G/L/1282  
 
21 November 2018  
(18-7334) Page: 1/19 
   
 
REPORT (2018) OF THE  COUNCIL FOR TRADE I N GOODS  
In accordance with the "Procedures for an Annual Overview of WTO  Activities and for Reporting 
under the WTO" (WT/L/105), the Council for Trade in Goods (CTG, or the Council) is to report each 
year to the General Council on the activities in the Council as well as those in its subsidiary bodies. 
The reports are to be "factual in nature, containing an indication of actions and decisions taken, with 
cross-references to reports of subordinate bodies and could follow the model of the GATT  1947 
Council reports to the CONTRACTING PARTIES".  
 
Since its 2017  Annual Report (G/L/1204) was issued, the CTG met three  times in formal session, on 
the following dates: 23 and 26  March  2018 (G/C/M/131)1; 3 and 4  July 2018 (G/C/M/1322); and 
12 and 13  November  2018 (G/C/M/1333). 
 
The subject matters raised and/or acted upon in the Council were as follows:  
1   ELECTION OF CHAI RPERSON OF THE COUNC IL FOR TRADE IN  GOODS  ........................  4 
2   APPOINTMENT OF O FFICERS FOR THE SUBS IDIARY BODIES OF THE  COUNCIL  ...........  4 
3   MARKET ACCESS IS SUES  ................................ ................................ .............................  5 
3.1   Collective waiver requests on the introduction of th e Harmonized System  2002, 2007,  
2012, and 2017  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  5 
4   WAIVERS UNDER AR TICLE  IX OF THE WTO  AGREEM ENT ................................ .............  5 
4.1   Introduction of Harmonized System  2002 changes into WTO  Schedules of  
Tariff Concessions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  5 
4.1.1    Collective request for a waiver extension (G/C/W/756)  ................................ ..................  5 
4.2   Introduction of Harmonized System  2007 changes into WTO  Schedules of  
Tariff Concessions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  5 
4.2.1    Collective request for a waiver extension (G/C/W/757)  ................................ ..................  5 
4.3   Introduction of Harmonized System  2012 changes into WTO  Schedules of  
Tariff Concessions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  5 
4.3.1    Collective request for a wai ver (G/C/W/758)  ................................ ................................  5 
4.4   Introduction of Harmonized System  2017 changes into WTO  Schedules of  
Tariff Concessions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  5 
4.4.1    Collective request for a waiver (G/C/W/759/Rev.1)  ................................ .......................  5 
4.5   Jordan – Request for a Waiver Relating to the Transitional Period for the Elimination of the 
Export Subsidy Programme for Jordan (G/C/W/705; G/C/W/705/Corr.1; G/C/W/705/Rev.1; and 
G/C/W/705/Rev.2)  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  5 
4.6   Kimberley Process Certification Scheme for Rough Diamonds – Request for an Extension  
of a WTO  Waiver (G/C/W/753 and G/C/W/753/Add.1 -G/C/W/753/Add.2)  ................................ .. 6 
5   ENLARGEMENT OF T HE EUROPEAN UNION: P ROCEDURES UNDER ARTIC LE XXVIII:3  
OF GATT  1994  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  6 
                                                
1 An informal meeting took place before the formal meeting.  
2 To be issued . 
3 To be issued.  G/L/1282  
 
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  5.1   Enlargement of the European Union on 1  July 2013 (G/L/1051/Add.9)  ...............................  6 
5.2   Enlargement of the European Union to include Croatia: Ne gotiations under Article  XXIV:6  
of the GATT  1994 – Statement by the Russian Federation  ................................ ........................  6 
6   EUROPEAN UNION – RENEGOTIATION OF TA RIFF RATE QUOTA COMM ITMENTS IN 
RESPONSE TO BREXIT: SYSTEMIC CON CERNS – REQUEST FROM  ARGENTINA,  
AUSTRALIA, BRAZIL, C ANADA, CHI NA, JAPAN, MEXICO, N EW ZEALAND,  
THAILAND, THE UNITED  STATES, AND URUGUAY  ................................ .............................  7 
7   ACCESSION OF THE  REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA  AND OF THE KYRGYZ R EPUBLIC TO THE 
EURASIAN ECONOMIC UNION  (EAEU): PROCEDURES UNDER ARTICLE  XXVIII :3 OF 
GATT  1994  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  7 
8   SWITZERLAND – LIECHTENSTEIN – NEGOTI ATIONS UNDER  ARTICLE  XXVIII:5 OF  
GATT  1994  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  7 
9   TRINIDAD AND TOB AGO – REQU EST FOR AUTHORITY TO  ENTER INTO  
NEGOTIATIONS UNDER ARTICLE  XXVIII:4 OF GATT  1994 (G/SECRET/ 43) ......................  7 
10   NOTIFICATION OF  REGIONAL TRADE AGRE EMENTS  ................................ ..................  8 
11   NOTIFICATIONS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  8 
11.1   Status of notifications under the provisions of the Agreements in Annex  1A of the 
WTO Agreement (G/L/223/Rev.25)  ................................ ................................ .......................  8 
12   PROPOSAL BY THE  COMMITTEE ON R EGIONAL TRADE AGREEM ENTS TO THE  
COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN  GOODS, THE  COUNCIL FOR TRADE I N SERVICES, AND THE 
COMMITTEE ON REGIONA L TRADE AGREEMENTS O N A TEMPLATE FOR NOT IFYING 
CHANGES TO AN EXISTI NG REGIONAL TRADE AG REEMENT (WT/REG/28)  ......................  8 
13   FACTUAL REPORT BY THE CHAIRMAN OF T HE SAFEGUARDS COMMIT TEE (SC) 
REGARDING ARTICLE  13.1(E) OF THE AGREEME NT ON SAFEGUARDS (G/ L/1276 AND 
G/L/1276/ADD.1)  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  8 
14   MEASURES TO ALL OW GRADUATED  LDCS, WITH GNP BELO W US$1,000,  
BENEFITS PURSUANT TO  ANNEX  VII(B) OF THE  AGREEMENT ON SUBSID IES AND 
COUNTERVAILING MEASU RES (WT/GC/W/742 AND  G/C/W/752)  ................................ .. 9 
15   PROCEDURES TO E NHANCE TRANSPARENCY AND STRENGTHEN NOTIF ICATION 
REQUIREMENTS UNDER W TO AGREEMENTS  ................................ ................................ ..... 9 
16   INDONESIA'S IMP ORT AND EXPORT RESTR ICTING POLICIES AND PRACTICES – 
REQUEST FROM THE EUR OPEAN UNION, JAPAN, AND THE UNITED STATE S .....................  9 
17   INDIA – CUSTOMS  DUTIES ON ICT  PRODU CTS ................................ ........................  10 
18   EGYPT – MANUFAC TURER REGISTRATION S YSTEM  ................................ .................  10 
19   IMPORT LEVY BY WTO  MEMBERS OF THE A FRICAN UNION – REQUE ST FROM THE 
UNITED STATES  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  11 
20   UNITED STATES – MEASURES RELATED TO I MPORTS OF FISH AND S EAFOOD 
PRODUCTS – REQUEST F ROM CHINA AND THE RU SSIAN FEDERATION  ..........................  11 
21   CROATIA – REGULATION OF IMPORT  AND SALE OF CERTAIN  OIL PRODUCTS – 
REQUEST FROM THE RUS SIAN FEDERATION  ................................ ................................ .. 11 
22   RUSSIAN FEDERAT ION – TRADE RE STRICTING PRACTICES  ................................ .... 11 
23   BRAZIL – MEASUR ES RESTR ICTING SHRIMP IMPORT S – REQUEST  
FROM ECUADOR  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  12 
24   MEXICO – CUSTOM S PROCESSING F EE IMPOSED BY MEXICO  ON CERTAIN  
IMPORTS ENTERING ITS  TERRITORY – REQUEST  FROM ECUADOR  ................................ . 12 
25   UNITED STATES – SECTION  232 INVESTIGATIONS AND MEASURES ON  
IMPORTS OF STEEL AND  ALUMINIUM  ................................ ................................ ............  12 G/L/1282  
 
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  26   KINGDOM OF SAUD I ARABIA, KINGDOM OF  BAHRAIN, AND THE UN ITED ARAB 
EMIRATES – SELECTIVE  TAX ON CERTAIN I MPORTED PRODUCTS – REQUEST FROM  
THE EUROPEAN UNION,  SWITZERLAND, AND TH E UNITED STATES  ...............................  12 
27   CHINA – NEW EXP ORT CONTROL LAW  ................................ ................................ ..... 13 
28   VIET NAM – DECR EE ON THE REGULATION  ON CONDITIONS FOR A UTOMOBILES 
MANUFACTURING, ASSEM BLING, IMPORTING, AN D AUTOMOTIVE WARRANT Y AND 
MAINTENANCE SERVICES  – REQUEST FROM JAPA N AND THE UNITED STATES  ..............  13 
29   MONGOLIA – QUAN TITATIVE R ESTRICTIONS AND PROH IBITIONS ON  
IMPORTATION OF CERTA IN AGRIC ULTURAL PRODUCTS  – REQUEST FROM  
THE RUSSIAN FEDERATI ON................................ ................................ ............................  13 
30   INDIA – QUANTIT ATIVE RESTRICTION ON  IMPORTS OF CERTAIN PULSES  .............  14 
31   CHINA – CUSTOMS  DUTIES ON CERTAIN I NTEGRATED CIRCUITS  ...........................  14 
32   PAKISTAN – MEAS URES RELATING TO SUG AR EXPORTS  ................................ .........  14 
33   INDIA – MEASURE S RELATING TO SUGAR EXPORTS  ................................ ...............  15 
34   CHINA – MEASURE S RESTRICTING THE IMPORT OF SCRAP MATERIALS – 
REQUEST FROM THE UNI TED STATES  ................................ ................................ .............  15 
35   EUROP EAN UNION – AMENDMEN TS TO THE DIRECTIVE  2009/28/EC, RENEWABL E 
ENERGY DIRECTIVE (RE D) – REQUEST FROM MA LAYSIA  ................................ ...............  15 
36   UNITED STATES  – PROHIBITIVE PROPO SAL ON COMMUNICATION  EQUIPMENT OR 
SERVICES RELEASED BY  THE FCC – REQUEST F ROM CHINA  ................................ ...........  16 
37   UNITED STATES – MEASURES ON AVIATION  SECURITY EQUIPMENT – REQUEST 
FROM CHINA  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  16 
38   UNITED STATES – SAFEGUARD MEASURES AGAINST IMPORTED SIL ICON 
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS – REQUEST FROM CHINA  ................................ ............................  16 
39   EUROPEAN UNION – QUALITY SCHEMES FO R AGRICULTURAL PRODU CTS AND 
FOODSTUFFS – THE REG ISTRATION OF THE TER M "DANBO" AS GEOGRAP HICAL 
INDICATION (GI) – REQUEST FROM THE UNITE D STATES AND URUGUAY  .....................  16 
40   EUROPEAN UNION – DRAFT IMP LEMENTING REGULATION S REGARDING  
PROTECTED DESIGNATIO N OF ORIGIN AND GEOG RAPHICAL INDICATIONS , 
TRADITIONAL TERMS, L ABELLING AND PRESENT ATION OF CERTAIN WIN E SECTOR 
PRODUCTS – REQUEST F ROM ARGENTINA AND TH E UNITED STATES  .............................  17 
41   UNITED STATES - SECTION 301 – REQUE ST FROM CHINA  ................................ ....... 17 
42   HAITI'S MODIFIC ATION OF TARIFF  CONCESSIONS AND APP LICATION OF  
TARIFFS HIGHER THAN THE LEVEL BOUND IN HAITI'S SCHEDULE  XXVI – REQUEST  
FROM THE DOMINICAN R EPUBLIC  ................................ ................................ .................  17 
43   HAITI – BAN ON THE OVERLAND  EXPORT OF 23  PRODUC TS FROM THE  
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC T O HAITI – REQUEST FR OM THE DOMINIC AN REPUBLIC  ...........  17 
44   UNITED STATES – EXPORT RESTRICTIONS  ON CERTAIN ENTERPRI SE OF CHINA – 
REQUEST FROM CHINA  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 17 
45   AUSTRALIA – DISCRIMINATO RY MARKET ACCESS PRO HIBITION ON  
5G EQUIPMENT – REQUE ST FROM CHINA  ................................ ................................ ....... 17 
46   WORK PROGRAMME ON ELECTRONIC COMMER CE ................................ ...................  18 
47   CONSIDERATION O F ANNUAL REPORTS OF SUBSIDIARY BODIE S OF THE  
COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN  GOODS  ................................ ................................ ....................  19 
48   ADOPTION OF THE  ANNUAL REPORT OF  THE COUNCIL FOR TRA DE IN GOODS  
TO THE GENERAL COUNC IL ................................ ................................ ............................  19 
 G/L/1282  
 
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  1  ELECTION OF CHAIRPER SON OF THE COUNCIL F OR TRADE IN GOODS  
1.1.  At its meeting of 23 March, the Council elected by acclamation HE  Mr Stephen de Boer 
(Canada) as its chairperson for 2018.  
2  APPOINTMENT OF OFFIC ERS FOR THE SUBSIDIA RY BODIES OF THE COU NCIL  
2.1.  At its meeting of 23 March , the Council agreed to suspend this agenda item in order for the 
incoming Chair to carry out consultations on the nomination of persons to chair the subsidiary bodies 
of the Goods Council; it also agreed to reconvene a meeting once the process had been concluded.  
2.2.  On 26 March , the Council reverted to this agenda item and,  following an informal meeting at 
which the Chairperson had submitted to the Council the slate of names that had emerged as a result 
of his consultations, agreed on the nominations of the following persons for election as Chairpersons 
of its subsidiary bod ies for 2018:  
Chairpersons of CTG  Subsidiary Bodies  
Market Access  Ms Zsofia TVARUSKO (Hungary)  
Agriculture  Ms Debora CUMES MARISCAL (Guatemala)  
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Ms Noncedo VUTULA (South Africa)  
Technical Barriers to Trade  Ms Kate SWAN (New Zealand)  
TRIMs  Ms Carrie I -Jen WU (Chinese Taipei)  
Anti-Dumping Practices  Ms Karine Mahjoubi ERIKSTEIN (Norway)  
Subsidies and Countervailing Measures  Mr Pedro NEGUELOAETCHEVERRY (Argentina)  
Safeguards  Mr Hyouk Woo KWON (Korea)  
Import Licensing  Mrs Lorena RIVERA (Colombia)  
Rules of Origin  Ms Thembekile MLANGENI (South Africa)  
Customs Valuation  Mr Yuichiro OKUMURA (Japan)  
Committee of Participants on the Expansion of Trade 
in Information Technology Products (ITA Committee)  Mr Muhammad  Nur Hadri Bin SOPRI (Singapore)  
Trade Facilitation  Ms Dalia KADIŠIENĖ (Lithuania)  
 
2.3.  At the same meeting, the Council agreed to proceed on the understanding that, as concerned 
the Vice -Chairpersons, it would be for the subsidiary bodies to decide if they needed a 
Vice-Chairperson in cases where the option existed under the respective Agreement and/or rules of 
procedure, and for the respective Chairperson to hold the necessary consultations. In the absence 
of provisions in the rules of procedure of Working Parties to elect Chairpersons, the Council also 
agreed to appoint the nominated Chairperson, Mr  Antonius Yudi TRIANTORO (Indonesia), for the 
Working Party on State Trading Enterprises.  
2.4.  Following the departure of the designated chairperson of the Committee on Subsidies and 
Countervailing Measures (SCM), the CTG  Chair held consultations with the Group Coordinators and 
these in turn held consultations with their constituencies. As a result of this consultation process, 
and mindful of the importance of ensuring  and retaining regional balance and representation, Mr  Luis 
Adolfo Fernández (Costa Rica) was appointed to be the new Chair of the SCM  Committee.  G/L/1282  
 
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  3  MARKET ACCESS ISSUES  
3.1  Collective waiver requests on the introduction of the Harmonized System  2002, 2007, 
2012,  and 2017  
3.1.  At its meeting of 12 November , the Council considered four  collective waiver requests on the 
introduction of Harmonized System  2002, 2007, 2012, and 2017  changes into WTO  Schedules of 
Concessions (see Section  4 below).  
4  WAIVERS UNDER ARTICL E IX OF  THE WTO  AGREEMENT  
4.1  Introduction of Harmonized System  2002 changes into WTO  Schedules of Tariff 
Concessions  
4.1.1   Collective request for a waiver extension (G/C/W/756)  
4.1.  At its meeting of 12 November , the Council considered a collective request for an extension of 
the waiver in connection with the introduction of HS2002  changes to the Schedules of Concessions. 
The Council approved the waiver request and recommended that the draft decision (G/C/W/756) be 
forwarded to the General Council for adoption.  
4.2  Introduction of Harmonized System  2007 changes into WTO  Schedules of Tariff 
Concessions  
4.2.1   Collective request for a waiver extension (G/C/W/757)  
4.2.  At its meeting of 12 November , the Council considered a collective request for an extension of 
the waiver in connection with the i ntroduction of HS  2007 changes to the Schedules of Concessions. 
The Council approved the waiver request and recommended that the draft decision (G/C/W/757) be 
forwarded to the General Council for adoption.  
4.3  Introduction of Harmonized System  2012 changes int o WTO  Schedules of Tariff 
Concessions  
4.3.1   Collective request for a waiver (G/C/W/758)  
4.3.  At its meeting of 12 November , the Council considered a collective request for a waiver in 
connection with the introduction of HS  2012 changes to the Schedules of Concessions . The Council 
approved the waiver request and recommended that the draft decision (G/C/W/758) be forwarded 
to the General Council for adoption.  
4.4  Introduction of Harmonized System  2017 changes into WTO  Schedules of Tariff 
Concessions  
4.4.1   Collective request for a  waiver (G/C/W/759/Rev.1)  
4.4.  At its meeting of 12 November , the Council considered a collective request for a waiver in 
connection with the introduction of HS  2017 changes to the Schedules of Concessions. The Council 
approved the waiver request and recommende d that the draft decision (G/C/W/759/Rev.1) be 
forwarded to the General Council for adoption.  
4.5  Jordan – Request for a Waiver Relating to the Transitional Period for the Elimination 
of the Export Subsidy Programme for Jordan (G/C/W/705; G/C/W/705/Corr.1; 
G/C/W/705/Rev.1; and G/C/W/705/Rev.2)  
4.5.  At its meeting of 23 March , as agreed by the CTG at its meeting of 10  November  2017, the 
Council took note of the statement made by Jordan on the progress made towards developing a 
WTO-consistent replacement programme, an d on the expiry date of 21  December  2018 of the 
current programme, as per the schedule submitted in document  G/C/W/705/Rev.2. The Council also G/L/1282  
 
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  took note of the statements made by Australia, Chinese Taipei, Japan, and the United States, and 
agreed to revert  to this issue at its meeting of July  2018.  
4.6.  At its meeting of 3 July, Jordan again informed the Council about the development of its subsidy 
replacement programme and assured Members that the current programme would expire on 
21 December  2018 as per the sc hedule submitted in document  G/C/W/705/Rev.2. The new policy 
would be notified in due course to the Committee on Safeguards and Countervailing Measures (SCM). 
The Council also took note of the statements made by Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the Unite d 
States, and agreed to revert to this issue at its meeting in November  2018, when Jordan would 
inform the Council about its replacement programme.  
4.7.  At its meeting of 12 November , as agreed by the CTG at its meeting of 3  July, Jordan informed 
the Council ab out the development of its replacement programme. The Council took note of the 
statement made by Jordan, and of the statements made by New Zealand and the United States.  
4.6  Kimberley Process Certification Scheme for Rough Diamonds – Request for an 
Extension o f a WTO  Waiver (G/C/W/753 and G/C/W/753/Add.1 -G/C/W/753/Add.2)  
4.8.  At its meeting of 3 July, the Council considered a collective request submitted by the European 
Union and Australia, Cambodia, Canada, Guyana, Japan, Malaysia, Mauritius, Norway, the Russian 
Federation, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United States, concerning 
the extension for another six  years of the current waiver on the Kimberley Process Certification 
Scheme for Rough Diamonds. The Council approved the waiver re quest, including the requests made 
during the meeting by Brazil, India, Kazakhstan, Korea, Montenegro, Panama, Singapore, and 
Thailand to be included in the annex of the draft waiver decision; and agreed that the draft decision 
(G/C/W/753 and G/C/W/753/Add .1–G/C/W/753/Add.2) be forwarded to the General Council for 
adoption.  
5  ENLARGEMENT OF THE E UROPEAN UNION: PROCE DURES UNDER ARTICLE  XXVIII:3 OF 
GATT  1994  
5.1  Enlargement of the European Union on 1  July 2013 (G/L/1051/Add.9)  
5.1.  At its meeting of 23 March , the Council took note of the statement made by the European 
Union and agreed to extend the deadline mentioned by the European Union in 
document  G/L/1051/Add.9 until 1  October  2018. The EU also informed the Council that agreements 
with Brazil, China, and Uruguay, had already been implemented and notified to the WTO, and that 
an agreement with New Zealand had been signed in March and was in the process of being ratified 
by the European Parliament. The Council also took note of the statement made by the Russ ian 
Federation.  
5.2.  At its meeting of 3 July, the Council took note of the statement made by the European Union 
informing the CTG that negotiations under GATT  Article  XXIV pursuant to Croatia's EU  accession had 
been finalized. The final agreement to have been reached, with New Zealand, was in the process of 
being ratified by the European Parliament, after which the European Council would conclude the 
process. An addendum to the EU's original WTO  notification would then be submitted.  
5.2  Enlargement of the European Union to include Croatia: Negotiations under 
Article  XXIV:6 of the GATT  1994 – Statement by the Russian Federation  
5.3.  At its meeting of 12 November , the Council took note of the statement made by the Russian 
Federation concerning the European Union negotiatio n process under Article  XXIV:6 of the GATT, 
following the accession of Croatia to the EU, in particular regarding the EU's re fusal of Russia's claim 
of interest . The Council also took note of the statement made by the European Union in response to 
these co ncerns.  G/L/1282  
 
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  6  EUROPEAN UNION – RENEGOTIATION OF TARIFF  RATE QUOTA COMMITME NTS IN 
RESPONSE TO BREXIT: SYSTEMIC CONCERNS – REQUEST FROM ARGENTI NA, AUSTRALIA, 
BRAZIL, CANADA, CHIN A, JAPAN, MEXICO, NE W ZEALAND, THAILAND,  THE UNITED 
STATES, AND URUGUAY  
6.1.  At its meeting  of 12 November , the Council took note of the statements made by Argentina, 
Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the United 
States, and Uruguay  expressing their systemic , commercial and technical concerns regard ing the 
tariff rate quota (TRQ) commitments of the European Union following the Brexit process. The Council 
also took note of the statements made by Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, 
El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Ko rea, Malaysia, Paraguay, the Russian Federation, 
Singapore, and Switzerland. The Council also took note  of the statement made by the European 
Union in response to these concerns.  
7  ACCESSION OF THE REP UBLIC OF ARMENIA AND  OF THE KYRGYZ REPUB LIC TO THE 
EURASI AN ECONOMIC UNION (E AEU): PROCEDURES UND ER ARTICLE  XXVIII:3 OF 
GATT  1994  
7.1.  At its meeting of 23 March , the Council took note of the statement made by the European 
Union indicating that, following the accession of Armenia and the Kyrgyz Republic to the EAEU, and 
the subsequent application of the EAEU  Common External Tariff (CET), it wished to negotiate global 
compensation with all EAEU  members to bind compensation in their respective schedules of 
concessions, a compensation that should address the tariff lines  for which trade had been most 
affected by the EAEU  enlargement. The EU also indicated that the tariff cuts should be made by all 
the EAEU  members concerned, including the Russian Federation, but that, regarding TRQs for 
agricultural products, offers shoul d be made only by Armenia and the Kyrgyz Republic. The Council 
also took note of the statements made by Brazil, Canada, Japan, and Chinese Taipei, and of the 
information provided by Armenia and the Kyrgyz Republic.  
7.2.  At its meeting of 12 November , the Counci l took note of the information provided by the 
Republic of Armenia and by the Kyrgyz Republic relating to their renegotiations under 
Article  XXVIII:3 of GATT  1994, following their accession to the EAEU, and considered the extensions 
of the deadlines set ou t in documents  G/L/1110/Add.4 and G/L/1137/Add.3, respectively. The 
Council took note of the statements made by the E uropean Union, the Russian Federation  and 
Ukraine, and approved the requested extensions until 2 January and 12 February  2020, respectively . 
8  SWITZERLAND – LIECHT ENSTEIN – NEGOTIATIO NS UNDER ARTICLE  XXVIII:5 OF 
GATT  1994  
8.1.  At its meeting of 12 November , the Council took note of the statement made by Switzerland, 
and also on behalf of Liechtenstein, concerning the extension of the deadline for Me mbers to 
withdraw substantially equivalent concessions following the renegotiation process under 
Article  XXVIII:5 of the GATT  1994. The Council took note of the statement made by Brazil  and 
approved the requested extensions until 4 April 2019. 
9  TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – REQUEST FOR AUTHOR ITY TO ENTER INTO NE GOTIATIONS 
UNDER ARTICLE  XXVIII :4 OF GATT  1994 (G/S ECRET/43)  
9.1.  At its meeting of 12 November , the Council took note of the statement made by Trinidad and 
Tobago, requesting the CTG's authorization, in accordance with paragraph  1 of the 1980  Guidelines 
on Procedures for Negotiations under Article  XXVIII of the GATT (the Guidelines)4, to enter into 
negotiations under Article  XXVIII:4 of the GATT  1994. The Council also took note of the statement s 
made b y the Dominican Republic  and Turkey. The Council suspended this agenda item and agreed 
that, unless  a Member objected to this request  in writing by 30  November  2018, it would be 
considered that Trinidad and Tobago had been authorized to enter into negotiat ions, beginning 
1 December  2018. 
                                                
4 BISD 27S/26 -28. G/L/1282  
 
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  10  NOTIFICATION OF REGI ONAL TRADE AGREEMENT S 
10.1.   At its meetings o f 23 March, 3  July, and 12  November , the Council was informed of the 
following notifications of regional trade agreements:  
– Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Southern African 
Development Community EPA  States ; 
– Closer Economic Partnership between Hong Kong, China and Macao, China;  
– Treaty on a Free Trade Area between members of the Commonwealth of Independent 
States (CIS);  
– Free Tra de Agreement between the EFTA  states and Georgia;  
– Free Trade Agreement between China and Georgia;  
– ASEAN – Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement – Entry into Force for 
Indonesia  
– Free Trade Agreement between Turkey and Singapore;  
– Free Trade Agreement between Peru and Honduras; and  
– Free Trade Agreement Between the EFTA  States and the Philippines  
 
10.2.   The Council took note of the statement made by the United States, thanking the parties to 
these agreements for their notifications.  
11  NOTIFICAT IONS  
11.1  Status of notifications under the provisions of the Agreements in Annex  1A of the 
WTO  Agreement (G/L/223/Rev.25)  
11.1.   At its meeting of 23 March , the Council took note of the latest revision of the status of 
notifications contained in document  G/L/223/Rev. 25, and of the request from Brazil, New Zealand, 
and Switzerland to update the information contained therein with their latest notifications.5 
11.2.   Under this agenda item the Secretariat indicated that the notifications under the Agreement 
on Trade Facilitation  (TFA) should also be reflected in the Annual Report of Notifications. The Council 
will revert to this issue in due course.  
11.3.   The Council also took note of the statements made by Canada, the European Union, and the 
United States on the importance of transparency in the work of the WTO.  
12  PROPOSAL BY THE COMM ITTEE ON REGIONAL TR ADE AGREEMENTS TO TH E COUNCIL 
FOR TRADE IN GOODS, THE COUNCIL FOR TRAD E IN SERVICES, AND T HE COMMITTEE ON 
REGIONAL TRADE AGREE MENTS ON A TEMPLATE FOR NOTIFYING CHANGE S TO AN 
EXIST ING REGIONAL TRADE A GREEMENT (WT/REG/28)  
12.1.   At its meeting of 3 July, the Council considered document  WT/REG/28, containing a proposal 
by the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements to the Goods and Services Councils and to the 
Committee on Regional Trade Agre ements on a template for notifying changes to an existing regional 
trade agreement. The Council also took note of the statement made by Brazil indicating that Brazil 
did not oppose the proposed template, but did require further time for its full considerat ion. 
12.2.   At its meeting of 12 November , the Council again considered and adopted the proposed 
template for notifying changes to an existing regional trade agreement.  
13  FACTUAL REPORT BY TH E CHAIRMAN OF THE SA FEGUARDS COMMITTEE ( SC) 
REGARDING ARTICLE  13.1(E) OF T HE AGREEMENT ON SAFE GUARDS (G/L/1276 AND  
G/L/1276/ADD.1)  
13.1.   At its meeting of 12 November , the Council took note of the factual report submitted by the 
Chairperson of the Safeguards Committee to the Goods Council (documents  G/L/1276 and 
G/L/1276/Add.1) regard ing the request of Thailand made in accordance with Article  13.1(e) of the 
                                                
5 All the information on notifications will be included in the Annual Report on Notifications that will be 
submitted to the CTG at its first meeting of 2019.  G/L/1282  
 
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  Agreement on Safeguards and relating to certain actions taken by Turkey. The Council also took 
note of the statements made by Thailand and Turkey.  
14  MEASURES TO ALLOW GR ADUATED LDC s, WITH GNP BELOW US$1, 000, BENEFITS 
PURSUANT TO ANNEX  VII(B) OF THE AGREEMEN T ON SUBSIDIES AND C OUNTERVAILING 
MEASURES (WT/GC/W/74 2 AND G/C/W/752)  
14.1.   At its meeting of 3 July, the Council took note of the statement made by the Central African 
Republic on behalf  of the LDC  Group, introducing a request and a draft decision to be adopted by 
the General Council concerning the possibility for graduated LDC  Members to benefit from the 
exception provided under Article  27.2(a) of the SCM  Agreement to developing countrie s listed in 
Annex  VII(b). The Council also took note of the statements made by Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Brazil, 
Chad, Cuba, India, and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in support of this request, and of the 
statements made by Canada, China, the Europea n Union, Japan, Norway, the Russian Federation, 
and the United States requesting further clarification and discussion of this issue. The Council agreed 
to revert to this issue at its next meeting.  
14.2.   At its meeting of 12 November , the Council took note of the  statement made by the Central 
African Republic on behalf of the LDC  Group. The Council also took note of the statements made by 
Brazil, India, Nepal, Nigeria, and Venezuela in support of the request, while Canada, the EU, Japan, 
Thailand, Turkey, and the United States indicated that further discussion and clarification of the 
issue was necessary . The Council agreed to revert to this issue when requested to do so by the 
LDC Group.  
15  PROCEDURES TO ENHANC E TRANSPARENCY AND S TRENGTHEN NOTIFICATI ON 
REQUIREMENTS U NDER WTO  AGREEMENTS  
15.1.   At its meeting of 23 March , the Council took note of the statement made by the United States  
introducing document  JOB/GC/148/Rev.1 –JOB/CTG/10/Rev.1 concerning a draft decision for the 
General Council's consideration on procedures to enh ance transparency and strengthen notification 
requirements under WTO  Agreements.6 The Council also took note of the statements made by 
Australia; Brazil; China; Cuba; Egypt; the European Union; Hong Kong, China; India; Korea; Mexico; 
New Zealand; Norway; P akistan; Senegal; Singapore; South Africa; Switzerland; Chinese Taipei; 
Turkey; Ukraine; and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela; and of the responses to these statements 
given by the United States.  
15.2.   At its meeting of 12 November , the Council took note of the statements made by Argentina, 
Australia, Costa Rica, the European Union, Japan, Chinese Taipei, and the United States, introducing 
document  JOB/GC/204 –JOB/CTG/14 and JOB/GC/204/Add.1 –JOB/CTG/14/Add.1, containing an 
initiative to enhance transparency an d strengthen notification requirements to be adopted by the 
General Council. The Council also took note of the statements made by Bolivia; Brazil; Canada; 
Chile; China; Colombia; Cuba; Ecuador; Egypt; El Salvador; Ghana; Guatemala; Hong Kong, China; 
India;  Israel; Jamaica; Korea; Mexico; Nepal; New Zealand; Nigeria; Norway; Pakistan; Panama; 
Paraguay; Peru; the Russia n Federation ; Senegal; Singapore; South Africa; St Lucia; Switzerland; 
Thailand; Turkey; Ukraine; Uruguay; and the Bolivarian Republic of Vene zuela.  
16  INDONESIA'S IMPORT A ND EXPORT RESTRICTIN G POLICIES AND PRACT ICES – 
REQUEST FROM THE EUR OPEAN UNION, JAPAN, AND THE UNITED STATE S 
16.1.   At its meeting of 23 March , the Council took note of the statements made by the European 
Union, Japan, and the United St ates, reiterating their concerns over Indonesia's local content 
requirements, requirements for meat and dairy products, horticulture, wood and forestry products, 
cosmetics, QRs for meat, alcohol products, steel and tyres, export restrictions for raw materi als, 
increased technical regulations and burdensome CAPs, and the Halal law. The Council also took note 
of the statements made by Australia, Brazil, Canada, Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland, Chinese 
Taipei, and Thailand; and of the statement made by Indones ia in response to these concerns.  
16.2.   At its meeting of 3 July, the Council took note of statements made by the European Union, 
Japan, and the United States, relating to their continued concerns over various aspects of Indonesia's 
                                                
6 This issue had already been raised by the United States at the CTG's meeting of 10  November  2017.  G/L/1282  
 
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  trade and investment regime, including local content requirements, requirements for meat and dairy 
products, horticulture, wood and forestry products, cosmetics, QRs for meat, alcohol products, steel 
and tyres, export restrictions for raw materials, increased technical regulations and  burdensome 
CAPs, human and veterinarian pharmaceutical products, and the Halal law. Additional concerns were 
raised regarding new requirements for soybeans, a recent regulation establishing tariff lines for 
electronically transmitted software and digital goods, and an announcement to raise import duties 
on these tariff lines. The Council also took note of the statements made by Australia, Brazil, Canada, 
Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland, Chinese Taipei, and Thailand; and of the statement made by 
Indonesia i n response to these concerns.  
16.3.    At its meeting of 12 November , the Council took note of the statements made by the 
European Union,  Japan, and Norway relating to their continued concerns over various aspects of 
Indonesia's trade and investment regime, including in relation to import licensing requirements, 
unique technical regulations, pre -shipment inspection requirements, export restrictions, local 
content requirements, domestic manufacturing requirements, sales restrictions on 4G  mobile 
phones, and a general lack of transparency, among others. The Council also took note of the 
statements made by Brazil, Canada, China, New Zealand, Korea, Chinese Taipei, and Thailand ; and 
of the statement made by Indonesia in response to these concerns.  
17  INDIA – CUSTOMS DUTIES ON ICT  PRODUC TS 
17.1.   At its meeting of 23 March , the Council took note of the statements made by Canada, China, 
the European Union, Japan, Norway, Chinese Taipei, and the United States, regarding the imposition 
of customs duties on ICT  products covered b y ITA -1, about recently announced Indian duties on 
cars and car parts, and about the "Social Welfare Surcharge" on imported goods. The Council also 
took note of the statements made by Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, and Thailand ; and of the 
statement made b y India in response to these concerns.  
17.2.   At its meeting of 3 July, the Council took note of the statements made by Canada, China, the 
European Union, Japan, Norway, and the United States, regarding the imposition of customs duties 
on additional ICT  products covered by ITA -1 in the context of India's budget proposal for 2018 -2019. 
The Council also took note of the statements made by Australia, Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, 
Chinese Taipei, and Thailand ; and of the statement made by India in response to these c oncerns.  
17.3.   At its meeting of 12 November , the Council took note of the statements made by Canada, 
China, the European Union, Japan, Norway, Chinese Taipei, and the United States, on the imposition 
of customs duties on additional ICT  products covered by ITA -1 in the context of India's budget 
proposal for 2018 -2019. The Council also took note of the statements made by Australia, Korea, 
New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, and Thailand ; and of the statement made by India  in response 
to these concerns.  
18  EGYPT – MANUFACTURER REGISTRAT ION SYSTEM  
18.1.   At its meeting of 23 March , the Council took note of the statements made by the European 
Union and the United States reiterating their concerns over Egypt's Ministerial Decree No.  43 of 2016 
requiring that imports of listed p roducts in 25  HS categories, including apparel, toys, chocolate, 
cosmetics, milk and dairy products, motorcycles, and washing machines, only be allowed into Egypt 
if they were produced by manufacturing facilities, or imported from companies owning trademar ks, 
that were registered with the Ministry of Trade's General Organization for Export and Import Control 
(GOEIC). The Council also took note of the statements made by Switzerland and Ukraine; and of the 
statement made by Egypt in response to these concerns . 
18.2.   At its meeting of 3 July, the Council took note of the statement made by the European Union 
reiterating its concerns raised already at the CTG and the TBT  Committee, regarding Decree No.  43 
of 2016. The Council also took note of the statements made by Br azil and Switzerland; and of the 
statement made by Egypt in response to these concerns.  
18.3.   At its meeting of 12 November , the Council took note of the statement made by the European 
Union on Egypt's manufacturers' registration system. The Council also took no te of the statements 
made by the Russian Federation  and Switzerland; and of the statement made by Egypt in response 
to these concerns.  G/L/1282  
 
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  19  IMPORT LEVY BY WTO  MEMBERS OF THE AFRICA N UNION – REQUEST FR OM THE 
UNITED STATES  
19.1.   At its meeting of 23 March , the Council took note of the statement made by the United States 
regarding the implementation by African WTO  Members of the African Union's (AU's) Kigali Decision 
of July  2016 in a manner consistent with their MFN  obligations. The Council also took note of the 
stateme nts made by Canada, the European Union, Japan, and Norway; and of the statement made 
by the African Group Coordinator (South Africa).  
19.2.   At its meeting of 3 July, the Council took note of the statement made by the United States 
regarding the implementation by  African Members of the AU's  Kigali Decision. The Council also took 
note of the statements made by Canada, the European Union, and Japan; and of the statement 
made by the African Group Coordinator (South Africa).  
20  UNITED STATES – MEAS URES RELATED TO IMPO RTS OF FISH AND SEAFOOD  
PRODUCTS – REQUEST F ROM CHINA AND THE RU SSIAN FEDERATION  
20.1.   At its meeting of 23 March , the Council took note of the statements made by China and the 
Russian Federation concerning the "Seafood Import Monitoring Program" (SIMP) of the Unit ed 
States, which aimed at combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and seafood 
fraud, and requesting clarification of the criteria and justification for electing certain fish species to 
be subject to IUU  fishing, while others not. The Council also took note of the response provided by 
the United States.  
20.2.   At its meeting of 3 July, the Council took note of the statements made by China, and the 
Russian Federation , echoed by Norway, on the United States' SIMP, and in particular regarding the  
coverage of species to be exported to the United States, and the rationale behind the imposition of 
additional requirements only on certain species originating in certain countries. The Council also took 
note of the response provided by the United States.  
20.3.   At its meeting of 12 November , the Council took note of the statement made by China, 
supported by the Russian Federation,  on the SIMP of the United States. The Council also took note 
of the statement made by the United States in response to these concerns . 
21  CROATIA – REGULATION  OF IMPORT AND SALE OF CERTAIN OIL PRODU CTS – 
REQUEST FROM THE RUS SIAN FEDERATION  
21.1.   At its meeting of 3 July, the Council took note of the statement made by the 
Russian  Federation reiterating its concerns in relation to Croatia's requir ements for imports and sale 
of certain oil products, which established a minimum volume of containers and some requirements 
for wholesale trade in certain oil products.7 The Council also took note of the statement made by the 
European Union in response to this concern.  
22  RUSSIAN FEDERATION – TRADE RESTRICTING P RACTICES  
22.1.   At its meetings of 23 March , the Council took note of the statements made by the European 
Union and the United States on the GOST  standard on cement certification; the "good manufacturing 
practice" certificates for pharmaceutical products; the ban on exports of skins and hides; the updated 
list of goods that could be subject to export bans, including fishery products from Estonia and Latvia; 
and the wine taxation regime.8 The Council also took n ote of the statement made by Ukraine; and 
of the statement made by the Russian Federation in response to these concerns.  
22.2.   At its meeting of 3 July, the Council took note of the statement made by the European Union 
on the GOST  standard on cement certificatio n; the "good manufacturing practice" certificates for 
pharmaceutical products; the ban on exports of skins and hides; and the termination of the regime 
applied to the automotive sector allowing Russia to import car parts free of duties on condition of 
                                                
7 This issue had already been raised by the Russian Federation at the CTG  meeting s of 
17 November  2016 and 6  April 2017. 
8 This issue had already been raised by the European Union  at the CTG  meeting of 17  November  2016 
under agenda item "Other Business" . G/L/1282  
 
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  conformity with local content requirements. The Council also took note of the statement made by 
the United States; and of the statement made by the Russian Federation in response to these 
concerns.  
22.3.   At its meeting of 12 November , the Council took note of the st atement made by the European 
Union with regard to the above -mentioned concerns. The Council also took note of the statement 
made by Ukraine ; and of the statement made by the Russian Federation in response to these 
concerns.  
23  BRAZIL – MEASURES RE STRICTING SHRIMP IMPORTS – REQUEST FROM ECUADOR  
23.1.   At its meeting of 12 November , the Council again took note of the statement made by Ecuador 
on the measures adopted by Brazil almost two  decades ago, which restrict shrimp imports from 
Ecuador.9 The Council also took n ote of the statement made by Brazil in response to these concerns.  
24  MEXICO – CUSTOMS PRO CESSING FEE IMPOSED BY MEXICO ON CERTAIN  IMPORTS 
ENTERING ITS TERRITO RY – REQUEST FROM EC UADOR  
24.1.   At its meeting of 23 March , the Council took note of the statement made by  Ecuador 
concerning Mexico's customs processing fees applied only to goods originating in countries with 
which Mexico had not signed commercial agreements or that were not beneficiaries of preferential 
agreements with Mexico. The Council also took note of the statement made by Canada; and of the 
statement made by Mexico in response to this concern.  
25  UNITED STATES – SECT ION 232 INVESTIGATIO NS AND MEASURES ON I MPORTS OF 
STEEL AND ALUMINIUM  
25.1.   At its meeting of 23 March , the Council took note of the statements made by China and the 
Russian Federation on the consistency with WTO  principles of the United States' measures on steel 
and aluminium, adopted under Section  232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, and which entered 
into effect as from 23  March  2018.10 The C ouncil also took note of the statements made by Australia; 
Brazil; El Salvador; Guatemala; Hong Kong, China; India; Japan; Kazakhstan; Korea; New Zealand;  
Norway; Pakistan; Paraguay; Singapore; Switzerland; Thailand; Turkey; and the Bolivarian Republic 
of Venezuela; and of the statement made by the United States in response to these concerns.  
25.2.   At its meeting of 3 July, the Council took note of the statements made by Japan and the 
Russian  Federation on the consistency of the measures adopted by the United Sta tes under 
Section  232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, and on the potential measures following an 
investigation initiated on 23  May 2018, also under Section  232, but on imports of automobiles, 
including cars, vans, trucks, and automotive parts. The Coun cil also took note of the statements 
made by Brazil; Canada; China; Costa Rica; the European Union; Hong Kong, China; India; Korea; 
Mexico; Norway; Singapore; Switzerland; Thailand; Turkey; and the Bolivarian Republic of 
Venezuela; and of the statement mad e by the United States in response to these concerns.  
26  KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARA BIA, KINGDOM OF BAHR AIN, AND THE UNITED ARAB 
EMIRATES – SELECTIVE  TAX ON CERTAIN IMPO RTED PRODUCTS – REQU EST FROM THE 
EUROPEAN UNION, SWIT ZERLAND, AND THE UNI TED STATES  
26.1.   At its meetin g of 3 July, the Council took note of the statements made by the European Union, 
Switzerland, and the United States concerning the GCC  Council of Ministers' "Treaty on Excise Tax", 
adopted in December  2016, relating to a 100% ad valorem  excise duty on ener gy drinks and a 50% 
ad valorem  duty on other carbonated drinks.11 The Council also took note of the statement made by 
the Kingdom of Bahrain, on its own behalf and on behalf of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the 
United Arab Emirates, in response to these c oncerns.  
                                                
9 This issue had already been raised by Ecuador  at the CTG  meeting s of 6 April and 30  June 2017, 
respectively.  
10 This issue had already been raised by the Russian Federation at the CTG meetings of 30  June and 
10 November  2017, respectively.  
11 This issue ha d also been raised at the Committee on Market Access.  G/L/1282  
 
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  26.2.   At its meeting of 12 November , the Council took note of the statements made by the European 
Union, Switzerland, and the United States , supported by Japan,  reiterating their concerns over the 
GCC Council of Ministers' "Treaty on Excise Tax" adopted  in December  2016. The Council also took 
note of the statement made by the Kingdom of Bahrain, on its own behalf and on behalf of the 
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, in response to these concerns.  
27  CHINA – NEW EXPORT C ONTROL LAW  
27.1.   At its meeting of 23 March , the Council took note of the statement made by Japan concerning 
the compliance with international security standards and conformity with WTO  rules of a Chinese 
draft export control law intended to consolidate various existing export c ontrol provisions in a single 
draft. The Council also took note of the statements made by the European Union and the United 
States; and of the statement made by China in response to these concerns.  
27.2.   At its meeting of 3 July, the Council took note of the sta tements made by the European Union 
and Japan reiterating their concerns over the Chinese draft export control law, and in particular with 
regard to the scope of products subject to restrictions, the disclosure of technical information at 
export, and the me asures adopted by other countries in response to China's export control 
measures. The Council also took note of the statement made by Korea; and of the statement made 
by China in response to these concerns.  
27.3.   At its meeting of 12 November , the Council took n ote of the statement made by Japan 
reiterating its concerns over the Chinese export control law, including with regard to the scope of 
products subject to restrictions, the disclosure of technical information at export, and the responsive 
measures against control measures by other countries. The Council also took note of the statements 
made by the European Union  and Korea , and of the responses provided by China.  
28  VIET NAM – DECREE ON  THE REGULATION ON C ONDITIONS FOR AUTOMO BILES 
MANUFACTURING, ASSEM BLING, IMP ORTING, AND AUTOMOTI VE WARRANTY AND 
MAINTENANCE SERVICES  – REQUEST FROM JAPA N AND THE UNITED STA TES 
28.1.   At its meeting of 23 March , the Council took note of the statements made by Japan and the 
United States concerning Viet Nam's Decree  116/2018, which establi shed the submission of a quality 
certificate issued by foreign authorities for the importation of automobiles into Viet Nam. The Council 
also took note of the statements made by Canada, the European Union, and Thailand; and of the 
statement made by Viet Na m in response to these concerns.  
28.2.   At its meeting of 3 July, the Council again took note of the statements made by Japan and 
the United States concerning Viet Nam's Decree  116/2018; and of the statements made by Canada, 
the European Union, the Russian Federa tion, and Thailand on this issue. The Council also took note 
of the statement made by Viet Nam in response to these concerns.  
28.3.   At its meeting of 12 November , the Council again took note of the statements made by Japan 
and the United States concerning Viet N am's Decree  116/2018; and of the statements made by 
Canada, the European Union, Mexico, the Russian Federation, and Thailand . The Council also took 
note of Viet Nam's response to these concerns.  
29  MONGOLIA – QUANTITAT IVE RESTRICTIONS AND  PROHIBITIONS ON IMP ORTATION 
OF CERTAIN AGRICULTU RAL PRODUCTS – REQUE ST FROM THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION  
29.1.   At its meeting of 23 March , the Council took note of the statement made by the Russian 
Federation concerning Mongolia's quantitative restrictions and prohibitions on the importa tion of 
certain agricultural products, including flour and milk, and their subsequent import prohibition. The 
Council also took note of the statement made by Mongolia in response to these concerns.  
29.2.   At its meeting of 3 July, the Council again took note of t he statement made by the Russian 
Federation on the quantitative restrictions and prohibitions on the importation of certain agricultural 
products, particularly with regard to their compliance with GATT  Article  IX and Article  4.2 of the 
Agreement on Agricul ture. The Council also took note of the statement made by Mongolia in response 
to these concerns.  G/L/1282  
 
- 14 - 
 
  29.3.   At its meeting of 12 November , the Council again took note of the statement made by the 
Russian Federation, echoed by Australia, Canada, and Kazakhstan,  conce rning the quantitative 
restrictions and prohibitions on the importation of certain agricultural products applied by Mongolia. 
The Council also took note of the response provided by Mongolia.  
30  INDIA – QUANTITATIVE  RESTRICTION ON IMPO RTS OF CERTAIN PULSE S 
30.1.   At its meeting of 23 March , the Council took note of the statement made by Australia 
reiterating its concerns over India's lack of notification of a 300,000  tonne quantitative 
restriction  (QR) on imports of beans of the species Vigna Mungo Hepper  or Vigna Rad iata Wilzceck .12 
The Council also took note of the statements made by Brazil, Canada, the European Union, Japan, 
New Zealand, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and the United States; and of the statement made 
by India in response to these concerns.  
30.2.   At its me eting of 3 July, the Council took note of the statements made by Australia, Canada 
and the United States on India's restrictions on imports of pulses, the lack of clarification concerning 
India's notification of its QR to the Committee on Market Access, the announced additional 
quantitative restrictions on peas, and the application of a 7% export incentive to exports of 
chickpeas. The Council also took note of the statements made by the European Union, New Zealand, 
the Russian Federation, Singapore, and U kraine; and of the statement made by India in response to 
these concerns.  
30.3.   At its meeting of 12 November , the Council took note of the statements made by Australia, 
Canada, the European Union, the Russian Federation, and the United States on the quantitativ e 
restrictions imposed by India on the import of beans, yellow peas, chickpeas, and other pulses . The 
Council also took note of the statements made by New Zealand and Ukraine ; and of the statement 
made by India in response to these concerns.  
31  CHINA – CUSTOM S DUTIES ON CERTAIN INTEGRATED CIRCUITS  
31.1.   At its meeting of 23 March , the Council took note of the statements made by the European 
Union, Japan, Chinese Taipei, and the United States concerning a change in China's applied duty 
rates for semiconductor product s and the calculation it had used for the transposition of tariffs of 
CMOs.13 The Council also took note of the statements made by Korea, Singapore, and Switzerland; 
and of the statement made by China in response to these concerns.  
31.2.   At its meeting of 3 July, the Council took note of the statements made by the European Union 
and Japan, and the United States  reiterating concerns about a change in China's applied duty rates 
for semiconductor products and the calculation it had used for the transposition of tarif fs of CMOs. 
The Council also took note of the statements made by Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, and Chinese 
Taipei; and of the statement made by China in response to these concerns.  
31.3.   At its meeting of 12 November , the Council took note of the statements mad e by the European 
Union, Japan, and Chinese Taipei relating to the customs duties imposed by China on certain 
integrated circuits. The Council also took note of the statements made by Korea, Switzerland, and 
the United States ; and of the statement made by China in response to these concerns.  
32  PAKISTAN – MEASURES RELATING TO SUGAR EX PORTS  
32.1.   At its meeting of 3 July, the Council took note of the statements made by Australia and 
Thailand reiterating concerns already raised at the CoA over Pakistan's use of subsid ies to support 
sugar exports and about their potential dampening effect on sugar prices. The Council also took note 
of the statements made by Brazil, Canada, the European Union, and Guatemala; and of the 
statement made by Pakistan in response to these conc erns. 
                                                
12 Australia had already raised this issue at the CTG  meeting of 10 November  2017, under the title 
"India – Quantitative Restrictions on Imports of Beans of the Species Vigna Mungo Hepper or Vigna Radiat a 
Wilzceck". The issue had also been raised at the Committee on Agriculture.  
13 This concern had already been raised by the European Union, Chinese Taipei, and the United States at 
the CTG's meeting of 10  November  2017.  G/L/1282  
 
- 15 - 
 
  32.2.   At its meeting of 12 November , under the title "Pakistan – Measures Relating to Sugar 
Subsidies", the Council took note of the statements made by Australia and the European Union 
regarding Pakistan's export subsidies to sugar exports. The Council also took note of the statements 
made by Brazil, Canada, El Salvador, the Russian Federation, and Thailand ; and of the statement 
made by Pakistan in response to these concerns.  
33  INDIA – MEASURES REL ATING TO SUGAR EXPOR TS 
33.1.   At its meeting of 3 July, the Council took note of the statements made by Australia and 
Thailand reiterating concerns already raised at the CoA over India's overproduction of sugar, 
including substantial new financial support. The Council also took note of the statements made by 
Brazil, Canada, the European Union, and Guatemala;  and of the statement made by India in response 
to these concerns.  
33.2.   At its meeting of 12 November , under the title "India – Measures Relating to Sugar Subsidies", 
the Council took note of the statements made by Australia and the European Union regarding Ind ia's 
subsidies applied to sugar. The Council also took note of the statements made by Brazil, Canada, 
El Salvador,  Guatemala, New Zealand, the Russian Federation, and Thailand ; and of the statement 
made by India in response to these concerns.  
34  CHINA – MEASU RES RESTRICTING THE IMPORT OF SCRAP MATE RIALS – REQUEST 
FROM THE UNITED STAT ES 
34.1.   At its meeting of 23 March , the Council took note of the statement made by the United States 
concerning China's measures, notified to the Committee on Technical Barriers to Trad e (TBT), 
banning or limiting the import of scrap materials, including paper, plastics, and ferrous and non -
ferrous scrap and wires. The Council also took note of the statements made by Australia, Canada, 
the European Union, and New Zealand; and of the stat ement made by China in response to this 
concern.  
34.2.   At its meeting on 3 July, the Council again took note of the statement made by the United 
States reiterating its concerns over China's measures notified to the TBT  Committee, banning or 
limiting the import o f scrap material, as well as setting new border inspection and identification rules 
for materials considered by China as "waste". The Council also took note of the statements made by 
Australia, Canada, the European Union, and Korea; and of the statement ma de by China in response 
to this concern.  
34.3.   At its meeting of 12 November , the Council took note of the statement made by the United 
States reiterating its concerns over China's ban on imports of scrap materials and the border 
inspections and identification r ules for materials considered as waste. The Council also took note of 
the statements made by Australia, Canada, the European Union, and New Zealand ; and of the 
statement made by China in response to these concerns.  
35  EUROPEAN UNION – AMENDMENTS TO THE DIREC TIVE 2009/28/EC, RENE WABLE 
ENERGY DIRECTIVE (RE D) – REQUEST FROM MA LAYSIA  
35.1.   At its meeting of 23 March , under agenda item "Other Business", the Council took note of the 
statement made by Malaysia about the discriminatory treatment provided to biofuels and bio -liquids 
from palm oil in the amendments proposed to RED, which would not be counted towards the 
EU renewable energy targets from 2021. The Council also took note of the statements made by 
Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Thailand; and of the statement made by 
the European Union in response to these concerns.  
35.2.   At its meeting of 3 July, under agenda item "Other Business", the Council took note of the 
statement made by Malaysia reiterating its concerns over the discriminatory treatment provided to 
biofuels and bio -liquids from palm oil in the amendments proposed to RED being discussed in 
Brussels. The Council also took note of the statements made by Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, 
Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, and Thailand; and of the s tatement made by the European Union 
in response to these concerns.  G/L/1282  
 
- 16 - 
 
  36  UNITED STATES – PROH IBITIVE PROPOSAL ON COMMUNICATION EQUIPM ENT OR 
SERVICES RELEASED BY  THE FCC – REQUEST F ROM CHINA  
36.1.   At its meeting of 3 July, the Council took note of the statement made by  China on an 
announcement made by the US  Federal Communications Commission (FCC) prohibiting the use of 
the Universal Service Fund to purchase equipment or services from any communications equipment 
or service providers identified as posing a national secu rity risk to the United States communications 
networks or the US  communications supply chain. The Council also took note of the statement made 
by the United States in response to this concern.  
36.2.   At its meeting of 12 November , the Council again took note of t he statement made by China 
on this issue; and of the statement made by the United States in response to this concern.  
37  UNITED STATES – MEAS URES ON AVIATION SEC URITY EQUIPMENT – REQUEST FROM 
CHINA  
37.1.   At its meeting of 23 March , under agenda item "Other Business", the Council took note of the 
statement made by China about the conformity assessment procedures (CAPs) conducted by the 
Transportation Security Administration of the United States (TAS), which were not in compliance 
with the national treatment p rinciple as CAPs to aviation security equipment of Chinese origin were 
not accepted or delayed. The Council also took note of the statement made by the United States in 
response to this concern.  
37.2.   At its meeting of 3 July, the Council took note of the statem ent made by China about the 
CAPs conducted by the TAS, reiterating that the US  authority responsible for TSA  applications did 
not explain the reasons for rejection of the applications that had been submitted by Chinese 
companies. The Council also took note  of the statement made by the US in response to this concern.  
37.3.   At its meeting of 12 November , the Council again took note of the statement made by China 
about the CAPs conducted by the TAS. The Council also took note of the statement made by the US 
in respo nse to this concern.  
38  UNITED STATES – SAFE GUARD MEASURES AGAIN ST IMPORTED SILICON 
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS – REQUEST FROM CHINA  
38.1.   At its meeting of 23 March , the Council took note of the statement made by China on the 
United States measures affecting silicon photov oltaic cells, and on what China considered was a 
flawed determination on surge of imports, serious injury, unforeseen developments, causal link, and 
lack of transparency. The Council also took note of the statements made by the European Union, 
Korea, Malay sia, Singapore, and Switzerland; and of the statement made by the United States in 
response to these concerns.  
39  EUROPEAN UNION – QUALITY SCHEMES FOR AGR ICULTURAL PRODUCTS A ND 
FOODSTUFFS – THE REG ISTRATION OF THE TER M "DANBO" AS GEOGRAP HICAL 
INDICATION ( GI) – REQUEST FROM THE U NITED STATES AND URU GUAY  
39.1.   At its meeting of 3 July, the Council took note of the statements made by the United States 
and Uruguay expressing their concerns over the registration by the European Union, without 
notification, of the term "D anbo" as a GI, ignoring the existence of Codex Stan – 264 of 1996; and 
of the use of the term "Havarti", on which there also existed a Codex Stan, which had been adopted 
in 2007 and reconfirmed in 2008 and 2010. The Council also took note of the statements  made by 
Argentina and New Zealand; and of the statement made by the European Union in response to these 
concerns.  
39.2.   At its meeting of 12 November , the Council again took note of the statements made by the 
United States and Uruguay reiterating their concerns  over the registration by the European Union  of 
the term "Danbo" as a GI. The Council also took note of the statements made by Argentina and New 
Zealand ; and of the statement made by the European Union in response to these concerns.  G/L/1282  
 
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  40  EUROPEAN UNION – DRAFT IMPLEMENTING REGULAT IONS REGARDING PROTE CTED 
DESIGNATION OF ORIGI N AND GEOGRAPHICAL I NDICATIONS, TRADITIO NAL TERMS, 
LABELLING AND PRESEN TATION OF CERTAIN WI NE SECTOR PRODUCTS – REQUEST FROM 
ARGENTINA AND THE UN ITED STATES  
40.1.   At its meeting of 12 November , the Council took note of the statements made by Argentina 
and the United States in relation to concerns already expressed at the TBT  Committee over the EU's 
revision to the draft implementing regulations regarding protected designation of origin and 
geographi cal indications, traditional terms, labelling and presentation of certain wine sector 
products. The Council also took note of the statement made by Australia ; and of the response 
provided by the European Union.  
41  UNITED STATES - SECT ION 301 – REQUEST FR OM CH INA 
41.1.   At its meeting of 23 March , under agenda item "Other Business", the Council took note of the 
statement made by China on the final conclusions of the United States' investigation under 
Section  301 of the Trade Act of 1974, released on 22  March  2018, and  which contradicted the panel's 
report on DS152 ( United States – Sections  301 – 310 of the Trade Act 1974 ). The Council also took 
note of the statements made by the European Union, and Japan; and of the statement made by the 
United States in response to Ch ina's concerns.  
42  HAITI'S MODIFICATION  OF TARIFF CONCESSIO NS AND APPLICATION O F TARIFFS 
HIGHER THAN THE LEVE L BOUND IN HAITI'S S CHEDULE  XXVI – REQUE ST FROM THE 
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC  
42.1.   At its meeting of 3 July, the Council took note of the statement made by the Dominican 
Republic on Haiti's renegotiations under GATT  Articles  XXIV and XXVIII following its accession to the 
Caribbean Community (CARIBCOM). The Council also took note of the statements made by Brazil, 
Canada, Japan, and the United States; and of the st atement made by Haiti in response to these 
concerns.  
43  HAITI – BAN ON THE O VERLAND EXPORT OF 23  PRODUCTS FROM THE D OMINICAN 
REPUBLIC TO HAITI – REQUEST FROM THE DOM INICAN REPUBLIC  
43.1.   At its meeting on 3 July, the Council took note of the statement made by the D ominican 
Republic concerning Haiti's ban, since 2015, on the overland exportation of 23  products, 
representing almost 60  tariff lines, for 37% of which Haiti was the major importer.14 The Council 
also took note of the statement made by Haiti in response to this concern.  
44  UNITED STATES – EXPO RT RESTRICTIONS ON C ERTAIN ENTERPRISE OF  CHINA – 
REQUEST FROM CHINA  
44.1.   At its meeting of 12 November , the Council took note of the statement made by China 
regarding the inclusion of a Chinese enterprise to the E ntity List of Export C ontrols , which prohibit s 
US companies from exporting products, software and technology necessary to the operation of  the 
Chinese company  in question , based on national security considerations . The Council also took note 
of the statement made by the  United States in response to this concern.  
45  AUSTRALIA – DISCRIMI NATORY MARKET ACCESS  PROHIBITION ON 5G  EQUIPMENT – 
REQUEST FROM CHINA  
45.1.   At its meeting of 12 November , the Council took note of the statement made by China 
concerning the prohibition to particip ate in 5G  projects imposed by Australia on two Chinese 
companies . The Council also took note of the statement made by Australia in response to this 
concern.  
                                                
14 This issue had already been raised at the meeting of the Committee on Market Access.  G/L/1282  
 
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  46  WORK PROGRAMME ON EL ECTRONIC COMMERCE  
46.1.   At its meeting of 23 March , the Chairperson recalled that Min isters in Buenos Aires had 
adopted the decision contained in document  WT/MIN(17)/6515 on the "Work Programme on 
Electronic Commerce" (Work Programme, or WPEC). In that Decision, Ministers had agreed to 
continue the work under the existing Work Programme sin ce their last session, based on the existing 
mandate as set out in document  WT/L/274, adopted on 25  September  1998, and endeavour to 
reinvigorate the work of the WTO on electronic commerce (E -Commerce). To this end, the Decision 
had also instructed the Gen eral Council to hold periodic reviews in its sessions of July and 
December  2018, and July  2019, based on the reports submitted by the relevant bodies, among them 
the Goods Council; and to maintain the current practice of not imposing customs duties on elec tronic 
transmissions. To fulfil the renewed mandate, the E -Commerce issue had been included as a stand -
alone agenda item and, in this vein, the Chairperson invited delegations to continue to express their 
opinions and to make suggestions as to how to work on this issue in the future.  
46.2.   The Chairperson also informed Members of two non -papers that had been tabled by Chinese 
Taipei as JOB  documents under the General Council, the Goods, Services, and TRIPs  Councils, and 
the Committee on Trade and Development16; and the Council took note of the statements made by 
Chinese Taipei introducing its submissions, and of the statements made by China, Cuba, Japan, 
Norway, Panama, and South Africa, commenting on these submissions.  
46.3.   The Council also took note of the statement m ade by China reiterating its proposal that a 
workshop on electronic commerce and trade in goods be organized17 in 2018 under the aegis of the 
CTG; and of the statements made by Argentina, Costa Rica, the European Union, Mexico, Nigeria, 
and Pakistan, with r egard to this initiative.  
46.4.   At its meeting of 3 July, the Chairperson recalled the mandate contained in 
document  WT/MIN(17)/6518, adopted by Ministers in Buenos Aires in December  2017; and, with a 
view to fulfilling the mandate given to this Council to report  to the General Council at its July  2018 
meeting about the discussions that had taken place on E -Commerce in the CTG, invited delegations 
to make their statements and suggestions on this matter.  
46.5.   The Council took note of the statements made by China and Pak istan on a "Workshop on 
E-Commerce for Development under the Multilateral Trading System", and on a follow -up activity 
held in Beijing and Geneva, respectively; and the statement made by Australia welcoming 
discussions in the CTG under the 1998  WPEC.  
46.6.   The C ouncil took note of the information provided by the Chairperson on the informal 
consultations that he had held in May and June  2018 on a possible workshop on cross -border 
E-Commerce and Trade in Goods. The Council also took note of the statements made by C hina, the 
European Union, Japan, Korea, Chinese Taipei, and the United States on this issue, and of the 
conclusion by the Chairperson that he would continue the consultations on this issue with interested 
delegations in open -ended mode.  
46.7.   The Council agreed that, in order to fulfil the Buenos Aires mandate, the Chairperson would 
make, on his own responsibility, a purely factual report to the General Council in July  2018, based 
on the discussions that had been held in this Council in April and July  2018.19 
46.8.   At its meeting of 12 November , the Chairperson recalled the mandate contained in 
document  WT/L/1032, adopted by Ministers at the Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires, in 
December  2017; and informed delegations about the open -ended informal consulta tions that  had 
taken place on 2  November  2018 on a possible workshop on Cross -Border E -Commerce and Trade 
in Goods.  The Council took note of the statements made by Brazil, China,  and Nigeria . 
                                                
15 See document  WT/L/1032.  
16 Communications from Chinese Taipei ( JOB/GC/170, JOB/CTG/12 -JOB/SERV/277 - JOB/IP/29 - 
JOB/DEV/53, and JOB/GC/ 171 - JOB/CTG/13 - JOB/SERV/278 - JOB/IP/30 - JOB/DEV/54 ). 
17 See document  G/C/M/127, paragraph  19.9. 
18 See document  WT/L/1032  
19 See document  G/C/W/6 0. G/L/1282  
 
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  46.9.   The Council also agreed that, in order to fulfil the Buenos Aires mandate,  the Chairperson 
would make, on his own responsibility, a purely factual report to the General Council, in 
December  2018, based on the discussions held in this Council in November  2018.  
47  CONSIDERATION OF ANN UAL REPORTS OF SUBSI DIARY BODIES OF THE COUNCIL FO R 
TRADE IN GOODS  
47.1.   At its meeting of 12 November , the Council took note of the annual reports of its subsidiary 
bodies.20 The Annual Reports of the Committees on Agriculture, Customs Valuation, and Technical 
Barriers to Trade would be submitted directly to th e General Council at its December  2018 meeting.  
48  ADOPTION OF THE ANNU AL REPORT OF THE COU NCIL FOR TRADE IN GO ODS TO THE 
GENERAL COUNCIL  
48.1.   At its meeting of 12 November , the Council adopted its Annual Report (2018) to the 
General  Council.  
__________  
 
                                                
20 TRIMs (G/L/1273 and G/TRIMS/8); Subsidies and Countervailing Measures  (G/L/1272 and 
G/SCM/152); Anti -dumping (G/L/1270 and G/ADP/25); Safeguards (G/L/1275 and G/SG /190); Market Access 
(G/L/1271); Import Licensing (G/ L/1269); Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (G/L/1280);  ITA (G/L/12 78); 
Pre-shipment Inspection and Independent Entity (G/L/1274); Rules of Origin (G/L/1266); Trade Facilitation 
(G/L/1267); and Working Party on State Trading Enterprises (G/L/1268 and G/STR/21).