WT/TPR/OV/W/9  
 
3 July 2015  
(15-3462)  Page: 1/100  
Trade Policy Review Body  Original: English  
 
 REPORT TO THE TPRB FROM THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL ON 
TRADE-RELATED DEVELOPMENTS 
 
(Mid-October 2014 to mid-May 2015)  
Table of contents 
KEY FIND INGS ................................................................................................................. 2 
EXECUTIVE SU MMARY ...................................................................................................... 5  
1   INTROD UCTION  .......................................................................................................... 6  
2   RECENT ECONOMIC AN D TRADE DEVELO PMENTS ........................................................ 8  
2.1   Overview .................................................................................................................. 8  
2.2   GDP and employment ............................................................................................... 10 
2.3   Mercha ndise tr ade .................................................................................................... 10 
2.4   Trade in co mmercial se rvices ..................................................................................... 15 
2.5   Trade forecast and economic outlook ........................................................................... 17 
3   TRADE AND TRADE-RELATED POLICY DEVELOPMENTS .............................................. 18  
3.1   Overview ................................................................................................................. 18 
3.2   Trade-remedy trends ................................................................................................ 20 
3.3   Sanitary and phytos anitary measur es (SPS) ................................................................. 26 
3.4   Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) ................................................................................ 31 
3.5   Trade concerns rais ed in other WTO Bodies .................................................................. 36 
3.6   Policy developm ents in ag riculture .............................................................................. 39 
3.7   Trade financ ing ........................................................................................................ 43 
3.8   General ec onomic support ......................................................................................... 44 
4   POLICY DEVELOPMENTS IN TRADE IN SERVICES ...................................................... 45  
ANNEX 1 ....................................................................................................................... . 51 
MEASURES FACILITATING TRADE  ....................................................................................... 51  
ANNEX 2 ....................................................................................................................... . 64 
TRADE REMEDY MEASURES  ................................................................................................ 64  
ANNEX 3 ....................................................................................................................... . 80 
OTHER TRADE-RELATED MEASURES  .................................................................................... 80  
ANNEX 4 ....................................................................................................................... . 92 
GENERAL ECONOMIC SUPPORT MEASURES  .......................................................................... 92  
 WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 2 - 
 
  KEY FINDINGS 
104 new trade-restrictive measures (excluding trade remedy measures) were put in place in the 
reporting period 16 October 2014 to 15 May 2015 – an average of around 15 new measures per month.  
 
This monthly rate has remained relatively stable since 2012, though the overall stock of measures nevertheless continues to rise.  
 
Of the 2,416 measures recorded since October 2008, less than 25% have been removed, leaving the stock of restrictive measures still in place at 1,828. This represents an increase of 12% compared to the last report.  
 
This remains a cause for concern and continued vigilance is required from WTO members.  
More encouragingly, WTO Members have adopted more trade-liberalizing measures (excluding 
trade remedy actions) than trade-restrictive measures since the end of 2013. Continuing this trend, during the period under review, WTO Members implemented 114 new trade-liberalizing 
measures – an average of more than 16 measures per month. 
 The broader international economic context supports the need for vigilance and action with regard 
to trade-restrictive measures. According to the WTO's most recent forecast (14 April 2015), 
growth in the volume of world merchandise trade should increase from 2.8% in 2014 to 3.3% in 
2015 and further to 4.0% in 2016, but remaining below historical averages.  
The multilateral trading system has proven its usefulness in providing a predictable and 
transparent framework governing trade betwee n nations and in helping Members resist 
protectionist pressures as a response to the global economic and financial crisis and thereafter.  
 
This role in providing a stable, predictable and transparent trading environment should be kept in mind as Members prepare for the WTO's tenth Mi nisterial Conference in Nairobi in December. WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 3 - 
 
  Trade-restrictive measures, not including trade remedies 
(Average per month) 
131422
1415
14
1215
0510152025
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Mid-Nov. 13 -
mid-May 14Mid-Oct. 14 -
mid-May 15 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
Trade-facilitating measures, not including trade remedies 
(Average per month) 
111723
19
1416
1416
0510152025
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Mid-Nov. 13 -
mid-May 14Mid-Oct. 14 -
mid-May 15 
Source: WTO Secretariat. WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 4 - 
 
  Stockpile of restrictive measures1 
Effectively  eliminated  measures Stockpile of restrictive  measuresBy mid-October 2010 By mid-May 2015
82
464588
1,828
546 measures 2,416 measures15.0%
85.0%24.3%
75.7%
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
                                               
1 Totals include measures listed in Annex 3 and initiations of trade remedy actions. WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 5 - 
 
  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
This trade-monitoring report reviews trade-re lated developments during the period from 
16 October 2014 to 15 May 2015. 
The report confirms that WTO Members continue  to show some restraint in introducing new 
trade-restrictive measures with the introduction of such measures (excluding trade remedies) 
relatively stable since 2012. During the period under review, 104 new trade-restrictive measures were put in place – an average of around 15 new measures per month. 
Nevertheless, the slow pace of removal of previous restrictions means that the overall stock of 
restrictive measures is continuing to increase. Of the 2,416 restrictions (including trade remedies) recorded by the monitoring exercise since October 2008, only 588 have been removed. In other words, the total number of those restrictive measures still in place currently stands at 1,828 – up 
by over 12% compared to the last report. The addition of new restrictive measures, combined with 
a slow removal rate, remains a persistent concern. With the share of removals of total restrictive measures still under 25%, the longer-term trend in the number of trade-restrictive measures 
remains an area where continued vigilance is required.  
More encouragingly, WTO Members continued to adopt measures aimed at facilitating trade, both 
temporary and permanent in nature. Members implemented 114 new trade-liberalizing measures 
during the period under review – an average of more than 16 measures per month. When counted 
without trade-remedy actions, WTO Members have adopted more liberalizing trade measures than 
restrictive measures since the end of 2013. 
Also, in the area of trade remedies, a slight deceleration has been observed in the number of 
initiations of anti-dumping investigations during the period under review. Initiations of 
countervailing investigations and safeguard investigations have also declined recently. 
The broader international economic context also supports the need for continuing vigilance and 
action. Trends in world trade and output have remained mixed since the last monitoring report, as 
merchandise trade volumes and GDP growth picked up in the second half of 2014 but appear to 
have slowed in the first quarter of 2015. Economic activity remained uneven across countries as 
the United States (US) and China slowed in Q1 wh ile growth in the euro area and Japan picked up. 
Plunging oil prices and strong exchange rate fl uctuations – including an appreciation of the 
U.S. dollar and a depreciation of the Euro – gene rated uncertainty to the economic outlook. Lower 
prices for oil and other primary commodities were expected to provide a boost to importing 
economies, but reduced export revenues weighed heavily on commodity exporters. In light of 
these developments, the Secretariat's most recent forecast (14 April 2015) predicted a continued moderate expansion of trade in 2015 and 2016, alth ough the pace of recovery was expected to 
remain below historical averages. According to this forecast, growth in the volume of world 
merchandise trade should increase from 2.8% in 2014 to 3.3% in 2015 and further to 4.0% in 2016. 
This report shows that WTO Members introduced 75 new general economic support measures. The 
main beneficiaries were selected industries in the manufacturing sector, activities related to the agricultural sector and a number of programmes to assist SMEs. A variety of financial aid schemes appear by design to seek to encourage or boost exports while others identify conservation and the 
environment as overall objectives. A significant number of programmes which seek to eliminate or 
reduce subsidy schemes for gasoline and other fuels were identified during the period under review. 
From transparency and systemic points of view, important developments took place in the WTO's 
TBT and SPS Committees. The SPS Committee has witnessed a significant growth in notifications from developing countries leading to the highest number of notifications to date. An increase in the 
number of notifications does not, however, automatically imply greater use of measures taken for 
protectionist purposes. Another noteworthy development was a significant increase in the number of new specific trade concerns (STCs) raised in the TBT Committee. 
A number of recent policy developments in services  were recorded during the review period. These 
include reforms of the insurance and pension sectors and easing of the rules on foreign investment WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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  in the construction and railway transportation sectors in India, as well as the lifting of restrictions 
on foreign investment in several service sectors in China. Also noteworthy is the amendment of the Russian Law on Foreign Investment in Strategic Companies; several important reforms in the audio-visual and ICT sectors by Argentina, Belgium, Mexico, Madagascar, Myanmar, Poland, the 
Russian Federation, Sierra Leone and the United States (US); and also in financial services by 
China, India, Myanmar and the Philippines. 
 
The overall assessment of this monitoring report is that the continuing increase in the stock of new 
trade-restrictive measures recorded since 2008 remains of concern in the context of an uncertain 
global economic outlook. WTO Members – individually and collectively – must show leadership and reinforced determination towards eliminating existing trade restrictions and refrain from implementing new ones.  
The multilateral trading system has proven its usefulness in providing a predictable and 
transparent framework governing trade betwee n nations and in helping Members resist 
protectionist pressures as a response to the global economic and financial crisis and thereafter. 
The role of the multilateral trading system in  providing a stable, predictable and transparent 
trading environment should be kept in mind as Members prepare for the WTO's MC10 in Nairobi in December. Decisive progress in eliminating remaining trade-restrictive measures combined with 
further multilateral trade liberalization would be a powerful policy response.  
1  INTRODUCTION 1.1.  This monitoring report
2 reviews trade and trade-related developments during the period 
mid-October 2014 to mid-May 2015.3 It is a mid-year preparatory contribution to the annual 
report by the Director-General provided for in paragraph (g) of the Trade Policies Review 
Mechanism (TPRM) mandate which aims to assist the TPRB in undertaking an annual overview of 
developments in the international trading environment that are having an impact on the 
multilateral trading system. This report is intended to be purely factual and is issued under the 
sole responsibility of the Director-General. It has no legal effect on the rights and obligations of Members, nor does it have any legal implication with respect to the conformity of any measure 
noted in the report with any WTO Agreement or any provision thereof. This report is without 
prejudice to Members' negotiating positions in the Doha Round. 
1.2.  Section 2 of the report provides an overvi ew of recent economic and trade trends. Section 3 
presents an account of the main trade and trade-related policy developments during the period 
under review. Policy developments in trade in services are included in Section 4. 
1.3.  Information on the measures included in this report has been collected from inputs submitted 
by Members and Observers, as well as from other official and public sources. Replies to the 
Director-General's request for information on meas ures taken during the period under review were 
received from 67 Members
4 (Box 1), which represents 42% of the membership, or an almost 14% 
increase over the 2014 annual report. One Observer  Government also replied to the request for 
information. All country-specific information collected was sent for verification to the delegation 
concerned. Requests for verification of information were sent to 76 delegations.5 37 provided 
replies in time for the preparation of this repo rt. Where it has not been possible to confirm the 
information, this is noted in the annexes. The country-specific measures listed in the four annexes 
are new measures implemented by Members and Observers during the period under review.6 The 
                                               
2 The previous interim trade monitoring report presented to the TPRB (WT/TPR/OV/W/8, 27 June 2014) 
covered measures taken over the period from mid-November 2013 to mid-May 2014. The WTO trade 
monitoring reports have been prepared by the WTO Secretariat since 2009. On 15 June 2015, the WTO Secretariat, together with the Secretariats of the OECD and UNCTAD, issued a report on trade and investment measures implemented by G-20 economies during the period mid-October 2014 to mid-May 2015 (available on the WTO website). The relevant G-20 measures identified in  that document are also re produced in this report.  
3 Unless otherwise indicated in the relevant section. 
4 The European Union and its Memb er States counted separately. 
5 Counting the European Union (EU) and its member States as one. 
6 The inclusion of any measure in this report or in  its annexes implies no judgement by the WTO 
Secretariat on whether or not such measure, or its intent , is protectionist in nature. Moreover, nothing in this 
report implies any judgement, either direct or indirect, as to the consistency of an y measure referred to in the 
report with the provisions  of any WTO Agreement. WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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  compilation of all measures that have been covered by the trade-monitoring reports since 
October 2008 is available in the Trade Mo nitoring Database (http://tmdb.wto.org/). 
1.4.  The increase in participation and the invo lvement of several newcomers to the monitoring 
exercise is a positive development. However, participation remains low, in particular of African 
Members. The WTO Secretariat will continue to build on its recent outreach programme to regional 
and other groups so as to increase Members' understanding of and participation in the trade monitoring exercise. 
Box 1 Members and Observers that replied to the Director-General's request for 
information
7 
Albania 
Argentina 
Australia 
Azerbaijan* 
Brazil 
Canada 
Chile 
China 
Colombia 
Costa Rica 
Cuba 
Dominican Republic 
Egypt 
European Union Guatemala 
Hong Kong, China 
India 
Indonesia 
Japan 
Korea, Republic of 
Macao, China 
Malaysia 
Mauritius 
Mexico 
Moldova 
Norway 
Paraguay  
Peru Philippines 
Russian Federation 
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of 
Singapore 
Switzerland 
Chinese Taipei 
Thailand 
Tunisia 
Turkey 
Ukraine 
United States 
Uruguay 
* Observer 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
WTO Members and Observers Participating in the WTO Monitoring Exercise
 
                                               
7 The request was circulated to all Members and Observers on 18 March requ esting information by 
20 April 2015.  WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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  2  RECENT ECONOMIC AND TRADE DEVELOPMENTS 
2.1  Overview 2.1.  World trade and output picked up in the seco nd half of 2014 after a weak first half limited the 
potential expansion for the year. However, slumping trade flows and mixed economic data in the 
first quarter suggest that trade growth will rema in modest in 2015. According to the WTO's most 
recent forecast (14 April 2015), the volume of world merchandise trade should increase by 3.3% in 2015 – up from 2.8% in 2014 – and 4.0% in 2016, slightly faster than current forecasts for 
world GDP at market exchange rates
8, but still well below the average rate of 5.1% since 1990. 
2.2.  Economic activity continues to be uneven across countries and regions. Most developed 
countries saw their economies strengthen since the last monitoring report, but the U.S. saw its pace of expansion slow, dragged down by weaker investment and falling exports. In contrast, GDP 
growth in the EU appears to have regained so me momentum. Among EU member countries, the 
United Kingdom and Germany grew more slowly in the first quarter of 2015, but the pace of 
growth quickened in France, Italy and Spain. Among the emerging economies, Brazil and the 
Russian Federation have recorded weak growth since the last report, partly due to slumping 
commodity prices and, in the case of Russia, geopolitical tensions. China and India have continued to outpace other major economies despite slower growth recently in China. 
2.3.  Large fluctuations in commodity prices an d exchange rates have made the global outlook 
more uncertain and have strongly influenced current dollar denominated trade statistics. Of 
particular importance for trade is the sharp rise  in the value of the U.S. dollar against other 
currencies, since many traded goods are priced in dollars. This is illustrated by Chart 2.1, which 
shows the U.S. Federal Reserve's broad trade-weight ed U.S. dollar exchange rate index since the 
start of 2014. The U.S. currency appreciated by 16% on average against trading partners' currencies between 1 July 2014 and 15 March 2015. The index has since retreated from its peak 
but is still up around 10% year-on-year. 
2.4.  Some bilateral exchange rates have expe rienced larger swings, driven by changes in 
monetary policy (i.e. the expectation that interest rates will soon rise in the U.S., paired with the 
belief that the euro area and Japan will maintain a more accommodative stance). The value of the 
euro against the dollar declined by 23% betw een 1 July 2014 and 15 March 2015 and is currently 
down 17% year-on-year. Similarly, the dolla r value of the Japanese yen dropped 15% 
year-over-year and 23% since January 2013. In contrast, the China/US exchange rate is nearly 
unchanged from a year ago. Dollar appreciation  may cause trade denominated in other currencies 
(e.g. intra-EU trade) to be undervalued, thereby di storting growth rates and other calculations. As 
a result, trade statistics in current dollar terms must be interpreted with caution. 
2.5.  Oil prices have also fallen sharply since th e last monitoring report as a result of surging 
production in North America and weaker energy de mand in certain emerging markets. Part of the 
price decline reflects the increased purchasing power of the dollar, which now commands more 
goods and services than it did a year ago. Fuel prices fell 51% between June 2014 and 
January 2015, and are currently down 44% year-on-year despite a small rebound in recent months (Chart 2.2). In principle, a decline in oil prices should reduce import demand in oil exporting countries since it cuts into their export revenues, which are used to pay for imports. On 
the other hand, lower oil prices boost real incomes in energy intensive economies, increasing 
demand for all goods and services, including imported ones. 
                                               
8 World GDP growth at market exchange rates shou ld be 2.9% in 2015 and 3.2% in 2016 according to 
the IMF World Economic Outlook of April 2015. WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 9 - 
 
  Chart 2.1 Trade weighted US$ exchange rate index, 2 January 2014-15 May 2015 
(Index, January 2014 = 100) 
9095100105110115120
2014-01-02
2014-02-02
2014-03-02
2014-04-02
2014-05-02
2014-06-02
2014-07-02
2014-08-02
2014-09-02
2014-10-02
2014-11-02
2014-12-02
2015-01-02
2015-02-02
2015-03-02
2015-04-02
2015-05-02 
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. 
Chart 2.2 Prices of primary commodities, January 2012 – April 2015 
(Indices, January 2012 = 100) 
406080100120
2012M1
2012M4
2012M7
2012M10
2013M1
2013M42013M7
2013M10
2014M1
2014M4
2014M7
2014M10
2015M12015M4Food and beverages Agricultural raw materials Metals Fuel
 
Source: IMF Primary Commodity Prices. 
2.6.  In April, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) released its latest projections for world 
output in 2015 and 2016, which were mostly in line with previous estimates. The IMF expects global GDP at purchasing power parity to gr ow 3.5% in 2015 and 3.8% in 2016. These modest 
gains in GDP should translate into equally modest increases in world trade. Growth is expected to 
accelerate in advanced economies but weaken in developing economies, reflecting a more subdued outlook for emerging markets and for oil exporters.  WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 10 - 
 
  2.7.  Lower oil prices may provide some limited upside potential for trade if their positive impact 
on demand in energy-intensive economies outweighs their negative impact in oil exporters. So far 
in 2015, lower oil prices do not appear to have produced a strong increase in world import demand in developed countries. Consumers may believe that the recent fall in oil prices is temporary, in 
which case they would tend to save any windfall rather than raise their consumption. If low prices 
persist households may revise their expectations and start consuming (and importing) more. However, in contrast to this positive scenario most current risks to the forecast are firmly on the 
downside. These include disruptive financial flow s stemming from diverg ent monetary policies, 
legacies from the financial crisis (including uncertainties regarding some sovereign debts), and geopolitical tensions.  
2.2  GDP and employment 
2.8.  Quarterly data on world GDP growth are no t readily available, but aggregate figures for G-20 
economies can serve as a reasonable substitute since these countries represent around 85% of world output. According to statistics from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and 
Development (OECD), output of G-20 economies grew  at an average (annualized) rate of 3.6% in 
the second half of 2014, up from 3.0% in the first half. The increase appears to have been driven by a pickup in output of developed countries, pa rticularly the U.S., where growth accelerated from 
1.2% in the first half of the ye ar to 3.5% in the second half. 
2.9.  US GDP growth was very uneven in 2014, with  a 2% decline in Q1 followed by increases of 
4.5% in Q2, 4.9% in Q3 and 2.0% in Q4. Growth subsequently fell to 0.4% in Q1 of 2015, partly as a result of harsh winter weather. Despite the more recent GDP slowdown, the 
U.S. unemployment rate has continued to decline, dropping to 5.4% in April. 
2.10.  The EU's GDP increased at a 1.2% annual rate  in Q3 of last year before accelerating to 
1.6% in both 2014Q4 and 2015Q1. EU-wide unemplo yment remained elevated at 9.8% in March, 
with no change in joblessness since January. By comparison, euro area GDP growth rose to 1.6% 
in Q1 of this year, up from 0.8% in Q3 of last year. The unemployment rate for the euro area was higher than the EU rate at 11.3% in March 2015. This was also unchanged since January. 
2.11.  Japan's GDP has alternated between expansion and contraction since 2013. Output growth 
was negative in Q3 of last year (-2.8%) but turn ed positive (+1.6%) in Q4. Despite the fact that 
growth averaged -0.6% in the second half of 2014, unemployment has continued to decline gradually, dropping to 3.4% in March from 3.6% in January. 
2.12.  GDP growth remained positive in China (7.0%), Brazil (1.0%), and India (7.8%) in the 
second half of last year, while the Russian Federation managed to avoid an outright decline (0.0%). Among these countries, only China has reported GDP figures for Q1 (5.3%). 
2.3  Merchandise trade 
2.13.  Chart 2.3 shows quarterly contributions of developed and developing economies to 
year-on-year growth in the dollar value of wo rld merchandise trade since 2012Q1. A combination 
of lower oil prices and U.S. dollar appreciation certainly contributed to the declines in exports 
(-3.8%) and imports (-2.9%) in Q4. How much of this decline is attributable to changes in the quantity of goods traded is difficult to say without resorting to trade statistics in volume terms. Quarterly merchandise trade volume indices jointly prepared by the WTO and UNCTAD indicate 
that world trade actually rose 4% year-on-year in volume terms in Q4. On the other hand, 
monthly trade volume indices through February from the Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis (CPB) suggest that quarter-on-quarter growth in world merchandise trade may turn 
negative in Q1 once all data for the quarter are collected.  WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 11 - 
 
  Chart 2.3 Contributions to year-on-year growth in world merchandise exports and 
imports, 2012Q1-2014Q4 
(% change in US$ values) 
1.2
-2.1-3.5-0.9 -0.71.02.02.31.91.51.0
-2.14.0
1.0
-0.61.6
1.00.11.31.5
-0.41.11.6
-1.75.2
-1.1
-4.10.7
0.31.23.33.8
1.62.6 2.6
-3.8
-6-4-202468
2012Q1 2012Q2 2012Q3 2012Q4 2013Q1 2013Q2 2013Q3 2013Q4 2014Q1 2014Q2 2014Q3 2014Q4
Developed economies Developing economies a
World, year-on-year percentage change
1.8
-2.9 -3.5-0.8
-2.1-0.71.01.32.22.7
1.33.7
1.6
0.1 1.71.9
1.61.81.1
-0.2 -0.30.4
-0.55.6
-1.2
-3.40.9
-0.20.92.8
2.42.02.4
1.8
-2.9
-6-4-202468
2012Q1 2012Q2 2012Q3 2012Q4 2013Q1 2013Q2 2013Q3 2013Q4 2014Q1 2014Q2 2014Q3 2014Q4-2.4Exports
Imports
 
a Includes significant re-exports. Also includes the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). 
Note: Due to scarce data availability, Africa and Middle East are under-represented in world totals. 
Source: WTO Secretariat estimates, based on data compiled from IMF International Financial Statistics; 
Eurostat Comext Database; Global Tr ade Atlas; and national statistics. 
2.14.  The fact that developing countries contributed less than developed countries to world import 
demand between 2013Q4 and 2014Q3 is striking. However, the most notable features of this chart 
are the large negative contributions to export s and imports from developed economies in Q4. 
These declines may be partly explained by the co nversion of euro-denominated trade values into 
dollars before calculating growth rates. Recent do llar appreciation could cause identical quantities 
of goods to have lower dollar values Q4, ther eby biasing growth rates downward. For example, WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 12 - 
 
  Intra-EU trade was down 16% year-on-year in March when measured in dollars, but it was up 7% 
when measured in euros. 
2.15.  Trade statistics in volume terms provide a more accurate picture of recent trade 
developments since they can account for strong fluctuations in prices and exchange rates. 
Chart 2.4 shows seasonally-adjusted quarterly merc handise trade volume indices for the U.S., the 
EU, Japan, Brazil and developing Asia (includi ng both China and India) from 2010Q1 to 2014Q4. 
2.16.  Extra-EU imports did turn slightly nega tive in the fourth quarter of 2014 (-0.6%, not 
annualized) and intra-EU trade was basically flat, but exports and imports of most other countries 
and regions actually accelerated toward the en d of the year. One major exception was Brazil, 
where imports declined by 6.4% and exports dr opped 3.7% in Q4. Overall, world trade as 
measured by the average of exports and imports increased by 2.0% in Q4. 
2.17.  Weak EU import demand continues to weigh heavily on world trade since the EU accounts 
for roughly one third of world imports, including intra-EU trade. Although the decline in Brazil's imports was larger in percentage terms, it does not have as strong an influence on world trade 
since the country only accounts for 1.3% of global imports. 
2.18.  Merchandise trade statistics in current U.S. dollar terms are more timely than those in 
volume terms, and are available for a larger num ber of countries. These data are illustrated by 
Chart 2.5, which shows monthly exports and impo rts of selected economies through March or 
April, depending on availability. Brazil, China, Indi a, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Singapore, and 
Chinese Taipei have already reported data for April, while all other countries are shown through March. 
2.19.  These data present a rather negative picture of trade in the first quarter, with imports of the 
EU, Japan, Brazil and the Russian Federation at or  near multi-year lows. These data probably do 
portend weaker world trade volume growth in Q1, but exchange rates and commodity prices 
account for much of the weakness. CPB trade volu me estimates for January-February suggest that 
world trade volume may decrease by around 1% quarter-on-quarter in Q1 unless there is a turnaround in March. WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 13 - 
 
  Chart 2.4 Volume of exports and imports of selected economies 
(Seasonally adjusted volume indices, 2010Q1 = 100) 
95100105110115120125130135140145
2010Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2011Q1
Q2Q3Q4
2012Q1
Q2Q3Q4
2013Q1
Q2Q3Q4
2014Q1
Q2Q3Q4
95100105110115120125130135140145
2010Q1
Q2
Q3Q4
2011Q1
Q2Q3
Q4
2012Q1
Q2Q3
Q4
2013Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2014Q1
Q2
Q3Q4Exports
Imports
JapanEU-extra EU-intra trade United States
Developing Asia Brazil
 
Note: Data for the EU, Japan and the U.S. were obtain ed from national statistical sources while figures for 
developing Asia are seasonally adjusted Secretariat estimates that should be interpreted with 
caution. 
Source: WTO and UNCTAD Secretariats. WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 14 - 
 
  Chart 2.5 Merchandise exports and imports of selected economies, 
January 2010-April 2015 
(US$ billion) 
United States Japan
European Union (extra-trade) China
Canada Turkey
050100150200250
Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15
0102030405060708090
Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15
050100150200250
Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15
050100150200250
Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15
0102030405060
Jan-10 Jan-11 J an-12 J an-13 Jan-14 J an-15
05101520
Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15Australia Republic of Korea
051015202530354045
Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15
0510152025
Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15
05101520
Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15Indonesia
051015202530
Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15Brazil
 
 WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 15 - 
 
  Russian Federation India
Chinese Taipei Malaysia
Mexico Argentina
Imports Exports
0102030405060
Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15
05101520253035404550
Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15
024681012
Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15South Africa
051015202530354045
Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15Singapore
051015202530
Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15
0510152025
Jan-10 Jan-11 J an-12 J an-13 Jan-14 J an-15
0510152025303540
Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15
0123456789
Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15
 
Source: IMF, International Financial Statistics; Global  Trade Information Services GTA database; national 
statistics. 
2.4  Trade in commercial services 
2.20.  Chart 2.6 shows year-on-year growth in th e dollar value of commercial services trade for 
selected economies from 2013Q4 to 2014Q4. These data are affected by the recent appreciation of 
the U.S. dollar in much the same way that the merchandise trade values are. For example, the 1% WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 16 - 
 
  decline in service exports of the EU in Q4 beco mes a 3% increase when data are expressed in 
euros. Consequently, these data should also be interpreted with care. 
Chart 2.6 Commercial services exports and imports of selected economies, 
2013Q4-2014Q4a 
-20-15-10-505101520
EU (28) extra United States Japan China India Brazil Russian
Federation
-15-10-50510152025
EU (28) extra United States Japan China India Brazil Russian
FederationExports
Imports
2014 Q3 2013 Q4 2014 Q1 2014 Q2 2014 Q4
 
a China's figures for 2014Q2 to 2014Q4 are not available. 
Source: WTO and UNCTAD Secretariats. 
2.21.  Japan recorded rapid growth in commercial services exports in Q4, with a year-on-year 
increase of 24%. The Russian Federation suffered a sharp decline of 11% during the same period.  WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 17 - 
 
  2.22.  Japan also registered the fastest growth on the import side (6%), while the Russian 
Federation experienced the biggest decline (-19%). Exports and imports of the U.S. have continued to grow at a slow, steady pace betw een 3% and 5%. World commercial services exports 
were flat in Q4, with an increase of 0.2% , down from 5% in the previous quarter. 
2.5  Trade forecast and economic outlook 
2.23.  In the WTO's annual spring press release,  the Secretariat predicted 3.3% growth in the 
volume of world merchandise trade for 2015 and 4.0% growth in 2016 based on consensus 
estimates of world GDP at market exchange rates (see Table 2.1). These estimates imply multiples 
of trade growth over GDP growth slightly grea ter than 1 in 2015 and 2016, above than the rough 
1-to-1 ratios observed between 2012 and 2014 but well below the 2-to-1 ratios that were common before the financial crisis. 
2.24.  Both exports and imports of developed co untries are expected to grow by 3.2% in 2015. 
Meanwhile, exports of developing/emerging economie s are expected to increase by 3.6% and their 
imports are forecast to grow by 3.7%.  
2.25.  Asia should record the strongest export growth in 2015 (5.0%), followed by North America 
(4.5%). European exports should also pick up this  year with a 3.0% increase, up from 1.9 % last 
year. Weaker export growth is anticipated for South America (0.2%) and "Other Regions" (-0.6%, 
comprising Africa, Middle East and CIS) in 2015. 
2.26.  Imports should increase by around 5% in 2015 in both North America and Asia. At the same 
time, Europe should see solid import growth of around 3%. In contrast to these gains, South America and other regions should register declines in their imports of 0.5% and 2.4%, 
respectively. 
2.27.  A return to higher oil prices in the ne ighbourhood of US$100/barrel would significantly alter 
the outlook for world trade and output, possibly muting the economic recoveries in energy 
intensive economies and boosting growth in oil exporters. A partial recovery in prices is possible as 
growth picks up in developed economies and as lower prices curtail investment in unconventional extraction. However, a full recovery of prices is unlikely due to the economics of shale oil 
(investment would likely increase once prices rose sufficiently to cover costs in new projects) and 
the recent relative weakness of emerging economic s. The IMF is forecasting an average world oil 
price of US$58/barrel in 2015 and US$68/barrel in 2016. 
Table 2.1 Merchandise trade volume growth, 2011-16 
(Annual % change) 
 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015a 2016a 
Volume of world merchandise 
trade 5.4 2.2 2.4 2.8 3.3 4.0 
Exports  
Developed economies 5.2 1.1 1.6 2.2 3.2 4.4 
Developing and emerging economies  5.8 3.7 3.9 3.3 3.6 4.1 
North America 6.6 4.5 2.8 4.3 4.5 4.9 
South and Central America 6.6 0.8 1.5 -2.5 0.2 1.6 
Europe 5.6 0.8 1.6 1.9 3.0 3.7 
Asia 6.4 2.7 5.0 4.9 5.0 5.4 
Other regionsb 2.0 4.0 0.7 0.1 -0.6 0.3 
Imports   
Developed economies 3.4 -0.1 -0.2 3.2 3.2 3.5 
Developing and emerging economies  7.2 4.8 5.6 2.9 3.7 5.0 
North America 4.4 3.2 1.1 4.4 4.9 5.1 
South and Central America 12.6 2.3 3.2 -3.0 -0.5 3.1 
Europe 3.2 -1.8 -0.3 2.8 2.7 3.1 
Asia 6.5 3.6 4.8 3.6 5.1 5.1 
Other regionsb 7.9 9.9 3.9 0.0 -2.4 1.0 
a Figures for 2015 and 2016 are projections. 
b Other regions comprise Africa, the Commonwealth  of Independent States and the Middle East. 
Source: WTO Secretariat. WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 18 - 
 
  3  TRADE AND TRADE-RELATE D POLICY DEVELOPMENTS 
3.1  Overview 3.1.  The trade measures compiled for this report are presented in three categories: (i) measures 
that clearly facilitate trade (Annex 1); (ii) trade-remedy measures (Annex 2); and (iii) other trade 
and trade-related measures (Annex 3).
9 The total number of measures in these three categories 
recorded over the period mid-October 2014 to mid-May 2015 is 387. This comprises 114 trade-facilitating measures, 169 trade-remedy measures and 104 other trade and 
trade-related measures.  
3.2.  The 114 trade-facilitating measures (Table 3.1) recorded during the seven-month period 
covered by this report represent an absolute increase over the previous period (mid-November 2013 – mid-May 2014), but more importantly is the highest monthly average of 
such measures recorded in monitoring reports si nce 2012. Over 73% of these trade-facilitating 
measures consist of measures that provide for tariff reductions, sometimes applied on a temporary basis. These trade-facilitating measures cover 0.7% of world merchandise imports 
(US$133 billion).
10 
Table 3.1 Measures facilitating trade (Annex 1)  
Type of measure Mid-October 
2011 to 
mid-October 
2012 Mid-October 
2012 to 
mid-
November 
2013 Mid-
November 
2013 to mid-
October 2014 Mid-
November 
2013 to mid-
May 2014 
(6 months) Mid-October 
2014 to mid-
May 2015 
(7 months) 
Import 136 101 168 81 97 
- Tariff 120 82 145 63 83 
- Customs procedures 13 15 18 15 10 
- Tax 2 3 1 2 2 
- Quantitative restrictions 1 1 4 1 2 
Export 18 6 9 4 12 
- Duties 7 3 4 0 7 
- Quantitative restrictions 11 3 3 2 0 
- Other   2 2 5 
Other 8 0 0 1 5 
Total 162 107 177 86 114 
Average per month 13.5 8.2 16.1 14.3 16.3 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.3.  The principal sectors benefiting from the trade-facilitating measures were: machinery and 
mechanical appliances; precious metals (gold); transport equipment (parts and accessories of 
motor vehicles); precision instruments (e.g. medical); and chemical products. 
3.4.  Trade-remedy measures taken between mid-October 2014 and mid-May 2015 are listed in 
Annex 2.11 As a share of all trade and trade-related measures recorded for the review period, 
trade remedies make up almost 44%. Out of the 169 trade remedy measures recorded (Table 3.2), 136, or over 80%, were anti-dumping actions. In line with the trend identified in past 
monitoring reports, more initiations were reco rded than terminations. However, the monthly 
average of trade remedy actions recorded for th is exercise was down compared to previous 
reports. Out of the total number of trade-remedy measures, 92 were initiations of new trade-remedy investigations covering around 0.1% of world merchandise imports (close to 
                                               
9 WTO document WT/TPR/OV/15, 29 November 2012. 
10 The trade coverage of a measure is calculated to  be the value of imports of the specific product 
concerned from countries affected by the measure as a share of the value of total world merchandise. 
11 A trade-remedy measure for purposes  of Annex 2 is the initiation of an (anti-dumping, countervail or 
safeguard) investigation, the conclusion of such an investigation without imposition of a measure, or the termination of a final anti-dumping, countervail or safeguard measure.  WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 19 - 
 
  US$16.0 billion), and 77 measures were terminations of  either investigations or of existing duties 
covering around 0.04% of world imports (US$8.0 billion). 
Table 3.2 Trade remedy measures (Annex 2)12 
Type of 
measure Mid-October 2012 
to mid-November 2013 
(13 Months) Mid-November 2013 to mid-October 
2014 
(11 Months) Mid-October 2014 to 
mid-May 2015 
(7 Months) 
  Initiations  Terminations Total  Initiations  Terminations  Total  Initiations  Terminations  Total  
Anti-dumping 156 112 268 134 133 267 74 62 136 
Countervailing 24 9 33 21  15 36 13 9 22  
Safeguard 37 17 54 16 18 34 5 6 11 
Total 217 138 355 171  166 337 92 77 169  
Average per  
month 16.7 10.6 27.3 15.5 15.1 30.6 13.1 11.0 24.1 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.5.  The number of other trade and trade-relate d measures recorded during the review period 
(Annex 3) was 104, compared to 74 recorded for the mid-year monitoring report in 2014. 
However, more interestingly, the monthly average of the introduction of such measures has gone 
up in the current period, although it remains below the monthly average of trade-facilitating measures. Out of the 104 measures listed in Annex 3, some 77 measures were applied to imports. The import measure of choice remains tariffs, accounting for over two-thirds of import measures in 
Annex 3 (Table 3.3). 
Table 3.3 Other trade and trade-related measures (Annex 3)  
Type of measure Mid- 
Oct. 2011 
to mid- 
Oct. 2012 Mid- 
Oct. 2012 
to mid- 
Nov. 2013 Mid- 
Nov. 2013 to 
mid- 
Oct. 2014 Mid- 
Nov. 2013 to 
mid- 
May 2014 
(6 months) Mid- 
Oct. 2014 to 
mid- 
May 2015 
(7 months) 
Import 118 153 119 48 77 
- Tariff 54 106 74 26 52 
- Customs procedures 38 25 26 13 10 
- Tax 6 6 7 2 4 
- Quantitative 
 restrictions 20 15 11 7 6 
- Other 0 1 1 0 5 
Export 32 27 36 20 18 
- Duties 8 4 12 7 8 
- Quantitative 
 restrictions 24 11 12 7 1 
- Other 0 12 12 6 9 
Other 14 10 13 6 9 
Total 164 190 168 74 104 
Average per month 13.7 14.6 15.3 12.3 14.9 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.6.  Other trade and trade-related measures re corded (Annex 3) for the review period cover a 
wide range of products. The main sectors targeted were: mineral products; iron and steel; 
vegetable fats and oils; and chemical products, accounting for 1.2% of world imports 
(US$225 billion).13 
3.7.  Continuing a positive trend identified in  the annual overview last year, the number of 
trade-facilitating measures remains higher than the number of other trade and trade-related 
measures. In other words, as can be seen from a comparison of Table 3.1 and Table 3.3, 
according to the number of measures recorded by  the monitoring exercise since the end of 2013, 
WTO Members have introduced more trade-fa cilitating measures than other trade and 
trade-related measures, although the value of me rchandise imports covered by trade-facilitating 
measures is significantly lower. 
                                               
12 It should be noted that in this Table and in Annex 2 a single measure affecting several trading 
partners is counted only once. 
13 The trade coverage of a measure is calculated to  be the value of imports of the specific product 
concerned from countries affected by the measure as a share of the value of total world merchandise. WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 20 - 
 
  3.8.  The total number of trade-restrictive measures (including trade remedy measures) 
introduced by WTO Members since October 2008, and recorded by the periodic monitoring reports is 2,416.
14 According to information recorded for this exercise, as of mid-May 2015, 588, or 
around a quarter, of these measures had been removed leaving the stockpile of measures still in 
place at 1,828 – an increase of almost 12% since October 2014. Chart 3.1 compares the stockpile 
of restrictive measures at mid-October 2010 with that of mid-May 2015.  
Chart 3.1 Stockpile of restrictive measures15 
Effectively  eliminated  measures Stockpile of restrictive  measuresBy mid-October 2010 By mid-May 2015
82
464588
1,828
546 measures 2,416 measures15.0%
85.0%24.3%
75.7%
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.9.  Overall, and as indicated by the previous  report, the addition of new trade-restrictive 
measures combined with a removal rate which fails to significantly reduce the overall accumulated 
stockpile of trade measures remains an area of concern for global trade.16 
3.2  Trade-remedy trends17 
3.10.  This section provides an assessment of trends in trade-remedy measures during the period 
October 2013 to April 2014 ("first period") in comparison with October 2014 to April 2015 ("second 
period").18 Concerning anti-dumping, the most recent data indicate a slight deceleration of 
initiations. Countervailing and safeguard pattern s between the two periods show a decrease in 
initiations of both types of investigations. The number of safeguard initiations in particular in the 
second period is at two thirds that of the first.  
3.11.  The number of initiations of anti-dumping investigations remained relatively stable over the 
two periods examined, with 130 initiations registered during the first period and 122 during the 
second (Table 3.4). However, the number of investigations initiated by individual members varied, 
in some cases significantly, between the periods.  During the first period, the largest number of 
anti-dumping investigations was initiated by Brazil (35), the U.S. (23), Australia (15) and 
India (15). During the second period, the larg est number of anti-dumping investigations was 
                                               
14 As indicated in previous monitoring reports, th is figure includes initiations of trade remedy 
investigations counted as restrictive. It is without prejud ice to rights of Members' to take trade remedy actions. 
See also footnote 6. 
15 Totals include measures listed in Annex 3 and initiation of trade remedy actions. 
16 WTO document WT/TPR/OV/17, 24 November 2014. 
17 In this section of the report, anti-dumping and co untervailing actions are counted on the basis of the 
number of countries affected. Thus, one anti-dumping  or countervailing action involving imports from n 
countries is counted here as n actions.  
18 Data for January-April 2015 is partly unverified and collected from various unofficial sources. WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 21 - 
 
  initiated by India (28), Turkey (16) and the U.S. (14). Reductions in the number of investigations 
initiated in the second period were seen for Brazil, the U.S. and Australia, while the number of initiations from India, Mexico and the EU increased significantly.  
Table 3.4 Initiations of anti-dumping investigations  
(Counted on the basis of exporting countries affected) 
Reporting Member October 2013 – April 2014 October 2014 – April 2015a 
Argentina 4 5 
Australia 15 11 
Brazil 35 10 
Canada 0 1 
Chile 0 1 
China 2 3 
Colombia 2 1 
Dominican Republic 2 0 
Egypt 2 1 
European Union 2 6 
Guatemala 1 0 
India 15 28 
Indonesia 0 6 
Japan 1 0 
Korea, Republic of 6 2 
Mexico 2 10 
Pakistan 2 3 
Peru 1 0 
Russian Federation 4 2 
South Africa 5 0 
Chinese Taipei 1 0 
Turkey 4 16 
Ukraine 1 1 
United States 23 14 
Uruguay 0 1 
Total  130 122 
a Data available only through April 2015. Data for January through April 2015 is partly unverified and 
collected from various unofficial sources. 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.12.  Chart 3.2, below, shows the trends in  total initiations between 2008 and April 2015. 
3.13.  The distribution of anti-dumping measures  across different sectors remained relatively 
constant across the two periods. Metals and chem icals each accounted for approximately one third 
of new anti-dumping investigations in both period s (Chart 3.3). Plastic related products, machinery 
and stone/plaster products also accounted a steady  share of initiations across the two periods.  
3.14.  China remains the country that is most frequently affected by the initiation of anti-dumping 
investigations, although the share of initiations that targeted China declined from 30% in the 
first period to 22% in the second period. In the first period, Japan and the Republic of Korea were then the next most affected, both with 6% of initiations. In the second period, the Republic of Korea once more was targeted next after China, along with India and the U.S., with 7% of 
initiations each. 
3.15.  The number of initiations of countervailing investigations decreased from 19 in the 
first period to 14 in the second (Table 3.5). Investigations were only initiated in the first period by 
the U.S. (12), the EU (five) and Australia (two). In  the second period, the U.S. continued to be the 
most active Member in this area with 10 initiations, but Brazil, Canada, the EU and the Russian Federation also initiated a countervail investigation.  
 WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 22 - 
 
  Chart 3.2 Anti-dumping initiations by reporting Membera 
050100150200250300
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Jan. - Apr.
2015 
a Data available only through April 2015. Data for January through April 2015 is partly unverified and 
collected from various unofficial sources. 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
Chart 3.3 Anti-dumping initiations by sector 
October 2013 - April 2014 October 2014 - April 2015
Chemicals
30%Plastics 
/ rubber
15%Metals
34%Other
10%
Metals
34%
Chemicals
27%Plastics / 
rubber
13%Other
11%Stone /plaster
3%
Machinery
8%Machinery
5%
Pulp / paper
7%Stone /plaster
3%
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 23 - 
 
  Table 3.5 Initiations of countervailing duty investigations 
(Counted on the basis of exporting countries affected) 
Reporting Member October 2013-April 2014 October 2014-April 2015a 
Australia 2 0 
Brazil 0 1 
Canada 0 1 
European Union 5 1 
Russian Federation 0 1 
United States 12 10 
Total  19 14 
a Data available only through April 2015. Data for January through April 2015 is partly unverified and 
collected from various unofficial sources. 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.16.  Chart 3.4, below, shows the trends in  total initiations between 2008 and April 2015. 
Chart 3.4 Countervailing investigatio n initiations by reporting Membera 
05101520253035404550
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Jan. - Apr.
2015 
a Data available only through April 2015. Data for January through April 2015 is partly unverified and 
collected from various unofficial sources. 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.17.  During the first period, metals accounted for seven of the 19 initiations, chemicals 
accounted for five, and textile products, three. The remaining countervail investigations were in 
relation to: machinery; food; animals/animal products; and stone/plaster sectors with one 
initiation each. In the second period, metals and plastics were the most affected sectors with four initiations each. Paper products were the subject of three investigations, chemicals were subject to 
two and one investigation was initiated in relation to machinery. Chart 3.5, below, provides the 
percentage breakout. WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 24 - 
 
  Chart 3.5 Countervailing initiations by sector 
October 2013 - April 2014 October 2014 - April 2015
Chemicals
26%Metals
37%Metals
29%Chemicals
14%
Textiles
16%Machinery
5%Machinery
7%Live
animals
5%
Pulp / paper
21%Plastics / 
rubber
29%Food
5%
Stone / 
plaster
5%  
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.18.  Similarly to anti-dumping, China is the count ry most frequently subject to the initiation of 
countervail investigations. The share of countervail investigations of imports from China was 58% 
in the first period and 29% in the second. Second to China was India, which was subject to one 
investigation in the first period (5% of initiations), but three in the second period (21% of initiations).  
3.19.  During these periods, countervail investigations were frequently initiated in parallel with 
anti-dumping investigations on the same product from the same country of export. In total, 15 of 
the 19 countervail investigations were initiated in parallel with anti-dumping investigations in the first period, while 11 of the 14 countervail investigations accompanied an anti-dumping 
investigation in the second period. There is a confirmed tendency for Members to initiate 
concurrent anti-dumping and countervail investigations in relation to China in particular.  
3.20.  The number of initiations of safeguard investigations declined from nine in the first period to 
six in the second (Table 3.6). India initiated the most safeguard investigations in the first period 
(four), while only Egypt and Turkey initiated investigations in the second period, with three each. In terms of product coverage, metals and chemical s accounted for two thirds of the initiations in 
the first period, accounting for four and two initiations respectively. In the second period, 
machinery accounted for two initiations and the four remaining investigations related to the metal, 
stone/plaster, paper and food sectors. Chart 3.6 below, provides the percentage breakout.  WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 25 - 
 
  Chart 3.6 Safeguard initiations by sector 
October 2013 - April 2014 October 2014 - April 2015
Chemicals
22%Machinery
33%Vegetables
11% Food
17%
Metals
44%
Textiles
11%Pulp / paper
17%
Metals
17%Plastics / 
rubber
11%Stone /plaster
17%
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
Table 3.6 Initiations of safeguard investigations 
Reporting Member October 2013-April 2014 October 2014-April 2015a 
Costa Rica 1 0 
Egypt 0 3 
India 4 0 
Indonesia 2 0 
Chinese Taipei 1 0 
Thailand 1 0 
Turkey 0 3 
Total  9 6 
a Data available only through April 2015. Data for January through April 2015 is partly unverified and 
collected from various unofficial sources. 
Source: WTO Secretariat.  
3.21.  Chart 3.7 below, shows the trends in  total initiations between 2008 and April 2015. WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 26 - 
 
  Chart 3.7 Safeguard initiations by reporting Member, 2008–2015a 
051015202530
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Jan. - Apr.
2015  
a Data available only through April 2015; data for January through April 2015 is partly unverified and 
collected from various unofficial sources. 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.3  Sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS)19 
3.22.  Under the SPS Agreement, WTO Members are obliged to provide an advance notice of 
intention to introduce new or modified SPS measures20, or to notify immediately when emergency 
measures are imposed. The main objective of complying with the SPS notification obligations is to 
inform other Members about new or changed regu lations that may significantly affect trade. 
Therefore, an increased number of notification s does not automatically imply greater use of 
protectionist measures, but rather enhanced transparency regarding these measures. 
3.23.  In the period from October 2014 to March 2015, 814 SPS notifications (regular and 
emergency, including addenda) were submitted to the WTO. Notifications from developing-country Members accounted for 79% of the total number. In the previous six-month period, the proportion 
of measures notified by developing-country Memb ers was considerably lower: from April through 
September 2014, a total of 714 notifications were submitted, of which 61% were by developing country Members. Consequently, in the period under  review, there has been a 30% increase in the 
share of notifications made by developing-country Members as compared to the previous 
six-month period. 
                                               
19 Information presented in this section has been  retrieved from the SPS Information Management 
System (SPS IMS: http://spsims.wto.org ). This section is based on notifications to the WTO for the period 
1 October 2014 to 31 March 2015. STCs are only raised at  SPS Committee meetings. The information in this 
section summarizes the STCs raised at the October 2014 and March 2015 SPS Committee meetings. 
20 Transparency obligations are contained in Article 7 and Annex B of the SPS Agreement. Annex B of 
the SPS Agreement requires that Members notify measures whose content is not substantially the same as that of an international standard, guid eline or recommendation, and when the measure May have a significant 
effect on trade. However, the Recommended Procedures for Implementing the Transparency Provisions of the 
SPS Agreement, adopted by the SPS Committee in 2008 (G/SPS/7/Rev.3), recommend that Members also 
notify measures which are based on the relevant internat ional standards, and provide a broad interpretation of 
effects on trade. WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 27 - 
 
  3.24.  If we consider regular notifications (including addenda), from October 2014 through 
March 2015, WTO Members submitted 731 regular SPS notifications; 78% of which were submitted by developing-country Members. Compared with the previous six-month period (April-September 2014), there was a 13% increase in the total number of notified measures, and a 
35% increase in the share of notifications made by developing-country Members. 
3.25.  The number of notifications of emergency measures also increased compared with the 
previous period (Chart 3.8). The share of emerge ncy notifications submitted by developing-country 
Members was similar to that of the previous period. From October 2014 through March 2015, 86% 
of the 83 notifications of emergency measures we re submitted by developing-country Members. 
For the previous period (April-September 2014), 84% of the 68 emergency notifications had been 
submitted by developing-country Members. This high proportion of emergency measures notified 
by developing-country Members might stem from the fact that they do not have extensive SPS 
regulatory systems as developed-country Members do, and consequently, when facing emergency challenges, they are more likely to have to in troduce new regulations or change existing ones. 
Chart 3.8 Number of SPS notifications
 
646
376731
57368
5783
71
0100200300400500600700800900
All Members Developing-country
MembersAll Members Developing-country
MembersRegular notifications Emergency notifications04/2014-09/2014 10/2014-03/2015
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.26.  Many Members are following the recommendation to notify SPS measures even when these 
are based on a relevant international standard, as this substantially increases transparency 
regarding SPS measures. Of the 626 regular notifi cations (excluding addenda) submitted from 
October 2014 to March 2015, 329 (52% of the total) indicated that an international standard, guideline or recommendation was applicable to the notified measure (Chart 3.9). Of these, 68% 
indicated that the proposed measure was in conformity with the existing international standard. WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 28 - 
 
  Chart 3.9 Regular SPS notifications and international standards 
Codex
70%
OIE
8%
IPPC
22%None
48%Relevant 
international 
standard
52%
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.27.  International standards often provide useful guidance regarding measures to address 
disease outbreaks and other emergency situations . Indeed, 97% of the 67 emergency notifications 
(excluding addenda) submitted from October 2014 to March 2015 indicated that an international standard, guideline or recommendation was applicable to the notified measure (Chart 3.10). They 
all indicated that the measure was in conformity with the existing international standard. 
Chart 3.10 Emergency SPS notifications and international standards 
Codex
2%
OIE
81%
IPPC
17%None
3%Relevant 
international 
standard
97%
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.28.  Of the 626 regular notifications (excluding addenda) submitted from October 2014 to March 
2015, the majority were related to food safety.21 The remaining notifications related to plant 
protection, the protection of humans from animal diseases or plant pests, animal health and the 
                                               
21 The objective of an SPS measure falls under one or more of the following cate gories:  (i) food safety, 
(ii) animal health, (iii) plant protection, (iv) protect hu mans from animal/plant pest or disease, and (v) protect 
territory from other damages from pests.  Members are required to identify the purpose of the measure in their 
notifications. It is not uncommon for more than  one objective to be id entified for a measure. WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 29 - 
 
  protection of the Member's territory from other damage from pests. Several of the regular 
notifications identified more than one objective per measure. 
3.29.  Of the 67 emergency measures (excluding addenda) notified in the same period, the 
majority related to animal health, followed by measures related to the protection of humans from 
animal diseases or plant pests, food safety, plan t protection and the protection of the Member's 
territory from other damage from pests. Similarly, the majority of emergency notifications during this period identified more than one objective per measure. 
3.30.  While there is no formal provision for "counter notification", concerns regarding the failure 
to notify an SPS measure, or on a notified measure, can be raised as a specific trade concern (STCs) at any of the three regular meetings of the SPS Committee each year. In the two Committee meetings of October 2014 and March 2015, 9 new STCs were raised. Three of 
these STCs related to food safety, 2 to animal health, 1 to plant health, and 3 to other types of 
concerns (Table 3.7). 
3.31.  One new STC which had been included on the proposed agenda for the March 2015 meeting 
was withdrawn following bilateral consultations: Chile's concerns regarding Viet Nam's measures 
on meat and dairy products. 
Table 3.7 SPS specific trade concerns raised between October 2014 and March 2015  
STC Document title Members 
maintaining the 
measure Members 
raising 
the 
concern Members 
supporting 
the 
concern Date raised Primary 
objective  
379 Russia's ma rket access 
requirements for bovine meat in compliance with OIE requirements Russian 
Federation India  15/10/2014 Food 
safety 
380 Russia's restrictions on 
imports of fruits and 
vegetables from Poland 
(G/SPS/N/RUS/69) Russian 
Federation European 
Union  15/10/2014 Plant 
health 
381 Russia's introduction of 
new requirements for veterinary certificates Russian 
Federation Ukraine  15/10/2014 Other 
concerns 
383 China's measures on 
bovine meat China India  26/03/2015 Animal 
health 
384 General import 
restrictions due to African Swine Fever Certain Members European 
Union  26/03/2015 Animal 
health 
385 General import 
restrictions due to 
Highly Pathogenic 
Avian Influenza Certain Members European 
Union  26/03/2015 Food 
safety 
386 
 Mexico's measures on 
imports of hibiscus flowers Mexico Nigeria Burkina 
Faso, Senegal 26/03/2015 Other 
concerns 
387 
 Chinese Taipei's 
strengthened import 
restrictions on food 
with regard to 
radionuclides Chinese Taipei Japan  26/03/2015 Food 
safety 
388 US proposed rule for 
user fees for agricultural quarantine and inspection services United States Mexico  26/03/2015 Other 
concerns 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.32.  Sixteen previously raised STCs were discussed at the October 2014 or March 2015 SPS 
Committee meetings (twelve were discussed in both meetings). Of these, 4 addressed persistent problems that have been discussed 7 times or more. In particular, 2 STCs have been discussed on 17 or more occasions (Table 3.8). WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 30 - 
 
  Table 3.8 Previously-raised SPS specific trade concerns discussed in October 2014 
and/or March 2015  
STC Document title Members 
maintaining 
the 
measure Members 
raising the 
concern Members 
supporting 
the concern First date 
raised Times 
subsequently 
raised 
193 General import 
restrictions due to BSE Certain 
Members, specifically Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Rep. of, Ukraine European 
Union, United States Canada, 
Switzerland, Uruguay 01/06/2004 23 
238 Application and 
modification of 
the EU Regulation 
on Novel Foods European 
Union Colombia, 
Ecuador, 
Peru Argentina, 
Benin, Bolivia, 
Plurinational 
State of, 
Brazil, Chile, 
China, 
Costa Rica, 
Cuba, 
El Salvador, 
Guatemala, 
Honduras, 
India, 
Indonesia, 
Mexico, 
Nicaragua, 
Paraguay, 
Philippines, 
Uruguay, 
Venezuela, 
Bolivarian 
Republic of 01/03/2006 17 
330 Indonesia's port 
closures  Indonesia Chil e, China, 
European Union, New Zealand, United States Argentina, 
Australia, Canada, Japan, Korea, Rep. of, South Africa, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Uruguay 27/03/2012 7 
340 
 Requirements for 
importation of 
sheep meat Turkey 
 Australia 
 United States 18/10/2012 
 7 
 
354 Import 
restrictions in response to the Japanese nuclear power plant accident Certain 
Members, specifically China; Chinese Taipei; Hong 
Kong, China Japan  27/06/2013 4 
358 Import conditions 
for pork and pork 
products India European 
Union  16/10/2013 4 
359 Strengthened 
import restrictions on fishery products with regard to radionuclides Korea, 
Republic of Japan  16/10/2013 4 
289 US measures on 
catfish United 
States China  28/10/2009 3 
356 Phytosanitary 
measures on citrus black spot European 
Union South Africa Argentina 27/06/2013 3 WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 31 - 
 
  STC Document title Members 
maintaining 
the 
measure Members 
raising the 
concern Members 
supporting 
the concern First date 
raised Times 
subsequently 
raised 
373 U.S. high cost of 
certification for 
mango exports United 
States India Dominican 
Republic 09/07/2014 3 
374 EU ban on 
mangoes and certain vegetables European 
Union India Nigeria 09/07/2014 2 
375 U.S. non-
acceptance of OIE 
categorization for 
BSE United 
States India  09/07/2014 2 
376 Australia's non-
acceptance of OIE 
categorization for 
BSE Australia India  09/07/2014 2 
378 EU withdrawal of 
equivalence for 
processed organic 
products European 
Union India  09/07/2014 2 
346 Ban on Bisphenol 
A France, 
European Union United States  21/03/2013 1 
382 EU revised 
proposal for 
categorization of 
compounds as 
endocrine 
disruptors  European 
Union United States Argentina, 
Brazil, Canada, 
China, 
Colombia, 
Costa Rica, 
Guatemala, 
India, Kenya, 
Madagascar, 
Malaysia 
Mexico, Nigeria, 
Pakistan, 
South Africa 
and Uruguay 25/03/2014 1 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.4  Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) 
3.33.  Under the TBT Agreement, WTO Members are obliged to notify their intention to introduce 
new or modified TBT measures, or to notify immediately when emergency measures are imposed. 
The main objective of complying with the TBT notification obligations is to inform other Members 
about new or changed regulations that may significantly affect trade.22 Therefore, an increased 
number of notifications does not necessarily imply greater use of protectionist measures. TBT 
notification obligations are meant to promote enhanced transparency regarding measures taken to 
address legitimate policy objectives, such as th e protection of human, animal or plant life or 
health, or the environment. 
3.34.  During the period from 8 November 2014 to 12 May 2015 ("reviewed period"), 
WTO Members submitted 702 regular notifications of TBT measures23, of which around 80% were 
submitted by developing-country Members.24 This overall number of 702 notifications is markedly 
lower than in the period November 2013 – May 2014, although the proportion from developing 
                                               
22 More specifically, under the TBT Agreement, WTO Members are not required to notify all proposed 
TBT measures (technical regulations or  conformity assessment procedures). Rather, they are only required to 
notify those measures that may have a significant effect on trade  of other Members and are not based on a 
relevant international standard. However, the TBT Committee in its Sixth Triennial Review encouraged Members, "for the purpose of enhancing predictability an d transparency in situations where it is difficult to 
establish or foresee whethe r a draft technical regulation or confor mity assessment procedure may have a 
"significant effect on trade of other Members", to notify such measures." 
23 Since 1995, almost 20,000 notifications of new or revised regulations have been submitted by 
126 Members. 
24 This total number of developing-country Members' notifications (559) includes those made by the 
Commonwealth of Independent States Members (13) and LDC Members (52). WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 32 - 
 
  countries was only slightly lower.25 The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the U.S. submitted the 
highest number of notifications during this peri od (57 each), followed by the Republic of 
Korea (51), and the EU (40). A large portion (25% ) of these notifications came from the Gulf 
Cooperation Council (GCC) members. The main objectives26 indicated in these notifications were: 
"protection of human health or safety" (70%); "prevention of deceptive practices and consumer 
protection" (30%); and "protection of the environment" (15%). 
3.35.  Any Member may raise STCs with respect to TBT measures taken or proposed by other 
Members.27 These STCs are frequently discussed in the regular meetings of the TBT Committee. 
Since 1995 and up to 12 May 2015, Members have raised 461 new STCs. STCs are, however, 
frequently discussed in subsequent meetings to the one in which they were first raised. In 2014, a record of 47 new STCs were raised, the most in any given year since 1995. An upward trend in 
STCs has been observed since 2005 (see Chart 3.11). 2014 was also the second highest year in 
the overall number of STCs (new an d previously-raised) discussed (85).
28  
Chart 3.11 Number of STCs raised with re spect to Members' TBT measures per year 
4712 12 13 12 121926 2832 3259
3138
13152015 141224273246
294335
4247
0102030405060708090100110120
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014New concerns Previous concerns32
27 27
2436465874
617594
73
172285
 
Note: This chart counts the number of TBT measures discussed as STCs per year. STCs raised in 2015 are 
not included. 
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
                                               
25 From 7 November 2013 to 12 May 2014 the overall number of regular notifications was around 900, 
the great majority of which (around 85%) were fro m developing-country Memb ers, including LDCs.  
26 A TBT measure may pursue a variety of legitimate objectives, although historically the majority fall 
under one of the three top categories: the protection of human, animal or plant life or health, or the environment. Members are required to identify the purp ose of the measure in their notifications. It is not 
uncommon that more than one objective is identified for a measure. 
27 Members use the TBT Committee as a forum to disc uss trade issues related to specific measures 
(technical regulations, standards or conformity assess ment procedures) maintained by other Members.  These 
are referred to as "specific trade concerns" (STCs) and no rmally relate to proposed draft measures notified to 
the TBT Committee or to the implementation of existing measures.  Issues raised ra nge from simple requests 
for additional information and clarific ations to questions on the consistency of measures with TBT Agreement 
disciplines. 
28 More detail on STCs raised in the TBT Committee is available through the TBT IMS 
(http://tbtims.wto.org ). WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 33 - 
 
  3.36.  As illustrated by Chart 3.12, below, ther e is a marked correlation between the number of 
new notifications and new STCs raised each year. On average, since 1995, 66% of STCs discussed in TBT Committee meetings relate to notified measures. 
3.37.  Members raised 8 new STCs during the only Committee meeting that fell within the 
reviewed period (March 2015). Overall, 55 ne w and previously-raised STCs were discussed, 
keeping with the trend of a greater number of STCs being discussed per meeting as well as per 
year. Chart 3.13 illustrates that the volume of STCs discussed in the TBT Committee annually has 
grown significantly between 2005 and 2014 (from 33 to  148). This upward trend shows that the 
Committee has spent more time discussing STCs (only around 11 STCs were discussed per meeting in 2005 while that figure was 49 in 2014). All 8 new STCs discussed during the reviewed period were either raised by, or involved meas ures from, G-20 Members. Almost all new STCs 
(7 out of 8) targeted measures maintained by G- 20 Members, significantly higher than the overall 
trend since 1995.
29 The list of all new concerns raised in the March 2014 meeting is provided in 
Table 3.9. 
Chart 3.12 Number of notifications and new STCs 
05101520253035404550
020040060080010001200140016001800Number of notifications New STCsNotifications
New STCs
 
Note: STCs raised in 2015 are not included. 
Source:  WTO Secretariat. See in particular Twentieth Annual Review of the Implementation and Operation of 
the TBT Agreement – Note by the Secretariat (G/TBT/36, 23 February 2015). 
                                               
29 Since 1995, 78% of all STCs tabled were directed at G-20 measures. WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 34 - 
 
  Chart 3.13 STCs discussed pe r committee meeting, 2005-14 
1220 203443
354465
4151
1221303347
345159
3944
922243547
465536
5153
336374102137
115150160
131148
0102030405060708090100110120130140150160170180
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014March meeting June meeting November meeting
 
Note: This chart counts the number of STCs on the agenda of the TBT Committee per meeting. Note that 
the same STCs can be raised at all three meetings in a year and, in this chart, is counted under all three meetings. STCs raised in 2015 are not included. 
Source:  WTO Secretariat. See in particular Twentieth Annual Review of the Implementation and Operation of 
the TBT Agreement – Note by the Secretariat (G/TBT/36, 23 February 2015). 
3.38.  Around 30% of all 55 STCs (new and prev iously-raised) covered by the reviewed period 
involved measures dealing with nutrition (5), alcohol (5), cosmetics (4) and tobacco (3), including 
a proposed tobacco-control measure taken by a Local Government within a Member. Although technical regulations taken by Local Governments are also disciplined by the TBT Agreement, they 
are not commonly notified and are rarely subject to STCs in the Committee.
30 Besides these areas, 
STCs of the reviewed period involved measures  covering a variety of other issues, including 
two that are becoming more frequently discu ssed in the Committee: IT and environment. 
Table 3.9 New STCs raised during  the March 2015 TBT Committee meeting 
Member 
maintaining 
the measure 
(in 
alphabetical 
order)  STC title Stated objective Product 
coverage Members 
raising the 
concern 
Canada Tobacco Reduction 
(Flavored Tobacco 
Products) Amendment Act, 
2013 – Bill 206 (ID 463) Protection of human 
health and safety Flavoured tobacco 
products Indonesia 
                                               
30 Since 1995 the TBT Committee has only received 135 notifications of TBT measures taken by local 
governments, mostly (129) from the U.S. This corresponds to around 0.006% of all notifications to date.  WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 35 - 
 
  Member 
maintaining 
the measure 
(in 
alphabetical 
order)  STC title Stated objective Product 
coverage Members 
raising the 
concern 
China  Administrative Measure on 
Cosmetics Labelling (AMCL) 
(ID 456) Integrating, 
summarizing and 
adjusting the 
relevant existing 
regulations and 
standards to promote 
the norm, healthy 
development of the 
industry. Cosmetics Canada; Japan; 
Republic of Korea; 
United States; 
European Union 
 
China Banking IT Equipment 
Security Regulation 
(ID 457) To strengthen the 
security of the 
information network  IT banking 
system Canada; Japan; 
United States; 
European Union 
Ecuador Emergency Technical 
Regulation (RTE) No. 088: 
"Surface tension agents", of 
the Ecuadorian 
Standardization Institute 
(INEN) G/TBT/N/ECU/117 
(ID 458) Protection of human 
health and safety; 
protection of the 
environment; 
prevention of 
deceptive practices Surface tension 
agents Mexico 
 
Indonesia Regulation of the Minister 
of Agriculture No. 39/Permentan/PD.4, 10 December 2014, concerning Importation of Carcass, Meat and/or Processed Meat Products into the Territory of the Republic of Indonesia, and Regulation of the Minister of Agriculture No. 02/Permentan/PD.4, 10 January 2015, concerning 
the Amendment of the 
Regulation of the Minister for Agriculture No. 39/Permentan/PD.4, 10 December 2014 (ID 461) Protection of human 
health and safety; protection of the environment Meat Australia; 
Canada; European Union 
Japan Wood Use Points 
Programme (ID 459) Protection of the 
environment; 
development in rural 
areas Wood Russian 
Federation 
Mexico Standard on 
non-alcoholic and soft drinks (ID 462) N/A Juices and non-
alcoholic drinks El Salvador 
Russian 
Federation Technical Regulations on 
Safety of Railway Transport 
(TR CU No. 002/2011 and 
No. 003/2011) (ID 460) Protection of human 
health and safety Railway transport  Ukraine 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.39.  Eight of the 47 previously-raised STCs (Table 3.10) discussed during the reviewed period 
addressed persistent concerns that have been discussed in the Committee for a number of years 
(10 or more times). WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 36 - 
 
  Table 3.10 Previously raised STCs 
 Previously raised STCs 
(March 2015 TBT Committee meeting) Frequency 
1 India - Pneumatic tyres and tubes for automotive vehicles . 26 times 
2 India - Drugs and Cosmetics Rules 2007 . 19 times 
3 China - Provisions for the Administration of Cosmetics Application . 14 times 
4 India - New Telecommunications related Rules (Department of 
Telecommunications, No . 842-725/2005-VAS/Vol.III (3 December 2009); No. 10-
15/2009-AS-III/193 (18 March 2010); and Nos. 10-15/2009-
AS.III/Vol.II/(Pt.)/(25-29) (28 July 2010); Department of Telecommunications, 
No. 10-15/2009-AS.III/Vol.II/(Pt.)/(30) (28 July 2010) and accompanying 
template, "Security and Business Continuity Agreement") . 14 times 
5 China – Requirements for information secu rity products, including, inter alia, the 
Office of State Commercial Cryptography Administration (OSCCA) 1999 
Regulation on commercial encryption products and its on-going revision and the Multi-Level Protection Scheme (MLPS) . 13 times 
6 Russian Federation – Draft on Technical Regulation of Alcohol Drinks Safety 
(published on 24 October 2011) . 10 times 
7 Republic of Korea – Regulation on Registration and Evaluation of Chemical 
Material . 10 times 
8 Indonesia - Technical Guidelines for the Implementation of the Adoption and 
Supervision of Indonesian National Standards for Obligatory Toy Safety . 10 times 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.5  Trade concerns raised in other WTO Bodies 
3.40.  During the period covered by this report a number of other trade concerns were raised by 
Members in formal meetings of various WTO bodies.31 With a view to increasing transparency, this 
section aims to provide a brief and factual overview of such concerns raised between 
mid-October 2014 and mid-May 2015.32 As this section does not seek to reproduce the full 
substantive description of the trade concerns described by Members, a specific reference is made to the relevant formal meeting where a particular issue was raised. For the full amount and context of the concerns, Members are invited to consult the records of the respective WTO bodies. 
The list of concerns and issues mentioned in this section is not exhaustive. 
3.41.  In the Council for Trade in Goods  (CTG)
33 new concerns were raised on the restrictive 
measures on automobiles adopted by Ecuador and on the establishment of a surcharge in the form 
of temporary taxes for balance-of-payments reasons (Japan). 
3.42.  Other concerns expressed at the meeting included issues which had been previously raised 
on (i) Nigeria's restrictions/ban on imports of sea products (Iceland, Norway); (ii) Nigeria's 
local-content measures in the energy sector, whic h had also been raised in 2011, 2014 and in the 
April 2015 TRIMs Committee (EU, U.S.); (iii) the Russian Federation's restrictive measures affecting the transit of products through its territory and the increased border controls mainly affecting Lithuanian products and trucks, as well as, its industrial assembly programme, the local 
content requirements to obtain preferential tr eatment and the subsidies provided to the local 
automotive producers (EU, Japan); and (iv) Indonesia's import and export restrictions, including import licensing requirements, unique technical regulations and conformity assessment 
procedures, pre-shipment inspection requirements, local content and domestic manufacturing 
requirements, pre-paid import taxes, country port restrictions, export restrictions to raw materials and export tariffs (EU, Japan, U.S.). 
                                               
31 This section does not include SPS and TBT Committees (covered separately) or issues brought to the 
Dispute Settlement Body. Some of the trade conc erns raised may be the subject of a dispute. 
32 Members are encouraged to communicate to the WT O's Trade Policy Review Division the non-tariff 
measures which they have raised in  WTO bodies and which they believe are relevant to the monitoring 
exercise. 
33 Meeting of 26 March 2015, Minutes G/C/M/122. WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 37 - 
 
  3.43.  At the meeting of the Committee on Market Access  on 26 May 201534, Switzerland 
requested the issue of customs duties on cigarette s implemented by the Kingdom of Bahrain to be 
included on the agenda. 
3.44.  In the Committee on Agriculture35 a number of questions and concerns were raised with 
respect to Members' individual notifications and on implementation-related issues under 
Article 18.6. During the period concerned, a total of 201 questions were discussed, including questions on individual notifications (153 question s) and under Art. 18.6 (44 questions), as well as 
on overdue notifications (3 questions) and in relation to the NFIDC decision (1 question). 
Additional details regarding these questions and concerns can be found in section 3.6 of the report. 
3.45.  A number of new concerns were expressed at the meeting of Trade-Related Investment 
Measures  (TRIMs) Committee
36 on (i) China's local content requirements for purchases of 
technology by the banking sector (US, Japan); (i i) Indonesia's local content requirement for 4G 
LTE mobile devices (US); (iii) India's local content requirement in solar power generation projects 
(EU); (iv) Turkey's local content requirements in  the electricity generation (EU); (v) the support 
measures by the Russian Federation for the automotive sector (EU, Japan); and (vi) the Russian Federation's local content requirements for purchases by state-owned enterprises 
(EU, U.S.). 
3.46.  Other concerns expressed at the meeting include issues previously raised on (i) certain 
preferences granted by India to domestic ally manufactured electronic goods and 
telecommunication products (EU); (ii) measures by Indonesia addressing local content in 
investment in the telecommunications sector (Japan); (iii) Indonesia's local content provisions in 
the energy sector (EU, Japan, U.S.); (iv) local content measures taken by Nigeria in the energy sector (EU); (v) local content requirements in so me U.S. renewable energy programmes (India); 
(vi) the Russian Federation's local content re quirements for agricultural equipment (EU); 
(vii) Indonesia's minimum local product requirements  for modern retail sector (EU, Japan, U.S.); 
and (viii) restrictions of Indonesia's newly adopte d Industry Law and Trade Law (EU, Japan, U.S.). 
3.47.  At the meeting of the Committee on Customs Valuation
37 concerns were reiterated on issues 
previously raised on (i) the alleged use by Armenia of reference prices (U.S.); and (ii) Indonesia's lack of notifications on Pre-Shipment Inspection measures (U.S.). 
3.48.  A number of concerns were raised at the meeting of the Committee on Import Licensing
38 
on (i) Angola's Joint Executive Decree 22/15 regula ting the importation, distribution and sale of 
food/non-food products (EU); (ii) India's import licensing system on marble and marble products (EU); (iii) Nigeria's licensing procedures on importation of maritime pelagic fish (EU); 
(iv) Turkey's surveillance licensing regime on import authorisation of old, second-hand and 
renovated goods, and its import regime for non-fuel petroleum products (EU); (v) Mexico's automatic licensing procedures on certain steel products (U.S.); (vi) issues related to the product 
coverage and implementation of the import licens ing regime of Viet Nam (U.S.); (vii) Brazil's 
non-automatic licensing measures on the importat ion of nitrocellulose (U.S.); (viii) Indonesia's 
import licensing regime on cellular phones hand held computers and tablets (U.S.); (ix) India's 
import licensing requirements on boric acid (U.S .); (x) Bangladesh's import licensing procedures 
and in particular with respect to the importation of medicines (U.S.); and (xi) Indonesia's import 
licensing regulations on carcasses and processed meat products (Australia). 
3.49.  In the Committee on Safeguards
39, concerns were raised at the 27 October 2014 meeting 
and the 27 April 2015 meeting regarding (i) Colombia's bars and rods of low-carbon steel; 
(ii) Ecuador's wood and bamboo flooring and accessories thereof; (iii) Egypt's steel rebar; white sugar and; automotive batteries; (iv) India's seamle ss pipes, tubes and hollow profiles of iron or 
                                               
34 Minutes G/AM/M/61 (forthcoming). 
35 Responses to points raised by Members under the review process in the CoA meetings on 
13 November 2014 and 4 March 2015 are available in G/AG/W/138 and G/AG/W/142. 
36 Meeting of 16 April 2015, Minutes G/TRIMS/M/38 (forthcoming). 
37 Meeting of 24 October 2014, Minutes G/VAL/M/59. 
38 Meeting of 21 April 2015, Minutes G/LIC/M/41 (forthcoming). 
39 For details on Members' raising the concerns please refer to Minutes G/SG/M/46 and G/SG/M/47 
(forthcoming). WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 38 - 
 
  non-alloy steel; saturated fatty alcohols; flexible slabstock polyol and; not-alloyed ingots of 
unwrought aluminium; (v) Indonesia's coated paper and paperboard, not including banknotes; cotton yarn other than sewing; wheat flour; flat-rolled product of iron or non-alloy and; I and H Sections of other alloy steel; (vi) Malaysia's hot-rolled steel plate; (vii) Morocco's cold-rolled 
sheets and plated or coated sheets and; wire rods and reinforcing bars; (viii) Philippines' steel 
angle bars and; newsprint; (ix) South Africa's frozen potato chips; (x) Thailand's non-alloy hot rolled steel flat products; (xi) Tunisia's fibreb oard of wood and; glass bottles; (xii) Turkey's 
polyethylene terephthalate; printing, writing and copying paper; terephthalic acid; wallpaper and 
similar wallcoverings and; transmission apparatus incorporating reception apparatus (cellular) portable telephone; and (xiii) Ukraine's tablewar e and kitchenware of porcelain; and casing and 
pump-compressor seamless steel pipes.  
3.50.  Members also discussed the Russian Federa tion's alleged non-notification of certain 
safeguard actions initiated before its accession to the WTO and the Kingdom of Bahrain's alleged delay in notifying its safeguard legislation. 
3.51.  In the Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures
40 concerns were raised at the 
28 October 2014 and 28 April 2015 meetings in respect of countervailing duty actions on (i) India's investigation on imports of casting for wind operated electricity generators (China); 
(ii) U.S.' investigation on imports of certain crystalline silicon photovoltaic products (China); 
U.S. measures on Turkish iron and steel products (Turkey); and (iv) Ukraine's investigation on imports of light motor vehicles (Russia). With respect to notifications, concerns were raised about the non-notification of alleged subsidies by India and China, and requests were made to China for 
more information on certain alleged subsidy programmes (U.S.). On subsidies, concerns were 
raised on (i) certain local content requirements in  renewable energy sector subsidy schemes in the 
U.S. (Russian Federation, India); (ii) Japan's support for the MRJ project in the aircraft sector 
(Brazil); (iii) India's sugar subsidies provided under its Sugar Development Fund (Australia); 
(iv) support provided by Canada for the development of a new cement facility in Quebec (U.S.); and (v) India's export subsidies in the textile and apparel sector (U.S.).  
3.52.  At the 29 October 2014 and 29 April 2015 meetings of the Committee on Anti-Dumping 
Practices
41 concerns were raised on (i) Argentina's investigation on imports of copper-based 
fungicides (Chile); review of the anti-dumping me asure on air-conditioning products (Thailand) 
and; the sunset review and change of circum stances review on locks and chains (Peru); 
(ii) Australia's investigation into rod in coils (Turkey); on imports of quenched and tempered steel 
plate (Japan); and on steel reinforcing bar (Turkey); (iii) Brazil's investigation on biaxially-oriented polypropylene (Peru, Chile and Colombia); and on bus and truck tyres (Korea, Republic of); 
(iv) China's investigation on optical fibre preform (Japan); on methyl methacrylate (Japan); and 
sunset review on polyvinyl chloride (Japan); (v) Dominican Republic's imposition of definitive measures on steel rods and bars for concrete reinforcement (Turkey); (vi) the EU's simultaneous 
anti-dumping and countervailing investigation on imports of stainless steel cold rolled flat products 
(China); the measures on ammonium nitrate, se amless pipes and tubes, welded tubes and pipes 
(Russian Federation) and; the investigations on aluminium foils and grain oriented flat rolled products of silicon electrical steel (Russian Federation); (vii) India's investigation on flexible slab 
stock polyol (Australia); on ethyl hexanol and butanol (EU); on acetone, purified terephthalic acid 
and phenol (Korea, Rep. of); on investigation and measures on sodium nitrate (Ukraine); (viii) Indonesia's initiation of an investigation against wheat flour (Turkey) and; the sunset review 
on hot rolled coil (Korea, Rep. of and the Russian Federation); and (ix) the Republic of 
Korea's investigation on valves for pneumatic transmissions (Japan). 
3.53.  Concerns were also raised on (x) Mexico's measures on certain steel products, thick hot 
rolled coils, thin hot rolled coils, thick hot rolled plate and cold rolled coils (Russian Federation); 
and preliminary determination in the investigation on ammonium sulphate (US); (xi) Morocco's final determination regarding the investigation on imports of hot rolled steel sheets (Turkey); (xii) Philippines' provisional anti-dumping measures on wheat flour (Turkey); (xiii) South Africa's 
investigation on frozen chicken (EU); (xiv) Turkey's investigation on cotton (US); (xv) Ukraine's 
interim review of anti-dumping measures on nitrate ammonium (Russian Federation); partial interim review of measures on float glass (Russian Federation); measures on point works 
(Russian Federation); (xvi) the U.S. investigation on imports of grain-oriented electrical steel 
                                               
40 Minutes G/SCM/M/91 and G/SCM/M/93 (forthcoming). 
41 Minutes G/ADP/M/47 and G/ADP/M/48 (forthcoming). WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 39 - 
 
  (Russian Federation); the great length of U.S. anti-dumping measures against certain Japanese 
products (Japan); the investigation on non-oriented electrical steel (Japan); (xvii) the preliminary and final determinations made by Viet Nam on exports of cold rolled stainless steel (Malaysia); and (xviii) the expiry review of the measure impose d by the EU on imports of ammonium nitrate 
(Russian Federation). Other trade concerns were raised in relation to certain practices of Members 
on product scope determinations in anti-dumping investigations by the Russian Federation. Finally, Mexico raised concerns over Colombia's investigation on DOP plasticizers, while Peru voiced 
concerns over Argentina's sunset review on fasteners. 
3.54.  In the meeting of the Committee on Balance-of-Payments  (BOP) Restrictions
42 consultations 
were held with Ukraine on its introduction of an import surcharge for BOP purposes.43 
3.55.  At the Council for Trade in Services  (CTS) meetings44 concerns were raised on Ukraine's 
reforms of its Unified Gas Transportation System (Russian Federation). 
3.56.  Concerns previously raised at the Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property 
Rights  (TRIPS)45 with respect to Australia's measures related to plain packaging of tobacco 
products and their compatibility with the TRIPS Agreement (Cuba, Dominican Republic, Honduras, 
Indonesia, Nicaragua, Ukraine and Zimbabwe) were reiterated in the first meeting in 201546 
(Cuba, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Indonesia, Nicaragua, Nigeria and Zimbabwe). 
3.57.  In the Committee on Trade and Development  (CTD)47 least-developed countries (LDCs) 
raised concerns with the lack of progress in th e implementation of the duty-free and quota-free 
(DFQF) market access decision for LDCs (Banglades h and Uganda on behalf of the LDC group). In 
the CTD's Aid for Trade meeting48 concerns were reiterated on the level of Aid for Trade provided 
to LDCs (Uganda on behalf of the LDC group). 
3.58.  In the Committee on Government Procurement49 concerns were raised regarding a number 
of Made in the USA Act legislative initiatives (Canada) and were reiterated in its first meeting of 
201550 (Canada). 
3.6  Policy developments in agriculture 3.59.  The Committee on Agriculture (CoA) provides a forum for Members to discuss matters 
related to agriculture trade and to consult on matte rs relating to the Members' implementation of 
commitments under the AoA, including rules-base d commitments. The review work by the CoA is 
based on Members' notifications on their commitme nts. There is also a provision in Article 18.6 
that allows Members to raise any matter relevant to the implementation of the commitments 
under the AoA.  
3.60.  In the framework of the CoA meetings in November 2014 and March 2015, Members posed 
a total of 201 questions, including both questions on individual notifications and under Art. 18.6, 
with more than half of those questions (112) directed at issues related to domestic support 
notifications or implementation of domestic support commitments.  
3.61.  In total, seven Members raised 44 questions on 26 implementation-related issues 
(Article 18.6) in the above-mentioned meetings. As it can be seen in Chart 3.14, 2014 has been 
the year with the largest number of questions raised under Article 18.6.  
                                               
42 Meeting of 28 April 2015, Minute s WT/BOP/R/110 (forthcoming). 
43 Consultations in the Balance-of-Payments Comm ittee on Ecuador's measures are scheduled for 
29 June. 
44 Meetings of 28 November 2014 and 18 March 2015, Minutes S/C/M/120 and S/C/M/122. 
45 Meetings of 28-29 October 2014, Minutes IP/C/M/77.  
46 Meeting of 24-25 February 2015, Minutes IP/C/M/78. 
47 Meeting of 27 November 2014 and 16 March 2015, Minutes WT/COMTD/M/92 and WT/COMTD/M/93. 
48 Meeting of 10 October 2014, Minutes WT/COMTD/AFT/M/32. 
49 Meeting of 29 October 2014, Minutes GPA/M/57. 
50 Meeting of 11 February 2015, Minutes GPA/M/59. WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 40 - 
 
  Chart 3.14 Number of questions raised under Article 18.6 (1995-2014) 
0102030405060708090
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.62.  Out of the 26 implementation-related questions, 13 issues were discussed for the first time, 
whereas the remaining issues had been discussed one or more times in previous years under 
matters raised under Article 18.6. Table 3.11 indicates the specific measures relating to 
implementation commitments that were discussed for the first time in the CoA during these 
two CoA meetings. 
Table 3.11 New Article 18.6 issues 
COA meeting Date Question raised by Answer by Question summary Products 
13/11/2014 
04/03/2015 European Union, 
United States Russian 
Federation Agricultural support for 
2015   
13/11/2014 
04/03/2015 New Zealand, 
United States Canada Tariff-rate quota for cheese Cheese 
13/11/2014 European Union Brazil Tax credit programmes   
13/11/2014 European Union Egypt Domestic support and 
export subsidies   
13/11/2014 Canada Jordan Inflation adjustments on 
the fixed external reference price   
13/11/2014 Canada Turkey Agricultural credit and 
investment subsidies Bovine, swine 
04/03/2015 Australia, Brazil, 
European Union Thailand Sugar polici es Cane or beet 
sugar 
04/03/2015 Australia United 
States Export Credit Guarantee 
Program   
04/03/2015 Australia, 
European Union Pakistan Wheat export subsidies Wheat WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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  COA meeting Date Question raised by Answer by Question summary Products 
04/03/2015 European Union Russian 
Federation Grain exports Cereals, wheat, 
corn, rice, malt, 
coarse grains 
04/03/2015 United States India Cotton policies Cotton 
04/03/2015 Australia Indonesia Regulation on importation 
of meat Bovine 
04/03/2015 European Union Angola Angola's Joint Executive 
Decree on import regulation   
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.63.  Some of these issues related to a reques t for confirmation, and additional information, 
regarding the implementation of measures by a WTO Member such as Brazil's tax credit 
programme51, Pakistan's wheat export subsidies52, Russia's grain exports53 and its agricultural 
support for 2015.54 Some issues related to specific policy interventions by Members such as India's 
cotton policies55, Indonesia's regulation on importation of meat56, Turkey's agricultural credit and 
investment subsidies57, Thailand's sugar policy58, and the United States' Export Credit Guarantee 
Programme.59  
3.64.  Other measures that were discussed related to follow-up questions on persistent areas of 
concern. Table 3.12 indicates the issues that were discussed in November 2014 and March 2015. 
Table 3.12 Questions previously  raised under Article 18.6 
COA 
meeting 
date Question by Answer by Question summary Products 
13/11/2014 
04/03/2015 Australia, Colombia, 
European Union India Sugar export subsidie s Sugar, cane or beet 
sugar, other 
13/11/2014 
04/03/2015 United States Brazil Domestic support 
programmes   
13/11/2014 04/03/2015 New Zealand, U.S.  Canada Dairy policies Dairy, milk, milk 
powders, butter, cheese, other 
13/11/2014 
04/03/2015 Canada, 
United States Costa Rica Compliance with AMS 
commitments Rice 
13/11/2014 04/03/2015 United States Thailand Pa ddy pledging scheme Rice 
13/11/2014 
04/03/2015 United States Turkey Destination of wheat flour 
sale   
13/11/2014 United States Canada Proposed changes to tariff 
schedule Dairy, milk, milk 
powders, butter, cheese, other 
13/11/2014 United States Saint Lucia Domestic purchase 
requirements for poultry 
and pork Swine, poultry 
13/11/2014 European Union Turkey Domestic support and 
export subsidies   
13/11/2014 Australia Turkey Export subsidy 
programmes   
13/11/2014 Canada Thailand Rice Farmer Assistance 
Programme Rice 
                                               
51 WTO document G/AG/W/138, pp. 5-6. 
52 WTO document G/AG/W/142, p. 13. 
53 WTO document G/AG/W/142, p.15 
54 WTO document G/AG/W/138, p. 16; and G/AG/W/142, p.14.  
55 WTO document G/AG/W/142, p.p. 8-9. 
56 WTO document G/AG/W/142, p.p. 12-13. 
57 WTO document G/AG/W/138, p. 19. 
58 WTO document G/AG/W/142, pp. 15-17. 
59 WTO document G/AG/W/142, pp. 20-21. WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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  COA 
meeting 
date Question by Answer by Question summary Products 
04/03/2015 European Union India Exports of cereals and rice Cereals, wheat, corn, 
rice, malt, coarse 
grains 
04/03/2015 United States  China Cotton domestic support Cotton 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.65.  In the area of export competition, whil e Members welcomed the positive trends in the 
reduction of the use of export subsidies, ther e were a number of issues raised regarding 
developments in some Members' policies such as Pakistan's wheat export subsidies, India's sugar 
export subsidies, and Switzerland's recent decision to submit to Parliament a proposal to increase the export subsidy budget for processed agricu ltural products for 2015 by a maximum of 
CHF 20 million. Switzerland noted that the budget increase was proposed in the context of the 
unexpected appreciation of the Swiss currency and the corresponding impairment of competitiveness of Swiss exporters following the di scontinuation of the minimum exchange rate of 
the Euro against the Swiss Franc by the Swiss Nati onal Bank in January 2015. Both Pakistan and 
India noted that although the export subsidy policie s were in place, no payment had been made to 
date.  
3.66.  In the context of the review process, Members requested information on Russia's 
agricultural support for 2015 and noted that on 28 January 2015, the Russian government had 
issued its "Plan of Priority Measures to Ensure Sustainable Economic Development and Social Stability in 2015". One Member requested an over view of the specific programmes that would be 
funded through this plan. Russia noted that the plan was provisional and that it would be adjusted 
in accordance with the established schedule for the financial year. Russia also stated that the implementation of the plan did not presume the us e of additional or new measures in domestic 
support. In addition, an assessment of the level of government support information on actually 
used funds was needed, which would be available at  the end of the financial year after the formal 
implementation of the budget. A ccordingly, the Russian Federation assured Members that it would 
present information about domestic support measures in its notification.
60 
3.67.  Regarding the review of notifications, time ly and complete notifications are fundamental for 
effective monitoring of the implementation of  commitments. In the period reported, Members 
submitted 119 notifications (including addenda an d corrigenda). In the same period, a total of 
153 questions were raised during the CoA meetings concerning these and previously submitted 
notifications. As seen in Chart 3.15, during the reported period, Members continued to focus the majority of their questions on Domestic Support notifications with 73% of the questions regarding 
individual notifications targeted at this type of notifications. In particular, notifications by India, 
U.S., Canada and Brazil received a considerable amount of scrutiny by the Membership. 
                                               
60 WTO document G/AG/W/138, p. 16; and G/AG/W/142, p. 14.  WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 43 - 
 
  Chart 3.15 Number of questions raised pe r section (mid-October 2014 – mid-May 2015) 
Overdue 
Notifications
3Follow up NFIDC 
decision
1
Export 
competition
17Market access
24Article 
18.6
44Individual 
notifications
153Domestic  
support
112
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.7  Trade financing 
3.68.  Over the past 12 months, the significant redu ction in the participation of global banks in the 
global trade finance markets, especially in lower- to middle-income countries, has been a major development. An important indicator of this trend has been the significant decline in the number of 
"correspondent banking" relationships with banks in developing countries, notably in Africa, 
Latin America and developing Asia, reflecting a co ntinued drive by global banks to reduce trade 
lending exposure. Although this gap was partly f illed by local and regional banks, the poorest 
countries are increasingly being left out.
61 For example, the African Development Bank estimated 
that US$130 billion of requested trade financing ha d been rejected – i.e. one-third of the total 
African trade finance market. In Asia, the Asian Development Bank carried out a similar survey in 2014, which estimated that in Asia US$800 billion had been rejected, with no alternative financing. 
The rejection rates are 7% for multinational firms and 85% for SMEs.  
3.69.  The issue of trade finance has received considerable attention from WTO Members since 
2008 with many pointing to the lack of trade finance as potentially important non-tariff barriers to 
integration into global trade. In its 2014 Report to the General Council, the Working Group on 
Trade, Debt and Finance stated that there was "the need for the WTO, including its Director-General, to continue its diagnosis, advisory and advocacy role on the availability of trade 
finance in developing countries, in partnership with the IMF, World Bank Group and other 
multilateral development banks". The Working Grou p also requested a dedicated seminar on trade 
finance to be held in the spring of 2015 with the objective of better understanding the workings and developments in this area. 
3.70.  Immediately prior to this seminar, on 26 March 2015, the Director-General's Expert Group 
on Trade Finance noted that although liquidity was sufficient in trade finance markets for the main trading nations, many developing countries lacked both the capacity in the financial sector to 
support trade and access to the international fina ncial system. The situation had been aggravated 
after the onset of the financial crisis as global private financial institutions had been withdrawing from least-developed countries.  
3.71.  At the WTO special meeting of the Wo rking Group on Trade, Debt and Finance on 
26-27 March 2015, the Director-General acknowledg ed that lack of trade finance could be the 
                                               
61 WTO document WT/WGTDF/W/74/Rev. 1, 2 February 2015. WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 44 - 
 
  equivalent of a strong non-tariff barriers to trade. He insisted that despite the comprehensive 
cooperation between the WTO and multilateral develo pment banks to foster the expansion of trade 
finance facilitation programmes, and with the Ba sel Committee on Banking Supervision to lighten 
the regulatory burden on those institutions willin g to supply trade finance in the poorest countries, 
much remained to be done. Discussions generally reflected the sentiment that there would be no 
quick fix for developing countries to expand their financial industry into providing efficient and cost-effective financial services for traders. This required specific knowledge dissemination, 
build-up of institutions (including local or regional export-import banks), and specific support by 
multilateral development agencies.  
3.72.  At the same time, several delegations urged the trade community to take ownership of the 
trade finance issue because of its centrality in building an overall trading infrastructure, including 
the physical infrastructure associated with road and shipping transport. Many felt that this effort 
required a broader cross-institutional approach whic h allowed trade finance to be part of the wider 
effort to support growth through trade integratio n. Several examples were provided of regional 
integration initiatives, particularly in Africa, where efforts to build new road and rail corridors to 
ports had not been accompanied by improved nati onal financial systems. There was widespread 
support for the Director-General's call for inclusion of the trade finance dimension into the 
"financing for development" agenda beyond 2015 and in the G-20 agenda as a way to establish 
trade finance development as part of the long-term trade and development agenda.
62 
3.8  General economic support63 
3.73.  Only five WTO Members volunteered information relating to economic support measures. As 
part of the verification exercise, the WTO Secretariat subsequently requested confirmation of 
several such measures, including many obtained fr om other official sources, from a broader group 
of WTO Members. As for previous reports, a su bstantial number of Members requested that such 
measures relating to their economies not be included in the report.  
3.74.  For the review period, according to information provided to the Secretariat or obtained 
through other sources, 75 new general economic support measures were put in place by 40 WTO 
Members.64 For around one-third of these measures , and therefore comparable to previous 
reports, no confirmation or verification we re received from the Member concerned.  
3.75.  Just under one-third of the general economic support measures listed in Annex 4 covers the 
EU or its member States and reflects the availability of information regarding subsidies of this 
WTO Member. Although this share is lower compared to the last report, it continues to reflect the 
transparency practices of this WTO Member with respect to the publication of information regarding support measures, including in instances where previously-allocated general economic 
support has been recovered. Although such transp arency is fundamental for providing a balanced 
account of the overall number of new general economic support measures, the fact remains that Annex 4, to a significant extent reflects measures  taken by one Member despite the fact that many 
others may apply similar measures.  
3.76.  The monthly average of almost 11 new general economic support measures recorded by 
this exercise for the period under review is three times higher than the comparable figure in the June 2014 mid-year monitoring report.
65 Although this might suggest an significant increase in the 
application of general economic support measures, the lack of active participation by more 
WTO Members has made it very difficult to assess any overall trends. 
3.77.  Annex 4 covers measures that provide economic assistance and financial support targeted 
at certain sectors, including export credit, insurance support and various financial aid and loan 
programmes for specific industries or sectors. For the period under review, the main beneficiaries were selected industries in the manufacturing sector, activities related to the agricultural sector 
and a certain programmes seeking to assist SMEs. A variety of incentive schemes, tax rebates, 
                                               
62 Details on the WGTDF trade finance seminar viewed at: 
https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/coh er_e/wkshop_mar15_e/wkshop_mar15_e.htm . 
63 Measures in Annex 4 are not included in the overal l number of trade measures reported in section 3.1 
of the monitoring reports, nor in  the trade monitoring database. 
64 The European Union and its Memb er States counted separately. 
65 WTO document WT/TPR/OV/W/8, 27 June 2014. WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 45 - 
 
  loan guarantees and import duty refunds/reductio ns can be identified. Several of these schemes 
appear by design to seek to encourage or b oost exports while some grant schemes identify 
conservation and the environment as overall objectives. An interesting new development in the context of Annex 4 is the significant number of entries which relate to the reduction in subsidy 
schemes for gasoline and other fuels. 
3.78.  Annex 4, as well as the summary above, provides ample evidence of the challenge faced by 
the Secretariat in compiling information on general economic support measures. It is important to 
reiterate that Annex 4 has never been intended to report only on general economic support 
measures linked to the financial crisis. Although initial monitoring reports included a substantial number of measures which, in spirit as well as in words, were directly related to the crisis, others were not. Yet, their trade-related effects were potent ially important. It is also clear that even when 
subsidies are duly notified to the WTO this alone does not mean that they should not feature as 
general economic support in Annex 4. Similarly, Annex 4 is not intended to only capture when general economic support is granted, but also when it is reduced or eliminated, e.g. in the case of 
the reductions of fuel subsidy programmes.  
3.79.  In preparing the latest monitoring reports it has become clear, perhaps unsurprisingly, that 
the definition of general economic support differs considerably depending on the economy in 
question. In this context, it remains imperative to emphasize that the monitoring reports have no 
legal effects or imply no judgement with respect to any of the measures or information contained therein. As a transparency exercise the monito ring exercise depends, in large part, on the 
contributions of Members and Annex 4 has since the very beginning suffered from very uneven 
contributions by WTO Members. At the same time, there is little doubt that the format and 
coverage of Annex 4 and the information contained therein would benefit from a broader discussion among Members in terms of its coverage, and how to make the monitoring of this type 
of measure more relevant. 
4  POLICY DEVELOPMENTS IN TRADE IN SERVICES
66 
4.1.  On 13 March 2015, China  issued a new Industry Catalogue for Foreign Investment, which 
entered into force on 10 April 2015, replacing the 2011 Catalogue. Similar to the past versions of 
the Catalogue, the 2015 Catalogue lists a number of industries and classifies them according to 
whether foreign investment is encouraged, restricted or prohibited. An industry which is not explicitly listed is deemed to be one in which foreign investment is permitted. Compared to the 
2011 Catalogue, the 2015 Catalogue has substantiall y reduced the number of restricted industries 
from 79 to 38. However, certain service industries have been added to the restricted and prohibited categories. The following are the main changes in services-related industries. 
Distribution services - The wholesale and retail of tobacco, ci garettes and other tobacco products are 
newly added to the prohibited category. 
- The direct selling, mail order, online sa le, distribution of audiovisual products, and 
the wholesale, retail and delivery of vegeta ble oil, sugar, crude oil, pesticides and 
fertilizers are reclassified from the re stricted to the permitted category. 
Education services - Higher educational institutions and childcare institutions have been included in the 
restricted category, with the investment method limited to the formation of 
cooperative joint ventures controlled by the Chinese party. The same requirement for 
Chinese controlling shareholding applies to ordinary high school education.  
- Foreign investment in compulsory education remains prohibited. 
Entertainment 
services - Operation of entertainment places is mo ved from the restricted category into the 
encouraged category with the requirement on joint venture removed. 
- Brokering and agency of stage performances remains restricted with the additional 
requirement that the Chinese partner shall hold the majority of shares. 
                                               
66 All information in this section has been verified by the Members concerned unless otherwise indicated.  WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 46 - 
 
  Financial Services - Foreign investment in finance companie s, trust companies, currency brokerage 
companies and insurance brokerage compan ies has been moved from restricted to 
permitted. 
- The business scope of securities companies has been expanded to include the 
underwriting and sponsoring of RMB common shares, foreign shares, government 
bonds and corporate bonds, the brokerage of foreign shares and the brokerage and 
proprietary trading of government bonds and corporate bonds.  
- A foreign-invested securities company may further apply to extend its business 
scope after two years of establishment prov ided certain requirements are fulfilled. 
- The foreign shareholding ratio allowed in securities companies has been increased 
from 33.3% to 49%, which is consiste nt with the amended Rules on the 
Establishment of Foreign-invested Securities Companies issued by the China 
Securities Regulatory Commission in 2012.  
- No change has been introduced to China's foreign investment policy with regard to 
insurance companies, securities investment fund management companies and futures 
companies. 
Health services - Foreign investment in medical institutions is reclassified into the restricted category 
and is limited to the formation of equity or cooperative joint venture. 
Legal services - Consulting services on Chinese legal matte rs are added to the prohibited category. 
Telecommunications 
and internet related 
services - Even though value-added telecommunications industries are still listed in the 
restricted category, the foreign shareholding restriction on e-commerce has been 
removed. 
- Network publishing services are added to the prohibited category. 
Transport services - Railway freight transport is remo ved from the restricted category. 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
4.2.  The Russian Federation's  amended Law on Foreign Investment in Strategic Companies 
(Federal Law No.343-FZ on Amending the Federal law on the Procedure for making foreign investments in companies which are of strategic importance for ensuring the country's defence and 
state security and certain legislative acts of the Russian Federation as of 4 November 2014) now 
also covers acquisitions of assets in "strategic" companies if the value of these assets exceeds 25% of the total value of the company's assets. Such transactions now require prior approval by the Governmental Commission. In addition, the list of strategic activities has been amended to 
include services rendered in ports in the territory of  the Russian Federation (a specific list of such 
services is to be drawn up by the Government). 
Audio-visual and telecommunications services 
4.3.  On 18 December 2014, Argentina  enacted the "Digital Argentina" Law (Law 27078, Ley 
Argentina Digital), a new telecommunications law replacing the existing legislation from 1972. The 
new law declares Information Technology and Communications (ICT) service an "essential and 
strategic public service" and guarantees "equal access" of citizens across the country. The measure allows operators to provide bundled telephone, internet and cable television services, in practice opening the supply of telephony safeguarding sma ll and medium enterprises and cooperatives. The 
law also establishes the Federal Authority for Information Technology and Communications 
(Autoridad de Aplicación de las Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones, in Spanish), 
the new converged regulatory body responsible for of all ICT-related matters.
67 
4.4.  On 24 September 2014, the Belgian  Institute for Post and Telecommunications (BIPT), 
through a Council's decision, confirmed the deregulation of fixed telephony services for residential 
and business customers. The watchdog also deci ded to lift the price control and transparency 
obligations imposed on fixed line incumbent, Belgacom, at the retail level, as the market was 
increasingly facing competition.68 This decision follows the EU's "recommendation on relevant 
markets" which defines the telecom markets subject to  regulation within the EU in order to ensure 
sufficient competition between the operators, but also allows national regulators to remove limits 
on wholesale prices of a particular market if it is no longer dominated by a single operator.69 
                                               
67 Viewed at: http://www.argentinadigital.gob.ar/ . 
68 Viewed at: http://www.ibpt.be/public/files/fr/21368/Besluit_markten_3-5_2003_PUBL_FR.pdf . 
69 Viewed at: https://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/en/news/explanatory-note-accompanying-
commission-recommendation-relevant-product-and-service-markets . WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 47 - 
 
  4.5.  On 29 October 2014, the Ministry of Telecommunications and New Technologies of 
Madagascar  announced the enactment of 3 decree s for the implementation of the law 
N° 2005-023, passed 9 years ago and aimed to reform the telecom sector.70 The implementing 
decrees focus on the total liberalization of the telecommunications market and establish minimum 
fees to obtain and renew licences. Furthermore, the rules will allow the operators to introduce and 
provide services using new technologies like the 4G. Finally, infrastructure sharing obligations are imposed, in order to decrease the amount of pylons and reduce their impact on the environment 
and on public health. 
4.6.  On 31 October 2014, the Regulations to the Foreign Investment Law and to the National 
Foreign Investment Registry of Mexico  were amended. Among other issues, the amendments 
outline the information and documents that are necessary to obtain a favourable opinion from the 
National Commission of Foreign Investments (required by the Federal Telecommunications 
Institute) to obtain the concession for broadcasting services involving the participation of foreign investment, according to the Federal Telecommunications and Broadcasting Law. In addition, the 
amendments simplify the registration requiremen ts imposed by the National Foreign Investment 
Registry. 
4.7.  On 6 May 2015, the Ministry of Communica tions and Information Technology (MCIT) of 
Myanmar  published its latest list of licences issued.
71 This covers licenses to provide Network 
Facilities Services (Individual), which permit licensees to construct networks, lease access to service providers and offer any type of public or  private telecom service and Network Facilities 
(Class) concessions that will permit licensees to deploy and maintain passive infrastructure and to 
lease access to service providers. Between Febr uary 2014 and March 2015, 26 licences have been 
awarded to different operators.
72 In addition, for the first time, two international mobile operators 
will launch services within the territory. 
4.8.  On 7 October 2014, the President of the Office of Electronic Communications of Poland  
issued a resolution on deregulation of broadband access market in 76 municipalities. This decision 
was the outcome of a previous analysis of the co mpetitive situation in each of the 3000 municipal 
areas in Poland. This decision regulates, for the first time since 2007, wholesale access to hi-speed 
internet in a more comprehensive manner.73 
4.9.  On 14 October 2014, the President of the Russian Federation  enacted the Federal Law 
Amending the Law of the Russian Federation on Mass Media. According to this Law, except as 
otherwise provided by an international agreement to which the Russian Federation is a party, the 
ownership or control of the share capital of mass media companies by a foreign State, an 
international organisation, a citizen of the Russian Federation having the citizenship of another 
state, a Russian legal person having a foreign stake in its charter capital exceeding 20%, a foreign 
natural person, or a foreign legal person, is limited to 20%. The law will enter into force on 1 January 2016. 
4.10.  On 6 March 2015, the House of Parliament of Sierra Leone  adopted the 
Telecommunications Amendment Act 2015. The amended bill repeals section 33 of the Telecommunications Act 2006, which entrusted a monopoly over the telecommunications 
international gateway to the incumbent operator, the Sierra Leone Telecommunications Company 
(SIERRATEL). Before the liberalization, SI ERRATEL had the monopoly for a decade.
74 
4.11.  On 26 February 2015, the U.S.' Federal Communications Commission (FCC) enacted the 
Open Internet Order containing new rules on net neutrality that would apply to fixed and mobile 
broadband service providers.75 The Order focusses on 4 points: no blocking, which means that 
internet service providers (ISP) may not restrict access to legal content, applications, services or non-harmful devises; no throttling, which means that no ISP should, intentionally, slow down the 
                                               
70 This measure has not yet been verified by the Government of Madagascar. 
71 Viewed at: http://www.mcit.gov.mm/news/licence-issued-list652015.html . 
72 Viewed at: http://www.mcit.gov.mm/sites/default/files/Licence Issued List (6.5.15).pdf. This measure 
has not yet been verified by the Government of Myanmar. 
73 Viewed at: http://www.en.uke.gov.pl/new-regulations -concerning-wholesale-broadband-internet-
access-services-in-poland-14775#.VDZ-SadAA-E.wordpress . 
74 Viewed at: http://www.natcom.gov.sl/index.php/2-uncategorised/76-int-gateway . 
75 This measure has not yet been verified by the Government of the U.S. WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 48 - 
 
  content or speed up others; and no paid prioritiza tion, in other words, ISP wouldn't be allowed to 
favour specific lawful Internet traffic over other lawful traffic, in exchange for special consideration of any kind. The new rules also impose transparency requirements on broadband providers, forcing them to disclose such information as promotiona l rates, fees and surcharges and data caps. In 
order to apply these provisions, "broadband Inte rnet Access service" is reclassified as a 
Telecommunication Services under the Title II of the Telecommunications Act.
76 
Construction services 
4.12.  India  eased foreign direct investment rules for the construction sector.77 Under the new 
rules (announced in the Press Note No. 10 (2014 series)), effective 17 April 2014, 100% foreign investment, without prior approval, is now allowed in townships, housing, built-up infrastructure and construction-development projects with a mi nimum built area of 20,000 square metres (down 
from a previous 50,000 sqm threshold). Minimum ca pitalization of US$10 million is required for 
wholly owned subsidiaries, while minimum capital for joint-ventures with Indian partners amount to US$5 million. 
Financial services  
4.13.  According to a circular release on 22 April 2015, starting June 1
st, China 's State Council will 
regulate the market access for bankcard transaction clearing institutions.78 The circular lists the 
requirements that need to be fulfilled in order to apply to set up a bankcard clearing institution and 
to conduct such business in China: 
 organizations will be able to engage in bankcard clearing business after their 
 applications are approved by the authorities and licenses issued; 
 
 the application requirements, covering various aspects, include a minimum of 1 billion 
 yuan (US$161 million) of registered capital; 
 
 the banking authorities should decide whether the applications are approved within 
 90 working days after receiving the applications. The applicants should complete 
 preparatory work within one year after approval and no clearing business is allowed 
 during the period;  
 applicants are required to officially start bankcard clearing services within six months 
 after receiving the business permits; 
 
 requirements are set on the organizations' business, including protecting the 
 information they acquire from bankcard clearing services; 
 
 overseas institutions that provide bankcard clearing services for clients in China 
 should establish foreign-invested enterprises in the country according to law; and 
 
 organizations that have already started business should submit applications for 
 business permits or report their operations to authorities within a year after the new 
 rule takes effect or they will be forbidden to continue the business. 
 4.14.  In March 2015, the Indian  Government passed the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Act, 
2015
79, which increased foreign equity ownership in Indian insurance firms from 26% to 49%.80 
Foreign investment of up to 26% will be allowed without prior government approval, while any investment above 26% and up to the cap of 49% w ill require prior government approval from the 
Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) of th e Government of India. While the shareholding 
                                               
76 Viewed at: http://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-adopts-strong-sustainable-rules-protect-open-internet 
77 This measure has not yet been verified by the Government of India. 
78 Viewed at: 
http://english.gov.cn/policies/latest_releases/2015/04/22/content_281475093816882.htm . This measure has 
not yet been verified by the Government of China. 
79 Subsequently, the government published the In dian Insurance Companies (Foreign Investment) 
Rules, 2015, and issued Press Note 3 of 20154 to amend the consolidated foreign investment policy of the 
Government of India. 
80 Measures on financial services have not yet been verified by the Government of India. WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 49 - 
 
  cap has been increased, "ownership" and "contr ol" of the company must remain with Indian 
residents. Indian ownership is defined to mean mo re than 50% of the share equity capital in the 
hands of Indian residents. Control has been defined in line with the definition in the consolidated FDI Policy to include the "right to appoint majority of directors or to control management or policy 
decisions including by virtue of their sharehol ding or management rights or shareholders 
agreements or voting agreements." The Act also re cognizes "health insurance" as an exclusive line 
of business, and carves it out from general in surance. The amended Law also enables foreign 
reinsurers to set up branches in India. 
4.15.  In line with the reforms of the insuranc e sector, on 24 April 2015 the government of India 
raised the limit of foreign direct investment in the pension sector also to 49%. According to the press note No 4 (2015 Series), no government approval is required to acquire 26% of ownership. 
But the approval of the FIPB is needed for investment beyond 26% and up to the cap of 49%. 
4.16.  On 23 April 2015, the Reserve Bank of In dia issued a notification (RBI/2014-15/573) 
requiring foreign banks that have more than 20 br anches to achieve the 40% total priority sector 
lending target (to agriculture, small and medium sized firms and housing) by March 2019. Foreign 
banks with fewer than 20 branches, who were prev iously subject to a 32% total priority sector 
lending target, will now need to move to a 40% target, on a par with Indian banks, by 2020. 
4.17.  In October 2014, the Central Bank of Myanmar  granted provisional approval for nine 
foreign banks to commence limited operations, marking a resumption of such services for the first time since 1962. All nine were chosen from a pool of more than 40 lenders with representative offices in the country, more than half of which op ened within the past three years. The banks, all 
from the Asia-Pacific region, have been given 12 months to launch operations. Under the terms set 
out in October, the new entrants into the market will only be able to offer wholesale banking products and services to foreign firms and local banks. They will therefore not be allowed to 
engage in normal retail banking. They will be allowed to provide kyat-denominated loans to 
domestic companies only through a partnership arrangement with a registered domestic lender, with interest rates set by the Central Bank. 
4.18.  In November 2014, the Monetary Board (MB) of the Philippines  released the implementing 
rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 10641.
81 The new law provides for the 
further entry of foreign banks into the Phili ppines and thus amends R.A. No. 7721, from 1994. 
With the approval of the IRR, additional foreign banks can now apply to operate in the Philippines 
either as a branch or as a wholly-owned subsidiary. In addition, the new law allows foreign banks 
to acquire up to 100% of the voting stock of an ex isting domestic bank. This is an increase from 
the 60% under the previous law (R.A. No. 7721). The R.A. No. 10641 allows foreign banks to 
control up to a combined 40% of the total assets of the banking system (up 10 percentage points 
from the previous 30% limit). The minimum capi tal requirements applicable to foreign bank 
branches have been aligned with that of  domestic banks of the same category.  
Health Services 
4.19.  On 25 July 2014, China 's National Health and Family Planning Commission issued the 
Notice on Establishing Wholly Foreign-Owned Hospitals, which allows foreign investors to wholly own hospitals in Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai and the provinces of Jiangsu, Fujian, Guangdong 
and Hainan as part of a pilot test.
82 Foreign suppliers should have experience in medical and health 
investment and management, and meet one of th e following requirements: a) being capable of 
offering advanced hospital management ideas,  and management and service models; b) being 
capable of offering advanced medical technolo gy and equipment; and c) being capable of 
improving local medical service, technology, fund and facilities. The wholly foreign-owned hospitals should meet basic national medical institute standards. 
Transport services 
4.20.  Australia  has recently relaxed foreign ownership restrictions in the flag carrier Qantas. On 
8 August 2014, the Qantas Sale Amendment Act 2014 received Royal assent. According to the Act, 
                                               
81 This is in addition to the information on the Republic Act (R.A.) No. 10641 provided in the previous 
report. 
82 This measure has not yet been verified by the Government of China. WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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  ownership by a single foreign investor may now exceed 25% and aggregate ownership by foreign 
airlines may now exceed 35%. However, foreigners may, cumulatively, still not own more than 49% in Qantas. 
4.21.  Effective 17 April 2014 (Press Note No. 8 (2014 series)), the government of India  
permitted 100% foreign direct investment, without prior authorization, in several activities of the 
railway transportation sector, such as high speed train projects, railway electrification, signalling systems and freight and passenger terminals.
83 However, FDI beyond 49% of the company in 
sensitive areas from a national security point of view, will be authorized by the Cabinet Committee 
on Security on a case-by-case basis. 
4.22.  Law No. 150 of 17 July 2014 (Road Transport Code) of the Republic of Moldova  requires 
mandatory licensing for the transport of goods in international and national traffic. Licences for 
international traffic are issued for a period of 8 years (Effective 1 January 2015), while licences for 
national traffic are valid for a period of 5 years (Effective 1 January 2016). 
 Services supplied through the movement of natural persons 
4.23.  On 1 March 2015, Chile  introduced a new "Temporary Residence for Work Purposes" work 
visa category. The multiple-entry visa, which has an initial duration of one year, allows foreigners to enter the country with an employment contract and subsequently change employers, and 
perform unlimited work activities. It also exempt s employers from paying repatriation costs once 
their employee leaves Chile.
84 
4.24.  Egypt's  Ministry of Manpower has announced that, starting from February 2015, new work 
permit applications are subject to labour market testing requirements. 
4.25.  The Swiss  government has set the 2015 quotas for short-term work permits (L permits) 
and for long-term work permits (B-permits) at 2,500 and 4,000, respectively, for non-EU/EFTA 
applicants, and at 250 and 2,000 for EU/EFTA applicants.85 
4.26.  Foreign business visitors to Thailand  are allowed to perform a longer list of activities, 
including attending business meetings, seminars or conferences, as of 13 March 2015, without 
needing to obtain a work authorisation. 
4.27.  Since 22 December 2014, intra-corporate transferees working in several services industries 
in Viet Nam  may apply for an exemption from work permit requirements. The exemption is 
available to intra-corporate transferees that are managers, specialists or technicians who have been in the employment of the company for at leas t one year prior to their transfer to Viet Nam. 
 
                                               
83 This measure has not yet been verified by the Government of India. 
84 Viewed at: http://www.extranjeria.gob.cl/noticias/2015/03/02/nueva-visa-temporal-por-motivos-
laborales/ . This measure has not yet been veri fied by the Government of Chile. 
85 Viewed at: https://www.bfm.admin.ch/bfm/fr/home/aktuell/news/2014/ref_2014-11-283.html   WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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  ANNEX 1 
MEASURES FACILITATING TRADE1 
(MID-OCTOBER 2014 TO MID-MAY 2015) 
Confirmed information2 
Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/date Status 
Albania Elimination of import tariffs on certain products, 
i.e. live bovine animals and swine, live poultry, 
eggs, wheat or meslin flour; and petroleum oils. Decrease of import tariffs (from 15% to 10%) on 
new pneumatic tyres of rubber (HS 0102.29.29; 
0103.91.10; 0105.11.11; 0105.11.19; 0105.12.00; 0105.13.00; 0105.14.00; 0105.15.00; 0407.11.00; 0407.19.11; 0407.19.19; 0511.10.00; 1001.19.00; 1001.99.00; 1101.00.11; 1101.00.15; 2309.90.31; 2709.00.90; 4011) Law No. 159/2014 
(27 Nov. 14) Effective 
1 Jan. 15 
Argentina Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 2%) on 
acyclic monoamines and its salts 
(NCM 2921.19.23), under an import quota of 
26,282 tonnes; and dimethylamine and their 
salts ( NCM 2921.11.21), under an import quota 
of 12,226 tonnes Permanent 
Delegation of 
Argentina to the WTO 
(26 May 15) and 
Decretos 
Nos. 80/2015 and 
84/2015 (21 Jan. 15) Effective 
3 Feb. 15 for 
1 year 
Australia Reduction of import tariffs (second phase) (from 
10% to 5%) on certain textiles, clothing and footwear (in Chapters 39; 40; 42; 58; 60; 61; 62; 63; 96). Tariffs eliminated for imports from developing countries  Permanent 
Delegation of Australia to the WTO (27 May 15) Effective 
1 Jan. 15 
Azerbaijan Measures to facilitate trade through the 
introduction of amendments to the customs 
legislation "Rules on export-import operations" 
and "Rules on declaration of goods" Permanent 
Delegation of 
Azerbaijan 
(19 May 15) Effective 
1 Nov. 14 
Azerbaijan Measures to facilitate trade through the 
introduction of amendments to the customs legislation "Rules on export-import operations" and "Rules on declaration of goods" Permanent 
Delegation of Azerbaijan (19 May 15) Effective 
1 Nov. 14 
Azerbaijan Amendments introduced to the Tax Code, 
harmonizing rates of excise duty applied on 
imports and locally produced alcoholic beverages 
and tobacco products (HS 2204; 2207; 2208; 
2402) Permanent 
Delegation of 
Azerbaijan 
(19 May 15) Effective Jan. 15 
Brazil Implementation of the customs pilot project 
"Brazilian Authorized Economic Operator (AEO)" for imports  Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil to the WTO (26 May 15) Effective 
4 Dec. 14 
Brazil Implementation of the customs pilot project 
"Brazilian Authorized Economic Operator (AEO)" 
for exports Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil 
to the WTO 
(26 May 15) Effective 
4 Dec. 14 
                                               
1 The inclusion of any measure in this table implies no judgement by the WTO Secretariat on whether or 
not such measure, or its intent, is protectionist in  nature. Moreover, nothing in the table implies any 
judgement, either direct or indirect, on the consistency of any measure refe rred to with the provisions of any 
WTO agreement. 
2 This section includes information which has either  been provided by the Member concerned or has 
been confirmed at the request of the Secretariat. WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/date Status 
Brazil Implementation of the new drawback 
programme web system ("exemption modality") 
eliminating the use of paper documents in the request for licences und er this programme and 
streamlining registration of foreign trade operators Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil to the WTO (26 May 15) Effective 
15 Dec. 14 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 2%) on 
64 informatics and telecommunication equipment 
tariff lines (NCM 8443; 8471; 8517; 8530; 8531; 
8532; 8536; 8537; 8542; 8543; 9030; 9032), 
through the "ex-out" regime (mechanism 
designed to temporarily re duce import tariffs on 
capital goods and informatics and 
telecommunication equipment not locally 
produced) Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil 
to the WTO 
(26 May 15) and 
Camex Resolutions 
Nos. 111/2014 
(21 Nov. 14), 
113/2014 
(25 Nov. 14), 
117/2014 
(18 Dec. 14), 7/2015 
(30 Jan. 15), and 
21/2015 (31 Mar. 15) Effective until 
31 Dec. 15 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 2%) on 
1,731 capital goods tariff lines (in NCM Chapters 73; 84; 85; 86; 87; 90), and elimination of import tariffs on 5 tariff lines (NCM Chapter 86), through the "ex-out" regime (mechanism designed to temporarily re duce import tariffs on 
capital goods and informatics and telecommunication equipment not locally produced)  Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil to the WTO (26 May 15) and Camex Resolutions Nos. 114/2014 (25 Nov. 14), 118/2014 (18 Dec. 14), 8/2015 (30 Jan. 15), and 22/2015 (31 Mar. 15) Effective until 
30 Jun. 16 
Brazil Temporary elimination of import tariffs on 
p-Xylene (NCM 2902.43.00), under an import 
quota of 80,000 tonnes Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil 
to the WTO 
(26 May 15) and 
Camex Resolution 
No. 112/2014 
(21 Nov. 14) Effective 
1 Dec. 14 to 
29 May 15 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 2%) on 
chemical preparations for photographic uses 
(NCM 3707.90.21), under an import quota of 1,700 tonnes (effective from 10 Dec. 14 to 9 Dec. 15); carbonates (NCM 2836.60.00), under an import quota of 8,250 tonnes (effective 10 Dec. 14 to 9 Dec. 15); rectangular plate of aluminium alloys (NCM 7606.12.90), under an import quota of 2,937 tonnes (effective 31 Jan. 15 to 30 Jan. 16); and plates of poly(vinyl butyral) (NCM 3920.91.00), under an import quota of 5,818,500 kg (effective 1 Mar. 15 to 31 Aug. 15) Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil to the WTO (26 May 15) and Camex Resolution No. 115/2014 (9 Dec. 14)   
Brazil Reduction of import tariffs (to 2%) on 111 parts 
and accessories of moto r vehicles tariff lines 
(NCM Chapters 39; 40; 73; 76; 84; 85; 87; 90; 
94), through the "ex-out" regime (mechanism 
designed to temporarily re duce import tariffs on 
capital goods and informatics and 
telecommunication equipment not locally 
produced) Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil 
to the WTO 
(26 May 15) and 
Camex Resolutions 
Nos. 116/2014 
(18 Dec. 14) and 
16/2015 (31 Mar. 15) Effective 
19 Dec. 14 WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/date Status 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 2%) on 
artificial filament yarn of viscose rayon, untwisted or with a twist not exceeding 120 turns per metre (NCM 5403.31.00), under an import quota of 624 tonnes Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil to the WTO (26 May 15), Camex Resolution No. 127/2014 (19 Dec. 14) and Secex Portaria 
No. 48/2014 
(22 Dec. 14) Effective 
22 Dec. 14 to 21 Jun. 15 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 2%) on 
certain products, i.e. sodium hydroxide "caustic 
soda" in aqueous solution (soda lye or liquid 
soda) (NCM 2815.12.00), under an import quota 
of 360,000 tonnes (effective 14 Nov. 14 to 
13 Nov. 15); esters of acrylic acid 
(NCM 2916.12.20), under an import quota of 
7,000 tonnes (effective 24 Feb. 15 to 
23 Jul. 15); aluminium foil not backed rolled but 
not further worked (NCM 7607.11.90), under an 
import quota of 2,137 tonnes (effective 
31 Jan. 15 to 30 Jul. 15); rectangular aluminium 
plates, sheets and strips  of aluminium alloys 
(NCM 7607.12.90), under an import quota of 
2,000 tonnes (effective 16 Jan. 15 to 
15 Jan. 16); sulphates of barium 
(NCM 2833.27.10), under an import quota of 
10,000 tonnes (effective 16 Jan.15 to 
15 Jan. 16); aniline and its salts 
(NCM 2921.41.00), under an import quota of 
7,500 tonnes (effective 16 Jan. 15 to 
15 Jan. 16); titanium oxides (NCM 2823.00.10), 
under an import quota of  8,000 tonnes (effective 
16 Jan. 15 to 15 Jan. 16); disodium sulphate 
(NCM 2833.11.10), under an import quota of 
425,000 tonnes (effective 13 Apr. 15 to 
12 Oct. 15); and babassu oil (NCM 1513.29.10), 
under an import quota of 116,157 tonnes 
(effective 17 Apr. 15 to 16 Oct. 15)  Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil 
to the WTO 
(26 May 15), Camex 
Resolutions 
Nos. 104/2014 
(13 Nov. 14), 1/2015 
and 2/2015 
(15 Jan. 15); and 
Secex Portarias 
Nos. 46/2014 
(10 Dec. 14), 
1/2015, 2/2015, 
3/2015 and 4/2015 
(16 Jan. 15)   
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 2%) on 
artificial filament yarn of viscose rayon, untwisted or with a twist not exceeding 120 turns per metre (NCM 5403.31.00), under an import quota of 624 tonnes Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil to the WTO (26 May 15), Camex Resolution No. 127/2014 (19 Dec. 14) and Secex Portaria No. 48/2014 (22 Dec. 14) Effective 
22 Dec. 14 to 21 Jun. 15 
Brazil Reduction of import tariffs (from 12% to 2%) on 
certain antibiotics ( fumarato de tiamulina ) 
(NCM 2941.90.92) Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil 
to the WTO 
(26 May 15) and 
Camex Resolution 
No. 6/2015 
(28 Jan. 15) Effective 
30 Jan. 15 WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/date Status 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 2%) on 
37 informatics and telecommunication equipment tariff lines (NCM 8443.32.31; 8471.50.10; 8517.62.39; 8517.62.59; 8517.62.72; 8517.62.77; 8517.70.10; 8517.70.99; 8528.51.20; 8530.10.10; 8531.20.00; 8532.24.10; 8534.00.51; 8536.50.90; 8536.90.40; 8537.10.20; 8541.40.16; 
8541.60.90; 8543.70.99; 9030.40.90; 
9030.89.90; 9032.89.29), through the "ex-out" regime (mechanism desi gned to temporarily 
reduce import tariffs on capital goods and informatics and telecommunication equipment not locally produced)  Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil to the WTO (26 May 15), Camex Resolutions Nos. 11/2015 (5 Mar. 15) and 29/2015 (29 Apr. 15) Effective until 
31 Dec. 15 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 2%) on 
277 capital goods tariff lines (in NCM Chapters 
84; 85; 86; 87; 90), through the "ex-out" 
regime (mechanism desi gned to temporarily 
reduce import tariffs on capital goods and 
informatics and telecommunication equipment 
not locally produced)  Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil 
to the WTO 
(26 May 15) and 
Camex Resolution 
No. 12/2015 
(5 Mar. 15) Effective until 
30 Jun. 16 
Brazil Second extension of the temporary elimination of 
import tariffs on methanol (methyl alcohol) (NCM 2905.11.00), under an import quota of 600,000 tonnes (originally effective from 8 Apr. 13 to 5 Oct. 13. Initially extended on 7 Oct. 13)  Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil to the WTO (26 May 15), Camex Resolution No. 13/2015 (5 Mar. 15) and Secex Portaria No. 13/2015 (13 Mar. 15) Effective 
4 Apr. 15 to 3 Apr. 16 
Brazil Elimination of import tariffs on certain products, 
i.e. (from 2%) vaccines for human medicine 
(NCM 3002.20.29), (from 10%) roasted coffee in 
capsules (NCM 0901.21.00), and (from 20%) 
electro-thermic coffee or tea makers 
(NCM 8516.71.00) Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil 
to the WTO 
(26 May 15) and 
Camex Resolutions 
Nos. 17/2015 and 
18/2015 (31 Mar. 15) Effective 
1 Apr. 15 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 2%) on 
shelled walnuts (NCM 0802.22.00), under an import quota of 2,500 tonnes Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil to the WTO (26 May 15), Camex Resolution No. 23/2015 (8 Apr. 15) and Secex Portaria No. 23/2015 (9 Apr. 15) Effective 
9 Apr. 15 to 5 Oct. 15 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 2%) on 
certain products, i.e. poly(vinyl chloride), not 
mixed with any other substances 
(NCM 3904.10.20), under an import quota of 
12,000 tonnes; benzyl alcohol 
(NCM 2906.21.00), under an import quota of 
3,000 tonnes; silicones in primary forms 
(NCM 3910.00.90), under an import quota of 132 
tonnes (effective 14 Apr. 15 to 13 Apr. 16); and 
acyclic monoamines an d their derivatives 
(di-n-propilamina e seus sais ) 
(NCM 2921.19.22), under an import quota of 
2,400 tonnes (effective 14 Apr. 15 to 13 Apr. 17) Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil 
to the WTO 
(26 May 15), Camex 
Resolution 
No. 24/2015 
(13 Apr. 15) and 
Secex Portaria 
No. 24/2015 
(16 Apr. 15) Effective 
14 Apr. 15 WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/date Status 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 2%) on 
177 capital goods tariff lines (in NCM Chapters 84; 85; 87; 90; 94), through the "ex-out" regime (mechanism desi gned to temporarily 
reduce import tariffs on capital goods and informatics and telecommunication equipment not locally produced)  Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil to the WTO (26 May 15) and Camex Resolution No. 30/2015 (29 Apr. 15) Effective until 
31 Dec. 16 
China Trade facilitation measure through the 
elimination of certain customs-related 
administrative charges for imports Permanent 
Delegation of China 
to the WTO 
(29 May 15) Effective 
1 Jan. 15 
China Elimination of export quotas scheme for rare 
earth minerals, tungsten and molybdenum. Export subject to export-l icensing administration 
(HS 2530; 2609; 2611; 2612; 2613; 2620; 2805; 2825; 2841; 2846; 2849; 7106; 7202; 8001; 8002; 8003; 8007; 8101; 8102; 8110; 8112) Permanent 
Delegation of China to the WTO (29 May15) Effective 
1 Jan. 15 
China Trade facilitation measure through the 
elimination of certain customs related 
administrative charges for exports Permanent 
Delegation of China 
to the WTO 
(29 May 15) Effective 
1 Jan. 15 
China Elimination of "price controls" on 24 commodities 
(i.e. tobacco leaves) Permanent 
Delegation of China to the WTO (29 May 15) Effective 
1 Jan. 15 
China VAT rebate rates increased on exports of high 
value-added products, processed maize 
products, and textile and garment  Permanent 
Delegation of China 
to the WTO 
(29 May 15) Effective 
1 Jan. 15 WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/date Status 
China Temporary elimination of export taxes (from up 
to 25%) on certain products (94 tariff lines at 8 digits), i.e. rare ea rth minerals, rare earth 
ores, tungsten, iron and steel granules and powers, molybdenum alloys, and bars and rods of primary aluminium and aluminium-alloy (HS 2526.20.20; 2530.90.20; 2612.20.00; 2613.10.00; 2613.90.00; 2620.99.10; 
2805.30.11; 2805.30.12; 2805.30.13; 
2805.30.14; 2805.30.15; 2805.30.16; 2805.30.17; 2805.30.19; 2805.30.21; 2805.30.29; 2811.11.00; 2822.00.90; 2825.30.10; 2825.60.00; 2825.70.00; 2825.90.11; 2825.90.12; 2825.90.19; 2826.12.90; 2826.19.20; 2826.19.90; 2833.11.00; 2841.70.10; 2841.70.90; 2841.80.10; 2841.80.20; 2841.80.30; 2841.80.40; 2841.80.90; 2846.10.10; 2846.10.20; 2846.10.30; 2846.10.90; 2846.90.11; 2846.90.12; 2846.90.13; 2846.90.14; 2846.90.15; 2846.90.16; 2846.90.17; 2846.90.19; 2846.90.21; 2846.90.22; 2846.90.23; 2846.90.24; 2846.90.25; 2846.90.26; 2846.90.28; 2846.90.29; 2846.90.31; 2846.90.32; 2846.90.33; 2846.90.34; 2846.90.35; 2846.90.36; 2846.90.39; 2846.90.41; 2846.90.42; 2846.90.43; 2846.90.44; 2846.90.45; 2846.90.46; 2846.90.48; 2846.90.49; 2846.90.91; 2846.90.92; 2846.90.93; 2846.90.94; 2846.90.95; 
2846.90.96; 2846.90.99; 2849.90.20; 
7202.70.00; 7202.80.10; 7202.80.20; 7202.99.11; 7202.99.19; 7202.99.91; 7202.99.99; 7205.10.00; 7205.29.00; 7604.29.10; 8101.10.00; 8101.94.00; 8101.97.00; 8102.10.00; 8102.94.00; 8102.97.00; 8112.92.30; 7601.20.00; 7604.10.10; 7604.29.10)  Permanent 
Delegation of China to the WTO (29 May 15) Effective 
1 May 15  
Colombia Temporary elimination of import tariffs on cyclic 
amides (including cyclic  carbamates) and their 
derivatives; salt thereof; and 6-hexanelactam 
(episolon-caprolactam) (HS 2924.29.40; 
2933.71.00) and inclusion in the list of raw 
materials and capital goods not produced locally 
(3,490 tariff lines) established by Decree 
No. 1755 (originally implemented in Aug. 13) Permanent 
Delegation of 
Colombia to the WTO 
(28 May 15) Effective until 
15 Aug. 15 
Colombia Temporary elimination of import tariffs on made 
up fishing nets (HS 5608.11.00) Permanent 
Delegation of Colombia to the WTO (28 May 15) Effective Dec. 14 
for 2 years 
Colombia Temporary elimination of import tariffs on cotton 
not carded or combed (HS 5201.00.30), under 
an import quota of 20,400 tonnes Permanent 
Delegation of 
Colombia to the WTO 
(28 May 15) Effective Dec. 14 
for 12 months 
Colombia Elimination of import tariffs on heat exchange 
units (HS 8419.50.90) for the automotive industry Permanent 
Delegation of Colombia to the WTO (28 May 15) Effective Jan. 15 
Ecuador Extension of the temporary elimination of import 
tariffs on sacks of jute (HS 6305.10.10)  Resolución 
No. 001-2015 Comité 
de Comercio Exterior 
(12 Jan. 15) Effective until 
31 Dec. 17 WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 57 - 
 
  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/date Status 
El Salvador Elimination of the Central American Common 
tariff on imports of boar ds, sheets, panels, tiles 
and similar articles not ornamented faced or reinforced with paper or paperboard only (HS 6809.11.00); and certain mountings, fittings and similar articles suitable for buildings (HS 8302.41.11) Resolución 
No. 357-2014 (COMIECO-LXX) (4 Dec. 14) and Diario Oficial Tomo No. 405, No. 235 (16 Dec. 14) Effective 
16 Dec. 14. For other members of the Central American Common Market: Costa Rica has indicated 
implementation 
date on 22 May 15 (out of period); no information received on implementation date by Honduras; and Panama given a waiver on this measure  
European 
Union Elimination of milk quota regime (HS 0401; 
0402) (originally implemented in 1984). As from 
1 Apr. 15, raw cow milk production no longer 
restricted by quantitative limits Art. 230 (1a) of EU 
Regulation 
No. 1308/2013 
(17 Dec. 13); and 
Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the 
EU Delegation 
(27 May 15) Effective 
1 Apr. 15 
Guatemala Elimination of the Central American Common 
tariff on imports of boar ds, sheets, panels, tiles 
and similar articles not ornamented faced or reinforced with paper or paperboard only (HS 6809.11.00); and certain mountings, fittings and similar articles suitable for buildings (HS 8302.41.11) Resolución No. 357-
2014 (COMIECO-LXX) (4 Dec. 14) and Acuerdo Ministerial No. 917/2014 - Ministerio de Economía (15 Dec. 14) Effective 
31 Dec. 14. For other members of the Central American Common Market: Costa Rica has indicated implementation date on 22 May 15 (out of period); no information received on implementation date by Honduras; and Panama given a waiver on this measure  
Japan Temporary elimination of import tariffs (from 
¥15.3/kg) on molasses resulting from the 
extraction or refining of sugar (HS 1703.10.09; 
1703.90.09)  Permanent 
Delegation of Japan 
to the WTO 
(22 May 15) Effective 
20 Apr. 15 
Korea, Rep. of Temporary reductio n of import tariffs (to 1%) on 
material for manufacturing agricultural chemicals, under an im port quota of 20,000 
tonnes; (to 10%) dried manioc chips (HS 0714), under an import quota of 253,000 tonnes; and (to 5%) cane or beat sugar (HS 1701), under an 
import quota of 90,000 tonnes Permanent 
Delegation of the Republic of Korea to the WTO (29 May 15) Effective 
1 Jan. 15 WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/date Status 
Korea, 
Republic of Reduction of import tariffs on certain capital 
goods (62 items in HS Chapters 73; 84; 85; 90) 
used in automated factories Permanent 
Delegation of the 
Republic of Korea to 
the WTO (29 May 15) Effective 6 Feb. 
15 
Mexico Elimination of import tariffs on new rubber 
pneumatic tyres for motorcycles 
(HS 4011.40.01)  Permanent 
Delegation of Mexico to the WTO (29 May 15) Effective 
11 Dec. 14 
Mexico Elimination of import tariffs on meat of swine, 
fresh, chilled, or frozen (HS 0203), under certain 
import quotas  Permanent 
Delegation of Mexico 
to the WTO 
(29 May 15) Effective 
11 Dec. 14 
Mexico Temporary elimination of  import tariffs on certain 
toys and baby products (HS 3924.90.99; 8715.00.01; 9401.80.01; 9503; 9504.90.99; 9506.62.01), under certain import quotas  Permanent 
Delegation of Mexico to the WTO (29 May 15) and Diario Oficial de la Federación (Official Journal), 23 Mar. 15 Effective Mar. 15 
until 31 Dec. 17 
Moldova Measures to facilitate trade through the 
implementation of the "Authorized Economic 
Operator" scheme of the World Customs 
Organization SAFE Framework of Standards to 
Secure and Facilitate Global Trade  Permanent 
Delegation of the 
Republic of Moldova 
to the WTO 
(19 May 15) and 
Customs Service 
Order No. 483-O 
(13 Nov. 14) Effective 
13 Nov. 14 
Moldova Trade facilitation measures through the return of 
overpaid import or export duties  Permanent 
Delegation of the Republic of Moldova to the WTO 
(19 May 15) and 
Decision No. 876 (21 Oct. 14) Effective 
24 Oct. 14 
Nicaragua Elimination of the Central American Common 
tariff on imports of boar ds, sheets, panels, tiles 
and similar articles not ornamented faced or 
reinforced with paper or paperboard only 
(HS 6809.11.00); and certain mountings, fittings 
and similar articles suitable for buildings 
(HS 8302.41.11) Resolución 
No. 357-2014 
(COMIECO-LXX) 
(4 Dec. 14) and 
Acuerdo Ministerial 
MIFIC No. 20-2015 
(20 Mar. 15) Effective 
20 Mar. 15. For 
other members 
of the Central 
American 
Common Market: 
Costa Rica has 
indicated 
implementation 
date on 
22 May 15 (out 
of period); no 
information 
received on 
implementation 
date by 
Honduras; and 
Panama given a 
waiver on this 
measure WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 59 - 
 
  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/date Status 
Norway Elimination of import tariffs (114 tariff lines at 
8-digits level) on certain products, i.e. cut flowers; certain edible vegetables and roots and tubers; edible fruits; starches; inulin; hop cones; caramel; corn flakes; preparation of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other parts of plants; mi scellaneous 
edible preparations (active yeasts, tomato ketchup); and animal feed preparations 
(HS 0603; 0704; 0705; 0706; 0707; 0708; 
0709; 0710; 0808; 0809; 0810; 0813; 1108; 1210; 1702; 1904; 2001; 2003; 2004; 2005; 2006; 2008; 2009; 2102; 2103; 2209; 2309)  Permanent 
Delegation of Norway to the WTO (27 May 15) Effective 
1 Jan. 15 
Peru Elimination of import tariffs on 1,089 tariff lines 
(HS Chapters 01; 03; 05; 07; 08; 09; 10; 11; 
12; 13; 14; 15; 18; 20; 21; 22; 24; 25; 26; 27; 
28; 29; 30; 32; 33; 34; 35; 36; 37; 38; 39; 40; 
41; 42; 43; 44; 45; 47; 48; 49; 50; 51; 52; 53; 
54; 55; 56; 58; 59; 60; 63; 65; 66; 67; 68; 69; 
70; 71; 73; 79; 81; 83; 84; 85; 90; 91; 92; 93; 
96) Permanent 
Delegation of Peru to 
the WTO 
(16 Apr. 15), and 
Decretos Supremos 
Nos. 312-2014-EF 
and 314-2014-EF 
(Nov. 14) Effective Nov. 14 
Peru Trade facilitation measure through the 
elimination of import clearance duties ( tasa de 
despacho aduanero ) (originally imposed in 2004) Permanent 
Delegation of Peru to the WTO (16 Apr. 15), and Ley No. 30230 "Disposiciones Complementarias Derogatorias" (11 Jul. 14) Effective 
1 Jan. 15 
Customs 
Union between 
the Russian 
Federation, 
Armenia, 
Belarus, and 
Kazakhstan Decrease of import tariffs on certain products, 
i.e. (to 14.6%) certain plastic articles 
(HS 3926.90.97); (to 12.5%) thin sheets 
(voiles), webs, mats, ma ttresses, boards and 
similar nonwoven products (HS 7019.39.00) 
(effective 14 Nov. 14); (to 6.5%) polyethylene 
having a specific gravity of 0.94 or more 
(HS 3901.20.90) (effective 12 Dec. 14), and 
diammonium hydrogenorthophosphate 
(diammonium phosphate) (HS 3105.30.00) 
(effective 28 Feb. 15); (to 12.3%-14%) AC 
motors single-phase (HS 8501.40.20; 
8501.40.80) (effective 25 Jan. 15); (to 5%) 
self-propelled railway or tramway coaches 
(HS 8603.90.00) (effective 21 Feb. 15); (to 
10%) railway or tramway passenger coaches not 
self-propelled (HS 8605.00.00) (effective 
21 Feb. 15); (to 10%) unworked or simply sawn 
or roughly shaped prec ious and semi-precious 
stones (HS 7103.10.00) (effective 28 Feb. 15); 
and (to 5%) certain orthopaedic appliances 
(HS 9021.90.90) (effective 18 Apr. 15) Permanent 
Delegation of the 
Russian Federation to 
the WTO (22 May 15)   
Customs 
Union between 
the Russian 
Federation, Armenia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan Temporary elimination of import tariffs (from 
5%) on ground (HS 2510.20.00)  Permanent 
Delegation of the 
Russian Federation to 
the WTO (22 May 15) Effective 
5 Jan. 15 to 
4 Jan. 16 
Customs 
Union between 
the Russian 
Federation, 
Armenia, 
Belarus, and 
Kazakhstan Elimination of import tariffs (from 7%) on 
turbo-jets of a power not exceeding 1,100 Kw 
(HS 8411.21.00)  Permanent 
Delegation of the 
Russian Federation to 
the WTO (22 May 15) Effective 
10 Apr. 15 WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/date Status 
Customs 
Union between the Russian Federation, Armenia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan Temporary elimination of import tariffs (from 
5%) on fatty alcohols (HS 3823.70.00)  Permanent 
Delegation of the Russian Federation to the WTO (22 May 15) Effective 
10 Apr. 15 to 31 Dec. 17 
SACU - 
Southern 
African 
Customs 
Union 
(Botswana, 
Lesotho, 
Namibia, 
South Africa, 
and 
Swaziland) Temporary elimination of import tariffs on 
sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), in aqueous 
solution (soda lye or liquid soda), for use in the 
manufacture of sodium hypochlorite 
(HS 2815.12)  Permanent 
Delegation of South 
Africa to the WTO 
(27 May 15) and 
Notice No. 1043 of 
2014 - International 
Trade Administration 
Commission - 
Government Gazette 
No. 38355 
(22 Dec. 14) Effective 
22 Dec. 14 
SACU - Southern African Customs Union (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland) Elimination of import tariffs (from 2%) on 
self-adhesive paper and paper board (HS 4811.41.90)  Permanent 
Delegation of South Africa to the WTO (27 May 15) and Notice No. 928 of 2014 - International Trade Administration Commission - Government Gazette No. 38240 (28 Nov. 14) Effective 
1 Jan. 15 
SACU - 
Southern 
African 
Customs 
Union 
(Botswana, 
Lesotho, 
Namibia, 
South Africa, 
and 
Swaziland) Elimination of import tariffs (from 5%) on coated 
fine paper and paper board (HS 4810.13.20; 
4810.13.90; 4810.14.10; 4810.14.90; 
4810.19.90; 4810.29.90)  Permanent 
Delegation of South 
Africa to the WTO 
(27 May 15) and 
Notice No. 67 of 2015 
- International Trade 
Administration 
Commission - 
Government Gazette 
No. 38442 
(6 Feb. 15) Effective 
6 Feb. 15 
SACU - Southern African Customs Union (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland) Elimination of import tariffs (from 10%) on 
cylindrical lithium batteries (excluding those of a height not exceeding 7 mm), of a diameter exceeding 19 mm (HS 8506.50.25)  Permanent 
Delegation of South Africa to the WTO (27 May 15) and Notice No. R. 307 of 2015 - International Trade Administration Commission - Government Gazette No. 38681 (10 Apr. 15) Effective 
10 Apr. 15 
Switzerland Reduction of import tari ffs for certain cereal 
products, i.e. wheat, meslin, rye, barley, oats, 
and maize (HS 1001.19.29; 1001.99.29; 
1002.90.29; 1003.90.49; 1004.90.29; 
1005.90.29; 1008.60.39)  Permanent 
Delegation of 
Switzerland to the 
WTO (22 May 15) Effective 
1 Jan. 15 
Separate 
Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu Temporary reduction of import tariffs (from 20% 
to 10%) on pig lard and poultry fat (HS 1501.10.00; 1501.90.00)  Permanent 
Delegation of the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu to the WTO (28 May 15) Effective 
15 Apr. 15 to 14 Jul. 15 WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/date Status 
Trinidad and 
Tobago Elimination of import motor vehicle tax on 
electric vehicles (new and used) with an engine 
size not exceeding 179 kilowatts Permanent 
Delegation of 
Trinidad and Tobago 
to the WTO 
(30 May 15) Effective 
1 Jan. 15 
Turkey Elimination of import tariffs on certain products, 
i.e. (from 10%) coconut oil for technical and industrial purposes (HS 1513.19.30); (from 
19.5%) certain vegetable oils and fats for the 
production of cocoa butter equivalent (HS 1515.90.99); (from 31.5%) molasses for the production of pastry feed and goods (HS 1703); (from 1%) iron ores (HS 2601.11; 2601.12); and (from 6%-15%) certain alloy steel products (HS 7210.61.00; 7210.69.00; 7225.19.90; 7226.19.80). Reduction of import tariffs (from 23.4% to 10%) on sesamum seeds (HS 1207.40)  Permanent 
Delegation of Turkey to the WTO 
(28 May 15) Effective 
1 Jan. 15 
Zambia Elimination of import tariffs (from 5%) on 
aviation fuel (HS 2710) The Customs and 
Excise (Amendment) 
Bill 2014 
(26 Nov. 14) Effective 
1 Jan. 15 
 
Recorded, but non-confirmed information3 
 
Member/ 
Observer 
 Measure Source/date Status 
India Temporary elimination of import tariffs and 
"additional duty" on anti-malaria drugs and certain medical diagnostics and products, under the Revised National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) Notification 
Customs, Ministry of Finance- Department of Revenue No. 32/2014 
(21 Nov. 14)  Effective until 
1 Oct. 15 
India Elimination of import restrictions on gold 
(HS 7108) (implemented in Jun. and Jul. 13). 
The Reserve Bank of India established a 
requirement that 20% of imported gold be 
held in a bonded warehouse for export 
purposes (20:80 scheme), and that gold 
imports be allowed only to meet the genuine 
needs of the exporters of gold jewellery Reserve Bank of 
India RBI/2014-
15/329 A.P. (DIR 
Series) Circular 
No. 42 (28 Nov. 14) 
and WTO document 
WT/TPR/OV/16, 
31 Jan. 14 Effective 
28 Nov. 14 
India Elimination of import tariffs on urea 
(HS 3102.10.00) from Oman, under the "Urea Off-take Agreement" Notification 
Customs, Ministry of Finance- Department of Revenue No. 4/2015 (16 Feb. 15)  Effective 
16 Feb. 15 
                                               
3 This section includes information which has been obtained from public sources but has not yet been 
confirmed by the delegation concerned. WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 62 - 
 
   
Member/ 
Observer 
 Measure Source/date Status 
India Reduction of export duties (from 5% to 2.5%) 
on ilmenite  Notification 
Customs, Ministry 
of Finance- 
Department of 
Revenue No. 
8/2015 (1 Mar. 15)  Effective 1 Mar. 15 
India Elimination of import tariffs on certain 
products, i.e. (from 2.5%) on ulexite ores, and evacuated tubes with three layers of solar selective coating for use in the manufacture of solar water heater systems; (from 5%) artificial heart (left ventricular assist device), 
certain digital still image video cameras and 
their parts, and magnetron of up to 1KW used for the manufacture of domestic microwave ovens. Reduction of impo rt tariffs on certain 
products, i.e. (from 5% to 2.5%) butanes, antimony and articles thereof including waste and scrap, and goods used in the manufacture of flexible medical video endoscopes; (from 2.5% to 2%) styrene, ethylene dichloride "EDC", and vinyl chloride monomer "VCM" (HS 2528; 2711.13.00; 2902.50.00; 2903.15.00; 2903.21.00; 8110.10.00; 8110.20.00; 8419; 8525.80.20; 8540.71.00; 9018) Notification 
Customs, Ministry of Finance- Department of Revenue No. 10/2015 
(1 Mar. 15)  Effective 1 Mar. 15 
India Temporary elimination of import tariffs (from 
2.5%) on boron ores (HS 2528) Notification 
No. 28/2015-
Customs, Ministry 
of Finance - 
Department of 
Revenue 
(30 Apr. 15) Effective 
30 Apr. 15 
India Reduction of import tariffs on certain 
products, i.e. nylon tyre cord fabric, rubber 
chemicals, steel tyre cord, polybutadiene rubber, butyl rubber, styrene butadiene rubber  Business Standard 
(3 Feb. 15)   
India Reduction of excise duty (from 12% to 6%) 
on man-made fibre and filament  The Hindu 
(7 Feb. 15)   
India Imports of inputs, components, accessories, 
and parts for the manufacture of telecommunication, information and technology products exempted from the special additional duty "SAD" The Financial 
Express (13 Feb. 15)   
India Establishment in the Ministry of Commerce - 
Directorate General of Foreign Trade - of an 
online system for instan t generation of import 
code (IEC). As from Feb. 15, electronic 
submission of IEC is mandatory  PTI (16 Feb. 15)   
India Establishment in the Ministry of Commerce - 
Directorate General of Foreign Trade - of an online system for instan t generation of export 
code (IEC). As from Feb. 15, electronic submission of IEC is mandatory  PTI (16 Feb. 15)   
Iraq, Rep. of Extension of the temporary elimination of 
import tariffs on certain oil products. Imports 
also exempted from "reconstruction fee" Iraq News referring 
to Cabinet Decision 
(Jan. 15)    
Pakistan Termination of import ban on wheat products 
(HS 1101)  Business Recorder 
(29 Mar. 15)   
Philippines Establishment in the Bureau of Customs of an 
electronic portal with the inclusion of the 
7,422 regulated products, their corresponding 
import regulations, an d required permits from 
23 agencies  Manila Bulletin 
(17 Feb. 15) Effective Apr. 15 WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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Member/ 
Observer 
 Measure Source/date Status 
Uzbekistan Elimination of import tariffs on certain 
products, i.e. live poultry; eggs, fish; 
products of animal origin ; plastics and articles 
of plastics; rubber an d articles of rubber; 
glass and glassware; ar ticles of iron and 
steel; aluminium and articles of aluminium; machinery and parts; electrical machinery and equipment; cereals; oil seeds; inorganic and organic chemicals; pharmaceutical products; and miscellaneous chemical products (HS Chapters 01; 03; 04; 05; 10; 12; 23; 25; 28; 29; 30; 32; 35; 38; 39; 40; 
56; 70; 73; 76; 82; 84; 85; 86; 89; 90; 94 )   Press reports 
referring to Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 14 (27 Jan. 15)   
Viet Nam Reduction of import tariffs and taxes on 
certain vehicles and motorcycles  The Saigon Times 
Daily referring to 
Circular 164 
(29 Oct. 14)   
Viet Nam Establishment in the Ministry of Science and 
Technology of an electr onic portal with the 
aim of supplying information and answering inquires on TBT-related matters  Vietnam News Brief 
Service (21 Jan. 15)   
 WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 64 - 
 
  ANNEX 2 
TRADE REMEDY MEASURES1 
(MID-OCTOBER 2014 TO MID-MAY 2015) 
Confirmed information2 
Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/date Status 
Argentina Termination on 17 Oct. 2014 (without measure) 
of anti-dumping investigation on imports of fungicides (NCM 3808.92.91) from Peru and Uruguay (initiated on 18 Apr. 13) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/ARG, 17 Feb. 15   
Argentina Termination on 28 Oct. 14 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of sh ort-pitch transmission 
roller chain in accordance with Argentine 
Standards Institute (IRAM) Standard No. 5184 
(NCM 7315.11) from China (imposed on 
28 Oct. 09)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/ARG, 
17 Feb. 15   
Argentina Initiation on 11 Nov. 2014 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of certain vaccines for veterinary medicine (NCM 3002.30.10; 3002.30.40; 3002.30.50; 3002.30.90) from France and the United States  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/ARG, 17 Feb. 15   
Argentina Termination on 24 Nov. 2014 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of fra me-based transmission 
assembly comprising gear reducer, connecting 
rods, beam-type counterbalance and drilling 
tower for oil well pump equipment 
(NCM 8483.40) from China and Romania 
(imposed on 24 Nov. 09)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/ARG, 
17 Feb. 15   
Argentina Termination on 8 Jan. 15 of anti-dumping duties 
on imports of steel wheels and rims (NCM 8708.70.90; 8716.90.90) from China (investigation initiated on 9 Mar. 09 and 
provisional duty imposed on 19 Nov. 09) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/ARG, 17 Feb. 15   
Argentina Initiation on 10 Mar. 15 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of loading cells ( celdas 
de carga)  (NCM 9031.80.60) from China Permanent 
Delegation of 
Argentina to the WTO 
(20 Apr. 15), and 
Resolución 
No. 33/2015 
Ministerio de 
Economía y Finanzas 
Públicas (4 Mar. 15)   
Argentina Initiation on 20 Apr. 15 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of plastic swimming pools (NCM 9506.99.00) from Brazil and China Resolución 
No. 71/2015 Ministerio de 
Economía y Finanzas 
Públicas (20 Apr. 15)   
                                               
1 The inclusion of any measure in this table implies no judgement by the WTO Secretariat on whether or 
not such measure, or its intent, is protectionist in  nature. Moreover, nothing in the table implies any 
judgement, either direct or indirect, on the consistency of any measure refe rred to with the provisions of any 
WTO agreement. 
2 This section includes information which has either  been provided by the Member concerned or has 
been confirmed at the request of the Secretariat. WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 65 - 
 
  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/date Status 
Australia Initiation on 17 Oct. 14 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of steel reinforcing bar 
(HS 7213.10.00; 7214.20.00; 7227.90.90; 
7228.30.90) from Korea, Rep. of; Malaysia; 
Singapore; Spain; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; and 
Turkey WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/AUS, 
10 Mar. 15; 
Permanent 
Delegation of 
Australia to the WTO 
(27 May 15); and 
Australia Customs 
Dumping Notice No. 
2015/33 (13 Mar. 15) Provisional duty 
imposed on 
13 Mar. 15 
Australia Initiation on 6 Nov. 14 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of certain polyvinyl chloride "PVC" flat electric cables (HS 8544.49.20) from China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/AUS, 10 Mar. 15; Permanent Delegation of Australia to the WTO (27 May 15); and Australia Customs Dumping Notice No. 2015/09 (19 Jan. 15) Provisional duty 
imposed on 19 Jan. 15 
Australia Termination on 7 Nov. 14 (without measure) of 
anti-dumping investigation on imports of 
quicklime "calcium oxide" (HS 2522.10.00) from 
Thailand (investigation initiated on 31 Oct. 11 
and terminated on 3 Apr. 12. On appeal, the 
Trade Measures Review Officer revoked the 
termination and the investigation was resumed 
on 28 Jun. 12. The resumed investigation was 
terminated on 2 May 13. After a further review 
by the Anti-Dumping Review Panel, the 
investigation was resumed again on 8 Aug. 13) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/AUS, 
10 Mar. 15   
Australia Termination on 1 Dec.  14 of anti-dumping duties 
on imports of power transformers (HS 8504.22.00; 8504.23.00) from China; and Korea, Rep. of (investigation initiated on 29 Jul. 13 and provisional duty imposed on 27 Nov. 13) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/AUS, 10 Mar. 15; Permanent Delegation of Australia to the WTO (27 May 15) and Australia Customs Dumping Notice No. 2014/130 (1 Dec. 14)   
Australia Termination on 15 Dec. 14 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of ge osynthetic clay liners 
(HS 6815.99) from Germany (investigation 
initiated on 5 Jan. 09, provisional and definitive 
duties imposed on 8 May and 15 Oct. 09)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/AUS, 
10 Mar. 15   
Australia Initiation on 19 Jan. 15 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of prepared or preserved tomato products (HS 2002.10.00) from Italy limited to two producers (Feger di Gerado Ferraioli S.p.A. and La Doria S.p.A.) Permanent 
Delegation of Australia to the WTO (27 May 15)   
Australia Termination on 9 Feb. 15 of anti-dumping duties 
on imports of sodium hydrogen carbonate 
(sodium bicarbonate) (HS 2836.30) from China 
(imposed on 3 Nov. 05) Permanent 
Delegation of 
Australia to the WTO 
(27 May 15) and 
Australia Customs 
Dumping Notice 
No. 2015/14 
(9 Feb. 15)   WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 66 - 
 
  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/date Status 
Australia Termination on 20 Ma r. 15 (without measure) of 
anti-dumping investigation on imports of newsprint (HS 4801.00.20; 4801.00.31; 4801.00.39) from Korea, Rep. of (initiated on 22 Apr. 14) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/259/AUS, 1 Sep. 14; Permanent Delegation of Australia to the WTO (27 May 15); and Australia Customs 
Dumping Notices 
Nos. 2015/12 (30 Jan. 15) and 2015/29 (20 Mar. 15)   
Australia Initiation on 27 Mar. 15 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of hot-rolled plate steel 
(HS 7208.40.00; 7208.51.00; 7208.52.00; 
7225.40.00) from Korea, Rep. of; and Chinese 
Taipei Permanent 
Delegation of 
Australia to the WTO 
(27 May 15) and 
Australia Customs 
Dumping Notice 
No. 2015/40 
(27 Mar. 15)   
Australia Termination on 14 Apr. 15 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of sili cone emulsion concrete 
admixtures (HS 3824.40) from the United States (investigation initiated on 14 Aug. 09, provisional and definitive duties im posed on 26 Nov. 09 and 
14 Apr. 10)  Permanent 
Delegation of Australia to the WTO (27 May 15) and Australia Customs Dumping Notice No. 2014/26 (1 Apr. 14)   
Australia Initiation on 5 May 15 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of alloy galvanised steel 
(HS 7210.49.00; 7212.30.00) from 
Korea, Rep. of; and Chinese Taipei (possible 
circumvention of anti-dumping measures 
imposed on 5 Aug. 13)  Australia Customs 
Dumping Notice 
No. 2015/55 
(5 May 15)   
Australia Initiation on 11 May 15 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of hollow structural sections "HSS" (HS 7306.30.00; 7306.61.00; 7306.69.00) from China; Korea, Rep. of; Malaysia; and Chinese Taipei (possible circumvention of anti-dumping measures imposed on 3 Jul. 12) Australia Customs 
Dumping Notice No. 2015/58 (11 May 15)   
Australia Termination on 13 May 15 (without measure) of 
anti-dumping investigation on imports of rod in 
coils (HS 7213.91.00; 7227.90.90) from Turkey 
(initiated on 10 Apr. 14) Australia Customs 
Dumping Notice 
No. 2015/59 
(13 May 15)   
Brazil Initiation on 24 Nov. 14 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of PET film 
(NCM 3920.62.11; 3920.62.19; 3920.62.91; 
3920.62.99; 3920.63.00; 3920.68.99; 3920.69.00) from India WTO document 
G/SCM/N/281/BRA, 
1 Apr. 15   
Brazil Initiation on 1 Dec. 14 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of butyl acrylate 
(NCM 2916.12.30) from Germany, South Africa, 
and Chinese Taipei WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/BRA, 
14 Apr. 15; 
Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil 
to the WTO 
(26 May 15); and 
Camex Resolution 
No. 14/2015 
(31 Mar. 15) Provisional duty 
imposed on 
1 Apr. 15 
Brazil Initiation on 15 Dec. 14 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of cuticle nipper (NCM 8214.20.00) from China and Pakistan WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/BRA, 14 Apr. 15   WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 67 - 
 
  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/date Status 
Brazil Termination on 16 Dec. 2014 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of viscose yarn (NCM 
5510.11.00) from Austria, China, India, 
Indonesia, Chinese Taipei, and Thailand 
(imposed on 16 Dec. 2009)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/BRA, 
14 Apr. 15   
Brazil Termination on 3 Jan. 15 of anti-dumping duties 
on imports of wooden pencils (NCM 9609.10.00) from China (imposed on 26 Feb. 97)  Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil to the WTO 
(26 May 15) and 
Secex Circular No. 1/2015 (2 Jan. 15)   
Brazil Termination on 10 Feb. 15 (without measure) of 
anti-dumping investigation on imports of 
biaxially oriented polpropylene "BOPP", without 
graphics (NCM 3920.20.19) from Argentina, 
Chile, Colombia, India, Peru, and Chinese Taipei 
(initiated on 16 Dec. 13) Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil 
to the WTO 
(26 May 15) and 
Secex Circular 
No. 3/2015 
(6 Feb. 15)   
Brazil Termination on 10 Mar. 15 (without measure) of 
anti-dumping investigation on imports of diphenylmethane diisocyanate "polymeric MDI" (NCM 3909.30.20) from Belgium; Germany; Hungary; Korea, Rep. of ; Netherlands; Portugal; 
and Spain (initiated on 9 Jun. 14) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/259/BRA, 23 Sep. 14; Permanent Delegation of Brazil to the WTO (26 May 15); and Secex Circular No. 11/2015 (9 Mar. 15)   
Brazil Initiation on 16 Mar. 15 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of dental X-rays 
apparatus (NCM 9022.12.00; 9022.13.11) from 
Germany Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil 
to the WTO 
(26 May 15), and 
Secex Circulars Nos. 
15/2015 (13 Mar. 15) 
and 21/15 
(10 Apr. 15) Terminated on 
13 Apr. 15 
(without 
measure) 
Brazil Initiation on 23 Mar. 15 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of PVC coated fabric (NCM 3921.90.19) from China and Korea, Rep. of Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil to the WTO (26 May 15) and Secex Circular No. 16/2015 (20 Mar. 15)   
Brazil Initiation on 23 Mar. 15 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of unframed glass 
mirrors (NCM 7009.91.00) from China and 
Mexico Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil 
to the WTO 
(26 May 15) and 
Secex Circular 
No. 17/2015 
(20 Mar. 15)   
Brazil Termination on 25 Mar. 15 (without measure) of 
anti-dumping investigation on imports of acrylic sheets (NCM 3920.51.00) from China; Hong Kong, China; Malaysia; and the United States (initiated on 18 Nov. 13) Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil to the WTO (26 May 15) and Secex Circular No. 18/2015 (24 Mar. 15)   WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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Observer Measure Source/date Status 
Brazil Termination on 24 Apr. 15 (without measure) of 
anti-dumping investigation on imports of 
elastomeric rubber pipes (NCM 4009.11.00) from 
Korea, Rep. of (initiated on 20 Jun. 14) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/BRA, 
14 Apr. 15; 
Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil 
to the WTO 
(26 May 15) and 
Secex Circular 
No. 26/2015 
(23 Apr. 15)   
Brazil  Temporary suspension on 7 May 15 of 
anti-dumping duties on imports of polymeric MDI (NCM 3909.30.20) from China, and the United States (imposed on 31 Oct. 12) Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil to the WTO (26 May 15) and Camex Resolution No. 41/2015 (5 May 15) Effective for 
1 year  
Canada Termination on 23 Nov. 14 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of ma ttress innerspring units 
(HS 7320.20.90; 9404.10.00; 9404.29.00) from 
China (investigation initiated on 27 Apr. 09, 
provisional and definiti ve duties imposed on 
27 Jul. and 24 Nov. 09) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/CAN, 
17 Mar. 15   
Canada Initiation on 5 Dec. 14 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of certain photovoltaic modules and laminates (HS 8541.40.00) from China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/CAN, 17 Mar. 15; and Permanent Delegation of Canada to the WTO (21 Apr. 15) Provisional duty 
imposed on 5 Mar. 15 
Canada Initiation on 5 Dec. 14 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of certain photovoltaic 
modules and laminates (HS 8541.40.00) from 
China WTO document 
G/SCM/N/281/CAN, 
20 Mar. 15; and 
Permanent 
Delegation of Canada 
to the WTO 
(21 Apr. 15) Provisional duty 
imposed on 
5 Mar. 15 
Canada Termination on 10 Dec. 14 of countervailing 
duties on imports of cert ain concrete reinforcing 
bar (HS 7213.10.00; 7214.20.00; 7215.90.00; 7227.90.00) from Korea, Rep. of; and Turkey (investigation initiated on 13 Jun. 14 and provisional duty imposed on 11 Sep. 14) WTO document 
G/SCM/N/281/CAN, 20 Mar. 15   
Canada Termination on 2 Apr. 15 of countervailing duties 
on imports of oil country tubular goods 
(HS 7304.29.00; 7304.39.00; 7304.59.00; 
7306.29.00; 7306.30.00; 7306.50.00; 
7306.90.00) from India; Indonesia; Korea, Rep. 
of; Philippines; Thailand; Turkey; Ukraine; and 
Viet Nam (investigation initiated on 21 Jul. 14 
and provisional duty im posed on 3 Dec. 14) WTO document 
G/SCM/N/281/CAN, 
20 Mar. 15; and 
Permanent 
Delegation of Canada 
to the WTO 
(21 Apr. 15) Terminated on 
3 Dec. 14 
(without 
measure) on 
imports from 
Korea, Rep. of 
and Turkey. 
Terminated on 
3 Mar. 15 for 
imports from 
Philippines, 
Thailand and 
Ukraine 
Chile Initiation on 31 Jan. 15 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of wheat (HS 1101.00.00) from Argentina  Permanent 
Delegation of Chile to the WTO (24 Apr. 15)   
China Termination on 21 Nov. 14 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of toluene diisocyanate 
(TDI80/20) (HS 2929.10.10) from Japan; 
Korea, Rep. of; and the United States (imposed 
on 22 Nov. 03)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/CHN, 
23 Jan. 15   WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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China Termination on 30 Nov. 14 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of chloroform (HS 2903.13.00) from the EU; Korea, Rep. of; and the 
United States (imposed on 30 Nov. 04)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/CHN, 23 Jan. 15   
China Termination on 17 Dec. 14 (without measure) of 
anti-dumping investigation on imports of 
hemodialysis equipment (HS 9018.90.40) from 
EU and Japan (initiated on 13 Jun. 14) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/CHN, 
23 Jan. 15   
China Termination on 25 Dec. 14 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of 1,4-butanediol 
(HS 2905.39.90) from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Chinese Taipei (imposed on 24 Dec. 09) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/CHN, 23 Jan. 15    
China Termination on 31 Jan. 15 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of phenol (HS 2907.11.10) 
from Japan; Korea, Rep. of; Chinese Taipei; and 
the United States (imposed on 1 Feb. 04)  Permanent 
Delegation of China 
to the WTO 
(29 May 15)   
China Initiation on 10 Apr. 15 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of unbleached sack kraft paper (HS 4804.21.00) from the EU, Japan, and the United States Permanent 
Delegation of China to the WTO (29 May 15) and MOFCOM Announcement No. 9/2015 (14 Apr. 15)   
China Termination on 10 Apr. 15 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of gr ain oriented electrical 
flat-rolled electrical steel (HS 7225.11.00; 
7226.11.00) from Russian Federation and the 
United States (investigation initiated on 
1 Jun. 09, provisional and definitive duties 
imposed on 10 Dec. 09 and 10 Apr. 10)   Permanent 
Delegation of China 
to the WTO 
(29 May 15)   
China Termination on 11 Apr. 15 of countervailing 
duties on imports of gr ain oriented electrical 
flat-rolled electrical steel (HS 7225.11.00; 7226.11.00) from the United States (investigation initiated on 1 Jun. 09, provisional and definitive duties im posed on 10 Dec. 09 and 
10 Apr. 10)   Permanent 
Delegation of China to the WTO (29 May 15) and MOFCOM Announcement No. 11/2015 (13 Apr. 15)   
Colombia Initiation on 23 Dec. 14 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of triangular files, 6 inch 
(HS 8203.10.00) from India WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/COL, 
1 Apr. 15   
Colombia Initiation on 13 Jan. 15 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of non-wired glass coloured throughout the mass (body tinted), opacified, flashed or merely surface ground (HS 7005.21.11; 7005.21.90) from China Resolución 
No. 2/2015 Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo (13 Jan. 15)   
Colombia Initiation on 20 Feb. 15 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of certain plastic plates, 
sheet, films, foil and strip (HS 3921.90.10) from 
India Resolución 
No. 28/2015 
Ministerio de 
Comercio, Industria y 
Turismo (20 Feb. 15)   
Colombia Termination on 27 Apr. 15 of safeguard duties on 
imports of steel wire (HS 7213.20.00; 7213.91.10; 7213.91.90; 7213.99.00; 7227.90.00) (investigation initiated on 19 Jul. 13, provisional and definitive duty imposed on 9 Oct. 13 and 30 Apr. 14)  WTO documents 
G/SG/N/8/COL/1/Suppl.2, 7 May 14; and G/SG/N/6/COL/4/Suppl.2, 20 May 15   
Egypt Termination on 25 Nov. 14 (without measure) of 
anti-dumping investigation on imports of 
synthetic staple fibres, not carded, combed or 
otherwise, processed for spinning of polyesters 
(HS 5503.20.00) from China and India (initiated 
on 24 Dec. 13) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/EGY, 
23 Jan. 15   WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/date Status 
Egypt Initiation on 15 Dec. 14 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of automotive batteries (HS 8507.10.00) WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/EGY/11, 17 Dec. 14   
Egypt Initiation on 14 Apr. 15 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of wet wipes 
(HS 3307.00) from Turkey Permanent 
Delegation of Egypt 
to the WTO 
(28 May 15) and 
Notice No. 2/2015 
(April 15)   
Egypt Initiation on 16 Apr. 15 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of white sugar (HS 1701.99.90) WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/EGY/12, 16 Apr. 15   
European 
Union Initiation on 4 Dec. 14 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of tartaric acid 
(HS 2918.12.00) from China limited to one 
producer (Hangzhou Bioking Biochemical 
Engineering Co. Ltd) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/EU, 
31 Mar. 15   
European 
Union Initiation on 12 Dec. 14 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of certain aluminium foil (CAF) (HS 7607.11.19) from China  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/EU, 31 Mar. 15   
European 
Union Termination on 17 Dec. 14 (without measure) of 
countervailing investigation on imports of 
synthetic polyester staple fibres "PSF" 
(HS 5503.20.00) from China, India, and Viet 
Nam (initiated on 19 Dec. 13) WTO document 
G/SCM/N/281/EU, 
13 Apr. 15   
European 
Union Termination on 18 Dec. 14 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of sulphanilic acid (HS 2921.42.00) from India (imposed on 25 Jul. 02)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/EU, 31 Mar. 15   
European 
Union Termination on 18 Dec. 14 of countervailing 
duties on imports of sulphanilic acid 
(HS 2921.42.00) from India (imposed on 
25 Jul. 02)  WTO document 
G/SCM/N/281/EU, 
13 Apr. 15   
European 
Union Initiation on 19 Dec. 14 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of solar glass (HS 7007.19.80) from China  Commission Notice 
2014/C 457/07 (19 Dec. 14) "Absorption 
reinvestigation"  
European 
Union Initiation on 20 Dec. 14 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of silico-manganese 
(HS 7202.30.00) from India WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/EU, 
31 Mar. 15   
European Union Initiation on 20 Dec. 14 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of tubes and pipes of 
ductile cast iron (also known as spheroidal graphite cast iron) (HS 7303.00.10; 7303.00.90) from India WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/EU, 31 Mar. 15   
European 
Union Termination on 27 Jan. 15 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of weld ed tubes and pipes, of 
iron or non-alloy steel (HS 7306.30.41; 
7306.30.49; 7306.30.72; 7306.30.77) from 
Ukraine (imposed on 27 Sep. 02)  Commission 
Implementing 
Regulation 
No. 2015/110 
(26 Jan. 15)   
European 
Union Termination on 27 Feb. 15 (without measure) of 
anti-dumping investigation on imports of certain rainbow trout (portion size) (HS 0301.91.90; 0302.11.80; 0303.14.90; 0304.42.90; 0304.82.90; 0305.43.00) from Turkey (initiated on 15 Feb. 14) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/EU, 31 Mar. 15; and Commission Implementing Regulation No. 2015/316 (26 Feb. 15)   
European 
Union Initiation on 11 Mar. 15 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of certain slightly 
modified molybdenum wire (HS 8102.96.00) 
from China (possible circumvention of 
anti-dumping measures imposed in 2010) Commission 
Implementing 
Regulation 
No. 2015/395 
(10 Mar. 15)   WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/date Status 
European 
Union Initiation on 11 Mar. 15 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of tubes and pipes of 
ductile cast iron (spheroidal graphite cast iron) (HS 7303.00.10; 7303.00.90) from India Commission Notice 
2015/C 83/04 (11 Mar. 15)   
European 
Union Initiation on 1 May 15 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of citric acid and 
trisodium citrate dihydrate (HS 2918.14.00; 
2918.15.00) from Malaysia (possible 
circumvention of anti-dumping measures 
imposed in Dec. 08) Commission 
Implementing 
Regulation 
No. 2015/706 
(30 Apr. 15)   
European 
Union Initiation on 14 May 15 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of certain cold-rolled flat steel products (HS 7209.15.00; 7209.16.90; 7209.17.90; 7209.18.91; 7209.18.99; 7209.25.00; 7209.26.00; 7209.27.90; 7209.28.90; 7211.23.30; 7211.23.80; 7211.29.00; 7225.50.80; 7226.92.00) from China and Russian Federation Commission Notice 
2015/C 161/07 (14 May 15)   
India Initiation on 28 Oct. 14 of anti-dumping 
investigation on melamine tableware and 
kitchenware products (HS 3924.10.10; 
3924.10.90; 3924.90.90; 3926.40.49; 
3926.90.99) from China, Thailand, and Viet Nam WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/IND, 
21 Apr. 15    
India Initiation on 20 Nov. 14 of anti-dumping 
investigation on 2-ethyl hexanol (HS 2905.16.20) from EU; Indonesia; Korea, Rep. of; Malaysia; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Chinese Taipei; and the United States WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/IND, 21 Apr. 15    
India Initiation on 20 Nov. 14 of anti-dumping 
investigation on normal butanol (HS 2905.13.00) 
from the EU, Malaysia, Si ngapore, South Africa, 
and the United States WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/IND, 
21 Apr. 15    
India Initiation on 9 Dec. 14 of anti-dumping 
investigation on mulberry raw silk (HS 5002.00.10) from China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/IND, 21 Apr. 15    
India Initiation on 7 Jan. 15 of anti-dumping 
investigation on methyl acetoacetate 
(HS 2918.30.40) from China and the 
United States Permanent 
Delegation of India to 
the WTO (24 Apr. 15)   
India Termination on 13 Jan. 15 (without measure) of 
safeguard investigation on imports of flexible slabstock polyol of molecular weight 3000 to 4000 (HS 3907.20.10) (initiated on 22 May 14) WTO documents 
G/SG/N/6/IND/38, 27 May 14 and G/SG/N/9/IND/13, 23 Jan. 15   
India Termination on 15 Jan. 15 (without measure) of 
anti-dumping investigation on imports of acrylic 
fibre (HS 55) from Egypt (initiated on 
24 Jan. 14) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/259/IND, 
10 Sep. 14; and 
Permanent 
Delegation of India to 
the WTO (24 Apr. 15)   
India Termination on 15 Jan. 15 (without measure) of 
safeguard investigation on imports of sodium 
di-chromate (HS 2841.30.00) (initiated on 26 May 14)  WTO documents 
G/SG/N/6/IND/39, 
2 Jun. 14 and G/SG/N/9/IND/14, 23 Jan. 15   WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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Observer Measure Source/date Status 
India Termination on 5 Feb. 15 of anti-dumping duties 
on imports of resin or other organic substances 
bonded wood or ligneous fibre boards of 
thickness below 6 mm, except insulation boards, 
laminated fibre boards and boards which are not 
bonded either by resin or other organic 
substances (HS 4411.12.00; 4411.13.00; 
4411.14.00; 4411.92.11; 4411.92.19; 
4411.92.21; 4411.92.29; 4411.93.11; 
4411.93.19; 4411.93.21; 4411.93.29; 
4411.94.11; 4411.94.19; 4411.94.21; 
4411.94.29) from China, Indonesia, Malaysia, 
and Sri Lanka (investigation initiated on 
11 Nov. 11, provisional and definitive duties 
imposed on 21 Sep.  12 and 8 Aug. 13) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/252/IND, 
15 Apr. 14; and 
Permanent 
Delegation of India to 
the WTO (24 Apr. 15)   
India Initiation on 9 Feb. 15 of anti-dumping 
investigation on carbon black (HS 2803.00.10) from Korea, Rep. of Permanent 
Delegation of India to the WTO (24 Apr. 15)   
India Termination on 18 Feb. 15 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of new/unused pneumatic 
radial tyres, with or without tubes and flaps of 
rubber used in buse s and lorries/trucks 
(HS 4011.20.10; 4012.90.49; 4013.10.20) from 
China and Thailand (investigation initiated on 
21 Oct. 08 and definitive duty imposed on 
19 Feb. 10) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/202/IND, 
23 Sep. 10; and 
Permanent 
Delegation of India to 
the WTO (24 Apr. 15)   
India Termination on 1 Apr. 15 (without measure) of 
safeguard investigation on imports of cold rolled flat products of stainles s steel of chromium type 
400 (HS 7219.31.11; 7219.31.12; 7219.32.10; 7219.33.10; 7219.34.10; 7219.35.10; 7220.20.21; 7220.90.21) (initiated on 19 Sep. 14)  WTO document 
G/SG/N/9/IND/15, 2 Apr. 15   
Indonesia Termination on 31 Oct. 14 (without measure) of 
anti-dumping investigation on imports of partially 
oriented yarn (HS 5402.33.00) from China; 
Korea, Rep. of; and Chinese Taipei (initiated on 
2 Aug. 13) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/IDN, 
23 Feb. 15; and 
Permanent 
Delegation of 
Indonesia to the WTO 
(16 May 15)   
Indonesia Initiation on 22 Dec. 14 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of cold rolled stainless 
steel (HS 7219.32.00; 7219.33.00; 7219.34.00; 
7219.35.00; 7219.90.00; 7220.20.10; 7220.20.90; 7220.90.10; 7220.90.90) from China; Korea, Rep. of; Malaysia; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; and Thailand WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/IDN, 
23 Feb. 15   
Korea, Rep. of  Initiation on 20 Nov. 14 of anti-dumping 
investigation on ethyl acetate (HS 2915.31) from 
India WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/KOR, 
9 Feb. 15   
Korea, Rep. of  Termination on 25 Feb. 15 (without measure) of 
anti-dumping investigation on polyester filament partially oriented yarn (HS 5402.46) from India, Malaysia, and Thailand (initiated on 30 May 14)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/259/KOR, 10 Sep. 14; and Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Korea to 
the WTO (29 May 15)   
Korea, Rep. of  Initiation on 13 Mar. 15 of anti-dumping 
investigation on coniferous wood plywood 
(HS 4412.39.10; 4412.39.90; 4412.99.91) from 
China  Permanent 
Delegation of the 
Republic of Korea to 
the WTO (29 May 15)   WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/date Status 
Malaysia Termination on 31 Oct. 14 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of stra nded wire, ropes, cables 
(HS 7312.10.00) from China (investigation initiated on 10 Apr. 13 and definitive duty 
imposed on 4 Jan. 14) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/MYS, 15 Apr. 15   
Malaysia Termination on 10 Dec. 14 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of steel wire rods 
(HS 7213.10.00; 7213.20.00; 7213.91.00; 
7213.99.00) from China (investigation initiated 
on 26 Jun. 12, provisional and definitive duties 
imposed on 23 Oct. 12 and 20 Feb. 13) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/MYS, 
15 Apr. 15   
Malaysia Termination on 29 Jan. 15 (without measure) of 
anti-dumping investigation on steel concrete reinforcing bar "rebar" (HS 7214; 7228) from China and Korea, Rep. of (initiated on 2 Sep. 14) 
 Permanent 
Delegation of Malaysia to the WTO (1 Jun. 15); and WTO document G/ADP/N/265/MYS, 15 Apr. 15   
Mexico Initiation on 3 Dec. 14 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of graphite electrodes 
for electric arc furnaces (HS 8545.11.01) from 
China (possible circumvention of anti-dumping 
measures imposed on 1 Mar. 12)  Diario Oficial de la 
Federación (Official 
Journal), 3 Dec. 14; 
and WTO document 
G/ADP/N/268, 
20 Feb. 15    
Mexico Initiation on 4 Dec. 14 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of apples (HS 0808.10.01) from the United States  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/MEX, 6 Mar. 15    
Mexico Initiation on 23 Dec. 14 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of carbon steel tubing 
with straight longitudinal or helical seams 
(HS 7305.11.01; 7305.11.99; 7305.12.01; 
7305.12.99; 7305.19.01; 7305.19.99) from 
India, Spain, and the United States  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/MEX, 
6 Mar. 15    
Mexico Initiation on 16 Feb. 15 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of prestressed products 
(HS 7217.10.99; 7312.10.01; 7312.10.05; 7312.10.07; 7312.10.08; 7312.10.10; 
7312.10.99) from China, Portugal and Spain  Permanent 
Delegation of Mexico to the WTO (27 May 15); and 
Diario Oficial de la 
Federación (Official Journal), 16 Feb. 15   
Mexico Initiation on 15 Apr. 15 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of aluminium cookware 
(HS 7615.10.99) from China Permanent 
Delegation of Mexico 
to the WTO 
(27 May 15); and 
Diario Oficial de la 
Federación (Official 
Journal), 15 Apr. 15   
Mexico Termination on 30 Apr. 15 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of aluminium collapsible tubular containers (HS 7612.10.01) from Venezuela (Bolivarian Rep. of) (imposed on 
14 May 04) Permanent 
Delegation of Mexico to the WTO (27 May 15); and 
Diario Oficial de la 
Federación (Official Journal), 30 Apr. 15   
Mexico Initiation on 8 May 15 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of ceramic tiles for walls 
and floors (HS 6907.90.99; 6908.90.01) from 
China Permanent 
Delegation of Mexico 
to the WTO 
(27 May 15); and 
Diario Oficial de la 
Federación (Official 
Journal), 8 May 15   WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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Observer Measure Source/date Status 
Morocco Termination on 27 Apr. 15 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of insulin (HS 3004.31.10) from Denmark (investigation initiated on 25 Dec. 2012, provisional and definitive duties imposed on 6 May and 28 Oct. 14) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/MAR, 13 Mar. 15; and Avis Public No. 5/15 Ministère du Commerce Extérieur (27 Apr. 15)   
Pakistan Termination on 2 Dec. 14 (without measure) of 
anti-dumping investigation on imports of wall 
and floor tiles (HS 6907.10.00; 6907.90.00; 
6908.10.00; 6908.90.10; 6908.90.90) from Iran, 
Malaysia, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates 
(initiated on 30 Jul. 13) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/PAK, 
24 Mar. 15   
Pakistan Termination on 17 Jan. 15 (without measure) of 
anti-dumping investigation on imports of pegylated interferon Alpha-2A (HS 3002.20.90) from Switzerland (initiated on 14 Dec. 12) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/259/PAK, 29 Aug. 14; and National Tariff Commission ADC No. 29/2012/NTC/PIA (17 Jan. 15)   
Pakistan Initiation on 29 Mar. 15 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of sorbitol 70% solution 
(HS 2905.44.00; 3824.60.00) from India National Tariff 
Commission ADC 
No. 32/2015/NTC/SB 
(27 Mar. 15)   
Pakistan Initiation on 22 Apr. 15 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of polyester staple fibre (HS 5503.20.10) from China  National Tariff 
Commission ADC No. 33/2015/NTC/PSF (22 Apr. 15)   
Pakistan Initiation on 28 Apr. 15 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of hydrogen peroxide 
(HS 2847.00.00) from Bangladesh  National Tariff 
Commission ADC No. 
34/2015/NTC/HP 
(28 Apr. 15)   
Peru Termination on 23 Jan. 15 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of cotton fabrics (HS 5209.42.00) from China (imposed on 2 Aug. 95)  Permanent 
Delegation of Peru to the WTO (16 Apr. 15), and Resolución No. 001-2015/CFD-INDECOPI (9 Jan. 15)   
Peru Termination on 6 Mar. 15 of anti-dumping duties 
on imports of woven fabrics, printed 
(HS 5513.41.00) from China (imposed on 
2 Aug. 95)  Permanent 
Delegation of Peru to 
the WTO 
(16 Apr. 15), and 
Resolución No. 003-
2015/CFD-INDECOPI 
(18 Feb. 15)   
Philippines Termination on 2 Feb. 15 (without measure) of 
safeguard investigation on imports of galvanized iron sheets and coils (GI), and pre-painted galvanized iron sheets and coils (PPGI) (HS 7210.41.10; 7210.41.90; 7210.49.90; 7210.69.10; 7210.69.90; 7210.70.11; 7210.70.12; 7210.70.30; 7210.70.60; 
7210.70.90; 7210.90.40; 7210.90.50; 
7210.90.90; 7212.30.19; 7212.30.93; 7212.30.99; 7212.40.11; 7212.40.19; 7212.50.12; 7212.50.13; 7212.50.19; 7212.50.29) (initiated on 27 Sep. 13) WTO documents 
G/SG/N/6/PHL/10, 10 Oct. 13 and G/SG/N/9/PHL/2, 27 Feb. 15   
Customs 
Union between 
the Russian 
Federation, 
Armenia, 
Belarus, and 
Kazakhstan Initiation on 17 Oct. 14 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of steel railway wheels 
(HS 8607.19.10) from Ukraine WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/RUS, 
20 Mar. 15   WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/date Status 
Customs 
Union between the Russian Federation, Armenia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan Termination on 21 Nov. 14 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of cold-rolled flat steel 
products with polymer coating (HS 7210; 7212; 7225) from Hong Kong, China; Macao, China; and Chinese Taipei (investigation initiated on 11 Feb. 11 and definiti ve duty imposed on 
1 Jul. 12) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/RUS, 20 Mar. 15   
Customs 
Union between 
the Russian 
Federation, 
Armenia, 
Belarus, and 
Kazakhstan Initiation on 26 Dec. 14 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of ferrosilicon 
manganese (HS 7202.30) from Ukraine WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/RUS, 
20 Mar. 15   
Customs 
Union between the Russian Federation, Armenia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan Initiation on 26 Dec. 14 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of ferrosilicon manganese (HS 7202.30) from Ukraine WTO document 
G/SCM/N/281/RUS, 20 Mar. 15   
SACU - 
Southern 
African 
Customs 
Union 
(Botswana, 
Lesotho, 
Namibia, 
South Africa, 
and 
Swaziland) Termination on 22 Dec. 14 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of tall oil fatty acid 
(HS 3823.13) from Sweden (imposed on 
5 Jun. 09) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/ZAF, 
17 Feb. 15   
Separate 
Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu Termination on 13 Nov. 14 (without measure) of 
anti-dumping investigation on imports of computer to plate (HS 3701.30; 3701.91) from China (initiated on 25 Nov. 13) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/TPKM, 26 Feb. 15   
Turkey Initiation on 18 Oct. 14 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of cotton (HS 5201) 
from the United States  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/TUR, 
11 Mar. 15    
Turkey Initiation on 30 Nov. 14 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of polystyrene (HS 3903.19.00) from Egypt WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/TUR, 11 Mar. 15    
Turkey Initiation on 5 Dec. 14 of safeguard investigation 
on imports of transmission apparatus 
incorporating reception apparatus "cellular" 
portable telephone (HS 8517.12.00)  WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/TUR/19, 
8 Dec. 14   
Turkey Initiation on 12 Dec. 14 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of wallpaper and similar wallcoverings (HS 4814.20.00; 4814.90.10; 4814.90.70)  WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/TUR/20, 12 Dec. 14   
Turkey Initiation on 12 Dec. 14 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of welded stainless steel 
tubes, pipes and profiles (HS 7306.40.20; 
7306.40.80; 7306.61.10) from Malaysia and Viet 
Nam (possible circumvention of anti-dumping 
measures of imports from China and Chinese 
Taipei imposed on 15 Mar. 13)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/TUR, 
11 Mar. 15    
Turkey Initiation on 12 Dec. 14 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of granites (HS 6802.23; 6802.93) from Viet Nam (possible 
circumvention of anti-dumping measures of 
imports from China imposed on 14 Sep. 06)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/TUR, 11 Mar. 15    WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/date Status 
Turkey Initiation on 26 Dec. 14 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of safety glass 
(HS 7007) from China and Israel WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/TUR, 
11 Mar. 15    
Turkey Initiation on 28 Jan. 15 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of hot-rolled coil steel (HS 7208.37.00; 7208.38.00; 7208.39.00) from China, France, Japan, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovak Republic and Ukraine Permanent 
Delegation of Turkey to the WTO (22 Apr. 15)   
Turkey Initiation on 12 Apr. 15 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of sodium formate 
(HS 2915.12.00) from China Permanent 
Delegation of Turkey 
to the WTO 
(28 May 15)   
Turkey Initiation on 25 Apr. 15 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of porcelain and ceramic 
tableware and kitchenware (HS 6911.10; 6912.00)  WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/TUR/21, 29 Apr. 15   
Turkey Initiation on 15 May 15 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of  seamless tubes, pipes 
and hollow profiles of iron (other than cast iron) 
or steel (HS 7304) from China Permanent 
Delegation of Turkey 
to the WTO 
(28 May 15)   
Turkey Initiation on 15 May 15 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of polyester textured 
yarn (HS 5402.33) from Thailand and Viet Nam Permanent 
Delegation of Turkey 
to the WTO 
(28 May 15)   
Ukraine Termination on 6 Nov. 14 of anti-dumping duties 
on imports of syringes (HS 9018.31) from China, 
Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom 
(imposed on 5 Nov. 09)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/UKR, 
17 Feb. 15   
Ukraine Initiation on 7 Nov. 14 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of caustic soda (HS 2815.12.00) from the Russian Federation WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/UKR, 17 Feb. 15   
Ukraine Termination on 14 Feb. 15 of safeguard duties on 
imports of certain motor cars (HS 8703.22.10; 
8703.23.19) (investigation initiated on 2 Jul. 11. 
Definitive duty imposed on 14 Apr. 13. Measure 
temporarily suspended on hybrid cars from 
20 Apr. 13 to 28 Feb. 14. On 28 Mar. 14, 
progressive liberalization of safeguard measure) WTO documents 
G/SG/N/6/UKR/9, 
15 Jul. 11; 
G/SG/N/8/UKR/3, 
25 Mar. 13; 
G/SG/N/8/UKR/3/Sup
pl.1, 22 May 13; 
G/SG/N/10/UKR/3/ 
Suppl.2, 31 Mar. 14; 
and 
G/SG/N/8/UKR/3/Sup
pl.2, 27 Feb. 15    
United States Termination on 23 Oct. 14 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of gr ain-oriented electrical 
steel "GOES" (HS 7225.11.00; 7226.11.10; 
7226.11.90) from China; Czech Republic; Korea, Rep. of; and Russian Federation (investigation initiated on 31 Oct. 13 and provisional duty imposed on 12 May 14) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/USA, 
26 Feb. 15   
United States Termination on 23 Oct. 14 of countervailing 
duties on imports of gr ain-oriented electrical 
steel "GOES" (HS 7225.11.00; 7226.11.10; 
7226.11.90) from China (investigation initiated 
on 31 Oct. 13 and provis ional duty imposed on 
11 Mar. 14) WTO document 
G/SCM/N/281/USA, 
10 Mar. 15   
United States Initiation on 13 Nov. 14 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of welded line pipe (HS 7305.11.10; 7305.11.50; 7305.12.10; 7305.12.50; 7305.19.10; 7305.19.50; 7306.19.10; 7306.19.51) from Korea, Rep. of; and Turkey WTO document 
G/SCM/N/281/USA, 10 Mar. 15   WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/date Status 
United States Initiation 14 Nov. 14 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of welded line pipe 
(HS 7305.11.10; 7305.11.50; 7305.12.10; 
7305.12.50; 7305.19.10; 7305.19.50; 
7306.19.10; 7306.19.51) from Korea, Rep. of; 
and Turkey WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/USA, 
26 Feb. 15   
United States Initiation 9 Dec. 14 of anti-dumping investigation 
on imports of melamine (HS 2933.61.00) from 
China and Trinidad and Tobago  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/USA, 
26 Feb. 15   
United States Initiation on 9 Dec. 14 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of melamine 
(HS 2933.61.00) from China and Trinidad and 
Tobago  WTO document 
G/SCM/N/281/USA, 
10 Mar. 15   
United States Termination on 9 Dec. 14 of anti-dumping duties 
on imports of 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane (HS 2903.39.20) from China (investigation initiated on 9 Dec. 13 and provisional duty imposed on 29 May 14) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/259/USA, 5 Sep. 14; and International Trade Commission 701-TA-509 and 731-TA-1244 (Final), Federal Register/Vol. 79 No. 73102 
(9 Dec. 14)   
United States Termination on 9 Dec. 14 of countervailing duties 
on imports of 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane 
(HS 2903.39.20) from China (investigation 
initiated on 9 Dec. 13 and provisional duty 
imposed on 18 Apr. 14) WTO document 
G/SCM/N/281/USA, 
10 Mar. 15   
United States Suspension on  29 Dec. 14 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of sugar (HS 1701) from Mexico (initiated on 24 Apr. 14 and provisional duty imposed on 3 Nov. 14) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/USA, 26 Feb. 15; and Department of Commerce International Trade Administration A-201-845 Federal Register/Vol 80 FR No. 25278 (4 May 15) Investigation 
resumed on 4 May 15 
United States Suspension on 29 Dec. 14 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of sugar (HS 1701) from 
Mexico (initiated on 24 Apr. 14 and provisional 
duty imposed on 2 Sep. 14) WTO document 
G/SCM/N/281/USA, 
10 Mar. 15; and 
Department of 
Commerce 
International Trade 
Administration 
C-201-846 Federal 
Register/Vol 80 FR 
No. 25278 
(4 May 15) Investigation 
resumed on 
4 May 15 
United States Termination on 29 Dec. 14 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of drill pipe (HS 7304.22.00; 7304.23.30; 7304.23.60; 7304.39.00; 7304.49.00; 7304.59.80; 8431.43.40; 8431.43.80) from China (investigation initiated on 28 Jan. 10, provisional and definitive duties imposed on 18 Aug. 10 and 3 Mar. 11) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/USA, 26 Feb. 15   
United States Termination on 29 Dec. 14 of countervailing 
duties on imports of drill pipe (HS 7304.22.00; 
7304.23.30; 7304.23.60; 7304.39.00; 
7304.49.00; 7304.59.80; 8431.43.40; 
8431.43.80) from China (investigation initiated 
on 28 Jan. 10, provisional and definitive duties 
imposed on 11 Jun. 10 and 3 Mar. 11) WTO document 
G/SCM/N/281/USA, 
10 Mar. 15   WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/date Status 
United States Initiation on 31 Dec. 14 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of uncovered innerspring units (HS 7320.20.50; 7320.90.50; 7326.20.00; 9404.10.00; 9404.29.90) from China (possible circumvention of anti-dumping measures imposed on 19 Feb. 09)  Department of 
Commerce International Trade Administration A-570-928 Federal Register/Vol 79 FR No. 78792 (31 Dec. 14)   
United States Termination on 9 Jan. 15 of anti-dumping duties 
on imports of electrolytic manganese dioxide 
(HS 2820.10.00) from Australia (imposed on 
7 Oct. 08)  Department of 
Commerce 
International Trade 
Administration 
A-602-806 Federal 
Register/Vol 80 FR 
No. 1393 (9 Jan. 15)   
United States Termination on 30 Jan. 15 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of li ghtweight thermal paper 
from Germany (HS 3703.10.60; 4811.59.20; 4811.90.80; 4811.90.90, 4820.10.20, 4823.40.00) (imposed on 24 Nov. 08)  Department of 
Commerce International Trade Administration A-428-840 Federal Register/Vol 80 FR No. 5083 (30 Jan. 15)   
United States Termination on 6 Feb. 15 of anti-dumping duties 
of polyethylene terephthalate film, sheet and 
strip (HS 3920.62.00) from Brazil (imposed on 
10 Nov. 08) Department of 
Commerce 
International Trade 
Administration 
A-351-841 Federal 
Register/Vol 80 FR 
No. 6689 (6 Feb. 15)   
United States Initiation on 18 Feb. 15 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of certain uncoated paper (HS 4802.56.10; 4802.56.20; 4802.56.30; 4802.56.40; 4802.56.60; 4802.56.70; 4802.57.10; 4802.57.20; 4802.57.30; 4802.57.40; 4802.62.10; 4802.62.20; 4802.62.30; 4802.62.50; 4802.62.60; 
4802.69.10; 4802.69.20; 4802.69.30; 
4811.90.80; 4811.90.90) from Australia, Brazil, China, Indonesia, and Portugal  Department of 
Commerce International Trade Administration A-602-807, A-351-842, A-570-022, A-560-828, and A-471-807 
Federal Register/Vol 
80 FR No. 8608 (18 Feb. 15)   
United States Initiation on 18 Feb. 15 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of certain uncoated 
paper (HS 4802.56.10; 4802.56.20; 4802.56.30; 
4802.56.40; 4802.56.60; 4802.56.70; 
4802.57.10; 4802.57.20; 4802.57.30; 
4802.57.40; 4802.62.10; 4802.62.20; 
4802.62.30; 4802.62.50; 4802.62.60; 
4802.69.10; 4802.69.20; 4802.69.30; 
4811.90.80; 4811.90.90) from China and 
Indonesia Department of 
Commerce 
International Trade 
Administration 
C-570-023 and 
C-560-829 Federal 
Register/Vol 80 FR 
No. 8598 
(18 Feb. 15)   
United States Initiation on  17 Mar. 15 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of silicomanganese 
(HS 7202.30.00) from Australia  Department of 
Commerce 
International Trade Administration A-602-808 Federal Register/Vol 80 FR No. 13829 (17 Mar. 15)   WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/date Status 
United States Initiation on 26 Mar. 15 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of supercalendered 
paper (HS 4802.61.30; 4802.62.30; 4802.62.60; 
4802.69.30) from Canada  Department of 
Commerce 
International Trade 
Administration 
C-122-854 Federal 
Register/Vol 80 FR 
No. 15981 
(26 Mar. 15)   
United States Initiation on  6 Apr. 15 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of polyethylene terephthalate resin "PET" (HS 3907.60.00) from Canada, China, India, and Oman Department of 
Commerce International Trade Administration A-122-855, A-570-024, A-533-861, and A-523-810 Federal Register/Vol 80 FR No. 18376 (6 Apr. 15)   
United States Initiation on 6 Apr. 15 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of polyethylene 
terephthalate resin "PET" (HS 3907.60.00) from 
China, India, and Oman  Department of 
Commerce 
International Trade 
Administration 
C-570-025, C-533-
862, and C-523-811 
Federal Register/ 
Vol 80 FR No. 18369 
(6 Apr. 15)   
Uruguay Initiation on 2 Feb. 15 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of films of polymers of ethylene (NCM 3920.10.99) from Brazil Permanent 
Delegation of Uruguay to the WTO (21 Apr. 15)   
 
Recorded, but non-confirmed information3 
 
Member/ 
Observer 
 Measure Source/Date Status 
India Initiation on 7 Apr. 15 of anti-dumping 
investigation on dichloromethane (methylene chloride) (HS 2903.12.00) from China and the Russian Federation Notification No. 14/33/2014-
DGAD, Ministry of Commerce & Industry (Department of Commerce) (7 Apr. 15)   
                                               
3 This section includes information which has been obtained from public sources but has not yet been 
confirmed by the delegation concerned. WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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  ANNEX 3 
OTHER TRADE-RELATED MEASURES1 
(MID-OCTOBER 2014 TO MID-MAY 2015) 
Confirmed information2 
Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/date Status 
Albania Imposition of reference pric es on certain imports  Permanent 
Delegation of Albania to the WTO (20 Apr. 15)   
Angola Temporary import ban on certain food products 
contained in the basic basket of goods, i.e. oils, 
maize and wheat flour, salt, rice, sugar, under an 
import quota of 2,042,440 tonnes; beverages 
(i.e. water, beer, juices ) under an import quota 
of 950,000 hectolitres; eggs, under an import 
quota of 156,000,000 units; and horticultural 
products (i.e. onions, garlic, potatoes), under an 
import quota of 184,500 tonnes. Ban applied to 
certain products where do mestic supply covers 
60% of national consumption (HS 0407; 0701; 
0703.10; 0703.20; 1006; 1701; 22; 2501)  Decreto Executivo 
Conjunto No. 22/15 
(23 Jan. 15) Effective 
23 Jan. 15 
Argentina Updated list of  "criterion values" ( valores criterio 
de carácter preventivo ) for imports of certain 
products, i.e. men's or boy's shirts of cotton, knitted or crocheted; suits of synthetic fibres; and combs of hard rubber or plastics (NCM 6105.10.00; 6203.43.00; 9615.11.00), from specific origins Permanent 
Delegation of Argentina to the WTO (26 May 15) and Administración Federal de Ingresos Públicos - Resoluciones Generales Nos. 3696, 3697, and 3699 
(5 Nov. 14) Effective 
5 Nov. 14 
Argentina Updated list of "c riterion values" ( valores criterio 
de carácter preventivo ) for imports of certain 
products, i.e. T-shirts, singlets and other vests, 
knitted or crocheted; and slates and boards, with 
writing or drawing surfaces, whether or not 
framed (NCM 6109.10.00; 6109.90.00; 
9610.00.00), from specific origins Permanent 
Delegation of 
Argentina to the WTO 
(26 May 15) and 
Administración 
Federal de Ingresos 
Públicos - 
Resoluciones 
Generales Nos. 3705 
and 3706 (7 Jan. 15) Effective 
7 Jan. 15 
Argentina Updated list of  "criterion values" ( valores criterio 
de carácter preventivo ) for imports of handbags, 
with or without shoulder strap, including those without handle (NCM 4202.22.10; 4202.22.20; 4202.29.00); and unwrought magnesium products ( ánodos ) (NCM 8104.90.00), from 
specific origins Permanent 
Delegation of Argentina to the WTO (26 May 15) and Administración Federal de Ingresos Públicos - Resoluciones Generales Nos. 3736 and 3738 (5 Feb. 15) Effective 
5 Feb. 15 
                                               
1 The inclusion of any measure in this table implies no judgement by the WTO Secretariat on whether or 
not such measure, or its intent, is protectionist in  nature. Moreover, nothing in the table implies any 
judgement, either direct or indirect, on the consistency of any measure refe rred to with the provisions of any 
WTO agreement. 
2 This section includes information which has either  been provided by the Member concerned or has 
been confirmed at the request of the Secretariat. WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/date Status 
Argentina Updated list of "c riterion values" ( valores criterio 
de carácter preventivo ) for imports of certain 
products, i.e. men's underpants and briefs 
(NCM 6107.11.00; 6107.12.00; 6107.19.00); 
travel set for personal to ilet, sewing or shoe or 
clothes cleaning (NCM 9605.00.00); spectacles, 
goggles and the like, corre ctive, protective or 
other (NCM 9004.90.20); and plastic fittings for 
furniture, coachwork or the like 
(NCM 3926.30.00), from specific origins Permanent 
Delegation of 
Argentina to the WTO 
(26 May 15) and 
Administración 
Federal de Ingresos 
Públicos - 
Resoluciones 
Generales Nos. 3750, 
3751 (13 Mar. 15), 
3752 and 3753 
(17 Mar. 15) Effective Mar. 15 
Argentina Updated list of "ref erence values" for exports of 
natural honey, garlic, and fresh grapes (NCM 0409.00.00; 0703.20.90; 0806.10.00), for certain specified destinations Permanent 
Delegation of Argentina to the WTO (26 May 15) and Administración Federal de Ingresos Públicos - Resoluciones Generales Nos. 3760, 3761, 3762 (9 Apr. 15) Effective 
9 Apr. 15 
Argentina Updated list of "c riterion values" ( valores criterio 
de carácter preventivo ) for imports of knitted or 
crocheted dresses (NCM 6104), from specific 
origins Permanent 
Delegation of 
Argentina to the WTO 
(26 May 15) and 
Administración 
Federal de Ingresos 
Públicos - Resolución 
General No. 3765 
(15 Apr. 15) Effective 
15 Apr. 15 
Argentina Extension of the temporary increase of the 
Mercosur Common Tariff applied rates, but not over their bound levels, for imports of certain products, i.e. (to 28%) 11 dairy products tariff lines (NCM 0402) (originally implemented on 31 Jan. 10), (to 35%) prepared or preserved peaches, including nectarines (NCM 2008.70.10; 2008.70.20; 2008.70.90) (originally implemented on 1 Apr. 11), and 14 toys tariff lines (NCM Chapter 95) (originally implemented 
on 1 Apr. 11)  Permanent 
Delegation of Argentina to the WTO (26 May 15) and Decreto No. 760/2015 Comercio Exterior (6 May 15) under MERCOSUR Decisión No. 35/14 del Consejo del Mercado Común (16 Dec. 14) Effective May 15 
to 30 Jun. 15  
Azerbaijan Rate of excise duty appl ied on imports of certain 
alcoholic beverages (i.e . whisky, gin, vodka) 
(HS 2208) higher than for same beverages 
locally produced  Permanent 
Delegation of 
Azerbaijan 
(19 May 15) Effective Jan. 15 
Brazil Termination of the temporary elimination of 
import tariffs (from 2% to 14%) on adiponitrila (NCM 2926.90.91) (originally reduced on 31 May 14) Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil to the WTO (26 May 15) and Camex Resolution No. 101/2014 (29 Oct. 14) Effective 
30 Oct. 14 
Brazil Increase on import tariffs (from 12% to 18%) on 
led lamps (NCM 8543.70.99) Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil 
to the WTO 
(26 May 15) and 
Camex Resolution 
No. 111/2014 
(21 Nov. 14) Effective 
24 Nov. 14 WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/date Status 
Brazil Extension of the temporary increase of the 
Mercosur Common Tariff applied rates, but not over their bound levels, for imports of certain products, i.e. (to 28%) 11 dairy products tariff lines (NCM 0402) (originally implemented on 31 Jan. 10), (to 35%) prepared or preserved peaches, including nectarines (NCM 2008.70.10; 2008.70.20; 2008.70.90) (originally 
implemented on 1 Apr. 11), and 14 toys tariff 
lines (NCM Chapter 95) (originally implemented 
on 1 Apr. 11)  Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil to the WTO (26 May 15), Camex Resolution No. 129/2014 (19 Dec. 14) and Decisión No. 35/14 
del Consejo del 
Mercado Común (16 Dec. 14) Effective 
1 Jan. 15 to 30 Jun. 15  
Brazil Elimination of the temporary reduction of import 
tariffs on simazine (NCM 2933.69.14) Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil 
to the WTO 
(26 May 15) Effective 
24 Nov. 14 
Brazil Amendments to legisl ation temporarily granting 
preference in governme nt procurement (from 
8% to 25% preference margins) on certain products manufactured locally. Preference 
margins set up by Law No. 12.349/2010 and 
implemented through specific decrees covering different sectors  Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil to the WTO (26 May 15) Effective until 
31 Dec. 15 
China Implementation of automatic import licensing 
requirements on sugar subject to out-of-quota 
tariff (HS 1701)  Permanent 
Delegation of China 
to the WTO 
(29 May 15) Effective 
1 Nov. 14 
China VAT rebate rates eliminated on exports of boron 
steel (HS 7104.90.12; 7225.40.91; 7226.91.91; 7227.90.10; 7228.30.10) (effective 1 Jan. 15), and reduced (to 9%) on wigs (HS 6703.00.00; 6704.11.00; 6704.19.00; 6704.20.00; 6704.90.00) (effective 1 Apr. 15) Permanent 
Delegation of China to the WTO (29 May 15)   
Colombia Removal of certain products, i.e. palmitic acids 
and stearic acid, their salt s and esters; refractory 
cements, mortars, concretes and similar 
compositions; refractory bricks, blocks and tiles; 
doors, windows and their frames of iron and 
steel; castors; furniture designed to receive 
refrigerating equipment; an d electrical insulators 
of glass (6 tariff lines) (HS 2915.70.22; 
3816.00.00; 6902.20.90; 7308.30.00; 
8302.20.00; 8418.91.00; 8546.10.00) from the 
list (with zero duty level) of raw materials and 
capital goods not produced locally (3,490 tariff 
lines) established by Decree No. 1755 (originally 
implemented in Aug. 13) Permanent 
Delegation of 
Colombia to the WTO 
(28 May 15) Effective Dec. 14 
Colombia Increase of import tariffs on non-wired glass 
coloured throughout the mass (body tinted), opacified, flashed or merely surface ground (HS 7005.21.90; 7005.29.90) Permanent 
Delegation of Colombia to the WTO (28 May 15) Effective Feb. 15 WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/date Status 
Ecuador Temporary tariff surcharges ( sobretasa 
arancelaria ) (5%, 15%, 25%, 45%) on 2,961 
tariff lines (at 10 digits) (Chapters HS 01; 02; 
03; 04; 05; 06; 07; 08; 09; 10; 11; 12; 15; 16; 
17; 18; 19; 20; 21; 22; 23; 24; 25; 32; 33; 34; 
35; 36; 37; 39; 40; 41; 42; 43; 44; 46; 48; 49; 
50; 51; 52; 53; 54; 55; 56; 57; 58; 59; 60; 61; 
62; 63; 64; 65; 66; 67; 68; 69; 70; 71; 72; 73; 
74; 76; 78; 79; 82; 83; 84; 85; 86; 87; 88; 89; 
90; 91; 92; 93; 94; 95; 96; 97), with a view to 
restore balance-of-payments (effective 
11 Mar. 15, for 15 months ). Imports from Bolivia 
and Paraguay exempted  Resolución 
No. 011-2015 del 
Pleno del Comité de 
Comercio Exterior 
(6 Mar. 15) This measure 
replaces a 
previous 
measure for 
Colombia and 
Peru 
(Resoluciones 
Nos. 050-2014 
(29 Dec. 14) and 
002-2015 
(20 Jan. 15) 
Comité de 
Comercio 
Exterior ) which 
was terminated 
on 11 Mar. 15 
Egypt Imposition of temporar y export duties on certain 
products, i.e. animal feed; and (LE 2,500/tonne) used or new rags, scrap twine, cordage, rope and cables, and worn out article of twine, cordage, rope or cables of textile materials (effective until 31 Dec. 15); (LE 280/tonne) white rice milled (effe ctive until 31 Aug. 15); 
(LE 75/tonne) quartz ores; (LE 250/tonne) talc and feldspar ores; and (LE 400/tonne) azotic fertilizers (effective until 28 Jul. 15) (HS 1006.30; 2506; 2526; 2529; 31; 6310) Permanent 
Delegation of Egypt to the WTO (28 May 15)   
Egypt Temporary export licensing requirement for 
white rice milled (HS 1006.30) Permanent 
Delegation of Egypt 
to the WTO 
(28 May 15) Effective until 
31 Aug. 15 
El Salvador Creation of 3 new tariff lines in the Central 
American Common tariff "fruit, nuts and other 
edible parts of plants ( pasta de coco ); 
preparations with a basis of tea" (HS 2008.19.20; 2101.20.10; 2101.20.90) resulting in an increase of the import tariff (from 14% to 15%)  Resolución No. 356-
2014 (COMIECO-LXX) (4 Dec. 14) and Diario Oficial Tomo No. 405, No. 235 (16 Dec. 14) Effective 
16 Dec. 14. For other members of the Central American Common Market: Costa Rica has indicated implementation date on 22 May 15 (out of period); no information received on implementation date by Honduras; and Panama given a waiver on this measure  WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/date Status 
Guatemala Creation of 3 new tariff lines in the Central 
American Common tariff "fruit, nuts and other 
edible parts of plants ( pasta de coco ); 
preparations with a basis of tea" 
(HS 2008.19.20; 2101.20.10; 2101.20.90) 
resulting in an increase of the import tariff (from 
14% to 15%)  Resolución No. 356-
2014 (COMIECO-
LXX) (4 Dec. 14) and 
Acuerdo Ministerial 
No. 916/2014 - 
Ministerio de 
Economía 
(15 Dec. 14) Effective 
31 Dec. 14. For 
other members 
of the Central 
American 
Common Market: 
Costa Rica has 
indicated 
implementation 
date on 
22 May 15 (out 
of period); no 
information 
received on 
implementation 
date by 
Honduras; and 
Panama given a 
waiver on this 
measure  
Honduras Increase of import ta riff (to 35%) on certain iron 
or non-alloy steel (HS 7213.10.00; 7214.20.00; 7215.10.00; 7215.50.00; 7215.90.00; 7228.70.00) Acuerdo 
No. 030-2015 Secretaría de Desarrollo Económico (19 Feb. 15) Effective 
19 Feb. 15 
India Re-imposition of minimum export price "MEP" 
(US$250/MT) on onions (HS 0703) (reintroduced 
on 21 Aug. 14) Permanent 
Delegation of India to 
the WTO (24 Apr. 15) Effective 
7 Apr. 15 
India Increase of import tariffs (to 70%) on semi-
milled or wholly milled-rice (HS 1006.30) Permanent 
Delegation of India to the WTO (24 Apr. 15)   
Indonesia Import restrictions on na tural oil, gas and other 
fuels depending on domest ic supply and demand 
(HS Chapters 22; 27; 29; 38)  Permanent 
Delegation of 
Indonesia to the WTO 
(26 May 15) Effective Apr. 15 
Indonesia Export restrictions on natural oil, gas and other 
fuels depending on domest ic supply and demand 
(HS Chapters 22; 27; 29; 38)  Permanent 
Delegation of 
Indonesia to the WTO 
(26 May 15) Effective Apr. 15 
Indonesia Mandatory requirement to use letter of credits as 
payment method for export  of certain products, 
i.e. iron ores and concentrates; manganese ores 
and concentrates; ash and residues; copper ores 
and concentrates; lead ores and concentrates; 
titanium ores and concentrates; inorganic 
chemicals and chemical products; organic or 
inorganic compounds of pr ecious metals; nickel 
and articles of nickel; silver; gold; iron and steel; 
copper and articles of copper; aluminium and 
articles of aluminium; ti n and articles of tin; 
miscellaneous articles of base metal; mineral 
fuels and mineral oils; pa lm oil and its fractions; 
and coconut (copra) and its fractions (in 
Chapters HS 15; 26; 27; 28; 71; 72; 74; 75; 76; 
80; 83)  Permanent 
Delegation of 
Indonesia to the WTO 
(26 May 15) Effective 
1 Apr. 15 
Kazakhstan List of meat commodi ties subject to tariff rate 
quotas with their respec tive volume allocation, 
for the year 2015 released by the Eurasian Economic Commission. Re duction on frozen beef 
quota (HS 0202) (from 15,300 to 10,000 metric 
tonne)  Permanent 
Delegation of Kazakhstan (22 May 15) Effective 
1 Jan. 15 
Korea, Rep. of Imposition of import tariffs (513%) on rice 
(HS 1006)  WTO document 
G/MA/TAR/RS/396, 
30 Sep. 14 Effective 
1 Jan. 15 WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/date Status 
Macao, China Implementation of automatic import licensing 
requirements on petroleum products (HS 2710)  Permanent 
Delegation of Macao, China to the WTO (26 May 15) Effective 
16 Feb. 15 
Malaysia Termination of the temporary elimination of 
export taxes on crude palm oil (HS 1511) 
(originally implemented in Sep. 14)  Permanent 
Delegation of 
Malaysia to the WTO 
(1 Jun. 15) Terminated on 
28 Jan. 15 
Mauritius Imports of black tea subject (HS 0902.30; 
0902.40) to import tariffs (up to 30%), fee per consignment (MUR 1,000 to MUR 5,000), levy (20% c.i.f. value), and a "cess" (MUR 0.2/kg)  Permanent 
Delegation of Mauritius to the WTO (12 May 15)   
Mexico Imposition of reference prices for imports of 734 
textiles and apparel products tariff lines 
(HS Chapters 51; 52; 54; 55; 60; 61; 62; 63)  Permanent 
Delegation of Mexico 
to the WTO 
(29 May 15) and 
Resolución - Diario 
Oficial de la 
Federación (Official 
Journal), 29 Dec. 14  Effective 
30 Jan. 15 
Mexico Implementation of automatic import licensing 
requirements (permiso automático de 
importación)  on textiles and apparel 
(HS Chapters 51; 52; 54; 55; 60; 61; 62; 63) Permanent 
Delegation of Mexico to the WTO (29 May 15)  Effective 
2 Mar. 15 
Mexico Elimination of the gradual reduction of import 
tariffs for broken rice (HS 1006.40.01) (originally 
scheduled for 1 Jan. 15) Permanent 
Delegation of Mexico 
to the WTO 
(29 May 15)   
Mexico Establishment of the list of petroleum and oil 
products (HS 2709; 2710; 2711; 2712) subject to mandatory prior import authorization by the Ministry of Energy  Permanent 
Delegation of Mexico to the WTO (29 May 15) Effective 
1 Jan. 15 
Mexico Establishment of the list of petroleum and oil 
products (HS 2709; 2710; 2711; 2712) subject 
to mandatory prior export authorization by the 
Ministry of Energy  Permanent 
Delegation of Mexico 
to the WTO 
(29 May 15) Effective 
1 Jan. 15 
Mexico Further extension of the temporary export 
requirement permission on iron ore (HS 2601.11.01; 2601.12.01) (originally implemented on 22 Mar. 2011, and then extended on 1 Jan. 14 until 31 Dec. 14)  Permanent 
Delegation of Mexico to the WTO (29 May 15); and WTO document WT/TPR/OV/17, 24 Nov. 14 Effective until 
31 Dec. 16 
Mexico Imposition of export li censing requirements on 
sugar (HS 1701) Permanent 
Delegation of Mexico 
to the WTO 
(29 May 15) Effective 
6 Feb. 15 
Mongolia Increase of import tariffs (from 1% to 5%) on 
gasoline and diesel (HS 2710.11; 2710.19)  Permanent 
Delegation of Mongolia to the WTO (26 May 15) Effective 
18 Feb. 15 
Mongolia Increase of excise tax on imports of gasoline and 
diesel (HS 2710.11; 2710.19)  Permanent 
Delegation of 
Mongolia to the WTO 
(26 May 15) Effective 
18 Feb. 15 
Morocco Temporary increase of import tariffs (from 
17.5% to 75%) on wheat (HS 1001.99.00) Décret No. 2-15-275 
du joumada II 1436 (10 Apr. 15), Bulletin 
Officiel No. 6352 
(16 Apr. 15) Effective 
1 May 15 to 31 Oct. 15 WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/date Status 
Nicaragua Creation of 3 new tariff lines in the Central 
American Common tariff "fruit, nuts and other 
edible parts of plants (pasta de coco); 
preparations with a basis of tea" (HS 
2008.19.20; 2101.20.10; 2101.20.90) resulting 
in an increase of the import tariff (from 14% to 
15%)  Resolución 
No. 356-2014 
(COMIECO-LXX) 
(4 Dec. 14) and 
Acuerdo Ministerial 
MIFIC No. 20-2015 
(20 Mar. 15) Effective 
20 Mar. 15. For 
other members 
of the Central 
American 
Common Market: 
Costa Rica has 
indicated 
implementation 
date on 
22 May 15 (out 
of period); no 
information 
received on 
implementation 
date by 
Honduras; and 
Panama given a 
waiver on this 
measure  
Pakistan Imposition of regu latory duty (20%) on wheat 
(HS 1001). On 30 Mar. 15, duty increased from 20% to 25%  Ministry of Finance, 
Economic Affairs, Revenue and Statistics Notifications (Customs) S.R.O. 1015(I)/2014 (7 Nov. 14) and S.R.O. 254/(I)/2015 (30 Mar. 15) Effective 
7 Nov. 14 
Pakistan Imposition of regulatory duty (25%) on wheat 
flour, maida, and semolina (HS 1101.00.10; 
1102.90.00)  Ministry of Finance, 
Economic Affairs, 
Revenue and 
Statistics Notification 
(Customs) S.R.O. 
254/(I)/2015 
(30 Mar. 15) Effective 
30 Mar. 15 
Customs Union between the Russian Federation, Armenia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan Temporary export duties on  certain cereals, i.e. 
wheat and meslin, durum wheat (HS 1001) set at 15% plus €7.5/tonne, but not less than €35/tonne (implemented on 1 Feb. 15) Permanent 
Delegation of the Russian Federation to the WTO (22 May 15) Terminated on 
15 May 15 
Customs 
Union between 
the Russian 
Federation, 
Armenia, 
Belarus, and 
Kazakhstan Preferential treatment in government 
procurement for certain medical devices and 
medicines, manufactured in the Customs Union  Permanent 
Delegation of the 
Russian Federation to 
the WTO (22 May 15) Effective 
5 Feb. 15 
SACU - Southern 
African 
Customs Union (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland) Increase of import tariffs (from 5% to 15%) on 
certain barbed wire of iron or steel (HS 7313.00; 
7314.31; 7314.41) and (from 5% to 30%) on 
springs and leaves for springs, of iron or steel (HS 7320.20.10) Permanent 
Delegation of South 
Africa to the WTO 
(27 May 15) and Notices Nos. 68 and 69 of 2015 - International Trade Administration Commission - Government Gazette No. 38442 (6 Feb. 15) Effective 
6 Feb. 15 WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/date Status 
SACU - 
Southern 
African 
Customs 
Union 
(Botswana, 
Lesotho, 
Namibia, 
South Africa, 
and 
Swaziland) Extension of the temporary increase of import 
tariffs (from 142.5 c/kg to 207.1 c/kg) on cane 
and beet sugar (origi nally implemented on 
26 Sep. 14) (HS 1701.12; 1701.13; 1701.14; 
1701.91; 1701.99) Permanent 
Delegation of South 
Africa to the WTO 
(27 May 15); WTO 
document 
WT/TPR/OV/17, 
24 Nov. 14; and 
Notice No. 173 of 
2015 - International 
Trade Administration 
Commission - 
Government Gazette 
No. 38514 
(27 Feb. 15) Effective 
27 Feb. 15 
SACU - 
Southern African Customs Union (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland) Extension of the temporary increase of import 
tariffs (from R 15.7 c/kg to R 46.1 c/kg) on wheat (HS 1001.91; 1001.99), and (from 23.5 c/kg to 69.2 c/kg) on wheat flour (HS 1101.00.10; 1101.00.90) (originally implemented on 10 Oct. 14) Permanent 
Delegation of South Africa to the WTO (27 May 15); WTO document WT/TPR/OV/17, 24 Nov. 14; and Notice No. 209 of 2015 - International Trade Administration Commission - Government Gazette No. 38563 (13 Mar. 15) Effective 
13 Mar. 15 
SACU - 
Southern 
African 
Customs 
Union 
(Botswana, 
Lesotho, 
Namibia, 
South Africa, 
and 
Swaziland) Increase of import tariffs (from 5% to 15%) on 
lead-acid, of a kind us ed for starting piston 
engines (HS 8507.10.10). Imports from the EU, 
EFTA, and the Southern African Development 
Community (SADC) members exempted  Permanent 
Delegation of South 
Africa to the WTO 
(27 May 15) and 
Notice No. R. 308 of 
2015 - International 
Trade Administration 
Commission - 
Government Gazette 
No. 38681 
(10 Apr. 15) Effective 
10 Apr. 15 
Singapore Implementation of the Prohibited Tobacco 
Products Regulation Act imposing an import ban on shisha (HS 2403.11.00). The act also banned its commercialization (transitional measures in place until 31 Jul. 16)  Permanent 
Delegation of Singapore to the WTO (27 May 15) Effective 
28 Nov. 14 
Singapore Amendments to the Strategic Goods (Control) 
Regulations (SGCR) comprising of (i) the 
expansion of the existing list of items that 
require a strategic goods transhipment permit; 
and (ii) the introduction of a new list of items 
that require a strategic goods transit permit. 
Strategic goods transhipment and transit permits 
are required for certain items  Permanent 
Delegation of 
Singapore to the 
WTO (27 May 15) Effective 
1 Jan. 15 
Separate 
Customs 
Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu Special safeguard (volume-based) measure on 
imports of dried shiitake (HS 0712.39.20) WTO document 
G/AG/N/TPKM/120, 
7 Jan. 15 Effective 
17 Nov. 14 to 
31 Dec. 14 WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 88 - 
 
  Member/ 
Observer Measure Source/date Status 
Separate 
Customs 
Territory of 
Taiwan, 
Penghu, 
Kinmen and 
Matsu Special safeguard (volume-based) measure on 
imports of pears (HS 0808.30.90) WTO document 
G/AG/N/TPKM/119, 
5 Jan. 15 Effective 
26 Nov. 14 to 
31 Dec. 14 
Separate 
Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu Special safeguard (volume-based) measure on 
imports of other liquid milk (HS 0401; 0402; 0403;1806; 1901) (effective 3 Nov. 14 to 31 Dec. 14) and garlic (HS 0703.20.10; 0703.20.90; 0712.90.40) (effective 21 Dec. 14 to 31 Dec. 14) WTO document 
G/AG/N/TPKM/122, 11 Mar. 15   
Turkey Increase of import tariffs (from 3%-15% to 
30%-40%) on certain bar and wire rod of steel 
(HS 7213; 7214; 7227.90.10) Permanent 
Delegation of Turkey 
to the WTO 
(28 May 15) Effective 
18 Oct. 14 
Turkey Increase of import tariffs (from 25% to 40%) on 
maltodextrine and maltodextrine syrup (HS 1702.90.50); (from zero to 31.5%) molasses resulting from the extraction or refining of sugar (HS 1703); and (from 10% to 23.4%) 
on processed sesamum seeds (HS 1207.40.90)  Permanent 
Delegation of Turkey to the WTO (28 May 15) Effective 
1 Jan. 15 
Turkey Increase of import tariffs (up to 25%) on tools, 
implements, cutlery, spoon s, and forks, of base 
metal, parts thereo f of base metal 
(HS Chapter 82)  Permanent 
Delegation of Turkey 
to the WTO 
(28 May 15) Effective 6 Feb. 
15 
Turkey Increase of import tariffs (up to 50%) on 
hand-woven carpets (HS 5701; 5702; 5805) Permanent 
Delegation of Turkey to the WTO (28 May 15) Effective 
18 Feb. 15 
Ukraine Temporary tariff increases (import surcharge) on 
all goods with a view to restore balance-of-
payments. Import surcharge of 10% for goods 
classified in HS Chapters 01 to 24 (i.e. live 
animals, animals produc ts, vegetable products, 
animal or vegetable fa ts and oils  and their 
cleavage products, prepared edible fats, animal 
or vegetable waxes, prepared foodstuffs, 
beverages, spirits and vinegar, and tobacco), 
and 5% for goods classified in HS Chapters 25 to 
97 (i.e. mineral products, chemicals, plastics and 
articles thereof, rubber and articles thereof, raw 
hides and skins, leather,  wood and articles of 
wood, paper and paperboard , textiles and textile 
articles, footwear, cement , glass and glassware, 
metals and articles of base metals, machinery, 
mechanical appliances, electrical equipment, 
vehicles). Some essential goods, i.e. petroleum, 
petroleum gases, electrical energy, coal, 
gasoline, and certain medical equipments and 
medicines are exempted WTO document 
WT/BOP/N/78, 
21 Jan. 15 Effective 
25 Feb. 15 to 
end 2015  
Zambia Increase of import tariffs (from 15% to 25%) on 
dynamite, gelignite and dynagel (HS 3602.00.10; 3602.00.20; 3602.00.30; 3602.00.90); (up to 30%) on certain flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of 600 mm or more, clad, plated or coated (HS 7210); and on edible oils (HS Chapter 15)  The Customs and 
Excise (Amendment) Bill 2014 (26 Nov. 14) Effective 
1 Jan. 15 
Zambia Increase of "import excise duty" (from 60% to 
125%) on undenatured ethyl alcohol of an 
alcoholic strength by volume of 80% 
(HS 2207.10.00)  The Customs and 
Excise (Amendment) 
Bill 2014 
(26 Nov. 14) Effective 
1 Jan. 15 WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 89 - 
 
  Recorded, but non-confirmed information3 
 
Member/ 
Observer 
 Measure Source/date Status 
Ecuador Inclusion of certain se ctors, i.e. tuna, flowers, 
palm oil in the drawback programme (exemption of taxes on the purchase of inputs for exportable products)  Xinhua (8 Feb. 15)   
India Increase of import tariffs on certain products, 
i.e. (from zero to 7.5%) crude palm oil, 
fractions of crude palm oil (other than crude 
palm oil) (HS 1511); soya-bean crude oil, 
whether or not degummed (HS 1507.10.00); 
ground-nut oil, olive oil, sunflower-seed, 
safflower or cotton-seed oil, coconut (copra), 
palm kernel or babassu oil, rape, colza or 
mustard oil, certain fixe d vegetables fats and 
oils (HS 1508; 1509; 1510; 1512; 1513; 
1514; 1515); sunflower-seed crude oil 
(HS 1512.11.10); crude oil of low erucic acid 
rape or colza (HS 1514.11; 1514.91); and 
(from 7.5% to 15%) certain soya-bean oil 
(HS 1507.90.10); certain palm and its 
fractions (HS 1511.90); certain 
sunflower-seed (HS 1512.19.10); certain oil 
of low erucic acid rape or colza (HS 1514.19; 
1514.91); vegetable fats and oils and their 
fractions (HS 1516.20); and margarine, and 
animal or vegetable fa ts and oils  and their 
fractions (HS 1517.10.21; 1517.90.10; 
1517.90.20; 1518.00.11; 1518.00.21; 
1518.00.31) Notification No. 
34/2014-Customs, 
Ministry of Finance 
- Department of 
Revenue 
(24 Dec. 14) Effective 
24 Dec. 14 
India Increase of import tariffs on certain products, 
i.e. (from zero to 2.5%) ball crews, linear motion guides, and CNC systems for use in the manufacture of CNC lathes or machining centre; (from zero to 5%) metallurgical coke, 
sulphuric acid for the manufacture of fertilizers, and active energy controller for use 
in manufacture of renewable power system inverters; (from zero to 7.5%) water blocking tape for use in the manufacture of insulated wires and cables, ethylene-propylene-non-conjugated diene rubber "EPDM" for use in the manufacture of insulated wires and cables, and mica glass tapes for use in the manufacture of insulated wires and cables; (from 2.5% to 5%) butyl acrylate, C-block compressors, crankshafts, over load protector "OLP", and positive ther mal coefficient for use 
in the manufacture of refrigerator compressor; (from 2.5% to 10%) certain iron and steel; (from 7.5% to 10%) certain 
articles of iron and steel, motor vehicles 
imported as a completely knocked down "CKD" kit, and electrically operated vehicles (HS 2704.00; 2807.00.10; 2916.12.10; 3919.90.90; 4002.70.00; 6814.90.90; 72; 73; 8414.90.11; 8483.40.00; 8466.93.90; 8504; 8536.20.90; 8537.10.00; 8702; 8704) Notification 
Customs, Ministry of Finance- Department of Revenue No. 10/2015 (1 Mar. 15)  Effective 1 Mar. 15 
                                               
3 This section includes information which has been obtained from public sources but has not yet been 
confirmed by the delegation concerned. WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 90 - 
 
   
Member/ 
Observer 
 Measure Source/date Status 
India Temporary increase of import tariffs on 
certain products, i.e. (from 25% to 40%) raw 
and refined sugar (HS 1701); (from 20% or 
Rs. 30/kg whichever is lower to 25% or 
Rs. 30/kg whichever is lower) natural rubber 
in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip 
(HS 4001.21; 4001.22; 4001.29); and (from 
5% to 10%) raw silk (not thrown) (HS 5002) Notification No. 
28/2015-Customs, 
Ministry of Finance 
- Department of 
Revenue 
(30 Apr. 15) Effective 
30 Apr. 15 
India Export duties on no n-agglomerated iron ores 
and concentrates (HS 2601.11.41; 2601.11.42) set at 10%  Notification No. 
30/2015-Customs, Ministry of Finance 
- Department of 
Revenue (30 Apr. 15) Effective 
30 Apr. 15 
India Increase of additional customs duty "Road 
cess" on petrol and high speed diesel oil 
(HS 2710) Notification Nos. 
6/2015 and 
7/2015-Customs, 
Ministry of Finance 
- Department of 
Revenue 
(1 Mar. 15) Effective 1 Mar. 15 
India Import ban on jute sacks from Bangladesh  PTI (7 Dec. 14)   
India Import ban on certain machinery older than 
5 years The Hindu Business 
Line (12 Dec. 14)   
India New decree requiring foreign companies to 
source 30% of supplies  to the government 
from domestic manufacturers. Applies to companies selling more than Rs 3 billion  Press Trust of India 
New Delhi (16 Dec. 14)   
India Increase of import tariffs (from 10% to 20%) 
on tyres (HS 4011). Inclusion of tyres in the 
import restricted list  Business Standard 
(3 Feb. 15)   
India Guidelines from the Ministry of New and 
Renewable Energy launching Phase II – 
Batch II of the Jawaharlal Nehru National 
Solar Mission on projects based on solar thermal technology, providing for 30% local content requirement in all plants and installations  The Hindu Business 
Line (12 Mar. 15)   
India Increase of import tariffs (from 10% to 15%) 
on finished and semi-finished steel  PTI (2 Apr. 15)   
Iran, Islamic 
Republic of Increase of import tariffs (up to 20%) on 
certain steel products, i.e. hot-rolled coil, wire rod and rebar (HS Chapters 72; 73)  Reuters 
(11 Mar. 15)   
Nigeria Second phase of the "Tariff readjustment for 
the Automotive Industry" resulting in an 
increase of import tariffs (to 70%) (in Jul. 14 
import tariffs were raised to 35%) 
(HS Chapter 87)  Press Reader - 
Thisday (8 Feb. 15) 
and WTO document 
WT/TPR/OV/17, 
24 Nov. 14 Originally 
scheduled to be 
effective in Jan. 15 
but postponed 
to Apr. 15 
Ukraine Export restriction on wheat (HS 1001), limited 
to 1.2 million tonnes for the year 2015 AgraEurope 
(27 Jan. 15)   
Ukraine Increase of import tariffs (by 5%) on vehicles Esmerk Russian 
News (2 Mar. 15)   
Ukraine Non-automatic export licensing requirements 
on anthracite coal Press reports 
referring to Resolution No. 1 (14 Jan. 15)    
United States "Buy America" requir ements for programmes 
funded by the Department of Transportation  Bloomberg BNA 
(12 Feb. 15)    WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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Member/ 
Observer 
 Measure Source/date Status 
United States Several "Buy Amer ican" restrictions on public 
procurement granting a significant share to locally produced goods and services  Report from the 
Commission to the European Council: Trade and Investment Barriers Report 2015 (17 Mar. 15)   
 WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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  ANNEX 4 
GENERAL ECONOMIC SUPPORT MEASURES1 
(MID-OCTOBER 2014 TO MID-MAY 2015) 
CONFIRMED INFORMATION2 
Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Argentina  Temporary supp ort scheme. "P rograma de 
Estímulo a la Producción de Petróleo Crudo". Aiming at maintaining the level of activity and employment, increasing oil production with a consequent increase in exports and, therefore, causing an improvement in the energy trade balance, and stimulating investments in oil exploration and exploitation  Resolución 
No. 14/2015- Comisión de Planificación y Coordinación Estratégica del Plan Nacional de Inversiones Hidrocarburíferas 
(3 Feb. 15) and 
Permanent Delegation of Argentina to the WTO (26 May 15) Effective 
1 Jan. 15 to 
31 Dec. 15 
Argentina Temporary aid scheme " Programa de Estímulo al 
Pequeño Productor de Granos" (maximum 
budget Arg$2.5 billion) for corn, wheat, 
sunflower, and soybean producers (up to 
700 tonnes per year)  Resolución 
No. 126/2015- 
Ministerio de 
Economía y Finanzas 
Públicas (16 Mar. 15) 
and Permanent 
Delegation of 
Argentina to the WTO 
(26 May 15) Effective Jan. 15 
to Dec. 15 
Argentina Aid scheme "Program a de Estímulo Renovate" to 
encourage the production of low consumption electrical appliances and to promote the entry of new technologies Secretaría de Energía 
Resolución No. 48/2015 (27 Mar. 15) and Permanent Delegation of Argentina to the WTO (26 May 15) Effective 
1 Apr. 15 to 
31 Dec. 15 
Brazil Special tax refund regime "REINTEGRA" for 
manufacturing companies exporting goods (equal 
to 3% of value exported). Reintegra's main 
objectives are to combat tax residue and to 
ensure the destination principle of taxation on 
exports Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(26 May 15) Effective 
14 Dec. 14 
China Aid scheme extending special tax discounts for 
small low profit enterprises with an annual turnover of Y 200,000. Only half of their income taxable at income tax rate of 20% Permanent Delegation 
of China to the WTO (29 May 15)  Effective 
1 Jan. 15 to 31 Dec. 17 
                                               
1 The inclusion of any measure in this Annex implies no judgement by the WTO Secretariat on whether 
or not such measure, or its intent, is protectionist in nature. Moreover, nothing in the Annex implies any judgement, either direct or indirect, on the consistency of any measure refe rred to with the provisions of any 
WTO agreement. 
2 This section includes information which has either  been provided by the Member concerned or has 
been confirmed at the request of the Secretariat. 
 WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
- 93 - 
 
  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
European 
Union Temporary exceptional measures for the milk 
and milk product sector in  the form of advancing 
the public intervention period for butter and 
skimmed milk powder in 2015 (measure has not 
been used so far) Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU 
Delegation 
(27 May 15) and 
Commission 
Delegated Regulation 
No. 1336/2014 
(16 Dec. 14) Effective 
1 Jan. 15 to 
30 Sep. 15 
European 
Union Extension of the temporary exceptional support 
measures (estimated expenditure between 30 Sep. until 30 Jun. 15 of €165 million) for 
producers of perishable  fruits and vegetables 
(i.e. tomatoes, carrots, cabbage, sweet peppers, 
cauliflowers, cucumbers, gherkins, mushrooms, apples, pear, plums, soft  fruits, table grapes, 
kiwis, and sweet orange, clementine, mandarins, 
lemons (since 1 Jan. 15)) through market withdrawals especially for free distribution, compensation for non-harvesting and green harvesting (origina lly effective until 
end-December 14)  Public information 
available on the European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU Delegation 
(27 May 15) and WTO 
document WT/TPR/OV/17, 
24 Nov. 14 Extended on 
20 Dec. 14, 
from 
1 Jan. until 
Jun. 15 
Estonia Aid scheme (overall budget €719.9 million) 
through direct grants for electricity produced 
from renewable sources and efficient 
co-generation  Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU 
Delegation 
(27 May 15) and EU 
State Aid SA. 36023 
(2013/NN) 
(28 Oct. 14) Effective until 
31 Dec. 20  
Estonia, 
Latvia and 
Lithuania Temporary exceptional aid for milk producers 
(€28.7 million)  Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU Delegation (27 May 15) and Commission Delegated Regulation No. 1263/2014 (26 Nov. 14) Effective until 
30 Apr. 15 
Finland Temporary exceptional aid (annual budget 
€10.7 million) for milk producers  Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU 
Delegation 
(27 May 15) and 
Commission 
Delegated Regulation 
No. 1370/2014 
(19 Dec. 14) Effective until 
31 May 15 
France Aid scheme (overall budget €70 million) through 
interest subsidy for restructuring firms in difficulty in agriculture,  forestry, and fishing 
sectors Public information 
available on the European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU Delegation 
(27 May 15) and EU 
State Aid SA. 37501 (2013/N) 
(16 Oct. 14) Effective until 
31 Dec. 20 WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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France Aid scheme (overall budget €70 million) for 
Turbomeca constructor of air and spacecraft and 
related machinery Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU 
Delegation 
(27 May 15) and EU 
State Aid SA. 37137 
(2013/N) 
(29 Oct. 14) Effective until 
31 Dec. 20 
France Aid scheme (overall budget €3.5 millions) 
through subsidized services for agriculture, forestry, and fishing sectors  Public information 
available on the European Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU 
Delegation 
(27 May 15) and EU 
State Aid SA. 37502 (2013/N) (14 Nov. 14) Effective 
14 Nov. 14 to 31 Dec. 20 
Germany Aid scheme (overall budget €12 million) through 
a direct grant for investments in agricultural 
holdings (technical support "AGRI") Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU 
Delegation 
(27 May 15) and EU 
State Aid SA. 37726 
(2013/N) 
(11 Nov. 14) Effective until 
31 Dec. 18 
Germany Aid scheme (overall budget €80 million) in the 
form of interest rate-subsidised, 
non-collateralised subordin ated loans for regional 
developments of SMEs  Public information 
available on the European Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU Delegation 
(27 May 15) and EU 
State Aid SA. 38674 (2014/N) (25 Nov. 14) Effective until 
31 Dec. 20 
Germany Aid scheme for SMEs (overall budget €60 million) 
through loans, loan guarantees, or grants Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU 
Delegation 
(27 May 15) and EU 
State Aid SA. 40535 
(2015/N) 
(25 Feb. 15) Effective 
1 Mar. 15 to 
31 Dec. 20 
Greece Aid scheme (overall budget €330 million) 
through a direct grant fo r construction of roads 
and motorways Public information 
available on the European Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU Delegation 
(27 May 15) and EU 
State Aid SA. 39224 (2014/N) 
(27 Oct. 14) Effective 
1 Jan. 15 to 28 Feb. 33 WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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Hungary Aid scheme (overall budget Ft 60 million) 
through a direct grant for forestry and logging Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU 
Delegation 
(27 May 15) and EU 
State Aid SA. 39440 
(2014/N) 
(18 Dec. 14) Effective 
1 Jan. 15 to 
31 Dec. 18 
Hungary Individual application (overall budget €44.39 
million) through a direct grant and tax allowance for the manufacturing of fertilizers and nitrogen compounds (large investment project) Public information 
available on the European Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU 
Delegation 
(27 May 15) and EU 
State Aid SA. 38981 (2014/N) 
(9 Jan. 15)  
Ireland Aid schemes through direct grants for: 
(i) improvement of the resilience and 
environmental value of forest ecosystems 
(overall budget €6.75 mil lion); (ii) afforestation 
and creation of woodland (overall budget 
€199.5 million); (iii) Forest Road Scheme 
(overall budget €30.6 million); (iv) Neighbour 
Wood Scheme (overall budget €1.05 million; and 
(v) Native Woodland Conservation Scheme 
(overall budget €7.3 million ). Beneficiaries of the 
scheme are forest holders (public and private 
actors, including SMEs and large companies) Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU 
Delegation 
(27 May 15) and EU 
State Aids SA. 39744, 
39783, 39784, 39786 
and 39787 (2014/N) 
(4 Feb. 15) Effective 
1 Jan. 15 to 
31 Dec. 20 
Italy Rescue Aid (overall budge t €7.2 million) through 
guarantee for Mabo Prefabbricati S.p.A. in A.S. manufacturer of other non-metallic mineral 
products Public information 
available on the European Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU 
Delegation 
(27 May 15) and EU 
State Aid SA. 39870 (2014/N) (13 Feb. 15)  
Latvia  Individual application (overall budget €89.55 
million) through a tax allowance for setting up a 
new refinery for the production of diesel, 
petrochemical naphtha an d sulphur in Ventspils 
(large investment project) (maximum aid 
amount 22.05% of eligible cost) Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU 
Delegation 
(27 May 15) and EU 
State Aid SA. 38982 
(2014/N) 
(29 Oct. 14) Effective until 
28 Dec. 18 
Portugal Aid scheme (overall budget €24.4 million) 
through tax rate reduction for distilling, rectifying and blending of spirits in the Madeira region  Public information 
available on the European Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU Delegation and EU State Aid SA. 38823 
(2015/NN) 
(2 Mar. 15) Effective until 
31 Dec. 20 WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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Portugal Aid scheme (overall budget €5.9 million) through 
tax rate reduction for distilling, rectifying and 
blending of spirits in the Açores region  Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU 
Delegation and EU 
State Aid SA. 38832 
(2014/NN) 
(8 Dec. 14) Effective until 
31 Dec. 20 
Spain Aid scheme (overall budget €24 million) through 
a direct grant to the agri culture sector (growing 
of other tree and bush fruits and nuts) Public information 
available on the European Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU 
Delegation and EU 
State Aid SA. 38997 (2014/N) (16 Dec. 14) Effective until 
31 Dec. 20 
United 
Kingdom Waterborne Freight Grant "WFG" scheme (overall 
budget £10 million) for sea and costal freight 
water transport Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU 
Delegation and EU 
State Aid SA. 39355 
(2014/N) (7 Jan. 15) Effective 
1 Apr. 15 to 
31 Mar. 20 
United 
Kingdom Beef and Sheep Meat Sector Improvement 
Scheme (overall budget £9.3 million) (Northern Ireland) 2015  Public information 
available on the European Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU Delegation and EU State Aid SA. 39878 (2014/N) 
(10 Feb. 15) Effective 
1 Apr. 15 to 31 Mar. 21 
Hong Kong, 
China Further extension of the time-limited special 
concessionary measures providing 80% loan 
guarantee coverage on eligible loans approved 
by participating lending institutions, through the 
SME Financing Guarantee Scheme (SFGS) 
(originally effective from 31 May 2012 to 
end-Feb. 2013 and then extended until Feb. 15) Permanent Delegation 
of Hong Kong, China 
to the WTO 
(20 Apr. 15) and WTO 
document 
WT/TPR/OV/17, 
24 Nov. 14 On 1 Mar. 15, 
extended until 
29 Feb. 16 
Indonesia Reduction in the gaso line support price scheme  Permanent Delegation 
of Indonesia to the WTO (26 May 15) Effective 
16 Jan. 15 
Indonesia Financial aid through tax incentives for export-
oriented enterprises, enterprises investing in 
Indonesia, and for research and development  Permanent Delegation 
of Indonesia to the 
WTO (26 May 15) Effective 
6 May 15 
Jordan Extension of the tr ansitional period for the 
elimination of the Jordan Export Subsidy Programme after 2015. The programme exempts companies from income tax profits on all exports (except phosphate and potash)  WTO document 
G/C/W/705, 30 Oct. 14 Programme to 
be phased out no later than 31 Dec. 15  
Kenya Temporary support programme for importers of 
certain paper products for manufacturing books 
under the Duty Remission Scheme. Import duty 
elimination for designated enterprises and 
allocated quantities  EAC Gazette Vol. AT 1 
- No. 18 - Legal 
Notice No. 
EAC/68/2014 
(1 Dec. 14) 
 Effective 
12 months WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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Kenya Temporary support programme (under the Duty 
Remission Scheme) for importers of duplex board products for exports of unit and folding boxes. Import duty elimination for designated enterprises and allocated quantities  EAC Gazette Vol. AT 1 
- No. 18 - Legal Notice No. EAC/69/2014 (1 Dec. 14) 
 Effective 
12 months 
Kenya Temporary support programme for importers of 
certain products, i.e. co rrugated boxes, flower 
sleeves, labels, paper and paperboard products, 
BOPP film, textile and text ile articles, and staple 
fibres, under the Duty Remission Scheme, for 
manufacturing goods to be exported. Import 
duty elimination for designated enterprises and 
allocated quantities  EAC Gazette Vol. AT 1 
- No. 18 - Legal 
Notice No. 
EAC/72/2014 
(1 Dec. 14) 
 Effective 
12 months 
Kenya Temporary support programme for importers of 
glucose and glucose syrup under the Duty Remission Scheme. Import duty elimination for designated enterprises an d allocated quantities  EAC Gazette Vol. AT 1 
- No. 18 - Legal Notice No. EAC/73/2014 (1 Dec. 14) Effective 
12 months 
Kenya and 
Tanzania Temporary support programme for importers of 
sugar for industrial use, under the Duty 
Remission Scheme. Import  duty reduction to 
10% for designated enterprises and allocated 
quantities. Imports of wheat grain, under certain 
import quotas, also covered by the programme EAC Gazette Vol. AT 1 
- No. 18 - Legal 
Notices Nos. 
EAC/67/2014, 
EAC/70/2014, 
EAC/77/2014, and 
EAC/78/2014 
(1 Dec. 14) Effective 
12 months 
Kenya and 
Tanzania Temporary support programme for importers of 
completely knocked-down kits for motorcycles, 
under the Duty Remission Scheme. Import duty reduction to 10% for designated enterprises and allocated quantities  EAC Gazette Vol. AT 1 
- No. 18 - Legal Notices Nos. EAC/71/2014 and EAC/76/2014 (1 Dec. 14) Effective 
12 months 
Korea, 
Republic of Increase of the financial aid for rice producers 
(from W 900,000/hectare to W 1 million/hectare)  Permanent Delegation 
of the Republic of 
Korea to the WTO 
(29 May 15) Implemented in 
2015 
Korea, Republic of Aid scheme (Ministry of Trade, Industry and 
Energy (MoTIE)) initiated 2013 to invest jointly with the private sector by 2017 W 900 billion in the development of offs hore plant industry 
(i.e. shipbuilding and maritime industry). 
Scheme includes promotion of locally-produced equipment through various policy means. Financial aid available through MoTIE in cooperation with the Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM) and the Korea Trade Insurance Corporation (K-SURE). Budget 2015 for Human Resources W 1.5 billion and budget for research and development W 1.85 billion Permanent Delegation 
of the Republic of Korea to the WTO (29 May 15)  
Malaysia Tax incentives included in the Federal 
Government Budget 2015 granted on a non-
discriminatory basis with the aim to: (i) support 
newly created industries; (ii) encourage transfer 
of technology for the development of high value-
added products and industries; (iii) enhance 
research and development, and increase 
collaboration with research institutions; (iv) 
create a pool of knowledge workers, and upgrade 
technical labour skills; and (v) support the 
integration of local companies into global supply 
chains  Permanent Delegation 
of Malaysia to the 
WTO (1 Jun. 15)  WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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Mauritius Incentives schemes in certain food crop and 
livestock sectors/activities, i.e. fruit growers; pre market test for agricultural SMEs (MUR 10 million); crop producers; agriculture calamities and solidarity scheme; sale of plants and ornamentals at subsidized price; seed purchase scheme (potato,  onion, garlic); rain 
water harvest scheme;  sheltered farming 
scheme; crop nursery/curing scheme; purchase of agricultural/processing equipment; regrouping and irrigation scheme fo r non-sugar sector; and 
chemical free bio-foods promotion (included in Budget 2015-16) Permanent Delegation 
of Mauritius to the WTO (29 May 15) Effective 
until Jun. 16 
Mexico Support scheme "Decreto  estableciendo medidas 
para la productividad, competitividad y combate 
de prácticas de subvalua ción de los sectores 
textiles y confección" granting financial aid for 
textile and apparel sectors  Resolución - Diario 
Oficial de la 
Federación (Official 
Journal), 26 Dec. 14   
Mexico Temporary vehicle scrapping scheme granting 
financial aid for the renewa l of the fleet of buses 
and trucks (limited to 6,000 vehicles per year) "Renovación del parque vehicular de autotransporte de pasaje y carga"  Resolución - Diario 
Oficial de la Federación (Official Journal), 26 Mar. 15  Effective until 
31 Dec. 16 
Russian 
Federation Additional support (overall budget Rub 10 billion) 
to the automotive industry included as part of an 
"anti-crisis plan". Financial aid provided to 
compensate the costs related to the production 
of wheeled vehicles  Permanent Delegation 
of the Russian 
Federation to the 
WTO (22 May 15) and 
WTO document 
G/TRIMS/W/152, 
2 Apr. 15  First quarter of 
2015 
Russian 
Federation "Roadmap to Promote Import Substitution 
2014-15" in various strategic sectors, i.e. oil and gas machine building, chemicals, consumer goods, automobile, machinery for food manufacturing, tools and machinery, non-ferrous metals, iron and steel, energy, electrical 
equipment, heavy machinery, timber processing, 
road, construction, airport equipment, transportation equipment, shipbuilding, radio electronics, and civil aircraft. The aim of the scheme is to develop new products, increase output capacity, and prom ote import substitution 
 Permanent Delegation 
of the Russian Federation to the WTO (22 May 15) Effective 
31 Mar. 15 
Russian 
Federation "Roadmap to facilitate import substitution for 
agricultural products 2014-15". The aim of the 
scheme is to improve state regulation and reduce 
the administrative burden in all economic 
activities and in ag riculture development Permanent Delegation 
of the Russian 
Federation to the 
WTO (22 May 15)  
Tanzania Temporary support programme for importers of 
synthetic yarn under the Duty Remission 
Scheme. Import duty elimination for designated enterprises and allocated quantities  EAC Gazette Vol. AT 1 
- No. 18 - Legal Notice No. EAC/75/2014 (1 Dec. 14)  Effective 
12 months 
Turkey Finance support scheme through Eximbank for 
exporters (loans, credit insurance/guarantee) 
(overall budget for the year 2014 
US$31.1 million). Overall budget for the year 
2015 estimated at US$35.4 million Permanent Delegation 
of Turkey to the WTO 
(28 May 15)  
 WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Algeria Aid scheme "crédit à la co nsommation"  Le Temps d'Algérie 
(3 Mar. 15)  
Bahrain, 
Kingdom of Reduction of subsidized natural gas prices, 
increasing natural gas prices for companies to 
US$2.50 per mmBtu from US$2.25. The price will 
annually increase US$0.25 until Apr. 21 Trade Arabia 
business news 
information 
(30 Jan. 15) Effective 
1 Apr. 15  
Cameroon Reduction in the gasoline support price scheme  PTI (18 Jan. 15)  
Côte d'Ivoire Reduction in the gasoline support price scheme  PTI (18 Jan. 15)  
Egypt Reduction in the gasoline support price scheme  PTI (18 Jan. 15)  
Egypt Elimination of financial aid for cotton growers  Financial Times 
(4 Feb. 15)  
Haiti Reduction in the gasoline support price scheme  PTI (18 Jan. 15)  
India Support scheme for Indi an maritime vessels 
through the elimination of import tariffs on 
"bunker fuels"  Notification No. 
31/2014-Customs, 
Ministry of Finance 
- Department of 
Revenue 
(11 Nov. 14) Effective 
11 Nov. 14 
India Amendments introduced to the Export Promotion 
Capital Goods "EPCG" scheme granting customs duties remissions in proportion to certain export obligation requirements (up to 85%). EPCG scheme exempted the following goods: (i) capital goods for pre-production, production and post-production; (ii) capital goods in semi-knocked-down (SKD)/completely knocked-down (CKD) conditions to be assembled into capital goods by the importer; (iii) spare parts of goods specified in (i) and (ii) as actual ly imported and required 
for maintenance of capi tal goods so imported, 
assembled, or manufactured; and (iv) spare parts required for the existing plant and machinery of the importer Notifications Nos. 
16/2015 and 17/2015-Customs, Ministry of Finance - Department of Revenue (1 Apr. 15) Effective 
1 Apr. 15 
India Financial aid (Rs 4,000/tonne) for sugar 
exporters (up to 1.4 million tonnes) Reuters 
(15 Dec. 14 and 
19 Feb. 15)  
India Extension of the scope of "Make in India" 
scheme, through the inclusion of 5 new sectors (i.e. gems, jewellery) with the aim of increasing domestic  The Hindu Business 
Line (15 Dec. 14)  
India Reduction in the gasoline support price scheme  PTI (18 Jan. 15)  
India Adjustment of the maximum retail price (MRP) 
scheme on urea (Rs 5,360/tonne) Reuters 
(19 Jan. 15)  
India Establishment of a fixed-pricing mechanism for 
ethanol fuel Reuters (1 Feb. 15) Effective Dec. 14 
India Extension of several support schemes (i.e. Focus 
Product, Focus Market, an d the Export Promotion 
Capital Goods "EPGC") for textiles and apparel sectors  The Hindu (17 Feb. 
15) Extended 
until 2018 
India Increased financial aid (by 20%) in the 2015 
budget for food subsidies (Rs 1.07 trillion)  PTI (27 Feb. 15)  
                                               
3 This section includes information which has been obtained from public sources but has not yet been 
confirmed by the delegation concerned. WT/TPR/OV/W/9 
 
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India Entry into force in Apr. 15 of the "National Food 
Security (NFS) Act, 2013" providing food grains (wheat, rice or coarse) to  around two-thirds of 
the population (around 800 million people) at subsidized prices. The NFS should have come into force in Jul. 2013 in all 36 States/Union Territories (UTs). 25 UTs have not yet at the time completed the preparatory measures required for implementation of the Act.  Ministry of 
Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution - Press Information Bureau (28 Nov. 14)  
Malaysia Support scheme for locall y manufactured vehicles 
and auto-part sectors  The Jakarta Post 
(10 Feb. 15)  
Malaysia Removal of subsidy scheme for petrol and diesel 
(overall budget RM 20 billion)  Reuters 
(21 Nov. 14) Effective 
1 Dec. 14 
Nigeria Gradual phasing out of subsidy scheme for petrol 
(budget allocated for 2015, ₦100 billion)  Reuters (6 May 15)  
Nigeria Financial aid ( ₦45.5 billion) for kerosene support 
price scheme  Reuters (6 May 15)  
Norway Elimination of the financial aid scheme (overall 
budget NKr 12 million) for seal hunting Agence France 
Presse (12 Dec. 14) Effective 
1 Jan. 15 
Pakistan Financial aid extended for all agricultural 
commodities producers (currently only wheat and sugar cane) through subsidized inputs and targeted cash transfers  Pakistan Herald 
Publications (Pvt.) Limited  
Pakistan Increase in the wheat support price scheme for 
the year 2015  Pakistan Herald 
Publications (Pvt.) 
Limited  
Thailand Support programme for natural rubber sector. 
Second tranche (B 6 billion) for the purchase of various natural rubber  The Wall Street 
Journal Asia 
(6 Feb. 15) and 
Reuters 
(18 Feb. 15)  
United 
States of 
America Aid scheme promoting ru ral export initiatives 
through: (i) establishment of a new national rural 
export innovation team; ( ii) new partnership with 
community banks for preferential credit lines; 
(iii) partnership with U.S. postal service; 
(iv) financial index for rural infrastructure 
projects to encourage a dditional investments; 
(v) promotion of entrepreneurial mentorship 
programme; and (vi) launching an i6 rural 
challenge grant programme providing funding to 
rural communities to build capacity for 
commercializing technologies through agency 
collaboration  Politico 
(26 Feb. 15)  
Uruguay Financial aid (overall budget US$960,000) for 
textile enterprise through loan by Fondo de 
Desarrollo  "FONDES" El País (16 Feb. 15)  
 
 
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