RESTRICTED  
  
G/SCM/M/122  
 
27 June 2023  
(23-4389) Page: 1/10 
Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures    
 
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING  
HELD ON 2 MAY 2023 
CHAIR: MS. SALLY BARDAYÁN RIVERA  (PANAMA)  
1. The Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures ("Committee") held a 
special  meeting on 2 May 2023, convened in WTO/AIR/SCM/4 8 dated 21 April 2023. The meeting 
was held in person and virtually via Interprefy.  
2. The Committee adopted the following agenda:  
1   REVIEW OF 2021 NEW AND FULL SUBSIDY NOTIFICATIONS (G/SCM/N/372/…)  
NOT PREVIOUSLY REVIEWED  ................................ ................................ ..........................  2 
1.1   Dominican Republic (G/SCM/N/372/DOM - G/SCM/N/299/DOM/Rev.1)  ..............  2 
1.2   European Union (G/SCM/N/372/EU/Add.19 – pertaining to Malta)  .......................  2 
1.3   Guyana (G/SCM/N/372/GUY - G/SCM/N/343/GUY - G/SCM/N/315/GUY)  ...........  2 
1.4   Mali (G/SCM/N/372/MLI)  ................................ ................................ ......................  2 
1.5   Myanmar ( G/SCM/N/372/MMR - G/SCM/N/343/MMR - G/SCM/N/315/MMR - 
G/SCM/N/284/MMR - G/SCM/N/253/MMR - G/SCM/N/220/MMR - 
G/SCM/N/186/MMR - G/SCM/N/155/MMR - G/SCM/N/123/MMR - 
G/SCM/N/60/MMR - G/SCM/N/48/MMR - G/SCM/N/38/MMR - 
G/SCM/N/25/MMR - G/SCM/N/16/MMR - G/SCM/N/3/MMR)  ................................ ...... 3 
2   REVIEW OF 2019 NEW AND FULL SUBSIDY NOTIFICATIONS (G/SCM/N/343/…)  
NOT PREVIOUSLY REVIEWED  ................................ ................................ ..........................  3 
3   REVIEW OF 2017 NEW AND FULL SUBSIDY NOTIFICATIONS (G/SCM/N/315/…)  
NOT PREVIOUSLY REVIEWED  ................................ ................................ ..........................  3 
4   REVIEW OF 2015, 2013, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2005, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 
AND 1995 NEW AND FULL SUBSIDY NOTIFICATIONS NOT PREVIOUSLY REVIEWED  ....... 3 
5   CONTINUATION OF REVIEW OF 2021 NEW AND FULL SUBSIDY NOTIFICATIONS 
(G/SCM/N/372/…)  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  3 
5.1   Canada (G/SCM/N/372/CAN)  ................................ ................................ .................  3 
5.2   China (G/SCM/N/372/CHN)  ................................ ................................ ...................  3 
5.3   European Union (G/SCM/N/372/EU and Addenda 7 and 13  
respectively pertaining to European Union, Denmark, and Hungary)  ..............................  4 
5.4   India (G/SCM/N/372/IND)  ................................ ................................ ....................  5 
5.5   Republic of Korea (G/SCM/N/372/KOR) ................................ ................................ . 5 
5.6   Mexico (G/SCM/N/372/MEX)  ................................ ................................ .................  5 
5.7   Montenegro (G/SCM/N/372/MNE and G/SCM/N/372/MNE/Corr.1)  ......................  6 
5.8   Philippines (G/SCM/N/372/PHL ) ................................ ................................ ...........  6 
5.9   Switzerland (G/SCM/N/372/CHE)  ................................ ................................ ..........  6 G/SCM/M/122  
 
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  6   CONTINUATION OF REVIEW OF 2019 NEW AND FULL SUBSIDY NOTIFICATIONS 
(G/SCM/N/343/…)  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  7 
6.1   China (G/SCM/N/343/CHN and G/SCM/N/343/CHN/Corr.1) ................................ . 7 
6.2   Dominican Republic ( G/SCM/N/343/DOM ) ................................ .............................  7 
6.3   European Union ( G/SCM/N/343/EU/ Add.22  pertaining  to Portugal)  .....................  8 
6.4   Russian Federation ( G/SCM/N/343/RUS)  ................................ ..............................  8 
7   CONTINUATION OF REVIEW OF 2015 NEW AND FULL SUBSIDY NOTIFICATIONS 
(G/SCM/N/284/…)  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  8 
7.1   China ( G/SCM/N/220/CHN – G/SCM/N/253/CHN - G/SCM/N/284/CHN and 
G/SCM/N/95/CHN/Suppl.1 - G/SCM/N/123/CHN/Suppl.1 - 
G/SCM/N/155/CHN/Suppl.1 - G/SCM/N/186/ CHN/Suppl.1 - 
G/SCM/N/220/CHN/Suppl.1 - G/SCM/N/253/CHN/Suppl.1 - 
G/SCM/N/284/CHN/Suppl.1)  ................................ ................................ .........................  8 
 
1  REVIEW OF 2021 NEW AND FULL SUBSIDY NOTIFICATIONS (G/SCM/N/372/…) NOT 
PREVIOUSLY REVIEWED  
1.1  Dominican Republic  (G/SCM/N/372/DOM - G/SCM/N/299/DOM/R ev.1) 
3. No Member raised any questions or comments about these  notification s. 
4. The Committee took note  of the notification s. 
1.2  European Union  (G/SCM/N/372/EU/A dd.19 – pertaining to Malta ) 
5. Written questions regarding this notification can be found in:  
• G/SCM/Q2/EU/90 – questions from Canada  
6. The European Union  thanked Canada for the questions and mentioned that it expected to have 
the replies soon.  
7. Canada  looked forward to receiving European Union's written replies.  
8. The Chair noted that due to pending rep lies, the Committee would return to European Union's 
notification and to Canada's questions at its next special meeting.  
9. The Committee took note  of the notification, questions and the statements made . 
1.3  Guyana  (G/SCM/N/372/GUY - G/SCM/N/343/GUY - G/SCM/N/315/GUY ) 
10. No Member raised any questions or comments about these  notification s. 
11. The Committee took note  of the notification s. 
1.4  Mali (G/SCM/N/372/MLI ) 
12. No Member raised any questions or comments about this notification.  
13. The Committee took note  of the notification.  G/SCM/M/122  
 
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  1.5  Myanmar  (G/SCM/N/372/MMR - G/SCM/N/343/MMR - G/SCM/N/315/MMR - 
G/SCM/N/284/MMR - G/SCM/N/253/MMR - G/SCM/N/220/MMR - G/SCM/N/186/MMR 
- G/SCM/N/155/MMR - G/SCM/N/123/MMR - G/SCM/N/60/MMR - G/SCM/N/48/MMR - 
G/SCM/N/38/MMR - G/SCM/N/25/M MR - G/SCM/N/16/MMR - G/SCM/N/3/MMR ) 
14. No Member raised any questions or comments about these notifications.  
15. The Committee took note  of the notifications .  
2  REVIEW OF 20 19 NEW AND FULL SUBSIDY NOTIFICATIONS (G/SCM/N/3 43/…) NOT 
PREVIOUSLY REVIEWED  
3  REVIEW OF 2017 NEW AND FULL SUBSIDY NOTIFICATIONS (G/SCM/N/3 15/…) NOT 
PREVIOUSLY REVIEWED  
16. The Chair recalled that the first item on the agenda covered the 201 9 and 2017 n otifications 
of Guyana and Myanmar . Therefore, those notifications were not reviewed again and t here were no 
additional notifications to be reviewed under agenda items 2 and 3 . 
4  REVIEW OF 20 15, 2013, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2005, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, AND 
1995  NEW AND FULL SUBSIDY NOTIFICATIONS NOT PREVIOUSLY REVIEWED  
17. The Chair recalled that the first item on the agenda covered the 2015, 2013, 2011, 2009, 
2007, 2005, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, and 1995 n otifications of Myanmar . Therefore, those 
notifications were not reviewed again and there were no additional notifications to be reviewed under 
agenda item  4. 
5  CONTINUATION OF REVIEW OF 2021 NEW AND FULL SUBSIDY NOTIFICATIONS 
(G/SCM/N/372/…)  
18. The Chair noted that this agenda item was for continuation of reviews of 2021 new and full 
notifications which had started at previous meeting s but had n ot yet been completed, due to late 
submission of questions or non -submission or late submission of written replies  or follow -up 
questions posed after the previous meeting .  
5.1  Canada ( G/SCM/N/372/CAN)  
19. Written questions and answers regarding this notification can be found in:  
• G/SCM/Q2/CAN/74 – questions from Australia  
• G/SCM/Q2/CAN/7 8 – replies to Australia  
20. Australia  appreciated Canada's substantive and comprehensive replies  and stated it had no 
further questions at the time . 
21. The Committee took note of the notification, the questions, the answers,  and the statement 
made.  
5.2  China ( G/SCM/N/372/CHN)  
22. Written questions  and replies  regarding this notification can be found in:  
• G/SCM/Q2/CHN/107 – questions from Australia  
• G/SCM/Q2/CHN/110 – questions from Canada  
• G/SCM/Q2/CHN/113 – follow -up questions from the United Kingdom  
• G/SCM/Q2/CHN/114 – follow -up questions from the United States  
• G/SCM/Q2/CHN/115 – replies to Australia  
• G/SCM/Q2/CHN/116 – replies to Canada  
• G/SCM/Q2/CHN/117 – replies to follow -up questions from the United Kingdom  
• G/SCM/Q2/CHN/118 – replies to follow -up questions from the United States  G/SCM/M/122  
 
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  • G/SCM/Q2/CHN/ 120 – follow -up questions from Canada  
• G/SCM/Q2/CHN/ 121 – replies to follow -up question from Canada1 
23. The Chair explained that China's replies to the follow -up questions from Canada had been 
submitted one week before the meeting.  
24. China  thanked the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada for their written 
questions  and it stated that it had submitted all the written replies to the questions and follow -up 
questions in this regard.  
25. Canada  thanked China for the update  noting that  it had received China's written responses in 
the week before the meeting and was still  reviewing those responses in detail. Canada reiterated 
that the subsidy notification process was a fundamental aspect of the transparency exercise under 
the SCM Agreement  and that it  continue d to encourage China to provide timely responses to 
questions which  would demonstrate a commitment to improving transparency and supporting the 
effective functioning of the WTO. Canada would  follow up in writing if it had  any further questions 
on China's notification.  
26. The United Kingdom  thanked China for its responses no ting that it did not have  any additional 
follow -up questions. However, it reiterated the importance of ensuring that responses to Member 
questions provide the requested information clearly and comprehensively. The  United Kingdom 
emphasized that this was cr ucial for all Members to assess the potential trade effects of subsidy 
programs. Failing to fully address Member's questions would deny them the opportunity to make 
informed assessments, particularly for Members with limited resources to seek out missing o r 
incomplete information.  
27. The U nited Kingdom  encouraged China to reflect on its approach to responding to questions 
on its notifications, as this would help address the concerns expressed by Members. It suggested 
that providing relevant requested informat ion alongside references to the relevant domestic laws 
and regulations, as China had done for some of its responses, would mitigate the need for Members 
to search for the information themselves and could reduce the need for additional follow -ups. 
28. The United States  thanked China for the responses to its questions and stated that it 
associated itself with the two previous statements.  
29. Australia  thanked China for its written replies to its questions and stated it had no further 
questions at the time.  
30. The Chair noted that because the written replies to the follow -up questions from Canada had 
been submitted the week before the meeting , the Committ ee would take up this notification and the 
relevant questions and replies again a t its next special meeting.  
31. The Committee took note  of the notification, questions, replies and statements made.  
5.3  European Union (G/SCM/N/372/EU and Addenda 7 and 13 respectively pertaining to 
European Union, Denmark,  and Hungary)  
32. Written questions and answers regarding these notifications can be found in:  
• G/SCM/Q2/EU/77 – additional questions from  the United States (pertaining to the 
European Union)  
• G/SCM/Q2/EU/7 8 – follow -up questions from the United States (pertaining to Denmark)  
• G/SCM/Q2/EU/79 – follow -up questions from the United States (pertaining to Hungary)  
• G/SCM/Q2/EU/86 – replies to follow -up questions from the United States (pertaining to 
Hungary)  
• G/SCM/Q2/EU/87 – replies to follow -up questions from the United States (pertaining to 
Denmark ) 
• G/SCM/Q2/EU/88 – replies to additional questions from the United States (pertaining 
to the European Union ) 
 
1 This document was circulated on 26 April 2023 . G/SCM/M/122  
 
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  33. The United States  thanked the European Union for its  replies to its questions and stated it had 
no further questions.  
34. The Committee took note  of the notifications, questions,  replies  and statement made . 
5.4  India  (G/SCM/N/372/IND ) 
35. Written questions  and answers  regarding this notification can be found in:  
• G/SCM/Q2/IND/55 – questions from the United Kingdom  
• G/SCM/Q2/IND/56 – questions from the United States  
• G/SCM/Q2/IND/57 – questions from Canada  
• G/SCM/Q2/IND/58  – replies to questions from the United States2 
• G/SCM/Q2/IND/59 – replies  to questions from Canada3 
• G/SCM/Q2/IND/ 60 – replies to questions from the United Kingdom4 
36. The Chair explained that India's  replies to the questions from the United States, Canada and 
the United Kingdom had been submitted the day before the meeting.  
37. India thanked Canada, the United Kingdom,  and the United States, that  had shown interest 
in India's industrial assistance programs at the level of central or state governments for the 
period  2019-20 and 202 1 and posed questions on India's notification under Article 25 of the 
SCM Agreement . India reiterated that t he responses to the questions had been circulated on May 1st 
and stated that it stood ready for further engagement . 
38. The United States  thanked India for the replies to its questions noting  that it would  look them 
over and see if there was anything else.  
39. The United Kingdom  thank ed India for its responses to its questions  and stated that it woul d 
consider the responses and would  let India know if it had any additional follow -ups.  
40. Canada  thanked India for the update and for the responses to the question s and it stated it 
would likewise review them and let India know if it had any additional follow -up questions.  
41. The Chair noted that because the written replies to the questions from the United Kingdom, 
the United States and Canada had been submitted the day before the meeting, the Committee would 
take up this notification and t he relevant questions ad replies again a t its next special meeting.  
42. The Committee took note  of the notification, questions and replies , and the statements made . 
5.5  Republic of Korea ( G/SCM/N/372/KOR)  
43. Written questions  and replies  regarding this notification can be found in:  
• G/SCM/Q2/KOR/66 – questions from Australia  
• G/SCM/Q2/KOR/67 – replies to Australia  
44. Australia  thanked Korea for its written replies and stated it had no further questions at the 
time.  
45. The Committee took note  of the notification, questions and replies , and the statement made . 
5.6  Mexico  (G/SCM/N/372/MEX ) 
46. Written questions and replies regarding this notification can be found in:  
• G/SCM/Q2/MEX/41 – questions from the United Kingdom  
 
2 This document was circulated on 1 May 2023.  
3 This document was circulated on 1 May 2023.  
4 This document was circulated on 1 May 2023.  G/SCM/M/122  
 
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  • G/SCM/Q2/MEX/42 – questions from the United States  
• G/SCM/Q2/MEX/43 – questions from Canada  
• G/SCM/Q2/MEX/44 – replies to Canada  
• G/SCM/Q2/MEX/45 – partial replies to the United States  
• G/SCM/Q2/MEX/46 – partial replies to the United States  
• G/SCM/Q2/MEX/47 – replies t o the United Kingdom  
• G/SCM/Q2/MEX/48 – follow -up question from Canada  
47. The United States  thanked Mexico for the replies to its questions and it stated it had no further 
questions.  
48. The United  Kingdom  thank ed Mexico for its written responses,  and it stated  it did not have 
any follow -up questions .  
49. Canada  looked forward to receiving Mexico's responses to the additional follow -up question 
submitted in January 2023 in advance of the next Committee meeting.  
50. The Chair noted that due to pending replies, the Comm ittee would return to Mexico's 
notification and to Canada's follow -up question at its next special meeting.  
51. The Committee took note  of the notification, questions and replies , and statements made . 
5.7  Montenegro ( G/SCM/N/372/MNE and G/SCM /N/372/MNE/Corr.1)  
52. Written questions regarding this notification can be found in:  
• G/SCM/Q2/MNE/1 – questions from New Zealand  
• G/SCM/Q2/MNE/2 – questions from the United States  
53. New Zealand thanked Montenegro in advance for its consideration of its quest ions and stated 
it looked forward to receiving the written replies shortly.  
54. The Chair noted that since Montenegro had not yet provided its written replies to the questions 
posed by New Zealand and the United States, the Committee would return  to this notification at its 
next special meeting.  
55. The Committee took note  of the notification, questions, and statement made.  
5.8  Philippines ( G/SCM/N/372/PHL)  
56. Written questions regarding this notification can be found in:  
• G/SCM/Q2/PHL /21 – questions from the United States  
• G/SCM/Q2/PHL/22 – replies to the United States  
57. The United States  thanked the Philippines for its replies and stated it had no further questions.  
58. The Committee took note  of the notification, questions, replies, and statement made.  
5.9  Switzerland  (G/SCM/N/372/CHE ) 
59. Written questions and replies regarding this notification can be found in:  
• G/SCM/Q2/CHE/22 – question from the United Kingdom  
• G/SCM/Q2/CHE/23 – reply to the United Kingdom  
60. The Committee took note  of the notification, question , and repl y. G/SCM/M/122  
 
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  6  CONTINUATION OF REVIEW OF 2019 NEW AND FULL SUBSIDY NOTIFICATIONS 
(G/SCM/N/343/…)  
61. The Chair noted that this agenda item was for continuation of reviews of 2019 new and full 
notifications which had started at prior meetings but had not yet been completed, due to late 
submission of questions or non -submission or late submission of written replies.  The Committee also 
considered under this agenda item the follow -up questions that had been submitted regarding those 
notifications.  
6.1  China (G/SCM/N/343/CHN and G/SCM/N/343/CHN/Corr.1)  
62. Written questions regarding this notification can be found in:  
• G/SCM /Q2/CHN/119 – second set of follow -up questions from Canada  
• G/SCM/Q2/CHN/122 – reply to  second set of follow -up questions from Canada5 
63. The Chair explained that China's replies to the second set of follow -up questions from Canada 
had been submitted the week before the meeting.  
64. China  thanked Canada for its follow -up questions, and it stated it had provided detailed replies 
to these follow -up questions . 
65. Canada  thanked  China for the responses to its questions . During previous meetings of this 
Committee, Canada ha d expressed disappointment that China continue d to refuse to answer 
legitimate questions about government support on the basis that the measures were not part of the 
list of subsidies that China ha d notified. While China submitted responses to Canada's first set of 
follow -up questions ah ead of the Committee's  meeting in October  2022, Canada continued to have 
concerns with the answers provided and subsequently submitted a second set of follow -up questions 
to China. As mentioned, Canada had  received China's responses to those questions  the week before 
the Committee's meeting  and it was currently in the process of reviewing them. According to Canada, 
while it continue d to undertake its review of China's responses to its follow -up questions, it hoped 
that China ha d reflected on its concerns an d provided additional information with respect to the 
non-notified programs. Canada also stated that it would follow up in writing if it had  further 
questions.  
66. The Chair noted that because the written replies to the second set of follow -up questions from 
Canada had been submitted the week before the meeting, the Committee would take up this 
notification and the relevant questions a nd replies again a t its next special meet ing. 
67. The Committee took note  of the notification, questions, replies, and statement made.  
6.2  Dominican Republic (G/SCM/N/343/DOM ) 
68. Written questions regarding this notification can be found in:  
• G/SCM/Q2/DOM/3 – questions from the United States  
69. The Dominican Republic  thanked the United States for the questions, and it stated that during 
the week of the meeting it would present a notification concerning the Law 5707 regarding incentives 
to the development of renewable energy sources and its special re gimes. The notification in question 
was currently under a final review and it would arrive at the mission in Geneva on th e same day.6  
70. The United States  thanked the Dominican Republic for the notification and the forthcoming 
written replies to its questio ns.  
 
5 This document was circulated on 26 April 2023.  
6 The Dominican Republic submitted its written replies in document G/SCM/Q2/DOM/4 which was 
circulated on 24 May 2023.  G/SCM/M/122  
 
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  71. The Chair noted that since the Dominican Republic had not provided its written answers to 
questions posed by the United States, the notification would be on the agenda of the next special 
meeting of the Committee.  
72. The Committee took note  of the notification, questions, and statements made.  
6.3  European Union (G/SCM/N/343/EU/ Add.22  pertaining to Portugal)  
73. Written questions and replies regarding this notification can be found in:  
• G/SCM/Q2/EU/59 – question from Australia  
• G/SCM/Q2/EU/89 – replies to Australia  
74. Australia  thanked the EU for its replies, for the comprehensive reply that was provided through 
its supplementary notification, and it stated it had no further questions at the time.  
75. The Chair noted that since the European Union had p rovided its written answers to questions 
posed by Australia  after the applicable deadline , the notification contained in document 
G/SCM/N/343/EU/Add.22 pertaining to Portugal , as well as the replies provided by the 
European  Union,  would be on the agenda of  the next special meeting of the Committee.  
76. The Committee took note  of the notification, questions,  answers,  and statement made.  
6.4  Russian Federation (G/SCM/N/343/RUS)  
77. Written questions regarding this notification can be found in:  
• G/SCM/Q2/RUS/21 – questions from the United States  
78. The Chair noted that since the Russian Federation had not provided its written replies to 
questions from the United States , the Committee would return to this notification at its next special 
meeting.  
79. The Committee took not e of the notification  and questions.  
7  CONTINUATION OF REVIEW OF 2015 NEW AND FULL SUBSIDY NOTIFICATIONS 
(G/SCM/N/284/…)  
7.1  China (G/SCM/N/220/CHN – G/SCM/N/253/CHN - G/SCM/N/284/CHN and 
G/SCM/N/95/CHN/S uppl.1 - G/SCM/N/123/CHN/S uppl.1 - G/SCM /N/155/CHN/S uppl.1 
- G/SCM/N/186/CHN/S uppl.1 - G/SCM/N/220/CHN/S uppl.1 - 
G/SCM/N/253/CHN/S uppl.1 - G/SCM/N/284/CHN/S uppl.1) 
80. Written questions and answers regarding this notification can be found in:  
• G/SCM/Q2/CHN/88 – follow-up questions from the United States  
• G/SCM/Q2/CHN/95 – replies to follow -up questions from the United States  
• G/SCM/Q2/CHN/ 123 – partial replies to follow -up questions from the United States7 
81. The Chair explained that the notifications in question cover 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 20 11, 
2013 and 2015 new and full notifications and would be taken up together under this agenda item. 
She also recalled that in document G/SCM/Q2/CHN/95 China provided partial replies to the follow -up 
questions indicating that it was checking further informa tion for two of the questions posed by the 
United States contained in document G/SCM/Q2/CHN/88. China had provided written replies to those 
pending questions  the week before the meeting, contained in document G/SCM/Q2/CHN/123 . 
82. The United States  thanked Chi na for the responses to its questions, and it stated that it  had 
received the replies a couple of weeks before the meeting, which was an improvement over past 
 
7 This document was circulated on 26 April 2023.  G/SCM/M/122  
 
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  practice of receiving the replies the day of the meeting.  The United States recalled that China b ecame 
a WTO Member in 2001  and submitted its first notification in 2006, just with respect to central 
government programs. A lot of important programs in China were administered at the provincial and 
city, and even district level. However, China did not no tify any of those programs until 2016, 
15 years after it became a Membe r. When China notified some sub -central programs, the 
United  States asked certain questions and it noted that, for instance, the central government 
program on strategic emerging industries was notified by the central government. But it had seen 
19 measures at the sub -central level that indicated that sub -central levels of government also had 
strategic emerging industry programs and it asked the status of those  programmes . Over time, it 
eventually heard what the status of these various measures were, and at the  present  meeting  it was  
hearing about the last two, which were, with no surprise (as they were from 10, 12 years ago),  now 
terminated.  According to the United States, this was not transparency , but opacity.  
83. China  made three comments on this issue . The first was about the scope of the written 
questions related to subsidy notification. China was of the opinion that the list of the written 
questions regarding subsidy notification should focus on the programs included in the notifications 
submitted by a Member. With respect to the uncovered policies mentioned by the United States, 
China ha d made its best to share information that has been verified with the United States in the 
written replies. The second was that China believed  that the core value of the transparency lie d in 
providing Members with the opportunity to learn about the trade policies of othe r Members, thereby 
enhancing the predictability of their trade and other economic activities with that Member. It was 
therefore more important to focus on the transparency obligation of existing and effective policies 
rather than those that had expired and  those notified many years earlier. The third, whether a 
subsidy policy was consistent with WTO rules , require d compliance with substantial discipline of the 
Agreement in addition to the procedural requirements of transparency. Therefore, a Member could 
not demonstrate that a policy did not violate WTO rules by fulfilling part of its transparency 
obligation. In other words , the publication or notification of a policy or measure did not necessarily 
justify  its compliance with the WTO rules . 
84. The United States  thank ed China for that explanation and  mentioned that if China had notified 
its sub -central programs when they were obligated to notify those programs, namely when they 
became a Member of the WTO, it would have asked questions at that time when the programs were 
current. It was ironic that China was making the argument that  the United States was asking about 
programs that were terminated , because they  had only been terminated because China was late in 
providing its initial notification.  
85. The Chair noted that because the partial written replies to follow -up questions from the 
United  States  had been submitted the week before the meeting, the Committee would take up this 
notification and the relevant questions a nd replies again a t its next special meetin g. 
86. The Committee took note  of the notification, questions, answers, and statement s made.  
87. The Chair reminded the delegations that had not yet replied to questions that they had 
received in connection with this or previous meetings to provide their written responses as soon as 
possible, so that the Committee could conclude the review of the notifications  at its next special 
meeting. She also reminded Members that had not yet done so to submit their 2021 new and full 
subsidy notifications as soon as possible.  
88. The Chair also reminded Members that the Committee was in a new notification cycle, as all 
Members  were required to submit their 2023 new and full notifications, not later than 30 June.  She 
commended t he Members that already had made these notifications and encouraged  all other 
Members to redouble efforts to notify on time, which would  greatly enhance the transparency 
function of subsidy notification and review.   
89. For new and full notifications to be placed on the agenda of the next special meeting, the Chair 
reminded the delegations that these notifications would have to be circulated in all three worki ng 
languages not later than 26 June 2023. Given the time needed for translation, this left a narrow 
window to notify in time for review in the fall. The Secretariat stood ready to offer any assistance in 
this regard  and was working hard to finalize the tra nslation of the notifications that had already been 
submitted so they could be reviewed at the next meeting.  G/SCM/M/122  
 
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  90. The Chair also informed delegations wishing to receive written answers to any questions 
regarding notifications reviewed at the present meeting that they should submit their questions in 
writing, to both the Member concerned and to the Secretariat. Similarly, the written answers must 
be submitted directly to the Member that posed the question, and to the Secretariat. The Chair 
emphasized t hat it was the responsibility of the Members submitting questions and answers to 
provide them directly to the other Member concerned, at the time it submitted it to the Secretariat 
for circulation to all Members concerned.  
91. Finally, the Chair informed the d elegations that after the week's Rules Committee cluster, the 
Secretariat would circulate the usual triple -symbolled document in G/SCM/W/58 8 containing all of 
the deadlines for documents to be submitted .8 
92. The meeting was closed . 
__________  
 
8 G/ADP/W/51 1 - G/SCM/W/58 8 - G/SG/W/25 7.