preserved, whether or not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter or spirit (NCM 2008.70.10; 2008.70.90) Camex Resolution No. 
94/2012 (18 December 2012) Effective 1 
January 2013 
Brazil Reduction of import tariffs (from 14% to 
12%) on inorganic or organic 
compounds of mercury (NCM 
2852.90.00); and (from 18% to 16%) 
on sanitary towels and tampons, napkins 
and napkin liners fo r babies and similar 
articles, of any material (NCM 
9619.00.00) Camex Resolution No. 
96/2012 (26 December 
2012) Effective 1 
January 2013 
Brazil Temporary reduction (to 2%) of import 
tariffs on synthetic filament yarn of 
polyester (NCM 5402.46.00), under an import quota of 88,000 tonnes Camex Resolution No. 
1/2013 (17 January 2013) and Secex Portaria No. 2/2013 (31 January 2013) Effective 18 
January 2013 to 17 July 2013 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 
2%) on 37 informatic and 
telecommunication equipment tariff lines 
(NCM 8443; 8471; 8517; 8531; 8532; Camex Resolutions 
Nos. 9/2013 (5 
February 2013) and 
15/2013 (27 February Effective until 31 
December 2014 WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 46 - 
 
  Country/ Member 
State Measure Source/Date Status 
8536; 8537; 8543; 8544; 9030; 9032), 
through the "ex-out" regime   2013) 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 
2%) on 1,082 capital goods tariff lines (NCM Chapters 82; 84; 85; 86; 90), elimination of import tariffs on 1 capital good tariff line (NCM 8602.10.00), through the "ex-out" regime   Camex Resolutions 
Nos. 10/2013 (5 February 2013), 16/2013 (27 February 2013), and 17/2013 (28 March 2013) Effective until 31 
December 2013 
Brazil Temporary elimination of import tariffs 
on wheat and meslin (NCM 1001.99.00), 
under an import quota of 2 million 
tonnes; and cotton not carded or 
combed (NCM 5201.00.20; 5201.00.90), 
under an import quota of 80,000 tonnes Camex Resolution No. 
11/2013 (6 February 
2013) and Portaria No. 
14/2013 (16 April 
2013) Effective until 31 
July 2013 
Brazil Temporary elimination of import tariffs 
on methanol (methyl alcohol) (NCM 2905.11.00), under an import quota of 580,000 tonnes Camex Resolution No. 
24/2013 (5 April 2013) and Secex Portaria No. 15/2013 (19 April 2013) Effective 8 April 
2013 to 5 October 2013 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs on 
certain products, i.e.  lactose and lactose 
syrup  containing by weight 99% or 
more lactose, expressed as anhydrous 
lactose, calculated on the dry matter 
(NCM 1702.11.00), under an import 
quota of 4,476 tonnes; silicones in 
primary forms (NCM 3910.00.90), under 
an import quota of 132 tonnes; and 
parts of electrical  capacitors (NCM 
8532.90.00), under an import quota of 
19,000 units Camex Resolution No. 
25/2013 (5 April 2013) 
and Secex Portaria No. 
15/2013 (19 April 
2013) Effective 8 April 
2013 to 7 April 
2014 
Canada  Reduction of import tariffs (from 6.5% to 
5%) on non-electric instantaneous or storage water heaters, and surveying instruments/appliances (HS 8419.19.00; 9015.80.20)  Permanent Delegation 
of Canada to the WTO (14 May 2013) Effective 8 March 
2013 
Canada Elimination of import tariffs on certain 
baby clothing, and sport equipment 
(except bicycles) (HS Chapters 42; 61; 
62; 64; 95) Permanent Delegation 
of Canada to the WTO 
(14 May 2013) Effective 1 April 
2013 
China Tariff Implementation Plan for 2013 
resulting in the elimination of export tariffs on 6 minerals (12 tariff lines at 8 digits) (HS Chapters 25; 26; 27; 28; 79; 81) Permanent Delegation 
of China to the WTO (23 May 2013) Effective 1 
January 2013 
Colombia Elimination of import registration 
requirements on textiles and apparel, 
footwear (HS Chapters 50 to 64), and 
certain alcoholic beverages  (HS 2208) Permanent Delegation 
of Colombia to the 
WTO (13 May 2013) Effective April 
2013 
EU Emergency autonomous trade 
preferences for Pakistan, temporary eliminating import tariffs on 49 textiles and textile articles tariff lines (in HS 
5205; 5208; 5209; 5211; 5407; 5513; 
6101; 6112; 6116; 6201; 6203; 6204; 6207; 6208; 6211; 6216; 6303; 6304; 6307) EU Regulation No. 
1029/2012 (25 October 2012) Effective until 31 
December 2013 
EU Temporary suspension of import tariffs 
(to zero) on certain ce reals, i.e. common 
wheat of low and medium quality and 
feed barley (HS 1001.99.00; 1003), for 
all imports under reduced-duty tariff 
quotas (2012-13 marketing year) Commission 
Implementing 
Regulation No. 
1115/2012 (28 
November 2012) Effective 1 
January 2013 to 
30 June 2013 
India Exemption from any export 
restrictions/ban on 10 processed and/or value added agricultural products, i.e. wheat or meslin flour, cereal flours, Information verified by 
the Permanent Delegation of India to the WTO Effective 4 
February 2013 WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 47 - 
 
  Country/ Member 
State Measure Source/Date Status 
cereal groats, milk products, butter, and 
cheese (in HS Chapters 04; 07; 11; 15; 19; 35)  (23 May 2013) 
India Extension of the elimination/reduction of 
import tariffs on certain parts for 
manufacturing electric and hybrid 
vehicles  Information verified by 
the Permanent 
Delegation of India to 
the WTO 
(23 May 2013) Extended until 
31 March 2015 
India Elimination of import tariffs and 
additional duties on: (i) capital goods for pre-production, production and post production; (ii) capital goods in semi-knocked down (SKD), completely knocked down (CKD) conditions to be assembled into capital goods by the importer; and (iii) spare parts, under the Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG)  Notification No. 
22/2013-Customs Ministry of Finance - Department of Revenue (18 April 2013)   
India Reduction of import tariffs on certain 
products, i.e. (from 30% to 10%) hazel 
nuts (HS 08); (from 30% to 15%) de-
hulled oat grain (HS 11); (from 5% to 
2%) bituminous coal; (from 7.5% to 
5%) 20 specified machinery for leather 
and footwear industry, and certain 
machinery and parts (HS 8444; 8445; 
8446; 8447; 8448; 8449) Information verified by 
the Permanent 
Delegation of India to 
the WTO 
(23 May 2013) Effective 1 March 
2013 
India Elimination of export tariffs on de-oiled 
rice bran oil cake (HS 23)  Information verified by 
the Permanent Delegation of India to the WTO (23 May 2013) Effective 1 March 
2013 
Korea, Rep of Temporary reduction or elimination of 
import tariffs on 69 it ems, i.e. wheat for 
milling (HS 1001.99) (under an import 
quota of 1 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 
(13 May 2013) Effective 1 
January 2013 to 
31 December 
2013 (the 
reduction on 28 
items is  
applicable only 
until 30 June 
2013, while it is 
applied to 41 
items throughout 
the year) 
Korea, Rep of Amendments to the Liquor Tax Law 
eliminating the import-licensing capital requirement (W 50 million (US$44,496)) for certain alcoholi c beverages (i.e. 
wines, beers, and whiskeys) (HS 2203.00; 22041.0; 2204.21; 2204.29; 2204.30; 2205.10; 2205.90; 2206.00; 2207.10; 2207.20; 2208.20; 2208.30; 2208.40; 2208.50; 2208.60; 2208.70; 2208.90)  and introducing flexibility in 
warehouse facility requirements Permanent Delegation 
of Korea to the WTO (23 May 2013) Effective 15 
February 2013 
Mexico Amendments to the customs tariffs 
resulting in decreases of import tariffs 
on 488 tariff lines (at 8 digits) (HS 
Chapters 1; 2; 3; 4; 7; 8; 9; 10; 11; 
12; 15; 17; 18; 19; 21; 22; 23; 25; 27; 
28; 29; 30; 32; 34; 35; 38; 39; 40; 44; 
62; 64; 68; 82; 84; 85; 96) Permanent Delegation 
of Mexico to the WTO 
(24 May 2013) Effective 24 
November 2012 
Pakistan Temporary reduction of import tariffs 
(from 32.5% to 28.75%) on parts for motorcycles. Temporary reduction of import tariffs "concessionary rates" (from 15% to 10%) on motorcycles kits Permanent Delegation 
of Pakistan to the WTO (5 June 2013) Effective 
December 2012 
Pakistan Reduction of import tariffs Permanent Delegation Effective 19 WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 48 - 
 
  Country/ Member 
State Measure Source/Date Status 
"concessionary rates"  (to 5%) on certain 
products, i.e. screw sets (HS 
8518.22.00); speaker (HS 8544.22.00); 
adopter/power supply, rear cover, 
plasma display or LCD/LED control unit, 
control panel PDP/LCD/LED (HS 
8529.90.90); printed circuit board (HS 
8534.00.00); and connecting 
cables/accessories (HS 8544.42.90) of Pakistan to the WTO 
(5 June 2013) February 2013 
Pakistan Automatization of the cargo 
transhipment business process from port of entry to hinterland dry ports or container freight stations Permanent Delegation 
of Pakistan to the WTO (5 June 2013) Effective 5 March 
2013 
Pakistan Elimination of import tariffs on mining 
machinery, and equipment spare parts 
(including vehicles) fo r Thar Coal Fields Permanent Delegation 
of Pakistan to the WTO 
(5 June 2013) Effective 15 
March 2013 
Serbia Temporary reduction of import tariffs on 
certain machinery and mechanical appliances (in Chapters HS 84; 85; 87; 90) Permanent Delegation 
of the Serbia  to the United Nations (31 May 2013) Effective 1 
January 2013 
Customs Union 
between the Russian 
Federation, Belarus, 
and Kazakhstan) Temporary elimination of import tariffs 
on molybdenum oxides and hydroxides 
(HS 2825.70.00) Permanent Delegation 
of the Russian 
Federation  (23 May 
2013) Effective 16 
January 2013 to 
31 December 
2014 
Customs Union between the Russian Federation, Belarus, and Kazakhstan) Temporary reduction (to 5%) of import 
tariffs on paper and paperboard (HS 4810.13.80; 4810.19.90; 4810.22.10; 4810.29.30; 4810.92.10)  Permanent Delegation 
of the Russian Federation  (23 May 2013) Effective 20 April 
2013 to 19 January 2014 
Macedonia, Former 
Yugoslav Rep of Elimination of import tariffs on certain 
industrial products (HS 3907; 3920; 
6813; 7325; 8457; 8458; 8459; 8460; 
8461; 8462; 8463; 8464; 8465; 8466; 
8606); and reduction of import tariffs 
(from 15% and 10% to 5%) on certain 
motor vehicles for the transport of 10 or 
more persons (HS 8702.10; 8702.90) Permanent Delegation 
of the Former Yugoslav 
Republic of Macedonia  
to the WTO (19 
October 2012) Effective 1 
January 2013 
Tunisia Temporary reduction/elimination of 
import tariffs on certain products, i.e. agriculture products, food products (e.g. fish, milk), miscellaneous edible preparations, grains , seeds, cereals, 
prepared foodstuffs, fertilizers, chemicals, articles of base metal, alcohol, gold, tyres, and medical equipment and instruments (in certain cases under import quota). VAT on some products also reduced or exempted  Permanent Delegation 
of Tunisia  to the WTO (23 May 2013) Effective 1 
January 2013 to 31 December 2013 
Turkey Elimination of import tariffs on certain 
products, i.e. wheat starch; pectic 
substances, pectinates and pectates; 
malt extract; chocolate and other food 
preparations containing cocoa; other 
food preparation for medical use; and  
flat-rolled products of stainless steel (HS 
1108; 1302.20.10; 1302.20.90; 
1901.90; 1806.10; 1806.20; 1806.31; 
1806.32; 1806.90; 2106.90.98; 
7219.12.10; 7219.12.90; 7219.13.10; 
7219.13.90; 7219.14.10; 7219.14.90) Permanent Delegation 
of Turkey to the WTO 
(7 May 2013) Effective 1 
January 2013 
Ukraine Amendments to the Law on Customs 
Tariff resulting in: (i) elimination of import tariffs (13 tariff lines at 8 digits) on certain products, i.e. manganese ores and concentrates, silicon, potassium chloride, ball and roll er bearings, electric 
motors and parts, electrical transformers, bodies for motor vehicles, Permanent Delegation 
of Ukraine to the United Nations (30 May 2013) Effective 1 
January 2013 WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 49 - 
 
  Country/ Member 
State Measure Source/Date Status 
(HS Chapters 26, 28, 31, 32, 84, 85, 
87); and (ii) reduction of import tariffs on 1 tariff line (HS 3208.90.19)  
 
RECORDED, BUT NOT CONFIRMED INFORMATION 
Country/ Member 
State Measure Source/Date Status 
Bangladesh Reduction of import tariffs on certain 
fresh fruits (HS 0803; 0804; 0805; 0806; 0807; 0808; 0809; 0810)  The Financial Express 
(25 March 2013)   
Kazakhstan Elimination of import tariffs (from 5%) 
on cell phones (HS 8517)  Press reports (January 
2013) Effective 1 
January 2013 
Nepal Upgrading of customs procedures with 
the implementation of a web-based system and modernization of valuation and inspection systems  Himalayan Times (21 
January 2013)   
 WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 50 - 
 
  Annex 2 
 
Trade remedy measures1 
(Mid-October 2012 to mid-May 2013) 
 
CONFIRMED INFORMATION2 
Country/ Member 
State Measure Source/Date Status 
Argentina Termination on 21 November 2012 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of cold  or hot rolled flat products of iron or steel, smooth and without perforations (NCM 7209.15; 7209.16; 7209.17; 7209.18; 7209.25; 7209.26; 7209.27; 7209.28; 7209.90; 7211.23; 7225.50; 7226.92) from Australia; Korea, Rep. of; South Africa; and Chinese Taipei (imposed on 28 May 2003)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/ARG, 10 April 2013   
Argentina Initiation on 4 December 2012 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of polymers 
of vinyl chloride monofilament profile shapes 
(NCM 3916.20.00) from China and Germany WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/ARG, 
10 April 2013   
Argentina Initiation on 2 January 2013 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of liquid dielectric transformers having a power handling capacity exceeding 10,000 kVA (NCM 8504.23.00) from China and Korea, Rep. of Permanent 
Delegation of Argentina to the WTO (13 May 2013)   
Argentina Initiation on 2 January 2013 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of ceramic tiles, 
cubes and similar articles (NCM 6802.10.00; 
6802.91.00; 6907.10.00; 6907.90.00; 
6908.10.00; 6908.90.00; 7016.10.00; 
7016.90.00) from Brazil, China, and Spain Permanent 
Delegation of 
Argentina to the WTO 
(13 May 2013)   
Argentina Initiation on 2 January 2013 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of plywood, veneered panels and similar laminated wood (NCM 4412.32.00) from Brazil, China, and Uruguay Permanent 
Delegation of Argentina to the WTO (13 May 2013)   
Argentina Initiation on 18 April 2013 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of fungicides (NCM 
3808.92.91) from Chile, Peru, the United 
States, and Uruguay Resolución No. 
48/2013 Secretaría 
de Comercio Exterior 
- Ministerio de 
Economía y Finanzas 
Públicas (11 April 
2013)   
Australia Initiation on 26 November 2012 of 
countervailing investigation on imports of aluminium zinc coated steel (HS 7210.61.00) from China  Permanent 
Delegation of Australia to the WTO (23 May 2013)   
Australia Initiation on 26 November 2012 of 
countervailing investigation on imports of zinc 
coated (galvanised) steel (HS 7210.49.00; 
7212.30.00) from China  Permanent 
Delegation of 
Australia to the WTO 
(23 May 2013)   
Australia Initiation on 12 February 2013 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of hot rolled plate steel (HS 7208.40.00; 7208.51.00; 7208.52.00; 7225.40.00) from China; Indonesia; Japan; Korea, Rep. of; and Chinese Taipei Permanent 
Delegation of Australia to the WTO (13 May 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 or such measure's impact on, or relationship with, the global financial crisis. 
2 This section includes information which has either been provided by the Member concerned or it has 
been confirmed at the request of the Secretariat. WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 51 - 
 
  Country/ Member 
State Measure Source/Date Status 
Australia Initiation on 12 February 2013 of 
countervailing investigation on imports of hot 
rolled plate steel (HS 7208.40.00; 
7208.51.00; 7208.52.00; 7225.40.00) from 
China Permanent 
Delegation of 
Australia to the WTO 
(13 May 2013)   
Australia Termination on 2 May 2013 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation on imports of quicklime "calcium oxide" (HS 2522.10.00) from Thailand (investigation initiated on 27 October 2011. Terminated on 3 April 2012, but on appeal the TMRO revoked the termination and the investigation was resumed on 28 June 2012)   WTO document 
G/ADP/N/230/AUS, 10 August 2012 and Permanent Delegation of Australia to the WTO (23 May 2013)   
Australia Termination on 2 May 2013 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation on 
imports of aluminium zinc coated steel (HS 
7210.61.00) from Chinese Taipei (initiated on 
5 September 2012)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/AUS, 
11 March 2013 and 
Permanent 
Delegation of 
Australia to the WTO 
(23 May 2013)   
Brazil Termination on 23 October 2012 (without 
measure) of safeguard investigation on imports of fine or table wine (NCM 2204.21.00) (initiated on 15 March 2012) WTO documents 
G/SG/N/6/BRA/5, 2 April 2012 and G/SG/N/9/BRA/2, 6 November 2012   
Brazil Initiation on 26 October 2012 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of precipitated silicon 
dioxide (NCM 2811.22.10) from China and 
India WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/BRA, 
16 April 2013    
Brazil Initiation on 30 October 2012 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of reduced indigo blue (NCM 3204.15.90) from China and Singapore WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/BRA, 16 April 2013    
Brazil Termination on 6 December 2012 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation on 
imports of 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 Australia  and 
Russian Federation (initiated on 3 May 2012) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/230/BRA, 
27 August 2012 and 
Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil 
to the WTO (24 May 
2013)   
Brazil Initiation on 13 December 2012 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of blenders of power equal to or less than 800 W (NCM 8509.40.10) from China  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/BRA, 16 April 2013    
Brazil Initiation on 26 December 2012 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
tableware and kitchenware articles of 
porcelain and ceramic (NCM 6911.10.10; 
6911.10.90; 6911.90.00; 6912.00.00) from 
China  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/BRA, 
16 April 2013    
Brazil Initiation on 27 December 2012 of 
countervailing investigation on imports of yarns predominantly made of acrylic fibres (NCM 5509.31.00; 5509.32.00; 5509.61.00; 5509.62.00; 5509.69.00) from Indonesia  WTO document 
G/SCM/N/250/BRA, 10 April 2013   
Brazil Initiation on 3 January 2013 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of epoxide resins 
(NCM 3907.30.11; 3907.30.19; 3907.30.21; 
3907.30.22; 3907.30.29) from China; India; 
Korea, Rep. of; Mexico; Saudi Arabia; and 
Chinese Taipei  Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil 
to the WTO (24 May 
2013)   
Brazil Initiation on 9 January 2013 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of safety glass, consisting of toughened (tempered) or laminated glass (NCM 7007.19.00) from China Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil to the WTO (24 May 2013)   
Brazil Termination on 22 January 2013 of anti- Secex Circular No.   WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 52 - 
 
  Country/ Member 
State Measure Source/Date Status 
dumping duties on imports of steam iron 
(NCM 8516.40.00) from China  (imposed on 
28 June 2007)  6/2013 (21 January 
2013) 
Brazil Termination on 29 January 2013 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation on imports of tubes and pipes of refined copper (NCM 7411.10.10; 7411.10.90) from China (initiated on 10 November 2011) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/BRA, 26 March 2012 and Secex Circular No. 8/2013 (28 January 2013)   
Brazil Initiation on 19 March 2013 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of polypropylene 
resin (NCM 3902.10.20; 3902.30.00) from 
India; Korea, Rep. of; and South Africa Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil 
to the WTO (24 May 
2013)   
Brazil Initiation on 26 March 2013 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of polypropylene 
resin (NCM 3902.10.20; 3902.30.00) from India and South Africa Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil 
to the WTO (24 May 2013)   
Brazil Initiation on 8 April 2013 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of sodium acid 
pyrophosphate "SAPP- 40" (NCM 2835.39.20) 
from China Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil 
to the WTO (24 May 
2013)   
Brazil Termination on 9 April 2013 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of SDS plus drill bits (brocas de encaixe ) (NCM 8207.19.00; 
8207.50.11; 8207.50.90) from China  (imposed on 21 November 2007)  Secex Circular No. 
19/2013 (8 April 2013)   
Canada Termination on 9 November 2012 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of carbon steel 
welded pipe, commonly identified as standard 
pipe, in the normal size range from 0.5 inch 
up to and including 6 inches (12.7 mm to 
168.3 mm in outside diameter) inclusive, in 
various forms and finishes (HS 7306) from 
Turkey (investigation initiated on 14 May 
2012 and provisional duty imposed on 13 
August 2012)   WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/CAN, 
21 February 2013    
Canada Termination on 9 November 2012 of 
countervailing duties on imports of  carbon steel welded pipe, commonly identified as standard pipe, in the normal size range from 0.5 inch up to and including 6 inches (12.7 mm to 168.3 mm in outside diameter) inclusive, in various forms and finishes (HS 7306) from Oman and the United Arab Emirates (investigation initiated on 14 May 2012 and provisional duty imposed on 13 August 2012)   WTO document 
G/SCM/N/250/CAN, 22 February 2013   
Canada  Initiation on 21 January 2013 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of galvanized steel 
wire (HS 7217.20.00; 7217.90.00) from 
China, Israel, and Spain Permanent 
Delegation of Canada 
to the WTO (14 May 
2013) Provisional 
duty imposed 
on 22 April 
2013 
Canada  Initiation on 21 January 2013 of 
countervailing investigation on imports of galvanized steel wire (HS 7217.20.00; 7217.90.00) from China Permanent 
Delegation of Canada to the WTO (14 May 2013) Provisional 
duty imposed on 22 April 2013 
Canada  Initiation on 4 March 2013 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of unitized wall 
modules (HS 4016.93.99; 6802.23.00; 
6806.10.90; 7005.29.00; 7008.00.00; 
7016.90.00; 7308.30.00; 7318.15.90; 
7604.29.20; 7610.10.00; 7610.90.00; 
7610.90.10; 7610.90.90) from China Permanent 
Delegation of Canada 
to the WTO (14 May 
2013)   
Canada  Initiation on 4 March 2013 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of unitized wall modules (HS 4016.93.99; 6802.23.00; 6806.10.90; 7005.29.00; 7008.00.00; 7016.90.00; 7308.30.00; 7318.15.90; 7604.29.20; 7610.10.00; 7610.90.00; Permanent 
Delegation of Canada to the WTO (14 May 2013)   WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 53 - 
 
  Country/ Member 
State Measure Source/Date Status 
7610.90.10; 7610.90.90) from China 
Canada  Initiation on 22 April 2013 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of silicon metal (HS 
2804.69.00) from China Permanent 
Delegation of Canada 
to the WTO (14 May 
2013)   
Canada  Initiation on 22 April 2013 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of silicon metal (HS 2804.69.00) from China Permanent 
Delegation of Canada to the WTO (14 May 2013)   
Chile Termination on 23 January 2013 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation on 
imports of  maize grain otherwise worked  
(HS 1104.23.00) from Argentina (initiated on 
24 December 2012) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/CHL, 
13 February 2013   
Chile Initiation on 23 January 2013 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of maize grain 
otherwise worked (HS 1104.23.00) from Argentina Sesión No. 349 de la 
Comisión de 
Distorsiones del Banco Central - Diario Oficial No. 40.466 (23 January 2013)   
Chile Initiation on 23 January 2013 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of preparations of a 
kind used in animal feeding containing maize 
(HS 2309.90.90) from Argentina Sesión No. 349 de la 
Comisión de 
Distorsiones del 
Banco Central - 
Diario Oficial No. 
40.466 (23 January 
2013)   
Chile Initiation on 23 January 2013 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of poultry meat (HS 0207) from Argentina Sesión No. 349 de la 
Comisión de Distorsiones del Banco Central - Diario Oficial No. 40.466 (23 January 2013)   
Chile Initiation on 9 April 2013 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of  maize (HS 
1005.90.20; 1005.90.90)  WTO documents 
G/SG/N/6/CHL/14, 
23 April 2013 and 
G/SG/N/7/CHL/11/Su
ppl.1, 29 April 2013 Provisional 
duty imposed 
on 24 April 
2013 
China Initiation on 1 November 2012 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of solar-grade polysilicon (HS 2804.61.90) from the EU  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/CHN/Corr.1, 16 April 2013    
China Initiation on 1 November 2012 of 
countervailing investigation on imports of 
solar-grade polysilicon (HS 2804.61.90) from 
the EU   WTO document 
G/SCM/N/250/CHN, 
9 April 2013   
China Termination on 21 November 2012 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of methyl ethyl ketone (HS 2914.12.00) from Singapore (imposed on 22 November 2007) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/CHN, 10 April 2013    
China Initiation on 6 February 2013 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of cellulose pulp 
native products (HS 4702.00.00; 4706.10.00; 
4706.30.00) from Brazil, Canada, and the 
United States Permanent 
Delegation of China 
to the WTO (13 May 
2013)   
Colombia Termination on 19 October 2012 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of textiles and made up articles (table linen) (HS 
6302.51.00; 6302.53.00) from China 
(imposed on 19 October 2007) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/COL, 10 April 2013   
Colombia Termination on 19 October 2012 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of textiles and 
made up articles (bed linen) (HS 6302.22.00; 
6302.32.00) from China (imposed on 19 
October 2007) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/COL, 
10 April 2013   WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 54 - 
 
  Country/ Member 
State Measure Source/Date Status 
Egypt Initiation on 30 November 2012 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of raw and white sugar (HS 1701.11; 1701.12; 1701.99.90)   WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/EGY/8, 5 December 2012 Provisional 
duty imposed on 2 December 2012 
Egypt Initiation on 30 November 2012 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of steel rebar (HS 
7213; 7214)   WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/EGY/9, 5 
December 2012 Provisional 
duty imposed 
on 2 
December 
2012 
Egypt Termination on 5 December 2012 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation on imports of matches (in boxes) (HS 3605) from Pakistan (initiated on 22 December 
2011) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/EGY, 1 February 2013   
Egypt Termination on 24 December 2012 of 
safeguard duties on imports of polypropylene 
(HS 3902.10.90) (investigation initiated on 31 
May 2012, and  provisional duty imposed in 
June 2012. On 12 September 2012, 
provisional duty was suspended, but 
investigation procedures were continued) WTO documents 
G/SG/N/6/EGY/7, 6 
June 2012; 
G/SG/N/7/EGY/6/Sup
pl.1, 24 September 
2012; and 
G/SG/N/7/EGY/6/Sup
pl.2, 17 January 2013   
EU Initiation on 23 October 2012 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of aluminium foil of a thickness of not less than 0.008 mm and not more than 0.018 mm, not backed, not further worked than rolled, in rolls which are not annealed, of a width exceeding 650 mm and of a weight exceeding 10 kg (HS 7607.11.19) from China (possible circumvention of anti-dumping measures of imports from China imposed in 2009) Commission 
Regulation No.  973/2012 (22 October 2012)   
EU Termination on 7 November 2012 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of polyethylene 
terephthalate (PET) film (HS 3920.62.19; 
3920.62.90) from Brazil, Israel (imposed on 
18 November 2004), and India (imposed on 
23 August 2001)  Commission Notice 
2012/C 336/10 (6 
November 2012)   
EU Initiation on 8 November 2012 of 
countervailing investigation on imports of crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules or panels and cells and wafe rs of the type used 
in crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules or panels. The cells and wafers have a thickness not exceeding 400 µm (HS 3818.00.10; 8501.31.00; 8501.32.00; 8501.33.00; 8501.34.00; 8501.61.20; 8501.61.80; 8501.62.00; 8501.63.00; 8501.64.00; 8541.40.90) from China WTO document 
G/SCM/N/250/EU, 8 April 2013    
EU Initiation on 10 November 2012 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of stainless 
steel tube and pipe bu tt-welding fittings, 
whether or not finished (HS 7307.23.10; 
7307.23.90) from China and Chinese Taipei  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/EU, 8 
April 2013   
EU Initiation on 10 November 2012 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 WTO document 
G/SCM/N/250/EU, 8 April 2013    
EU Termination on 5 December 2012 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of silico-WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/EU, 8   WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 55 - 
 
  Country/ Member 
State Measure Source/Date Status 
manganese (including ferro-silico-
manganese) "SiMn" (HS 7202.30.00; 
8111.00.11) from China, Kazakhstan, and 
Ukraine (imposed on 5 December 2007)   April 2013 and 
Commission Notice 
2012/C 375/08 (5 
December 2012) 
EU Termination on 12 December 2012 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of gas-fuelled, non-refillable pocket flint lighters and certain refillable pocket flint lighters (HS 9613.10.00) from China (imposed on 4 May 1995) and Chinese Taipei (imposed on 29 January 1999) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/EU, 8 April 2013   
EU Initiation on 20 December 2012 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of  
molybdenum wire, containing by weight 97% 
or more but less than 99.95% of 
molybdenum, of which the maximum cross-
sectional dimension exceeds 1.35 mm but 
does not exceed 4 mm (HS 8102.96.00) from 
China  (possible circumvention of anti-
dumping measures of imports from China 
imposed in 2010) Commission 
Regulation No.  
1236/2012 
(19 December 2012)   
EU Termination on 21  December 2012 (without 
measure) of countervailing investigation on imports of bioethanol, sometimes referred to as "fuel ethanol", i.e. ethyl alcohol produced 
from agricultural products denatured or undenatured, excluding products with a water content of more than 0.3% (m/m) measured according to the standard EN 15376, as well as ethyl alcohol produc ed from agricultural 
products contained in blends with gasoline with an ethyl alcohol content of more than 10% (v/v) (HS 2207.10.00; 2207.20.00; 2208.90.99; 2710.11.11; 2710.11.15; 2710.11.21; 2710.11.25; 2710.11.31; 2710.11.41; 2710.11.45; 2710.11.49; 2710.11.51; 2710.11.59; 2710.11.70; 
2710.11.90; 3814.00.10; 3814.00.90; 
3820.00.00; 3824.90.97) from the United States (initiated on 25 November 2011) WTO document 
G/SCM/N/250/EU, 8 April 2013    
EU Termination on 27 January 2013 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of 
dihydromyrcenol (HS 2905.22.90) from India 
(imposed on 26 January 2008)   Commission Notice 
2013/C 23/07 (25 
January 2013)   
EU Termination on 14 February 2013 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation on imports of "hollow sections" welded tubes, pipes and hollow prof iles of square or 
rectangular cross-section, of iron other than cast iron or steel othe r than stainless, but 
excluding line pipe of a kind used for oil or gas pipelines and casing and tubing of a kind used in drilling for oil or gas (HS 7306.61.92; 7306.61.99) from the FYR of Macedonia, Turkey, and Ukraine (initiated on 31 March 2012) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/230/EU, 4 September 2012 and Commission Decision No. (2013/80/EU) (13 February 2013)   
EU Termination on 14 February 2013 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation on 
imports of white phosphorus 
(elemental/yellow phosphorus) (HS 
2804.70.00) from Kazakhstan (initiated on 
17 December 2011) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/EU, 18 
April 2012  and 
Commission Decision 
No. (2013/81/EU) 
(13 February 2013)   
EU Initiation on 16 February 2013 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of seamless pipes and tubes of iron or steel, other than of stainless steel, of circular cross-section, of an external diameter exceeding 406.4 mm (HS 7304.19.90; 7304.29.90; 7304.39.98; 7304.59.99) from China  Commission Notice 
No.  2013/C 45/03 (16 February 2013)   WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 56 - 
 
  Country/ Member 
State Measure Source/Date Status 
EU Initiation on 28 February 2013 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of solar 
glass (HS 7007.19.80) from China  Commission Notice 
No.  2013/C 58/06 
(28 February 2013)   
EU Termination on 1 March 2013 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of ferro-silicon (HS 7202.21.00; 7202.29.20; 7202.29.90) from Egypt and Kazakhstan (imposed on 28 February 2008)   Commission Notice 
2013/C 58/05 (28 February 2013)   
EU  Termination on 12 March 2013 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation on 
imports of certain stainless steel fasteners 
and parts thereof (HS 7318.12.10; 
7318.14.10; 7318.15.30; 7318.15.51; 
7318.15.61; 7318.15.70) from Malaysia and 
Thailand  (possible circumvention of anti-
dumping measures of imports from China 
imposed in 2012) (initiated on 14 June 2012) Commission 
Regulation No. 
502/2012 (13 June 
2012) and Council 
Implementing 
Regulation No. 
205/2013 (7 March 
2013)   
EU Termination on 19 March 2013 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of coke of coal in pieces with a diameter of more than 80 mm (coke 80
+) (HS 2704.00.19) from China 
(imposed on 18 March 2008)  Commission Notice 
2013/C 77/05 (15 March 2013)   
EU Termination on 26 March 2013 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of ethanolamines 
(HS 2922.11.00; 2922.12.00; 2922.13.10) 
from the United States (imposed on 1 
February 1994)  Council Implementing 
Regulation No. 
285/2013 (21 March 
2013)   
EU Initiation on 10 April 2013 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of open mesh fabrics made of glass fibres, with a cell size of more than 1.8 mm both in length and in width and weighing more than 35 g/m
2 (HS 7019.51.00; 
7019.59.00) from India and Indonesia (possible circumvention of anti-dumping measures of imports from China imposed in 2011) Commission 
Regulation No. 322/2013 (9 April 2013)   
EU Initiation on 27 April 2013 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of solar glass 
(HS 7007.19.80) from China  Commission Notice 
No.  2013/C 122/17 
(27 April 2013)   
EU Termination on 14 May 2013 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation on imports of threaded tube or pipe cast fittings, of malleable cast iron "MTF" (HS 7307.19.10) from Indonesia (initiated on 16 February 2012) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/EU, 8 April 2013 and Council Implementing Regulation No. 430/2013 (13 May 2013)   
India Initiation on 23 November 2012 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of solar-
cells whether or not as sembled partially or 
fully in modules or panels or on glass or some 
other suitable substrates (HS 8541.40.11) 
from China, Malaysia, Chinese Taipei, and the 
United States WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/IND, 
27 March 2013   
India Termination on 26 November 2012 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of caustic soda (HS 2815.11; 2815.12) from France and Japan (imposed on 26 December 2000) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/IND, 27 March 2013   
India Termination on 3 December 2012 of anti-
dumping duties on impo rts of digital offset 
printing plates (HS 3701.30.00; 3704.00.90; 
3705.10.00; 7606.91.90; 7606.92.90; 
8442.50.20) from Japan (investigation 
initiated on 13 June 2011 and provisional 
duty imposed on 4 June 2012)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/IND, 
27 March 2013 and 
Notification 
No. 51/2012-
Customs (ADD) 
Ministry of Finance - 
Department of 
Revenue 
(3 December 2012)     
India Initiation on 10 December 2012 of anti- WTO document   WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 57 - 
 
  Country/ Member 
State Measure Source/Date Status 
dumping investigation on imports of  cast 
aluminium alloy wheels (HS 8708.70) from China; Korea, Rep. of;  and Thailand G/ADP/N/237/IND, 
27 March 2013 
India Initiation on 4 April 2013 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of methylene 
chloride (dichloromethane or methylene 
dichloride "MDC") (HS 2903.12.00) from EU; 
Korea, Rep. of; and the United States  Information verified 
by the Permanent 
Delegation of India to 
the WTO 
(23 May 2013)   
India Initiation on 11 April 2013 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of clear float glass (HS 7005.10.90) from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates  Information verified 
by the Permanent Delegation of India to the WTO (23 May 2013)   
India Initiation on 17 April 2013 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of sodium nitrite (HS 
2834.10.10)   WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/IND/31, 
1 May 2013    
India Initiation on 22 April 2013 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of tubes, pipes and hollow profiles, seamless of iron, alloy or non alloy steel (other than cast iron and stainless steel) whether hot finished or cold drawn or cold rolled, of external diameter not exceeding 273.1 mm (O.D) (HS 7304.19.10; 7304.19.20; 7304.19.90; 7304.23.10; 7304.23.90; 7304.29.10; 7304.29.90; 7304.31.11; 7304.31.19; 7304.31.21; 7304.31.29; 7304.31.31; 7304.31.39; 7304.39.11; 7304.39.19; 7304.39.21; 7304.39.29; 7304.39.31; 7304.39.39; 7304.51.10; 7304.51.20; 7304.51.30; 7304.59.10; 7304.59.20; 7304.59.30; 7304.90.00)   WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/IND/32, 1 May 2013    
India Initiation on 7 May 2013 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of phenol (HS 
2907.11.10) from Chinese Taipei and the 
United States Information verified 
by the Permanent 
Delegation of India to 
the WTO 
(23 May 2013)   
Indonesia Initiation on 22 October 2012 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of dextrose monohydrate (HS 1702.30.10; 1702.40.00)   Permanent 
Delegation of Indonesia to the WTO (13 May 2013)   
Indonesia Initiation on 28 November 2012 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of sheath 
contraceptive (HS 4014.10.00)   WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/IDN/20, 
30 November 2012    
Indonesia Termination on 28 March 2013 (without 
measure) of safeguard investigation on imports of D-glusitol (sorbitol) (HS 2905.44.00; 3824.60.00)  (initiated on 13 
December 2012) WTO documents 
G/SG/N/6/IDN/21, 19 December 2012 and G/SG/N/9/IDN/6, 29 April 2013   
Indonesia Initiation on 19 December 2012 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of flat-rolled product 
of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of 600 
mm or more, clad, plated or coated with 
aluminium-zinc alloys, containing by weight 
less than 0.6% of carbon, with a thickness 
not exceeding 1.2 mm (HS 7210.61.11)   WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/IDN/22, 
8 January 2013    
Indonesia Initiation on 28 December 2012 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of kilowatt hour meters including relevant parts and 
accessories (HS 9028.30.10; 9028.90.90)   WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/IDN/23, 10 January 2013    
Israel Termination on 18 November 2012 of anti-
dumping duties on cutting and grinding 
wheels (HS 6804.22) from China (imposed on 
26 November 2007) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/ISR, 
19 March 2013   
Israel Initiation on 16 December 2012 of anti-
dumping investigation on bituminous membranes (HS 6807.10) from Italy WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/ISR, 19 March 2013   
Korea, Rep. of Initiation on 9 November 2012 of anti- WTO document   WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 58 - 
 
  Country/ Member 
State Measure Source/Date Status 
dumping investigation on plywood (HS 
4412.31; 4412.32) from China  G/ADP/N/237/KOR, 
4 February 2013 
Korea, Rep. of Initiation on 7 January 2013 of anti-dumping 
investigation on oriented polypropylene film (HS 3920.20.00; 3921.90.20) from China, Indonesia, and Thailand  Korea Trade 
Commission (2013-1), Korean Government Gazette-17924 (7 January 2013)   
Malaysia Termination on 22 November 2012 
(withdrawal by the petitioner) of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of hot-
rolled coils (HS 7208.36.00; 7208.37.00; 
7208.38.00; 7208.39.10; 7208.39.91; 
7208.39.99) from Chinese Taipei (initiated on 
27 July 2012) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/MYS, 
31 January 2013   
Malaysia Initiation on 20 February 2013 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of electrolytic tinplate (HS 7210.12.20) from China and Korea, Rep. of Permanent 
Delegation of Malaysia to the WTO (4 June 2013)   
Malaysia Termination on 20 February 2013 of anti-
dumping duties on import s of steel wire rods 
(HS 7213.10; 7213.20; 7213.91; 7213.99) 
from Turkey (investigation initiated on 
26 June 2012 and provisional duty imposed 
on 23 October 2012 )   WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/MYS, 
31 January 2013 and 
Permanent 
Delegation of 
Malaysia to the WTO 
(4 June 2013)   
Malaysia Initiation on 5 April 2013 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of newsprint in rolls (HS 4801.00.10) from Belgium, Germany, Sweden, and the United Kingdom Permanent 
Delegation of Malaysia to the WTO (4 June 2013)   
Malaysia Initiation on 10 April 2013 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of stranded wire, 
ropes, cables (HS 7312.10.00) from China Permanent 
Delegation of 
Malaysia to the WTO 
(4 June 2013)   
Mexico Initiation on 21 November 2012 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of seamless 
steel pipes (HS 7304.19.01; 7304.19.04; 
7304.19.99; 7304.31.01; 7304.31.10; 7304.31.99; 7304.39.01; 7304.39.05; 7304.39.99) from China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/MEX, 
14 March 2013   
Mexico Termination on 27 November 2012 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
amoxicillin trihydrate (HS 2941.10.12) from 
India (initiated on 12 July 2011) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/MEX, 
14 March 2013   
Mexico Initiation on 8 March 2013 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of pencils (HS 9609.10.01) from China Permanent 
Delegation of Mexico to the WTO (24 May 2013)   
Morocco Initiation on 20 November 2012 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of flat-
rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a 
width of 600 mm or more, cold-rolled (cold-
reduced), not clad, plated or coated  (HS 
7208; 7211.13; 7211.14; 7211.19) from the 
EU and Turkey  Rapport d'ouverture 
d'enquête - 
Département du 
Commerce Extérieur - 
Ministère de 
l'Industrie, du 
Commerce et des 
Nouvelles 
Technologies (HS 7208 
except 
7208.10; 
7208.40) 
Morocco Initiation on 25 December 2012 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of insulin 
(HS 3004.31.10) from Denmark WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/MAR, 4 
March 2013   
Morocco Initiation on 18 March 2013 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of uncoated paper 
and paperboard  (HS 4802.55.10; 
4802.55.90; 4802.56.10; 4802.56.90; 
4802.57.10; 4802.57.90; 4802.62.20; 
4802.62.90; 4802.69.90; 4804.42.00; 
4810.13.20; 4810.13.80) from Portugal Rapport d'ouverture 
d'enquête - 
Département du 
Commerce Extérieur - 
Ministère de 
l'Industrie, du 
Commerce et des 
Nouvelles   WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 59 - 
 
  Country/ Member 
State Measure Source/Date Status 
Technologies (March 
2013) 
Pakistan Initiation on 14 December 2012 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of pegylated interferon Alpha-2A (HS 3002.20.90) from Switzerland  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/PAK, 27 March 2013    
Peru Termination on 19 October 2012 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation on 
imports of  unglazed or glazed ceramic flags 
and paving  (HS 6907.90.00; 6908.90.00) 
from China  (initiated on 20 August 2011)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/PER, 
19 March 2013    
Peru Termination on 26 March 2013 of 
countervailing duties on imports of olive oil (HS 1509.10; 1509.90; 1510.00)  from Italy 
and Spain (investigation initiated on 
7 July 2009, and definitive duty imposed on 4 December 2010) WTO document 
G/SCM/N/219/PER, 29 April 2011 and 
Permanent 
Delegation of Peru to the WTO (14 May 2013)   
South Africa Initiation on 2 November 2012 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
unframed mirrors (HS 7009.91) from China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/ZAF, 
1 February 2013   
South Africa Initiation on 25 January 2013 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of coated paper and paperboard (HS 4810.19.90) from China and Korea, Rep. of Notice No. 32/2013 
of the International Trade Administration Commission - Government Gazette No. 36082  (25 January 2013)   
South Africa Termination on 8 March 2013 (without 
measure) of safeguard investigation on 
imports of frozen potato chips (HS 
2004.10.90)  (initiated on 23 November 2012) WTO documents 
G/SG/N/6/ZAF/2, 25 
January 2013 and 
G/SG/N/9/ZAF/1, 13 
March 2013   
Separate Customs 
Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and 
Matsu Termination on 11 December 2012 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation on imports of coated paper (HS 4810.13; 
4810.14; 4810.19) from China; Finland; 
Japan; and Korea, Rep. of (initiated on 3 February 2012) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/TPKM, 12 February 2013   
Thailand Initiation on 29 November 2012 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of high 
carbon steel wire rod (HS 7213.91.90; 
7227.90.00) from China  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/THA, 
27 March 2013   
Thailand Initiation on 30 November 2012 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of hot rolled steel flat products with certain amounts of alloying elements such as boron, chromium, etc., in coils and not in coils, with or without patterns in relief, of a thickness of 0.9-50 mm and a width of 100-3,048 mm (HS 7225.30.90; 7225.40.90; 7226.91.10; 7226.91.90)   WTO documents 
G/SG/N/6/THA/2, 4 December 2012 and G/SG/N/7/THA/2, 13 February 2013 Provisional 
duty imposed on 7 February 2013 
Thailand Initiation on 7 December 2012 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of woven fabrics (HS 
5208; 5513)   WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/THA/3, 17 
December 2012   
Turkey Initiation on 18 October 2012 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of yarn of man-made or synthetic or artificial  staple fibres (HS 5508; 5509; 5510; 5511) from Egypt, Malaysia, Pakistan, Thailand, and Viet Nam   WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/TUR, 28 March 2013   
Turkey Initiation on 27 November 2012 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
uncoloured float glass (HS 7005.29) from 
Romania WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/TUR, 
28 March 2013   
Turkey Initiation on 14 December 2012 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of fittings (HS 7307.19) from Chinese Taipei (possible circumvention of anti-dumping measures of imports from China imposed on WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/TUR, 28 March 2013   WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 60 - 
 
  Country/ Member 
State Measure Source/Date Status 
22 January 2010)  
Turkey Initiation on 14 December 2012 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
aluminium offset printing plates (HS 
3701.30.00) from Malaysia (possible 
circumvention of anti-dumping measures)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/TUR, 
28 March 2013   
Turkey Initiation on 14 December 2012 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of articulated link chain and parts thereof (HS 7315.11.90; 7315.12.00; 7315.19.00) from Malaysia; Korea, Rep. of; and Chinese Taipei (possible circumvention of anti-dumping measures of imports from China imposed on 23 May 2010)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/TUR, 28 March 2013   
Turkey Termination on 29 December 2012 of 
safeguard duties on imports of cotton yarn 
(other than sewing thread), not put up for 
retail sale, containing 85% or more by weight 
of cotton (HS 5205) (imposed on 3 June 
2008) WTO document 
G/SG/N/10/TUR/11/S
uppl.1, 
8 January 2013    
Turkey Initiation on 8 January 2013 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of terephthalic acid (HS 2917.36.00)   WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/TUR/17, 15 January 2013    
United States Initiation on 24 October 2012 of  
countervailing investigation on imports of  
hardwood and decorative plywood (HS 
4412.10.05; 4412.31.05; 4412.31.25; 
4412.31.40; 4412.31.51; 4412.31.60; 
4412.31.91; 4412.32.05; 4412.32.25; 
4412.32.31; 4412.32.56; 4412.39.10; 
4412.39.30; 4412.39.40; 4412.39.50; 
4412.94.10; 4412.94.31; 4412.94.41; 
4412.94.60; 4412.94.70; 4412.94.80; 
4412.94.90; 4412.99.06; 4412.99.10; 
4412.99.31; 4412.99.41; 4412.99.57; 
4412.99.60; 4412.99.70; 4412.99.80; 
4412.99.90) from China  WTO document 
G/SCM/N/250/USA, 
15 March 2013   
United States Initiation on 25 October 2012 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of hardwood and decorative plywood (HS 4412.10.05; 4412.31.05; 4412.31.25; 4412.31.40; 4412.31.51; 4412.31.60; 4412.31.91; 4412.32.05; 4412.32.25; 4412.32.31; 4412.32.56; 4412.39.10; 4412.39.30; 4412.39.40; 4412.39.50; 4412.94.10; 4412.94.31; 4412.94.41; 4412.94.60; 4412.94.70; 4412.94.80; 4412.94.90; 4412.99.06; 4412.99.10; 4412.99.31; 4412.99.41; 4412.99.57; 4412.99.60; 4412.99.70; 4412.99.80; 4412.99.90) from China  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/USA, 13 March 2013   
United States Termination on 7 November 2012 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of 
silicomanganese (HS 7202.30; 7202.99) from 
Brazil (imposed on 22 December 1994)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/USA, 
13 March 2013   
United States Termination on 29 November 2012 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of folding metal tables and chairs (HS 9401.71; 9401.79; 9403.20; 9403.60; 9403.70) from China (imposed on 27 June 2002)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/USA, 13 March 2013   
United States Termination on 11 December 2012 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of circular welded 
carbon-quality steel pipe (HS 7306.19.10; 
7306.19.51; 7306.30.10; 7306.30.50; 
7306.50.10; 7306.50.50) from India, Oman, 
United Arab Emirates, and Viet Nam 
(investigation initiated on 22 November 2011 
and provisional duty imposed on 1 June WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/USA, 
13 March 2013   WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 61 - 
 
  Country/ Member 
State Measure Source/Date Status 
2012) 
United States Termination on 11 December 2012 of 
countervailing duties on imports of circular welded carbon-quality steel pipe (HS 7306.19.10; 7306.19.51; 7306.30.10; 7306.30.50; 7306.50.10; 7306.50.50) from India, Oman, United Arab Emirates, and Viet Nam (investigation initiated on 22 November 2011. Provisional duty imposed on 30 March 2012 for imports from India, United Arab Emirates and Viet Nam, and on 2 April 2012 for imports from Oman) WTO document 
G/SCM/N/250/USA, 15 March 2013 Terminated 
on 22 October 2012 for imports from Viet Nam 
United States Initiation on 12 December 2012 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of silica 
bricks and shapes (HS 6901.00.00; 
6902.20.10; 6902.20.50) from China   WTO document 
G/ADP/N/237/USA, 
13 March 2013   
United States Initiation on 25 January 2013 of  
countervailing investigation on imports of frozen warmwater shrimp  (HS 0306.17.00; 1605.21.10; 1605.29.10) from China, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Viet Nam  Permanent 
Delegation of the United States to the WTO (24 May 2013)   
United States Termination on 19 March 2013 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of corrosion-
resistant carbon steel flat products (HS 72) 
from Germany and Korea, Rep. of (imposed 
on 19 August 1993)  Permanent 
Delegation of the 
United States to the 
WTO (24 May 2013)   
United States Termination on 19 March 2013 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products (HS 7210.30; 7210.41; 7210.49; 7210.61; 7210.69; 7210.70; 7210.90; 7212.20; 7212.30; 7212.40; 7212.50; 7212.60; 7215.90; 7217.20; 7217.30; 7217.90) from Germany and Korea, Rep. of (imposed on 19 August 1993)  Permanent 
Delegation of the United States to the WTO (24 May 2013)   
United States Initiation on 23 April 2013 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of diffusion-
annealed, nickel-plated flat-rolled steel 
products (HS 7225.99; 7226.99) from Japan Permanent 
Delegation of the 
United States to the 
WTO (24 May 2013)   
Viet Nam Initiation on 26 December 2012 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of vegetables oils (HS 1507.90.90; 1511.90.91; 1511.90.92; 1511.90.99)   WTO documents 
G/SG/N/6/VNM/2, 11 January 2013 and G/SG/N/7/VNM/1, 15 May 2013 Provisional 
duty imposed on 10 May 2013 
 
RECORDED, BUT NOT CONFIRMED INFORMATION 
Country/ Member 
State Measure Source/Date Status 
South Africa Termination in March 2013 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of  frozen chicken meat, whole bird and boneless cuts and offal "species Gallus Domesticus" (HS 0207.12.90; 0207.14.10) from Brazil (investigation initiated on 24 June 2011 and provisional duty imposed on 10 February 2012)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/230/ZAF, 2 August 2012 and AgraEurope referring to ITAC Notice No. 173/2013  (2 January 2013)   
 WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 62 - 
 
  Annex 3 
 
Other trade and trade-related measures1 
(Mid-October 2012 to mid-May 2013) 
 
CONFIRMED INFORMATION2 
Country/ 
Member State Measure Source/Date Status 
Argentina Updated list of  "reference values" " 
(valores referenciales de carácter 
preventivo ) for exports of  cranberries 
(arándanos ) (NCM 0810.40.00), for 
certain specified destinations Administración Federal 
de Ingresos Públicos -  Resolución General No. 3425/2012 (28 December 2012)   
Argentina Updated list of "c riterion values" ( valores 
criterio de carácter preventivo )  for 
imports of certain products, i.e. plywood, 
veneered panels and similar laminated 
wood (NCM 4412.31.00; 4412.32.00; 
4412.39.00), from specific origins  Administración Federal 
de Ingresos Públicos -  
Resolución General No. 
3428/2012 (28 
December 2012)   
Argentina Amendments introduced in the legislation 
regulating imports of used capital goods (NCM Chapters 84; 85; 86; 87; 88; 89; 90). Import tariffs on these products fixed 
at rates ranging from 6% to 28%. Amendments also include other conditions such as: (i) used capital goods can only be 
imported directly by end user; (ii) 
overseas reconditioning allowed only if made by the original manufacturer; (iii)  import approval by the Secretariat of Foreign Trade; and (iv) Certificate of Import of Used Capital Goods requirement Decreto No. 2646/2012 
- Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas Públicas  (27 December 2012) Effective 10 
January 2013 
Argentina Temporary increase of import tariffs (to 
35%) on certain products, i.e. fruits, 
coffee, seeds, prepared foodstuffs, 
beverages, tobacco, organic chemicals, 
chemical products, rubber, wood, articles 
of wood, cork, footwe ar, ceramic products, 
articles of iron or st eel, articles of base 
metal, machinery and mechanical 
appliances, electrical equipment, 
motorcycles, musical instruments, and 
miscellaneous manufactured articles  (100 
tariff lines at 8 digits) (NCM Chapters 08; 
09; 12; 15; 16; 20; 21; 22; 23; 24; 29; 
33; 38; 40; 44; 45; 64; 68; 69; 71; 73; 
82; 83; 84; 85; 87; 90; 92; 94; 95; 96), 
following MERCOSUR Decision No. 39/11 
(special authorization to increase the 
Mercosur Common Tariff applied rates on 
100 tariff lines)   Decreto No. 25/2013 - 
Ministerio de Economía 
y Finanzas Públicas  
(22 January 2013); 
and WTO document 
WT/TPR/S/277/Add.1, 
13 February 2013 Effective 23 
January 2013 
Argentina Updated list of  "reference values for 
exports of garlic (NCM 0703.20.90), for certain specified destinations  Administración Federal 
de Ingresos Públicos -  Resolución General No. 3443/2013 (26 February 2013) Effective 5 March 
2013  
Argentina Updated list of "cri terion values" for 
imports of certain produc ts, i.e. travel sets Administración Federal 
de Ingresos Públicos -  Effective 8 April 
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 or such measure's impact on, or relationship with, the global financial crisis. 
2 This section includes information which has either been provided by the Member concerned or it has 
been confirmed at the request of the Secretariat. WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 63 - 
 
  for personal toilet, sewing or shoe or 
clothes cleaning (NCM 9605.00.00); 
woven fabrics (NCM 5514.19.10); warp 
knit fabrics (NCM 6005.21.00); and 
articles of bedding (NCM 9404.90.00), 
from specific origins  Resoluciones Generales 
Nos. 3457/2013, 
3458/2013, and 
3459/2013 (26 March 
2013) 
Argentina Updated list of  "reference values" for 
exports of apples and pears (NCM 0808.10.00; 0808.30.00), for certain specified de stinations Administración Federal 
de Ingresos Públicos -  Resolución General No. 3465/2013 (26 March 2013) Effective 10 April 
2013 
Argentina, Brazil, 
Paraguay,  
Uruguay, and 
Venezuela 
(Bolivarian Rep. of) 
(Mercosur) Prolongation of temporary authorization to 
increase the Mercosur Common External 
Tariff, but not above their bound levels, 
for imports of 14 tariff lines (certain toys: 
NCM 9503.00.10; 9503.00.21; 
9503.00.22; 9503.00.31; 9503.00.39; 
9503.00.40; 9503.00.50; 9503.00.60; 
9503.00.70; 9503.00.80; 9503.00.91; 
9503.00.97; 9503.00.98; 9503.00.99) 
(initially effective from 1 April 2011 to 31 
December 2012). Paraguay given a waiver 
on this measure Decisiones Nos. 37/11 
del Consejo del 
Mercado Común 
(19 December 2011) 
and 37/12 (6 
December 2012) Effective 1 
January 2013 to 
31 December 
2014  
Brazil Elimination of the temporary reduction of 
import tariffs on parts for lifts, skip hoists or escalators (NCM 8431.31.10) Camex Resolution No. 
78/2012 (31 October 2012)  Effective 5 
November 2012 
Brazil Preference in government procurement 
favouring local bidders (20% preference 
margin) on certain semi-finished products 
of iron, steel or non-alloy steel ( disco para 
moeda ) (NCM 7207.19.00; 7326.90.90) 
locally produced   Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(24 May 2013) Effective 13 
November 2012 
Brazil Increase of import tariffs (from 14% to 
35%) on peaches, including nectarines, otherwise prepared or preserved, whether or not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter or spirit (NCM 2008.70.20) Camex Resolution No. 
94/2012 (18 December 2012) Effective 1 
January 2013 
Brazil Creation of a new tariff line for AC motors, 
multi-phase with an output exceeding 
30,000 kW but not exceeding 50,000 kW 
(NCM 8501.53.30), resulting in an 
increase of the import tariff  (from zero to 
14%)  Camex Resolution No. 
96/2012 (26 December 
2012) Effective 1 
January 2013 
Brazil Preference in government procurement 
favouring locally produced vehicles and associated transport equipment, and engineering/architectu ral services under 
the PAC-Urban Mobility Programme ( Açoes 
de Mobilidade Urbana Integrantes do Programa de Aceleração do Crescimento-PAC) Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO (24 May 2013) Effective 16 
January 2013 
Brazil Preference in government procurement 
favouring local bidders (up to 25% 
preference margin) on information 
technology related products  Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(24 May 2013) Effective until 31 
December 2013 
Brazil "Special Tax Regime for the National 
Broadband Plan for Implementation of Telecommunication Networks (REPNBL-Redes)" stipulating certain production steps or technology activities in Brazil Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO (24 May 2013) Effective 5 May 
2013 
Brazil Tax exemption (i.e. PIS and COFINS) on 
smartphones meeting certain 
requirements (e.g. pre-loaded package of 
locally developed applications)  Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(24 May 2013)   
China Reduction (to 17,000 metric tonnes) of tin 
(HS Chapters 26; 28; 80) export quota for 
2013   Permanent Delegation 
of China to the WTO (23 May 2013) Effective 1 
January 2013 
China First batch for 2013 of export quotas for 
rare-earth minerals (15,499 tonnes) Permanent Delegation 
of China to the WTO Effective 1 
January 2013 WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
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  announced on 27 December 2012. The 
batch is calculated by reference to the 
export volume of each enterprise from 
2010 to January-October 2012 (first batch 
for 2012 was 10,546 tonnes) (23 May 2013) 
China Release in December 2012 of the 
catalogues of items subject to automatic import licensing (ARF), and those under import licensing administration  Permanent Delegation 
of China to the WTO (23 May 2013) Effective 1 
January 2013  
China Release in December 2012 of the 
catalogue of items subject to export 
licensing administration Permanent Delegation 
of China to the WTO 
(23 May 2013) Effective 1 
January 2013 
Colombia Temporary increase of import tariffs 
(through a combined imposition of a compound tariff, a specific duty (US$5/kg), and an ad valorem  tariff 
(which was reduced from 15% to 10%)) 
on articles of apparel and clothing accessories, and certain parts of footwear (HS 61; 62; 63; 6406). The specific duty for footwear (HS 64) is set at US$5/pair. Imports from free-trade agreement partners exempted Permanent Delegation 
of Colombia to the WTO (4 June 2013) Effective 1 March 
2013 for 1 year 
EU Amendments introduced on the trade 
remedy legislation increasing the time-
limit for determining injury from 3 to 7 
months, but in any event not later than 8 
months, after the initiation of the 
investigation   EU Regulation No. 
1168/2012 (12 
December 2012)   
Hong Kong, China Temporary lic ensing arrangement for the 
export of "powdered formula" (milk powder and soya based formula powder) (ex HS 04020.10.00; 0402.21.10; 0402.21.20; 0402.21.90; 0402.29.00) for infants and young children aged under 36 months WTO document 
G/MA/QR/N/HKG/1/ Add.1, 14 May 2013 Effective 1 March 
2013 
India Increase of import tariffs (to 15%) on milk 
and cream in powder (HS 0402.10; 
0402.21.00)  Information verified by 
the Permanent 
Delegation of India to 
the WTO 
(23 May 2013) Effective 21 
November 2012 
India Increase of the import tariff (from 4% to 
6%) on gold bars and platinum. Increase (from 2% to 4%) of the "additional duty rate" on gold ores and concentrates for use in the manufacture of gold, and gold dore bar  Notification No. 
1/2013-Customs, Ministry of Finance - Department of Revenue (21 January 2013) Effective 21 
January 2013 
India Increase of import tariffs on crude edible 
oils (HS 1507.10.00; 1511.10.00; 
1511.90.10; 1511.90.20; 1511.90.90)  Information verified by 
the Permanent 
Delegation of India to 
the WTO 
(23 May 2013) Effective 23 
January 2013 
India Temporary increase of import tariffs on 
certain luxury products, i.e. high-end motor vehicles (from 75% to 100%);  motorcycles with engine capacity of 800 cc or more (from 60% to 75%); and yachts and similar vessels (from 10% to 25%)  (HS 8703; 8711; 8903)  Information verified by 
the Permanent Delegation of India to the WTO (23 May 2013)   
Indonesia Extension on 1 January 2013 of import 
licensing requirements on certain 
products, i.e. food and beverages, 
cosmetics, traditional medicine and food 
supplements, ready-to-wear clothes, 
footwear, electronics, and toys. This 
regulation also extended pre-shipment 
inspection and port of entry limitation that 
had previously been set to expire on 31 
December 2012  Permanent Delegation 
of Indonesia to the 
WTO (23 May 2013) Extended until 
31 December 
2015 
Indonesia Revised import licensing re quirements WTO document Effective 1 WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 65 - 
 
  (import permits) on certain products, i.e. 
cellular phones included smartphone exception satellite phones (HS 8517.12.00); handheld computer included personal digital assistant (PDA) and palmtop (HS 8471.30.10), and computer tablet (HS 8471.30.90) G/LIC/N/2/IDN/13, 8 
February 2013 January 2013 
Indonesia Revised regulation on exports of tin (HS 
8001.10.00; 8001.20.00; 8003.00.10; 
8003.00.90) introducing stricter 
requirements  Permanent Delegation 
of Indonesia to the 
WTO (23 May 2013) Effective 1 
January 2013 
Indonesia Restrictions on exports of timber (55 
products) (HS 4407.10.00; 4407.24; 4407.25; 4407.26; 4407.29; 4407.91; 4407.92; 4407.99.90; 4409.10; 4409.21; 4409.29; 4412.31.00; 4412.32; 4412.39; 
4412.94; 4412.99.00; 4418.10.00; 
4418.20; 4418.40; 4418.50; 4418.60; 4418.71; 4418.72; 4418.79; 4418.90.00; 9406.00.92) Permanent Delegation 
of Indonesia to the WTO (23 May 2013) Effective 1 
January 2013 
Indonesia Amendments in the licensing procedures 
for horticultural imports (HS Chapters 08; 
20; 21) introduced aiming at establishing 
a one-stop service delivering import 
permits and licences to streamline the 
overall import process  Permanent Delegation 
of Indonesia to the 
WTO (23 May 2013) Effective 15 May 
2013 
Iran Export ban on 13 products, i.e. wheat, 
wheat flour, sugar, soya-bean oils, live cattle, tanned skins, and raw hides and skins (HS Chapters 01; 02; 04; 10; 11; 12; 15; 17; 23; 41) (HS Codes 4106 excluding 4106.22.00 and 4102 excluding 4102.21.00)   
Malaysia Elimination of import tariff exemptions on 
18 grades of hot-roll ed coils and plates Permanent Delegation 
of Malaysia to the WTO 
(4 June 2013) Effective 1 
February 2013 
Mexico Amendments to the customs tariffs 
resulting in an increase (from zero to 6%) 
of import tariffs on 2 items: certain 
chemicals (HS 2852.90.01; 2852.90.99) Permanent Delegation 
of Mexico to the WTO 
(15 May 2013) Effective 24 
November 2012 
Panama Suspension of the temporary elimination 
of import tariffs (to 15%) on poultry meat 
(HS 0207.25.00), and (to 10%) on turkey 
prepared or preserved meat, offal or blood 
(HS 1602.31.11; 1602.31.91) Decreto de Gabinete 
No. 28 (7 August 
2012) and WTO 
document 
WT/TPR/OV/15, 26 
November 2012 Effective 1 
January 2013 
Customs Union between the Russian Federation, Belarus, and Kazakhstan) Temporary increase of import tariffs (from 
10% to 16%) on certain LCD and plasma televisions with and without video recording, and GPS navigation systems  (HS 8528.72.20; 8528.72.40)   Permanent Delegation 
of the Russian Federation  (23 May 2013) Effective 8 May 
2013 
Customs Union 
between the 
Russian Federation, 
Belarus, and 
Kazakhstan) Temporary increase of specific import 
tariffs (to US$205/tonne) on raw sugar 
(HS 1701.13.10; 1701.13.90; 
1701.14.10; 1701.91.00) Permanent Delegation 
of the Russian 
Federation  (23 May 
2013) Effective 1 May 
2013 to 31 May 
2013 
Singapore Increase of import  tariffs (excise rates) on 
tobacco products (HS 2401.10.10; 2401.10.20; 2401.10.40; 2401.10.50; 2401.10.90; 2401.20.10; 2401.20.20; 2401.20.30; 2401.20.40; 2401.20.50; 
2401.20.90; 2401.30.10; 2401.30.90; 
2402.20.10; 2403.19.11; 2403.19.20; 2403.99.50) Permanent Delegation 
of Singapore to the WTO (10 May 2013) Effective 25 
February 2013 
Singapore Implementation of "Advance Export 
Declaration (AED)" for all exports, 
derogating an admini strative exemption 
granted in 1976 allowing traders to submit 
the declaration within 3 days after export 
of non-controlled goods and non-dutiable Permanent Delegation 
of Singapore to the 
WTO (10 May 2013) Effective 1 April 
2013 (with an 
18-month 
adjustment 
period until 30 
September WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 66 - 
 
  goods by sea and air 2014) 
South Africa Creation of a new tariff line for "textile 
fabric inter-layered or otherwise combined with bentonite clay" (HS 5911.10.90) resulting in an increase of the import tariff (from zero to 25%). Imports from the EU, 
and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) members exempted  International Trade 
Administration Commission Notice 405 of 2012 (1 November 2012)   
South Africa Increase of import tariffs (from zero to 
15%) on conical steel drums with a 
capacity of 235 litres or more (HS 
7310.10) International Trade 
Administration 
Commission Notice 411 
of 2012 (1 November 
2012)   
South Africa Increase of import tariffs (from 30% to 
40%) on uncooked pasta, not stuffed or otherwise prepared (HS 1902.19). Imports from the EU, and the Southern African 
Development Community (SADC) 
members exempted  International Trade 
Administration Commission Notice 410 of 2012 (23 November 
2012)   
Thailand Changes in the import licensing 
procedures on certain products, i.e. 
cassava; swine's offal; shallots; fresh 
oranges; new pneumati c tyres of rubber; 
and electric fans, electric rice cookers, 
electric lamps WTO document 
G/LIC/N/2/THA/4, 19 
March 2013 Effective 27 
December 2012 
Turkey Temporary increase of import tariffs (from 
30% to 40%) on live bovine, sheep and goats animals (HS 0102; 0104) and (from 70% to 100%) on fresh, chilled, and frozen meat (HS 0201; 0202; 0204) Permanent Delegation 
of Turkey to the WTO (23 May 2013) Effective 30 
October 2012  
Turkey Increase of import tariffs (from 5% to 
10%) on melon seeds and vegetable 
seeds; (from 20% to 31.2%) coconut oil; 
(from 20% to 46.8%) coconut oil; (from 
zero to 10%) flat-rol led steel coils; and 
(from zero to 6%) alloy steel coils (HS 
1207.70; 1209.91.80; 1511.90.19; 
1513.19.11; 1513.19.19; 1513.19.99; 
1513.29.11; 7211.14.00; 7211.23.30; 
7211.23.80; 7225.30.90; 7226.99.70) Permanent Delegation 
of Turkey to the WTO 
(7 May 2013) Effective 1 
January 2013 
Turkey Temporary increase of import tariffs (from 
zero to 15%) on live bovine animals (HS 0102.29.10; 0102.29.29; 0102.29.49)  Permanent Delegation 
of Turkey to the WTO (7 May 2013) Effective 1 March 
2013 
Ukraine Amendments to the Law on Customs Tariff 
resulting in an increase of import tariffs 
(up to 10%) on certain products (116 
tariff lines at 8 digits), i.e. quicklime, 
chromium ores, inorganic chemicals, 
sulphates, organic chemicals, fertilisers, 
colouring matters, dental wax, albumins, 
cinematographic film, rubber and articles, 
agglomerated cork, articles of stone, 
ceramic products, glass and glassware, 
imitation jewellery, iron and steel, articles 
of iron and steel, tools of base metal, 
electrical machinery and equipment, rail 
locomotives, vehicles, and miscellaneous 
manufactured articles (HS Chapters 25; 
26; 28; 29; 31; 32; 34; 35; 37; 40; 45; 
68; 69; 70; 71; 72;73; 82; 85; 86; 87; 
89; 90; 96)  Permanent Delegation 
of Ukraine to the 
United Nations (30 May 
2013) Effective 1 
January 2013 
Ukraine Amendments to the Law on the electricity 
sector introducing local content 
requirement for wind, solar, biomass, and biogas power plants  WTO document 
G/TRIMS/W/119, 17 
April 2013 and Permanent Delegation of Ukraine to the United Nations (30 May 2013) Effective 1 April 
2013 (some 
provisions postponed until 1 July 2013) 
Ukraine Temporary imposition of non-automatic 
import licensing requirements for coking WTO documents 
G/LIC/N/1/UKR/2, 29 Effective 27 April 
2013. WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 67 - 
 
  coal products  (HS 2701.12.10; 
2701.12.90; 2701.19.00)  April 2013 and  
G/LIC/N/1/UKR/3, 24 
May 2013 Implementation  
postponed to 1 
June 2013 and in 
force until 31 
December 2013 
Ukraine Temporary impo rt restriction on 
metallurgical coke (HS 2704.00.11; 2704.00.19; 2704.00.30; 2704.00.90)  WTO documents 
G/LIC/N/1/UKR/2, 29 April 2013 and  G/LIC/N/1/UKR/3, 24 May 2013 Effective 27 April 
2013. Implementation  postponed to 1 June 2013 and in force until 31 December 2013 
 
RECORDED, BUT NOT CONFIRMED INFORMATION 
Country/ 
Member State Measure Source/Date Status 
Brazil New guidelines from the National 
Development Bank (BNDES) for the wind energy projects granting financial aid provided certain domestic content 
requirements are met (e.g. at least 70% of st eel and reinforc ed concrete used to 
be locally produced)  Press reports referring 
to BNDES Directive 1380 (11 December 2012)   
Nigeria Import ban on packaged sugar and refined 
sugar (HS 17)  Press reports (January 
2013) Effective January 
2013 
Nigeria Increase of import tariffs (from 5% to 
60%) on raw sugar (HS 17)  Press reports (January 
2013) Effective January 
2013 
Pakistan Temporary export ban on citrus hybrids 
(fresh kino) (HS 0805.20.10) Ministry of Commerce - 
Order S.R.O. No. 
1362.(I)/2012 (8 
November 2012) Effective 8 
November 2012 
to 1 December 
2012 
Philippines Determination of dutiable value for 
imports of pork and poultry by the Bureau of Customs Press reports (February 
2013) Effective 1 
February 2013 
South Africa Increase of import tariffs (from 15% to 
30%) on vehicle windscreen BusinessDay (27 
February 2013)   
South Africa Increase of import tariffs (from 15% to 
20%) on hose or bibcocks, pillar cocks, water mixing taps, thermostatically controlled mixing valves (bath, washbasin, bidet, shower or sink type), shower units, water-tank locking taps, cooking range taps or tapping ferrules for off-take pipes of an outside diameter not exceeding 32 mm (HS 8481.80.79). Imports from the EU, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) members exempted  Government Gazette 
No. 36338 - No. R. 269 (4 April 2013) Effective 12 April 
2013 
South Africa Increase of import tariffs (from 10% to 
20%) on strip of polytetrafluoroethylene, 
suitable for use as thread-sealing tape (HS 
3920.99.25). Imports from the EU, and 
the Southern African Development 
Community (SADC) members exempted  Government Gazette 
No. 36433 - No. R. 338 
(10 May 2013) Effective 10 May 
2013 
Uzbekistan  Requirement fo r importers to submit an 
export cargo customs declaration form certified by government authorities in the 
country of origin of export  Press reports (March 
2013) Effective 1 April 
2013 
Viet Nam Increase of import tariffs  on raw sugar 
(from 15% to 25%) and refined sugar 
(from 15% to 40%) (HS 17)  VNA (8 December 
2012) Effective 1 
January 2013 
Zambia Temporary export ban on maize (HS 
1005)   Agra Europe (21 
December 2012)   
 
 
 WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 68 - 
 
  Annex 4 
General Economic Support Measures1 
(Mid-October 2012 - mid-May 2013) 
 CONFIRMED INFORMATION
2 
Country/ Member 
State Measure Source/Date Status 
Brazil "Special Tax Regime for the National 
Broadband Plan for Implementation of Telecommunication Networks (REPNBL-Redes)" granting financial aid (tax benefits) to local companies, und er certain conditions 
(deadline for companies to apply for benefit 30 June 2013) Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil to the WTO (24 May 2013) Effective 12 March 
2013 
Brazil Special Incentive Regime for the 
Development of the Fertilizer Industry 
(Regime Especial de Incentivo ao 
Desenvolvimento da Infraestrutura da 
Indústria de Fertilizantes ) granting tax 
benefits on imported inputs for fertilizer 
producers, under certain requirements   Law No. 12.794 
(2 April 2013) Implementing 
legislation not yet 
adopted 
Brazil Incentive package through tax breaks and 
preferential credit lines for ethanol producers  Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil to the WTO (24 May 2013) Effective 20 May 
2013 to 31 December 2014 
Canada Extension of the "Automotive Innovation 
Fund" (Can$250 million (US$242 million)) 
benefiting the auto-industry for the period 
2013-18 Permanent 
Delegation of 
Canada to the 
WTO (24 May 
2013) Extended on 4 
January 2013 
China Financial aid (Y 149 million (US$24.1 
million)) to support  rare-earths producers 
for adaptation existing facilities to environmental requirements Permanent 
Delegation of China to the WTO (23 May 2013) Effective 
November 2012 
China Termination at the end of January 2013 of 
the "Home appliance going to countryside" 
scheme (originally implemented on a pilot 
basis in 2007 and extended nationwide in 
2009) Permanent 
Delegation of 
China to the WTO 
(23 May 2013)   
EU European Globalisat ion Adjustment Fund 
Budget allocated to certain Member States (i.e. Austria, Denmar k, Finland, Italy, 
Netherlands, Romania, Spain, and Sweden) 
benefiting sectors such as telecom 
equipment, machinery, aluminium, and auto manufacturers  Various Decision 
of the European Parliament and of the Council 
(December 2012)   
Austria Prolongation of an aid scheme (overall 
budget €6 million (US$7.8 million)), through 
guarantee for Konsolidierungsmaßnahmen 
im Rahmen der Bürgschaftsrichtlinien der 
Oberösterreichischen 
Kreditgarantiegesellsc haft m. b. H. (OÖ 
KGC) for all sectors (originally approved on 
2 July 2008)  Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's 
website 
transmitted by 
the EU 
Delegation. EU 
State Aid SA. 
35527 (12/N) (5 
November 2012)  Effective 10 
October 2012 to 
31 December 2013 
Austria Prolongation of the aid scheme (overall 
budget €3 million (US$3.9 million)) for Public information 
available on the Effective 10 
October 2012 to 
                                               
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 or such measure's impact on, or relationship with, the global financial crisis. 
2 This section includes information which has either been provided by the Member concerned or it has 
been confirmed at the request of the Secretariat. WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 69 - 
 
  Country/ Member 
State Measure Source/Date Status 
Verlängerung der staatl ichen Beihilfe for all 
sectors (originally approved on April 2009) European 
Commission's website transmitted by the EU Delegation. EU State Aid SA. 36051 (13/N) (4 February 2013)  31 December 2013 
Czech Republic Aid scheme (overall budget CZK 900 million 
(US$44.8 million)) for SMEs (all sectors) EU State Aid SA. 
35247 (12/N) (14 
December 2012)  Effective 14 
December 2012 to 
31 December 2024 
Finland Aid scheme (overall budget €36 million 
(US$46.6 million) and annual budget €12 
million (US$15.5 million)) for SMEs (all 
sectors) Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's website transmitted by the EU Delegation. EU State Aid SA. 35401 (13/N) (1 March 2013)  Effective until 31 
December 2015 
Finland Further extension of th e short-term export-
credit insurance scheme (originally 
extended until 31 December 2012) Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's 
website 
transmitted by 
the EU 
Delegation. EU 
State Aid SA. 
35701 (12/N) (6 
March 2013) and 
WTO document 
WT/TPR/OV/15, 
26 November 
2012  Effective until 31 
December 2015 
France Budget for the European Globalisation 
Adjustment Fund for the financial year 2012 set at €11,949,666 (US$15.5 million) in commitment and payment appropriations for PSA Peugeot-Citroën group (application EGF/2010/015 FR/Peugeot) Decision of the 
European Parliament and of the Council 2012/680/EU (25 October 2012)   
France State aid in the form of loan guarantees 
(overall budget €7 billion (US$9.1 billion)) 
through Banque PSA Finance, for car 
industry group P SA Peugeot-Citroën Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's 
website 
transmitted by 
the EU Delegation 
(24 May 2013) Emission of bonds 
covered by the 
French State on 4 
March 2013. The 
EU Commission 
opened an inquiry 
on 2 May 2013 
Germany Ad-hoc rescue aid (overall budget €152.4 
million (US$197.2 million)) for building of ships and floating structures manufacturing industry Rettungsbeihil fe zugunsten der P+S 
Werften GmbH (possible liquidation aid to be granted) Public information 
available on the European Commission's website transmitted by the EU 
Delegation. EU 
State Aid SA. 34920 (12/NN) (11 July 2012)  Effective 4 June 
2012 to 31 December 2012 
Germany Prolongation of rescue and restructuring 
scheme for SMEs in Bremen (overall budget 
€30 million (US$38.8 million)), through a 
guarantee by Bremer Aufbau-Bank GmbH 
(all sectors) Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's 
website Effective 1 January 
2013 to 31 
December 2014 WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 70 - 
 
  Country/ Member 
State Measure Source/Date Status 
transmitted by 
the EU 
Delegation. EU 
State Aid SA. 
35561 (12/N) (19 
November 2012)  
Germany Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony) guarantee 
for participation in SMEs (overall budget €100 million (US$129.4 million)) by Niedersächsisches Fina nzministerium (all 
sectors) Public information 
available on the European Commission's website transmitted by the EU Delegation. EU 
State Aid SA. 
35280 (12/N) (14 December 2012)  Effective until 31 
December 2013 
Greece Aid scheme (overall budget €147.6 million 
(US$191 million)), through a direct grant for 
air transport sector Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's 
website 
transmitted by 
the EU 
Delegation. EU 
State Aid SA. 
35220 (12/N) (19 
December 2012)  Effective until 31 
December 2013 
Lithuania Prolongation of the sch eme for restructuring 
aid for SMEs (originally approved on 17 February 2011)  Public information 
available on the European Commission's website transmitted by the EU Delegation (24 May 2013) Effective until 31 
December 2015 
Poland Aid scheme (overall budget Zl 1.44 million 
(US$444,444)), through a direct grant for 
manufacturing of other parts and 
accessories for motor vehicles by Boshoku 
Automotive Poland Sp. Z o.o. EU State Aid SA. 
35202 (12/N) (23 
October 2012)  Effective 31 
December 2012 to 
31 December 2014 
Poland Aid scheme (overall budget Zl 2.24 million 
(US$691,358)), through a direct grant for  Nokia Siemens Networks Sp. Z o.o. (wireless telecommunications activities) EU State Aid SA. 
35197 (12/N) (26 October 2012)  Effective 31 
December 2012 to 31 December 2013 
Poland Aid scheme (overall budget Zl 2.16 million 
(US$666,666)), through a direct grant for 
Atos IT Services Sp. Z o.o. (other 
information technology and computer 
service activities) EU State Aid SA. 
35250 (12/N) (26 
October 2012)  Effective 31 
December 2012 to 
31 December 2014 
Poland Aid scheme (overall budget Zl 11 million 
(US$3.4 million)), th rough soft loan for 
Pomoc na ratowanie dla Classen-Pol SA (manufacture of othe r builders' carpentry 
and joinery) Public information 
available on the European Commission's website transmitted by the EU Delegation (24 May 2013). EU State Aid SA. 
35487 (12/N) (11 
December 2012)  Effective 11 
December 2012 
Sweden Budget for the European Globalisation 
Adjustment Fund for the financial year 2012 
set at €5,454,560 (US$7.1 million) in 
commitment and payment appropriations 
for Saab Automobile SA (application 
EGF/2012/005 SE/Saab) Decision of the 
European 
Parliament and of 
the Council 
2013/18/EU (12 
December 2012)   
United Kingdom Provision of public funds (£600 million EU State Aid SA. Effective 28 WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 71 - 
 
  Country/ Member 
State Measure Source/Date Status 
(US$906.5 million)) to one special purpose 
vehicle (SPV) in support of the UK Government's Green Deal Policy  34611 (12/N) (5 
February 2013)  January 2013 to 
27 January 2018 
Hong Kong, China Extension of the time-limited special 
concessionary measures providing 80% loan 
guarantee coverage (up to HK$100 billion 
(US$12.9 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 2013) and 
WTO document 
WT/TPR/OV/15, 
26 November 
2012 Extended until 
February 2014 
with enhancement 
in eligibility criteria 
India Extension of the Ex port Promotion Capital 
Good (EPCG) scheme beyond March 2013, 
allowing exporters to import capital goods 
duty free (all sectors) Information 
verified by the 
permanent 
Delegation of India to the WTO (23 May 2013)   
Japan Second stimulus package for SMEs 
providing, e.g. improv ed access to capital 
(¥95 billion (US$928.6 million)) and loans 
(¥24 billion (US$234.6 million)) Permanent 
Delegation of  
Japan to the WTO  
(24 May 2013) Effective 30 
November 2012 
Japan "Emergency Econom ic Measures for the 
Revitalization of the Japanese Economy" (¥10.3 trillion (US$100.7 billion)) with around 400 specific programmes Permanent 
Delegation of  Japan to the WTO  (24 May 2013) Scheme 
established on 11 January 2013 
Russian Federation Financial aid (Rub  1,728 million (US$55.2 
million)) to support regional agriculture 
development programmes (i.e. non-
recurring aid to purchase agricultural 
equipment and animals,  home appliances, 
transport vehicles) and reconstruction of 
roads  Permanent 
Delegation of the 
Russian 
Federation  (23 
May 2013) Effective 18 March 
2013 
Thailand Further extension of the "Rice mortgage 
scheme"  for in-season and off-season rice, 
twice a year per plot and person (originally 
for in-season rice effective 7 October 2011 
to 29 February 2012 (except for the Southern region effective 1 February 2012 to 31 July 2012); and for off-season rice effective 1 March 2012 to 15 September 2012 (except for the Southern region effective 1 July 2012 to 31 October 2012)) Permanent 
Delegation of Thailand to the 
WTO (3 June 
2013) and WTO document WT/TPR/OV/15, 26 November 2012 Effective 1 October 
2012 to 31 January 2014 
Thailand Extension of the "Cassava mortgage 
scheme" (originally effective 1 February 
2012 to 31 May 2012) Permanent 
Delegation of 
Thailand to the 
WTO (16 May 
2013) and WTO 
document 
WT/TPR/OV/15, 
26 November 
2012 Effective 
December 2012 to 
September 2013 
RECORDED, BUT NOT CONFIRMED INFORMATION 
Country/ Member 
State Measure Source/Date Status 
Bangladesh Financial aid (Tk 440 million (US$5.7 
million)) to purchase fertilizers and seeds for rice cultivation Grain Market 
Report No. 432 (25 April 2013) Effective April 
2013 
Belarus Financial aid (50% reimbursement of 
interest payments) through Belarusbank, 
Belvnesheconombank, and Belinvestbank 
for three cement producers ("Belarusian 
Cement Plant, Krichevtsementnoshifer, and 
Krasnoselskstroimaterialy"), and for 
pharmaceuticals companies (75% 
reimbursement of intere st payments) (valid Press reports 
referring to 
Council of 
Ministers Decrees 
Nos. 212 and 213 
(25 March 2013)  Effective 25 March 
2013 WT/TPR/OV/W/7 
 
- 72 - 
 
  Country/ Member 
State Measure Source/Date Status 
only for loans issued after 1 January 2013) 
Belarus Reduced processing time for issuance of 
export credits to local companies Press reports 
referring to Council of Ministers and the National Bank of Belarus Joint Decree No. 239/3 (30 March 2013)   
Brazil Exemption of the 25% IPI ( Imposto sobre 
Produtos Industrializados ) internal industrial 
tax on electric cars  Press reports 
(various dates)   
EU "CARS 2020" action scheme aimed at 
promoting investment in new technologies 
and clean vehicles, streamlining regulation, 
supporting skills and training, and helping manufacturers to compete globally. Scheme includes research grants, loans from the European Investment Bank, and financial incentives  Financial Times, 
Bloomber BNA, 
and 
EuropeanVoice. Com (8 November 2012)   
Indonesia Livestock Farmers Empowerment scheme  
granting specific incentives for livestock 
farmers to promote domestic beef industry Press reports 
referring to 
Government 
Regulation No. 
6/2013 (January 
2013)   
United States Extension of the Farm Bill for one year 
(renewing existing agriculture support programmes) Agra Europe (2 
January 2013) Effective 1 January 
2013  
United States Extension of tax credit for wind power 
industry  IHT (10 January 
2013)   
United States "US Global Business Solutions" scheme 
granting through 6 Federal Agencies export finance for SMEs  Inside US Trade's 
(4 April 2013)   
 
  
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