WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
28 June 2012  
 
(12-3431) 
Trade Policy Review Body  
 
 
REPORT TO THE TPRB FROM THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL  
ON TRADE-RELATED DEVELOPMENTS1 
 
(Mid-October 2011 to mid-May 2012) 
 
  
SUMMARY 
New trade restrictions continue to be implemented, and measures are accumulating … 
1. There has been no slowdown in the imposition of  new trade restrictions over the past seven 
months.  Since mid-October 2011, 182 new measures that restrict or can potentially restrict or distort trade have been recorded, affecting around 0.9% of world imports.  The main measures are trade 
remedy actions, tariff increases, import licences and customs controls.  Over this period, fewer new 
export restrictions were introduced. 
Trade restrictive measures 
Type of restriction Mid-October 2010 to 
mid-October 2011 Mid-October 2010 to 
April 2011 May 2011 to mid-
October 2011 Mid-October 2011 to 
mid-May 2012 
Trade remedy  129 66 63 78 
Border 126 78 48 72 
Export 64 30 34 19 
Other 20 10 10 13 
Total 339 184 155 182 
 
2. The new measures restricting or potentially rest ricting trade that were implemented over the 
past seven months are adding to the trade restri ctions put in place in previous periods.  The 
accumulation of trade restrictions is becoming a ma tter of concern.  Moreover, this has to be 
considered in a broader perspective where the stock of trade restrictions and distortions that existed 
before the global crisis struck, such  as in agriculture, is still in place.  
3. The most recent report on G-20 trade measures highlighted that the trade coverage of G-20 
restrictive measures put in place since October 2008 , excluding those that were terminated until now, 
is estimated to be around 3% of world merchandise trad e, and almost 4% of G-20 trade.  Only 18% of 
the cumulated G-20 restrictive measures have been removed so far. 
 
 
                                                      
1 This is intended to be a purely factual report and is issued under the sole responsibility of the 
Director-General.  It has no legal effect on the rights and obligations of Members, nor does it have any legal 
implication with respect to the confor mity of any measure noted in the re port with any WTO Agreement or any 
provision thereof.  This report is w ithout prejudice to Members' negotiating positions in the Doha Round.  It is a 
preparatory contribution to the report by the Director-G eneral that is called for in Paragraph G of the TPRM 
mandate and that aims to assist the TPRB to undertake an annual overview of developments in the international 
trading environment which are having an im pact on the multilateral trading system.   WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
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Share of trade covered by import-restrictive measures 
(Per cent) 
A. All WTO Members and Observers 
Oct 2008 - Oct 2009 Nov 2009 - mid-Oct 2010 Mid-Oct 2010 to mid-Oct 2011 Mid-Oct 2011 to mid-May 
2012 
 
1.01 
  
1.20 
  
0.87 
  
0.90 
 
B. G-20 economies 
 Oct 2008 - 
Oct 2009 Nov 2009 - 
May 2010 Mid-May 
2010 to mid-
Oct 2010 Mid-Oct 
2010 to Apr 
2011 May 2011 - 
mid-Oct 2011 Mid-Oct 
2011 to mid-
May 2012 Cumulative 
total 
 
Share in world 
imports 
  
0.8  
0.4  
0.2  
0.5  
0.5  
0.9  
2.9 
Share in G-
20 imports 1.0 0.5 0.3 0.6 0.6 1.1 3.8 
 
Temporary measures vs. longer-term policies … 
4. The more recent wave of trade restrictions seems no longer to be aimed at combatting the 
temporary effects of the global crisis, but rather at trying to stimulate recovery through national 
industrial planning, which is an a ltogether longer-term affair.  In addition to trade restrictions, many 
of these plans envisage the granting of tax concession s and the use of government subsidies, as well 
as domestic preferences in government proc urement and local content requirements. 
5. Governments need to redouble their efforts to resist protectionist pressures and take active 
steps to keep markets open and advance trade liberalization.  Some governments are facing 
particularly difficult economic conditions domestica lly; they must resist the temptation to move 
towards more nationalistic and inward-looking polic ies.  This kind of policy will not solve their 
problems and they risk generating tit-for-tat reactions by their trading partners.  
The repercussions of the global crisis are still being felt … 
6. An uncertain global context is still prevailing,  and economic conditions may get even worse.  
The recovery of the global economy remains weak and unemployment levels are high.  World trade 
growth decelerated significantly last year, due mainly to the economic slowdown in major world economies.  Merchandise trade volume grew by only 5.0% in 2011, a sharp fall from 13.8% in 2010.  
As the global economy continues to lose momentum, trad e growth is projected to slow further to 3.7% 
in 2012, well below the long-term annual average of 5. 4% for the last 20 years.  Exports of developed 
economies are projected to grow by 2% this year, and developing countries' exports by 5.6%.  With 
tight government budgets, high unemployment, slower  growth, and the prospects of further imminent 
multilateral market opening seemingly reduced, the th reat of protectionist pressures looms even 
larger. 
Growth in volume of world merchandise trade 
(Annual % change) 
Average 
1991-2011  
2005  
2006  
2007  
2008  
2009  
2010  
2011  
2012 
 
5.4  
6.5 
  
8.6 
  
6.5 
  
2.3 
  
-12.0 
  
13.8 
  
5.0 
  
3.7 
 
 WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
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There is a revival of protectionist rhetoric in some countries … 
7. The politics of trade in some countries seems to  be turning inward-looki ng.  Of particular 
concern are statements by some leaders in favour  of import substitution policies as the pillar of 
economic growth in their countries.  This is gene rating regional and global tr ade tensions which have 
largely been absent since the coordinated policy respon ses to the global financial crisis were launched.  
8. Some governments are reportedly considering rais ing import barriers, and in some cases have 
already done so, to protect their domestic industr ies from what they may consider to be unfair 
competition.  In certain cases, the barriers seem to  take the form of procedural or administrative 
actions to slow down the clearing of goods at borders  rather than new laws or regulations.  This can 
render trade conditions even more difficult since lack of transparency about conditions of entry into a 
market increases uncertainty for traders and ra ises the risks and costs of doing business.   
9. There has also been a reported increase in r estrictions placed on government procurement 
activities in some countries.  More open trade in  government procurement allows governments to 
purchase goods and services based on who offers taxpaye rs the best deal, ultimately saving money.  
The optimal action would be to convince trading pa rtners to further open their public procurement 
markets rather than closing domestic markets. In th is sense, the conclusion of the renegotiation of the 
WTO Agreement on Government Procurement highli ghts the Parties' continuing commitment to the 
maintenance and expansion of open markets, and to ensure fair and transparent competition in public 
procurement. 
Government support to selected sectors is more difficult to monitor … 
10. Some Members have expressed concern about th e granting of subsidies and other government 
support programmes to assist specific sectors a nd have called for a broa der coverage, in the 
monitoring reports, of all forms of government suppor t programmes, in particular support given to the 
agriculture sector.  Based on OECD estimates, a sp ecific section of this report shows that for the 
OECD as a whole, the trend in the level of support relative to total farm receipts has been declining 
since about 1999, although the Producer Support Es timate remains high at around 18% of farm 
receipts or US$227 billion.  In this context, it is important that on-going reforms of the EU's CAP and 
the US Farm Bill take into account the importance of moving towards less trade-distorting policies. 
11. It is harder to monitor government support measu res as there is little detailed information on 
this type of action, although efforts have been made to include some country-specific measures and 
programmes in this report.  Only eight delega tions volunteered information on government support 
programmes for the preparation of this report.   
12. Overall, it seems that the number of support measu res has remained stable  over the past seven 
months.  It would appear that in some countri es, government support is aimed at increasing local 
content and promoting domestic activity of specifi c sectors.  As was mentioned in previous 
monitoring reports, behind-the-border measures and sector-specific support in the form of financial 
support and assistance have the potential to distort conditions of competition on markets and affect 
trade.  Given the concerns expressed and the lack  of common understanding of the types of measures 
to notify, it would be appropria te that relevant WTO Committees examine this issue and try to 
evaluate the trade impact of government subsid ies and other forms of government support.  
Improvements needed in WT O transparency and peer review … 
13. A complete and timely notification of all trade and trade-related measures will help strengthen 
WTO's trade monitoring.  One specifi c area where efforts need to be heightened is in the field related 
to government support measures where the monito ring of developments is more complex and the WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 4  
 
relevant information publicly available is scarcer . Enhanced multilateral peer review should help 
Members abide by their commitments.   
14. The Secretariat is also expanding and updating the collection and dissemination of trade 
information throughout the WTO which should contribute to the WTO Bodies' work on enhanced transparency and peer review. 
The primacy of the multilateral tradi ng system needs to be preserved … 
15. Further trade opening constitutes a potentially im portant source of confidence-building in the 
multilateral trading system.  Moreover, increasing trade is critical to stimulating global recovery and to supporting fiscally sustainable growth.  Stronger global cooperation is needed to rebuild a robust 
architecture for trade in the 21
st century.  Greater international cooper ation is also needed to make the 
case for open trade, escape the current economic crisis , and advance the multilateral trade agenda.   WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 5 
 
 
I. INTRODUCTION  
16. This monitoring report reviews trade and trad e-related developments during the period mid-
October 2011 to mid-May 2012.2  The Director-General has reported regularly to WTO Members on 
trade and trade-related policy de velopments, initially in the context of the global financial and 
economic crises.   
17. Based on the recommendation approved by the TPR B at the Fourth Appraisal of the TPRM, 
the WTO's Eighth Ministerial Conference in Decembe r 2011 decided to invite the Director-General to 
continue presenting his trade monitoring reports on a regular basis, and asked the TPRB to consider these reports in addition to its meeting to undertak e the Annual Overview of Developments in the 
International Trading Environment.  Ministers committed to duly comply with the existing 
transparency obligations and reporting requirement s needed for the preparation of the monitoring 
reports.
3   
18. Information about the measures included in this Report has been collected from inputs 
submitted by Members and from other official and p ublic sources.  Replies to the request from the 
Director-General for informati on on measures taken during the period under review were received 
from less than 20% of the total number of Members and Observers.  The WTO Secretariat has drawn 
on these replies, as well as on a variety of other public and official sources, to prepare this Report.  All country-specific information coll ected was sent for verification to  the Member concerned.  The 
majority of delegations cooperated with the Secr etariat's request to verify the accuracy of the 
information contained in Annexes 1 and 2.
4  Where it has not been possible yet to verify the 
information this is noted in the Annexes.5  
19. The country-specific measures listed in Anne x 1 and 2 are new measures implemented by 
governments during the period under review.  Measu res implemented before mid-October 2011 can 
be found in previous trade monitoring reports. 
20. The following sections present an analysis of the main points regarding the trade and trade-
related developments over the period mid-October 2011 to mid-May 2012.  Given the concerns 
expressed by some Members about the impact of g overnment support granted to certain sectors, a 
special section is devoted to analyzing issues rela ted to these measures.  A final section presents an 
overview of the most recent trade and selected economic developments. 
II. TRADE AND TRADE-RELATED POLICY DEVELOPMENTS 
A. OVERVIEW  
21. Over the period under review (mid-October 2011 to mid-May 2012) many WTO Members 
and Observer Governments have continued to put in place new measures that restrict or distort trade, 
                                                      
2 The previous trade monitoring report, contained in WTO document WT/TPR/OV/14 
(21 November 2011), covered the period from mid-October 2010 to mid-October October 2011.  The WTO 
Secretariat, together with  the Secretariats of the OECD and UNCT AD, issued on 31 May 2012 a more recent 
report on trade and investment measures implemented by G-20 economies.  The relevant trade measures 
identified in that document are also reproduced in this report. 
3 WTO document WT/L/848  of 19 December 2011. 
4 Requests for verification of information were sent  to 59 delegations.  Around 61% of them provided 
replies in time for the preparation of this report. 
5 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 any measure referred to in the 
Report with the provisions of any WTO Agreement. WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 6  
 
or have the potential to do so.  The pace of impl ementation of trade restrictive measures has hardly 
changed, when compared with the previous six-month period (Table 1). 
Table 1 
Trade restrictive measures 
Type of restriction Mid-October 2010 to 
mid-October 2011 Mid-October 2010 to 
April 2011 May 2011 to mid-
October 2011 Mid-October 2011 to 
mid-May 2012 
Trade remedy  129 66 63 78 
Border 126 78 48 72 
Export 64 30 34 19 
Other 20 10 10 13 
Total 339 184 155 182 
 Note: This table includes all measures that restrict or have th e potential to restrict and/or distort trade.  The measures coun ted in the 
table are not all comparable, in particular in te rms of their potential impact on trade flows.   
 
Source : Annex 1 of this report, and WTO document WT/TPR/OV/14 of 21 November 2011.  
22. The number of potentially trade restrictive measures (including both import and export 
measures) taken by WTO Members and Observer G overnments has not diminished over the past 
seven months.  In total, 182 trade restrictive measures were taken over the past seven months 
compared with 155 during the preceding six-month period.  Table 1 shows the evolution of these 
numbers based on this report and on previous tr ade monitoring reports.  The measures counted in the 
table are not all comparable, in particular in terms of  their trade coverage or the potential impact they 
may have on trade flows.  Some measures apply to one specific product or import origin, while others 
may affect a basket of products from all origins;  one measure affects all products imported from all 
origins.  Moreover, not all measures categorized as tr ade restrictive may have been adopted with such 
an intention.  Nevertheless, an attempt was made to maintain a consistent approach throughout the 
various reports in the counting and aggregation of individual measures by period so as to illustrate the 
main trends.  
23. The most frequently used measures were trade remedies (in particular the initiation of anti-
dumping investigations), followed by import tariff in creases (some of them on a temporary basis), and 
non-tariff measures such as non-automatic import-lic ensing requirements and other forms of border 
controls.   
24. The upward trend in the imposition of export rest rictions observed until mid-October last year 
has slowed down over the past seven months.  Nineteen new export restrictive measures were 
implemented during the review period compared w ith 34 over the previous six-month period.   
25. The trade coverage of import restrictive measure s has increased over the past seven months.   
The WTO Secretariat has calculated that new impor t restrictive measures introduced during the period 
from mid-October 2011 to mid-May 2012, along with new initiations of investigations into the 
imposition of trade remedy measures, cover around 0. 9% of world merchandise trade (Table 2).6  This 
compares with 0.87% for the entire one-year preceding period. 
                                                      
6 These percentages represent the trade coverage of th e measures;  they do not indicate the size of their 
impact (reduction in trade).  The value of trade covered is calculated using the UN Comtrade database, and is counted at the six-digit tariff line level. For anti-dump ing and countervailing measures, the trade value included 
is the amount of imports from the trading partners affected by the relevant measure.  When more than one 
measure affects the same product from the same origin, the value of imports is counted only once. WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 7 
 
 
Table 2 
Share of world trade covered by import restrictive measures 
(Per cent) 
October 2008 to October 
2009 November 2009 to mid-
October 2010 Mid-October 2010 to mid-
October 2011 Mid-October 2011 to mid-
May 2012 
1.01 1.20 0.87 0.90 
 
26. The reported trade restrictive measures taken by WTO Members and Observer Governments 
over the past seven months affect a wide range of products.  In terms of the number of trade measures 
(listed in Annex 1), the sectors most frequently aff ected during the period under review are:  iron and 
steel, electrical machinery and equipment, vehicles,  vegetables, beverages and spirits, and chemical 
products.  The sectors most heavily affected in terms of trade coverage are optical and other precision instruments (LCD panels), motor vehicles, ma chinery and mechanical appliances, electrical 
machinery, iron and steel, and meat (Table 3). 
Table 3 
Trade coverage of import restrictive measures 
(Per cent) 
HS Chapters Share in total world imports Share in total restriction 
Total imports affected 0.9 100.0 
   
  Agriculture  0.08 9.2 
    HS 01 - Live animals 0.00 0.2 
    HS 02 - Meat and edible meat offal 0.04 4.0 
    HS 03 - Fish and crustaceans 0.00 0.1 
    HS 04 - Dairy produce 0.00 0.0 
    HS 05 - Products of animal origin, n.e.s. 0.00 0.0 
    HS 06 - Live trees and ot her plants; cut flowers 0.00 0.0 
    HS 07 - Edible vegetables a nd certain roots and tubers 0.00 0.4 
    HS 08 - Edible fruit and nuts 0.00 0.5 
    HS 09 - Coffee, tea, maté and spices 0.00 0.1 
    HS 10 - Cereals 0.01 1.0 
    HS 11 - Products of the milling industry 0.00 0.0 
    HS 12 - Oil seeds and oleaginous fruit 0.00 0.2 
    HS 13 - Lac; gums, resins and other vegetable saps 0.00 0.0 
    HS 14 - Vegetable products n.e.s. 0.00 0.0 
    HS 15 - Animal or vegetable fats and oils 0.00 0.1 
    HS 16 - Preparation of meat and fish 0.00 0.1 
    HS 17 - Sugar and s ugar confectionary 0.01 1.3 
    HS 18 - Cocoa and cocoa preparations 0.00 0.2 
    HS 19 - Preparations of cereals 0.00 0.1 
    HS 20 - Preparations of fr uits, vegetables and nuts 0.00 0.1 
    HS 21 - Miscellaneous edible preparations 0.00 0.1 
    HS 22 - Beverages, spirits 0.00 0.3 
    HS 23 - Residues and waste of food industry 0.00 0.1 
    HS 24 - Tobacco and manufactured products 0.00 0.2 
   
  Industry products 0.80 90.8 
    HS 25 - Salt; sulfur; earths a nd stone; lime and cement 0.00 0.1 
    HS 26 - Ores, slag and ash 0.01 0.7 
    HS 27 - Mineral fuels and oils, products thereof 0.03 3.3 
    HS 28 - Inorganic chemicals 0.01 0.6 
    HS 29 - Organic chemicals 0.02 2.4 
  Table 3 (cont'd) WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 8  
 
HS Chapters Share in total world imports Share in total restriction 
    HS 30 - Pharmaceutical products 0.01 1.2 
    HS 31 - Fertilizers 0.01 0.7 
    HS 32 - Tanning or dyeing extracts 0.00 0.3 
    HS 33 - Essential oils, cosmetic preparations 0.00 0.3 
    HS 34 - Soap, washing preparations 0.00 0.2 
    HS 35 - Albuminoidal substances 0.00 0.1 
    HS 36 - Explosives; pyrot echnic products; matches 0.00 0.0 
    HS 37 - Photographic or cinemagraphic goods 0.00 0.1 
    HS 38 - Miscellaneous chemical products 0.01 1.5 
    HS 39 - Plastic and articles thereof 0.02 1.8 
    HS 40 - Rubber and articles thereof 0.01 1.2 
    HS 41 - Raw hides and skins, leather 0.00 0.0 
    HS 42 - Articles of leather 0.00 0.1 
    HS 43 - Furskins and artificial fur 0.00 0.0 
    HS 44 - Wood and articles of wood 0.00 0.1 
    HS 45 - Cork and articles of cork 0.00 0.0 
    HS 46 - Manufacture of straw; basketware  0.00 0.0 
    HS 47 - Pulp of wood; wa ste and scrap of paper 0.00 0.1 
    HS 48 - Paper and paperboard 0.01 1.0 
    HS 49 - Products of the printing industry 0.00 0.1 
    HS 50 - Silk 0.00 0.0 
    HS 51 - Wool; fine or coarse animal hair 0.00 0.0 
    HS 52 - Cotton 0.01 0.9 
    HS 53 - Other vegetable fibres 0.00 0.0 
    HS 54 - Man-made filaments 0.00 0.2 
    HS 55 - Man-made staple fibres 0.00 0.2 
    HS 56 - Wadding, felt and nonw ovens;  special yarns 0.00 0.1 
    HS 57 - Carpets and other textile floor cove rings 0.00 0.0 
    HS 58 - Special woven fabrics 0.00 0.0 
    HS 59 - Impregnated, coated textile fabrics 0.00 0.1 
    HS 60 - Knitted or cr ocheted fabric s 0.00 0.1 
    HS 61 - Clothing, kn itted or croche ted 0.00 0.1 
    HS 62 - Clothing, not knitted or croche ted 0.00 0.1 
    HS 63 - Other made up textile articles 0.00 0.1 
    HS 64 - Footwear 0.00 0.3 
    HS 65 - Headgear 0.00 0.0 
    HS 66 - Umbrellas, walking sticks 0.00 0.0 
    HS 67 - Prepared feathers; artificial flowers and human hair 0.00 0.0 
    HS 68 - Articles of stone, plaster, mica, cement 0.00 0.1 
    HS 69 - Ceramic products 0.01 1.0 
    HS 70 - Glass and glassware 0.00 0.2 
    HS 71 - Pearls, precious stones and metals 0.00 0.1 
    HS 72 - Iron and steel 0.04 5.0 
    HS 73 - Articles of iron and steel 0.02 1.7 
    HS 74 - Copper and articles thereof 0.00 0.3 
    HS 75 - Nickel and articles thereof 0.00 0.0 
    HS 76 - Aluminium and articles thereof 0.00 0.3 
    HS 78 - Lead and articles thereof 0.00 0.0 
    HS 79 - Zinc and articles thereof 0.00 0.0 
    HS 80 - Tin and articles thereof 0.00 0.0 
  Table 3 (cont'd) WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 9 
 
 
HS Chapters Share in total world imports Share in total restriction 
    HS 81 - Other base metals and articles thereof 0.00 0.0 
    HS 82 - Tools of base metals 0.00 0.2 
    HS 83 - Miscellaneous artic les of base metals 0.00 0.2 
    HS 84 - Machinery and mechanical appliances 0.07 8.0 
    HS 85 - Electrical machinery and parts thereof 0.06 6.9 
    HS 86 - Railway or tramway locomotives 0.00 0.0 
    HS 87 - Vehicles 0.09 9.6 
    HS 88 - Aircraft, spacecraft and articles thereof 0.01 1.0 
    HS 89 - Ships, boats and floating structures 0.00 0.1 
    HS 90 - Optical and othe r precision instruments 0.32 36.1 
    HS 91 - Clocks and watche s, and parts thereof 0.00 0.2 
    HS 92 - Musical instruments and parts thereof 0.00 0.0 
    HS 93 - Arms and ammunition 0.00 0.0 
    HS 94 - Furniture; bedding material; lamps 0.00 0.3 
    HS 95 - Toys, sports requisites 0.00 0.5 
    HS 96 - Miscellaneous manufactured articles 0.00 0.1 
    HS 97 - Works of art 0.00 0.0 
    HS 99 - Special classification 0.00 0.3 
Note:  Calculations are based on 2010 import fi gures.  Estimates of trade coverage were made for measure for which HS codes wer e 
           provided or were easy to identify.  The value of total imports a ffected equals US$133.0 billion. 
 Source : WTO Secretariat estimates, ba sed on UNSD Comtrade database. 
 
27. Serious concerns continue to  be raised by WTO Members about the implementation of 
import-restricting measures by some Members, in particular in the area of import-licensing requirements (such as the extensive use of non-au tomatic licences and long delays in approving 
licence applications), reported trade-balancing requi rements, and other custom s-related procedures.  
Moreover, some restrictions are being implemente d through informal procedures and practices which 
are not codified in official regulations.  This has been the subject of extensive discussions in the WTO 
Committee on Import Licensing and the Council on Trade in Goods. 
28. Members have also expressed concerns about  the proliferation of non-tariff barriers 
implemented through national standa rds, in particular about the increasing use of private standards 
and of SPS measures that are considered not  to be based on scientific standards. 
29. During the review period, there were also instances where some Members implemented 
measures to facilitate trade, in particular throug h the reduction of import ta riffs, although sometimes 
on a temporary basis, the termination of trade remedy actions
7, or the streamlining of customs 
procedures.  Out of a total of 342 trade and trad e-related measures recorded in Annex 1, around 47% 
can be considered as actions that facilitate trade.  This compares with a share of 48% recorded during 
the previously monitored period.  In addition, other measures were taken that facilitate trade, such as a 
recent agreement between India and Pakistan.  
30. Not many developments concerning trade in ser vices have been reported in the period under 
consideration.  Overall, countries seem to be main taining the general thrust of their services trade 
policies and levels of market openness, including nonetheless the restrictive measures reported in 
previous reports.  One reason for the few changes is the comparativ e difficulty in revoking a market 
access opportunity for trade in services as opposed to, for example, raising an import tariff.   
                                                      
7 This involves the termination of investigations or the removal of trade remedy duties imposed during 
previous periods.  Although some of these actions may result from quasi-automatic procedures, and others were 
related to actions undertaken some time ago, they nevertheless constitute measures that facilitate trade.  WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 10  
 
B. T
RADE REMEDIES (ANTI -DUMPING , COUNTERVAILING AND SAFEGUARD ACTIONS ) 
31. The general trends in the use of trade reme dies have not changed considerably since the 
previous trade monitoring report in October 2011.  This section provides an analysis of the initiations 
of new anti-dumping, countervailing duty, and saf eguards investigations in the period October 2011-
April 2012 in comparison with the period October 2010-April 2011.  During the most recent period, 
fewer anti-dumping and safeguard inv estigations were initiated by Memb ers compared to the previous 
period, whereas countervailing duty investig ations continued their upward trend. 
32. The decline in the initiation of new anti-dumping investigations continues (Table 4).  In the 
period October 2011-April 2012, 79 new anti-dumping inv estigations were initiated compared with 96 
investigations initiated in Octobe r 2010-April 2011 (an 18% decline).  This seems to be mainly the 
result of reduced activity by Argentina, Brazil, India, Ukraine and Pakistan.  
33. Despite the overall decline, Australia, Canada , the European Union and the United States 
(which can be considered as traditional users of an ti-dumping) have increased their initiations in the 
last period.  These figures, however, are still cons iderably below the historical peaks of these 
Members.  The Russian Federation initiated in N ovember 2011 an investigation on light commercial 
vehicles originating in four countries. 
Table 4 
Initiations of anti-dumping investigations  
Reporting Member October 2010-April 2011 October 2011-April 2012 
Argentina 11 4 
Australia 2 4 
Brazil 25 16 
Canada 0 3 
China 4 3 
Egypt 2 1 
European Union 8 13 
India 15 8 
Israel 1 0 
Mexico 2 2 
New Zealand 2 0 
Pakistan 7 4 
Russian Federation 0 4 
South Africa 0 1 
Chinese Taipei 1 0 
Turkey 1 3 
Ukraine 6 1 
United States 9 12 
Total 96 79 
Source :  WTO Secretariat. 
 
34. In terms of the products covered by the anti- dumping investigations initiated, the landscape 
seems to have changed significantly in the peri od October 2011-April 2012 compared with the 
previous period.  The most visible change is the su rge in the share of metals which account for 47% of 
all anti-dumping initiations compared with 15% in the previous period (Chart 1).  The share of 
chemicals dropped from 31% to 14%, plastics from 14% to 10% and paper from 16% to 7%.  
Machinery remained more or less at the same level, whereas vehicles and articles of wood gained 
importance, with the former accounting for 8% and th e latter for 5% of all initiations in this period. WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 11 
 
 
Chart 1
Anti-dumping initiations, product coverage
Source: WTO Secretariat.October 2010 - April 2011 October 2011 - April 2012
Chemicals
31%
Plastics
14%Glassware
7%Metals
15%Machinery
4%Others
8%
Metals
47%Chemicals
14%
Plastics
10%Machinery
5%Others
4%
Articles of wood
5%Vehicles
8%Foodstuffs
5%
Paper
16%Paper
7%
 
35. Initiations of countervailing duty investigations continue to increase.  In the period October 
2011-April 2012, 17 new countervailing duty investigations were initia ted compared with seven in 
October 2010-April 2011 (a 143% increase).  However, these figures are relatively low by historical 
standards. 
36. The rise in countervailing action is mainly due to  increased activity by traditional users of this 
trade instrument, namely the United States, Canada and to a lesser extent the European Union.   
Further, Pakistan has entered the world of count ervail as a new user and initiated its first two 
investigations ever in the period October 2011-April 2012 (Table 5). 
Table 5 
Initiations of counter vailing duty investigations  
Reporting Member October 2010-April 2011 October 2011-April 2012 
Australia 0 1 
Canada 0 2 
European Union 2 3 
Mexico 1 0 
Pakistan 0 2 
United States 4 9 
Total 7 17 
Source :  WTO Secretariat.  
37. Over the most recent period, there has b een a significant increase in the number of 
simultaneous countervailing duty and anti-dumping investigations on the same product originating in 
the same exporting country.  Of the 17 countervailing duty investigations initiated in this period, 15 
were also accompanied by anti-dumping investig ations.  Both the users and the targets of 
simultaneous countervail/anti-dumpi ng initiations are becoming diverse.  The Members initiating 
these 15 simultaneous cases were Canada, the United  States, Australia, the European Union and WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 12  
 
Pakistan.  Exporting Members subjected to these acti ons were Pakistan, the Republic of Korea, Viet 
Nam, China, the United States, Indonesia, Thailand,  India, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.  
38. The initiation of new safeguard investigations remained stable during the review period 
(Table 6).  Members initiated seven safeguards investigations over the most recent period compared 
with eight initiations in October 2010–April 2011. 
Table 6 
Initiations of safeguard investigations  
Member October 2010 – April 2011 October 2011 – April 2012 
Brazil 0 1 
Egypt 0 2 
India 1 0 
Indonesia 2 3 
Israel 1 0 
Jordan 0 1 
Kyrgyz Republic 1 0 
Thailand 1 0 
Turkey 1 0 
Ukraine 1 0 
Total 8 7 
Source :  WTO Secretariat.  
C. SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES (SPS) 
39. All WTO Members are obliged to provide an a dvance notice of their intention to introduce 
new SPS measures or amend existing ones, or to notify immediately when emergency measures are 
imposed.8 
40. In the one-year period from mid-May 2011 to mid-May 2012, 1,295 SPS notifications were 
submitted to the WTO.  Notifications from developi ng countries accounted for 58% of the total.  For 
the previous year, the total number of notifica tions submitted to the WTO and the proportion of 
measures notified by developing-country Members was similar;  from mid-May 2010 to mid-May 
2011, a total of 1,303 notifications  were submitted to the WTO, of  which 60% were submitted by 
developing-country Members.   
41. Members submitted 852 regular SPS notifications  in the period mid-May 2011 to mid-May 
2012.9  A similar number of regular notifications ( 844) were submitted in the previous period (2010-
2011).  In both periods, around 60% of the regular notifications were submitted by developing-country Members (Chart 2).   
                                                      
8 Annex B of the SPS Agreement requires that Members no tify measures whose content is not substantially the 
same as that of an international standard, guideline or reco mmendation, 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 al so notify measures that are based on 
the relevant international standards, and provide a broad interpretation of their effects on trade. 
9 The SPS Agreement provides several mechanisms to m onitor the imposition of trad e restrictions.  All WTO 
Members are obliged to provide advance notifications of pr oposed new SPS requirements, exce pt for measures taken in 
response to emergency situations for wh ich notification is to be provided imme diately upon taking the measure.  Other 
Members have the opportunity to comment on these notified m easures, both directly to the notifying Member and/or by 
raising the issue at a regular meeting of the SPS Committee. WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 13 
 
 
844
488852
519110
10077
64
02004006008001,0001,200
All Members Developing country
MembersAll Members Developing country
MembersChart 2
Number of SPS notifications
Source: WTO Secretariat.Regular notifications Emergency notifications05/2010-05/2011 05/2011-05/2012
 
42. The share of notifications of emergency SPS measures submitted by developing-country 
Members was higher.  From mid-May 2011 to mid-Ma y 2012, 83% of the 77 emergency notifications 
were submitted by developing-country Members.  For the previous period (2010-2011) more than 
90% of the emergency notifications  were submitted by developing-count ry Members (Chart 3).  This 
high proportion of emergency measures notified by  developing-country Members might stem from 
the fact that they do not have as extensive SPS regulatory systems as developed-country Members, 
and consequently, when facing emergency challenges,  they are more likely to have to introduce new 
or change existing regulations. WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 14  
 
11
122
157
24
115
222
18
11211
4
1
051015Chart 3
Emergency SPS notifications, mid-May 2011 - mid-May 2012
Number of notifications
Source: WTO Secretariat.
  
43. Many Members are following the recommendation to notify SPS measures even when these 
are based on a relevant international standard, whic h substantially increases transparency.  Of the 852 
regular notifications submitted from mid-May 2011 to mid-May 2012, 416 indicated that an 
international standard, guideline or recommendation w as applicable to the notified measure.  Of these, 
67% indicated that the proposed measure was in c onformity with the existing international standard. 
44. International standards often provide useful  guidance regarding measures to address disease 
outbreaks and other emergency situations.  Indeed , 80% of the 77 emergenc y notifications submitted 
during the most recent period indicated that an international standard, guideline or recommendation 
was applicable to the notified measure.  Of these, 68% indicated that the measure was in conformity 
with the existing international standard. 
45. The majority of the regular notifications were related to food safety and the protection of 
humans from animal diseases and plant pests.  The rema ining notifications relate d to plant protection, 
animal health and to the protection of the Member s' territory from other damage from pests.  The 
majority of the emergency measures notified related to animal health, followed by measures related to 
the protection of humans from animal diseases or plant pests, food safety, plant protection and protection of Members' territory from other damage from pests.  In most of the cases, the notifications identified more than one objective per measure. 
46. Specific trade concerns (STCs) can be raised at any of the three regular meetings of the SPS 
Committee each year.  In the three Committee meetin gs of June 2011, Octobe r 2011 and March 2012, 
14 new trade concerns were raised.  Nine of these ST Cs related to food safety, two to animal health, 
one to plant health, and two to other concerns.   
47. The nine new food safety related STC s were raised in relation to:  WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 15 
 
 
 US concerns regarding the Philippines'  restrictions on imported fresh meat; 
 Paraguay's concerns regarding Japan's MRLs applied to sesame; 
 Hong Kong, China and China's concerns rega rding an EU regulation on polyamide and 
melamine plastic kitchenware; 
 EU concerns regarding Mala ysia's import restrictions on pork and pork products; 
 Ecuador's concerns regarding an EU re gulation on cadmium in cocoa beans;  
 India's concerns regarding US default MRLs set  at limits of determination or limits of 
quantification on Basmati rice; 
 India's concerns regarding China's testing methods for food additives;   
 US concerns regarding Indonesia's port closure;  and 
 China's concerns regarding EU limits  of aluminium in flour products.  
48. The two new animal health related STCs were raised in relation to:  
 Canada's concerns regarding Mexico's BSE measures; and 
 Argentina's concerns regarding US failure to recognize South Patagonia as FMD-free and to 
import beef from north of the 42nd parallel. 
49. The new plant health related STC  was raised in relation to:  
 South Africa's concerns regarding Thailand's re strictions on table grapes, apples and pears. 
 50. Finally, the two new STCs in relation to concerns other than food safety, animal health and 
plant health related to: 
 India's concerns regarding China's requiremen t for registration and supervision of foreign 
enterprises;  and 
 Argentina's concerns regarding an EU Court of Justice ruling regarding pollen derived from 
GMOs. 
 51. China, the European Union an d the United States are the three Members whose measures 
have prompted most new trade concerns.  The eight STCs that were raised on the basis of these three 
Members' measures accounted for more than 50% of all the new STCs raised during the period May 
2011 - May 2012.   
52. A total of 18 previously raised STCs were discussed at the June 2011, October 2011 and 
March 2012 SPS Committee meetings.  Of these, ten addressed persistent problems that have been 
discussed five times or more.  In particular, two STCs have been discussed on more than 14 occasions.  These cases are the following (number of  times the issue was discussed indicated in 
parenthesis): 
 Concerns by the European Union and the United States regarding India's restrictions due to 
avian influenza (18 times). 
 EU concerns regarding general import restrictions by certain Members due to BSE (15 times). 
 
Colombia, Ecuador and Peru's concerns regardi ng the application and modification of the EU 
regulation on novel foods (10 times). WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 16  
 
 EU concerns regarding US restrictions on po tted plants imported from the EU (seven times). 
 United States concerns about Chinese Taipei's restrictions on ractopamine in beef and pork 
(six times). 
 Brazil's concerns regarding Japan's pesticide maximum residue levels (five times). 
 China and India's concerns regarding US 200 9 Food Safety Enhancement Act (five times). 
 United States concerns regarding Turkey's restrictions on products derived from 
biotechnology (five times). 
 India's concerns about EU's maximum re sidue levels of pesticides (five times). 
 India's concerns regarding Japan's prohibiti on of certain food additives (five times). 
D. T
ECHNICAL BARRIERS TO TRADE (TBT) 
53. During the period October 2011 to May 2012, 917 notifications were made to the TBT 
Committee up from 614 notifications submitted during the previous seven-month period.  Over the 
last period, notifications from developed countries remained steady, 183 compared with 143 in the 
previous period.  Notifications from devel oping and LDC countries increased substantially; 
developing countries notified 671 measures from Oc tober 2011 to May 2012, up from 471 over the 
period March - September 2011.  LDC notifications  increased to 63 during the current period, 
compared to none over the previous period.  Th e increase in certain Members' notifications are 
noteworthy:  China notified 87 measures from Octo ber 2011 to May 2012, compared with 35 over the 
period March - September 2011;  the Dominican Re public made 48 notifications up from 0;  Kuwait 
made 49 notifications up from 9;  and Uganda made 51 notifications up from 0. 
54. While notifications from developed-country Me mbers have remained broadly stable since 
2005, those from developing-country Members have in creased significantly (Chart 4).  Notifications 
from developing-country Members accounted for appr oximately 80% of notifications made between 
2009 and 2011, whereas they accounted for only 40% of notifications in 2000.  Looking at total 
notifications from 1995 to 2011, developing-coun try Members account for 60% of notifications, 
developed-country Members for 38%, and least  developed-country Members for 2%.   WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 17 
 
 
0200400600800100012001400Chart 4
Number of TBT notifications sin ce 2005, by development status
Developed countries Developing countries
Source:Number of notifications
WTO Secretariat.a Data for 2012 includes only those notifications made up 30 April 2012
  
55. In 2011, the following objectives were mentioned by Members in their notifications:  
protection of human health or safety; preventi on of deceptive practices; quality requirements;  
protection of the environment;  adoption of new tec hnology;  protection of animal or plant life or 
health;  harmonization;  consumer  information and labelling;  cost  saving and increasing productivity;  
trade facilitation;  and national security requirements. 
56. Members also use the TBT Committee as a foru m for the multilateral review of technical 
regulations, standards and conformity-assessment pro cedures that affect trade in goods.  If a Member 
is concerned about the trade impact of a measure maintained by another Member, they may raise the 
measure for discussion in the Committee as a "speci fic trade concern" (STC).  Normally, these 
concerns refer to proposed draft meas ures, or to existing regulations.   
57. Specific trade concerns raised by Members have grown over the last five years (Chart 5).  The 
number of concerns raised in the March 2012 meeting alone was more than the total number raised in 
all of 2010.  During the period 1995 to 1999, the average number of new STCs raised was eight;  during the period 2000 to 2006, the average number of STCs was 16; while during the period 2007 to 2011 the average number rose to 36.  This increase re flects, to a certain extent, an increase in 
participation of Members – particularly devel oping-country Members – in the work of the TBT 
Committee and associated aw areness of the importance of implementing the provisions of the TBT 
Agreement.  It could also indicate that Members are increasingly taking regulatory measures affecting 
trade in goods as a means of meeting policy objectives.
10  In terms of the rationale for raising 
concerns, the largest number of new trade concerns  raised during 2011 was aimed at seeking further 
information or clarification of the measure.   
                                                      
10 The fact that very few of the 343 specific trade concerns discussed to date end up in dispute 
settlement proceedings suggests that the TBT Committee is effectively contributing to the multilateral review of 
non-tariff measures main tained by Members.   WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 18  
 
4712 12 13 12 1219262832 3252
131520
15 141224273246
294413
01020304050607080
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 aChart 5
Number of TBT specific trade concerns raised per year
Source: WTO Secretariat.New concerns Previous concerns172232
27 27
2436465874
6176
a   Data for 2012 includes only those STCs raised at the fi rst TBT Committee Meeting of the year held on 20-21 March 2012.65
  
58. Trade concerns raised most frequently address food and beverages, and alcoholic beverages; 
and, to a lesser extent, telecommunications and information security, hazardous substances, chemicals 
and tobacco.  During the period under review, health-re lated trade concerns c ontinued to elicit most 
debate in the TBT Committee.  Generally, Member s support the objective of protecting health, but, in 
specific instances, they challenge how the measure is  designed and/or implemented; the concern being 
that trade may be unnecessarily affected.  At the tw o meetings of the Committee that were held during 
the reporting period, many Members challenged the re quirements set out in tobacco-control measures 
developed in Australia and Brazil.  On alcohol , the EU and Mexico expressed concerns about a 
Russian draft regulation on the safety of alcoholic beverages which covers definitions, rules for sales 
(product labelling), product identification, saf ety requirements (ingredients and processes), and 
packaging.  The European Union also express ed concern about a Mexican draft legislative 
amendment that would affect the marketing of drinks  with added caffeine; the measure seeks to forbid 
the sale of drinks with added caffein e to persons under 18 years old.    
59. Members also raised concerns with respect to various environmental-related measures.  These 
concerns dealt specifically with a Colombian draf t decree establishing provisions to promote the use 
of biofuels;  a Korean standard for thin-film solar panels;  various Mexican energy-labelling 
measures;  a draft modification of two Colombian re solutions dealing with the control of emissions 
from heavy vehicles with a diesel motor;  a Draft European Commission Regulation on eco-design 
requirements for air conditioners and comfort fans ;  and France’s Grenelle 2 Law, which includes 
provisions on product carbon-footprint labelli ng and environmental lifecycle analysis.   
E. EXPORT RESTRICTIONS  
60. Previous monitoring reports have pointed to  an increasing trend in the imposition of export 
restrictions.  Over the period since mid-October 201 1, the number of export restrictions put in place 
by WTO Members and Observer Governments has significantly declined, although the number of WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 19 
 
 
restrictions remains at an elevated level.  Ninet een new export restrictions were implemented over the 
past seven months compared with 34 measures taken during the preceding six-month period.   
61. The most recent measures restricting exports were  mainly applied in the form of bans, quotas, 
duties, and licensing requirements, although some of them were applied only on a temporary basis.  
The sectors most frequently affected during the pe riod under review include: live animals, certain 
food products and cereals, some minerals, co tton, rattan products, and fertilizers.  
62. Export restrictions raise world prices if the country imposing the measure has a significant 
world market share.  These measu res can also reduce partner countries' exports which suffer from 
increased prices of imported raw materials and they lead to a substitution towa rds alternative, more 
costly sources of supply.11   
F. POLICY DEVELOPMENTS IN TRADE IN SERVICES  
63. Developments concerning trade in services have been reported for a number of WTO 
Members in the period under consideration.   Many such developments involved the liberalization of 
financial services, particularly in Asian countries.   Changes in regulations affecting the temporary 
movement of natural persons supplying services are al so noteworthy, though not always in a liberal 
direction. 
64. On 30 January 2012, the new Chinese Foreign Investment Industrial Guidance Catalogue 
entered into force, replacing the previous one th at had been amended in 2007.  The updated 2012 
Catalogue is the fifth revision since the Catalogue was first introduced in 1995.  The Catalogue lists a 
number of industries classified according to whether foreign investment is encouraged, restricted or 
prohibited.  An industry which is not expressly listed is deemed to be one in which foreign investment 
is permitted.  The changes introduced to the differe nt categories of industries will affect foreign 
investment in many service activities, such as environmental services, education, financial services, transport, warehousing and courier services, wholesal e and retail distribution, health-related services, 
media and publication services, and real estate services.   
65. In the education sector, foreign investment in vocational skills' training is now classified as 
encouraged.  The establishment of educational ins titutes for higher education, which remain in the 
encouraged category, is still limited to equity or cooperative joint ventures.  Foreign investment in 
senior high-school education institutions, which re main in the restricted category, may now only 
adopt the form of a cooperative joint venture rather than an equity joint venture.  The prohibition on 
foreign investment in compulsory education and sp ecial education is retained.  The only significant 
change for the financial services industry is that fo reign investment in financial leasing companies is 
no longer restricted.  There is no change to China' s foreign investment policy with regard to other 
financial institutions.   
66. An important change in the Catalogue is that  foreign investment in domestic express delivery 
of mails, while once permitted, is now prohibited.  Many logistics services are now listed in the 
encouraged category, including common delivery of  ordinary commodities, low-temperature delivery 
of live and fresh agricultural products and other m odern logistics and relevant technological services, 
as well as rural chain delivery.  Notably, comme rcial entities involved in franchising, entrusted 
operation and business management have been rem oved from the restricted category, while those 
relating to direct sales, mail orders and online sales remain restricted.  The wholesale and retail distribution of automobiles has been reclassified fr om the restricted to the permitted category, while 
the restriction that a distributor of audio-visual products must be controlled by a Chinese majority 
                                                      
11 OECD (2010), Trade and Economic Effects of Reponses to the Economic Crisis,  Trade Policy 
Studies, Paris. WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 20  
 
investor has been removed.  The wholesale and retail distribution of pharmaceuticals has been reclassified from the restricted  to the permitted category.   
67. Foreign investment in medical care institutions is  now classified as permitted.  Also, foreign 
investors are no longer prohibited from investing in the main distribution and import of books, newspapers and magazines, the import of audio a nd visual products and electronic publications as 
well as music-related internet culture business.  Fo r the real estate industry, the only substantive 
change is that the development a nd operation of villas is now reclassified from the restricted to the 
prohibited category.  On 6 February 2012, Citiban k announced that it had received approval from the 
China Banking Regulatory Commission to issue credit cards in mainland China under its own brand.  
In addition, as of 1 May 2012, foreign insuranc e companies in China will be able to supply 
compulsory traffic accident liability insuran ce, following an amendment introduced to the Regulation 
on Compulsory Traffic Accident Liab ility Insurance for Motor Vehicles .  Under the previous 
regulation, only "Chinese-funded insurance companies" could undertake the compulsory traffic accident liability insurance business after approval by the China Insurance Regulatory Commission.  
The amendment now allows all insurance companies to undertake that line of insurance business.  
68. As a result of the fourth meeting of the US-C hina Strategic and Economic Dialogue, held in 
China on 3-4 May 2012, China committed to allow fore ign investors to take up to 49% equity stakes 
in domestic securities joint ventures, going beyo nd China's WTO commitment of 33%.  China also 
agreed to shorten the waiting period ("seasoning peri od") for securities joint ventures that apply to 
expand into brokerage, fund manage ment, and trading activities; and to allow investors from the 
United States and other economies to establish jo int venture brokerages to trade commodity and 
financial futures and hold up to 49% of the equity in those joint ventures.  China will also allow 
foreign and domestic auto financing companies, cu rrently dependent on China's state-owned banks for 
funding, to issue bonds regularly, including securitized  bonds.  Also as part of these changes, China 
agreed to increase the total dollar amount that forei gners can invest in China’s stock and bond markets 
under its Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor Program from US$30 billion to US$80 billion.  This 
will reduce restrictions on the free flow of capita l and increase opportunities for pension and mutual 
funds and other investment management firms. 
69. The United States has allowed a Chinese soverei gn wealth fund (China Investment Corp., or 
CIC) and other Chinese entities to acquire an 80% st ake in New York's Bank of East Asia (U.S.A.) 
NA. CIC manages a portion of China's foreign exchange  reserves.  This is the first time US banking 
regulators have allowed Chinese majority ownershi p of a US bank, although Chinese companies have 
been permitted to own minority stakes and Chinese ba nks have been permitted to set up branches in 
the US.  The 80% ownership will be spread among CIC, CIC-controlled Cent ral Huijin Investment 
Ltd. and state-owned Industrial a nd Commercial Bank of China Co. Ltd.  To win approval, each entity 
was required to become a bank holding company subj ect to oversight of th e Federal Reserve.  
Previously, the Federal Reserve had also allowed th e Agricultural Bank of China Ltd. to establish a 
branch in New York and the Bank of China Ltd. to have a branch in Chicago. 
70. On 21 December 2011, Malaysia's Central Bank re leased the new Financial Sector Blueprint 
which supersedes the first Financial Sector Master  plan introduced in 2001.  The Blueprint, entitled 
"Strengthening Our Future" and with effect fro m 31 January 2012, is a ten-year strategic plan 
containing 69 recommendations.  One of the Blueprint' s key focus areas is to promote greater foreign 
participation in the financial sector under a mana ged approach.  More flexible foreign equity 
participation requirements in financial institutions wi ll be adopted and it is anticipated that additional 
licences will be issued to financial institutions with specialised expertise, as long as these do not 
compete directly with domestic entities.  Currently, foreign equity participa tion is allowed up to 70% 
in investment banks, insurance companies and Islamic banks and up to 30% in conventional 
commercial banks. The Blueprint does not prescribe a process of foreign ownership liberalization, but 
contemplates a case-by-case approach depending on the financial profile of the investor and what is 
considered to be in the best interests of Mala ysia’s financial sector a nd the general economy.   WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 21 
 
 
71. In addition, in order to attract more fore ign participation, the Blueprint foresees the 
introduction of greater operational flexibility fo r financial institutions, by gradually removing 
restrictions on non-branch delivery channels for lo cally incorporated foreign banking institutions and 
by according greater flexibility to establish physic al branches.  The Blueprint also proposes the 
progressive liberalization of foreign exchange ad ministration rules in order to promote greater 
regional and international integration.  Such me asures will allow corporations to actively manage 
foreign currency exposures arising from their ove rseas operations and permit institutional funds and 
retail investors to trade in foreign currencies subj ect to certain safeguards.  The Blueprint also 
foresees further internationalization of Islamic fina nce, to be achieved through the issuance of new 
Islamic banking licences to institutions with specia lised expertise and by expanding the business 
scope of qualified international Islamic banks. 
72. Thailand modified its regulations regarding fore ign participation in the insurance industry.  
With effect from December 2011, the permitted fo reign ownership percentage of insurance 
brokerages was increased from 25% to 49%.  In add ition, it is no longer a requirement for 75% of the 
directors to be Thai.  Directors with signatory pow er must have passed the insurance examinations set 
by the Office of Insurance Commission, the Thai in surance regulator.  That measure was followed in 
February 2012 by the increase in the limit on fore ign shareholding in local insurance companies from 
25% to 49%.   
73. On 5 April 2012, the Russian Government a pproved a bill aimed at increasing the limit for 
overall foreign shareholding of Russian insurance firms to 50%, up from the current 25%.  The new 
measure brings the foreign equity limitation in th e insurance sector in lin e with Russia's specific 
commitments.   
74. Pursuant to announcements made by the Cabine t of India in November 2011, the Government 
of India issued Press Note No. 1 (2012 series), date d 10 January 2012, allowi ng up to 100% foreign 
direct investment in single brand retail distri bution under the Government approval route.  The 
products to be sold shall be of "single brand" onl y, and should already be sold under the same brand 
internationally.  The foreign investor should be the owner of the brand.  For proposals involving FDI 
beyond 51%, mandatory sourcing of at least 30% of the value of products sold must be undertaken 
from Indian small industries, defined as those havi ng total investment in plant and machinery not 
exceeding US$1 million.   
75. As part of its scheme for "subsidiarisation" of  Indian branches of foreign banks the Indian 
Finance Minister announced, on 7 May 2012, a tax-neut ral regime for such operations.  The move is 
aimed at easing concerns of foreign banks that the conversion of their branch operations into wholly-
owned subsidiaries would be s ubject to capital gains tax.  
76. In early 2012, the Indonesian Government suspended, until 31 December 2012, the 
application of the MOCT Ministerial Decree No. 55 from 2008, requiring the local replication of all theatrical prints and home video titles (e.g. DVDs) released in Indonesia.   
77. In March 2012, the Japanese Government submitted legislation to the Diet which would allow 
foreign lawyers to form professional Japanese cor porations permitted to establish branch offices 
within Japan.  Also with regard to legal ser vices, on 23 April 2012, Singapore's Law Minister 
announced that a second round of Qualifying Foreign Law Practice (QFLP) licences will be awarded early next year.  This licence allows foreign la w firms to practice commercial law in Singapore.  
Currently, only six international firms hold the fi rst set of licences issued in 2008.  As announced, 
foreign law firms will be able to apply in the second half of 2012, with the process to be completed by 
early next year. 
78. 
On 14 March 2012, the Canadian Minister of Industry announced that his Government will 
pass a law allowing non-Canadians to buy up to 100% of domestic wireless firms having a market WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 22  
 
share of 10% or less.  Current federal legislation re stricts direct and indirect foreign investment in 
Canadian telecom companies to a combined total of 46.7%. 
79. A new pay TV law was passed in Brazil in Se ptember 2011, aimed at promoting competition 
and expanding services.  The law allows telecom companies to offer television services over their networks, and also eliminates the cap on foreign ownership of cable TV companies. 
80. In March 2012, Fiji revised its ownership and control criteria for airline companies registered 
in the country in order to limit the control of QANTAS Airways over Air Pacific.  The new Civil 
Aviation Decree (Ownership and Control of Airlines)  requires that all Fijian-registered air carrier 
companies providing international service be under th e "substantial ownership and effective control" 
of a citizen of Fiji.  The relevant definition covers  not only individuals who are citizens of Fiji, as well 
as the Government and State institutions, but also co rporations and associations of which at least 51% 
of the voting interest is owned and controlled by persons who are citizens of Fiji, at least two thirds of 
the board of directors and any committee are citizens of Fiji, and such corporation or association is 
under actual and effective control of citizens of Fiji. 
81. There have also been some developments regarding the supply of services through natural 
persons.  Under a US Department of State rule pr omulgated in February 20 12, foreign nationals may 
be issued L-1 (intra-corporate transfer) visas, valid for up to five years, even if that period is longer than the one in the underlying petition.  The new ru le permits some forei gn nationals, depending on 
the maximum period allowed for their country of citi zenship, to extend their stay without needing to 
undergo the sometimes lengthy visa renewal process.   However, the rule does not increase the time 
that an L-1 visa-holder can stay in the United St ates.  The Department of State determines the 
maximum validity period for the visa category on the basis of reciprocity. 
82. On 25 April 2012, the Canadian Government introduced an Accelerated Labour Market 
Opinion (A-LMO) process for qualifying employers sponsoring higher-skilled foreign workers.  
Under the new process, a LMO will be  issued within 10 business days of filing. To benefit from faster 
processing, employers must consent to have thei r LMOs audited.  A-LMOs are available for 
managerial, professional and technical positions that usually require a college or university degree or 
comparable technical training. 
83. A new law passed by the Federal Government in Germany in December 2011 simplifies and 
standardizes the process for foreign professionals to have their qualifications recognized.  Under the 
new law, the Professional Qualifications Assessment  Act, individuals will be entitled to apply for 
recognition of their qualifications regardless of th eir citizenship or wher e they obtained their 
qualification.  New standardized assessment procedures will be introduced for non-regulated 
professions, based generally on the substance and qua lity of each specific qualification.  In addition, 
applications will be reviewed with in three months of submission. 
84. In the United Kingdom, the annual cap on Tier 2 non-EU skilled workers will remain at the 
current level of 20,700 for the 2012-13 and 2013- 14 periods.  However, as from 14 June 2012, the 
minimum skill level for a Tier 2 occupation will increase, with the result that 27 occupations will no 
longer qualify for the category. 
85. On 1 May 2012, Switzerland temporarily re-int roduced a quota of 2,000 B-type permits for 
nationals of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia, 
down from the 6,000 permits granted in 2011. 
86. As part of the implementation of the Dominican Republic's new immigration law, as of 1 June 
2012, foreign temporary workers will no longer be ab le to enter the country as business visitors and 
apply for a temporary residence permit after arrival.  Rather, they will have to obtain a residence visa 
from a Dominican consular post before entering th e country.  However, the new law increases the WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 23 
 
 
admission period for business visitors to 60 days , up from the current 30-day limit, with the 
possibility of extensions of up to a further 60 days. 
87. The Government of Singapore has announced a 5% reduction in the number of temporary 
foreign workers that can be employed by compani es holding S Pass (for skilled foreigners who earn at 
least S$2,000 monthly) and work permits (for sk illed and unskilled foreigners who earn less than 
S$2,000 monthly).  Specifically, S Pass employers w ill be limited to 20% foreign temporary workers, 
and limits in the work permit category will be 45% for service sector companies.  The reduced ratios 
take effect on 1 July 2012. 
III. GOVERNMENT SUPPORT MEASURES  
A. NEW MEASURES  
88. During the review period, a number of government support measures were implemented by 
some Members.  Compared with the previous period reviewed, the number of new specific support measures is broadly unchanged (Annex 2).  These measu res were mainly in the form of guarantee and 
rescue aid schemes, and export credits.  Export fina ncing schemes in some economies have also been 
renewed and expanded, in most cases to help domestic  industries sustain and enlarge their exports.  
89. The regular monitoring of government support continues to be a challenge because of 
difficulties in obtaining relevant information.  Only  eight delegations volunteered information on this 
type of measure for the preparation of this Report.   
90. In the area of public procurement, some gove rnments have expressed their wish to help 
domestic industries, in particular SMEs, through pr eferences and special considerations, such as 
"indigenous content" in the granting of public co ntracts.  Other governments are in the process of 
reviewing their legislation with a view to modern izing it and strengthening reciprocal treatment and 
certain restrictive provisions such as buy-national considerations.  Some economies are also using 
local-content requirements with a view to assisting dom estic industries in a variety of sectors, such as 
telecommunications.  These actions may send the wr ong signals and ignite protectionist sentiments 
and maybe retaliation.  Moreover, in the context of  high public debt, it would seem contradictory for 
governments to deny themselves a means of controlling spending through cheaper foreign bidding. 
91. There have been press reports about a percei ved emerging trend in state intervention to 
stimulate specific domestic production in some c ountries.  Also, multi-year development plans in 
some economies entail the identification of key industries and the ensuing industry support for 
development.  No detailed information was availa ble to analyse in depth the specific actions or 
programmes envisaged. 
92. Several countries have expressed concerns about th e trade restrictive and distortionary impact 
of government programmes and trad itional domestic support measures pre- dating the global crisis that 
provide assistance to specific industries, including th rough the granting of higher levels of subsidies, 
even if they are within permissible levels unde r the WTO.  Apart from the fiscal stimulus and 
accommodative monetary policies put in place in th e context of the global crisis, other programmes 
that existed before the onset of the crisis s till provide domestic support to some sectors in some 
countries.  An attempt was made to capture the main  trends in government support over the past years, 
in particular in agriculture (see next section). 
B. 
AGRICULTURAL SUPPORT  
93. Under the WTO's Agreement on Agriculture, the commitments made by Members on 
government measures affecting agriculture are grouped into three categories:  market access; domestic 
support; and export competition: WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 24  
 
 Market access measures include tariffs, tari ff quotas, and other border measures.  Such 
measures directly affect imports and can raise domestic prices and result in a transfer from consumers to agricultural producers; 
 Domestic support measures include not only budge tary outlays to support agriculture but also 
market price support schemes (such as offici al purchase and storage programmes designed to 
raise domestic prices), low-interest loans to producers or processors, and low-cost insurance 
schemes; and 
 Export competition measures could include the actions of state-trading enterprises, and 
officially supported export credit schemes, as well as export subsidies.  Export competition 
measures also cover more than budgetary outlays  and include disposal abroad of government 
stocks, transport, freight and marketing subsid ies, and the value of support arising from other 
government actions that assist exports. 
94. Governments may also take measures that lead  to transfers from agricultural producers to 
other sectors, such as maximum price orders or other price-based measures that reduce market prices, 
or export taxes or restrictions that prohibit or limit exports and can lower domestic prices.  
95. The many different forms of support used in di fferent countries means that calculations of the 
value of support can vary considerably depending on the methodology used.  There have been many 
attempts to develop standard methodologies and all methods have some shortcomings.  Furthermore, 
in some cases, the value of support may depend  on measures taken in different categories, for 
example:  a minimum price programme could require a high tariff to prevent imports from undermining the minimum price, a government purchase programme to restrict domestic supply, and an export subsidy scheme to dispose of  the stocks acquired.  In other cases, a government may be able 
to maintain high domestic prices compared to inte rnational prices without actually having a specified 
minimum price, by using tariffs to increase the price of imports and using produ ction quotas to restrict 
domestic production.  
1. WTO Agreement on Agriculture 
96. Under the WTO Agreement on Agriculture, supp ort and protection for agriculture is subject 
to a variety of disciplines, including in th e areas of market access, domestic support, export 
competition, and export prohibitions and restrictions .  Through Article 18 of the Agreement, Members 
are required to provide notifications to show comp liance with their obligatio ns under the Agreement.  
In addition, through information provided to the Integrated Data base, Members provide data on 
applied tariffs. 
97. Concerning domestic support, Members' notifi cations provide information on their support 
programmes under the Amber Box (Articles 6.1, 6.3 and 7.2, and Annexes 3 and 4) - including the de 
minimis  provisions of Article 6.4, Blue Box (Article 6.5), Green Box (Article  6.1 and Annex 2), and 
certain development programmes in de veloping countries (Article 6.2).   
98. In calculating the value of support in the Amber Box, Members are required to use the 
methodology set out in Annexes 3 and 4 on the Calculation of Aggregate Measurement of Support (AMS) and the Equivalent Measurement of Suppor t, taking into account th e constituent data and 
methodology used in the tables of supporting  material provided in establishing reduction 
commitments (Article 1(a) and (d)).  However, th e methodologies used in Members' notifications can 
differ considerably, which makes difficult th e comparison of AMS figures among Members.  
Furthermore, for market price support measures, th e methodology set out in Annexes 3 and 4 uses the 
difference between the applied administered price fo r the year of the notification and the external 
reference price from the base period (1986-1988 for reduction commitments est ablished as a result of 
the Uruguay Round) to derive the value of supp ort for each unit of eligible production.  The WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 25 
 
 
difference between current administered prices and historic reference prices means that the measurement of support to agriculture in the notifi cations is not a measure of the economic value of 
support to producers but a calculation to show co mpliance with WTO commitments.  Therefore, 
notifications to the WTO on support to agriculture may not be an accurate measurement of the value 
of support to producers. 
2. OECD methodology to measure agricultural support 
99. Another important source of data on agricultu re support is the OECD.  The OECD publishes 
an annual report that uses several indicators to show  the value of support to the agriculture sector.
12  It 
also maintains the Producer and Consumer Support Es timates database giving details of the value of 
support and protection going back several years.13  Among the indicators of support are the Producer 
Support Estimate (PSE), Market Price Support (M PS), Single Commodity Transfers (SCT), and the 
Total Support Estimate (TSE).  The methodology for calculating these indicators is different from that used to calculate the AMS and the two sets of data are not compatible or comparable.  Furthermore, 
the methodology used by the OECD is evolving and was revised for the 2007 Monitoring and Evaluation report resulting in several changes, in cluding the way the value of support for specific 
commodities was calculated.
14  The countries covered by the OECD  database include members of the 
OECD as well as Brazil, China, the Russian Federation, South Africa, and Ukraine. 
100. One of the most commonly quoted indicators u sed by the OECD is the PSE which is defined 
as:  "the annual monetary value of gross transf ers from consumers and ta xpayers to agricultural 
producers, measured at the farm-gate level, aris ing from policy measures that support agriculture, 
regardless of their nature, objectives or impacts on farm production or income.  It includes market 
price support, budgetary payments and budget revenue foregone, i.e. gross transfers from consumers 
and taxpayers to agricultural producers arising fro m policy measures based on: current output, input 
use, area planted/animal numbers/receipts/in comes (current, non-current), and non-commodity 
criteria."15  Thus, the PSE includes the value of support  provided by market access measures (such as 
tariffs and tariff quotas), as well as input subsides, budgetary payments to producers that are linked to 
current parameters (such as area planted, animal numbers or receipts), and income and budgetary 
payments that are linked to historical parameters, and export subsidies.  The percentage PSE is the 
PSE relative to total farm receipts - that is the total value of sales at farm-gate prices plus any supports 
paid to agricultural producers.  
101. It must be noted that the OECD's PSE and percentage PSE are not measures or indicators of 
trade distortion.  They are measures of transfers to agricultural producers.  Furthermore, some support 
to the agriculture sector is not included in the PSE,  such as support for research and development, but 
the value of these other support programmes may be cap tured by other indicators such as the Total 
Support Estimate.  The Producer and Consumer Suppor t Estimates database do es provide information 
on different types of support for each of the countri es covered, as well as the data used to calculate 
each of these indicators, including the PSE. 
102. One of the components of the PSE is market price support (MPS).  In most cases, nearly all of 
MPS is derived from the difference between border reference prices and domestic prices, although it 
can also include some types of budgetary outlays which are intended to support prices.  MPS captures the net effect to which border and domestic polic ies elevate domestic prices above international 
                                                      
12 The most recent being OECD (2011), Agriculture Policy Monitoring and Evaluation 2011:  OECD 
Countries and Emerging Economies , OECD Publishing.     
13 The Producer and Consumer Support Estimates database is available from: 
http://www.oecd.org/document/59/0,3746,en_26 49_33797_39551355_1_1_1_1,00.html [March 2012]. 
14 OECD (2007), Agricultural Policies in OECD Countries Monitoring and Evaluation 2007 , OECD 
Publishing, pp 63-75. 
15  OECD (2011), Agriculture Policy Monitoring and Evaluation 2011:  OECD Countries and 
Emerging Economies , OECD Publishing, p. 75.  WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 26  
 
reference prices. It can be interpreted as a meas ure of economic opportunity costs that takes the 
international reference price as the benchmark. 
103. The OECD's Producer and Consumer Support Estimates database provides data on OECD 
countries and for Brazil, China, the Russian Federation, South Africa, and Ukraine.  Among the OECD countries, Chile, the Republic of Korea, Isr ael, Mexico, and Turkey have commitments in the 
WTO as developing countries while all the others (A ustralia, Canada, the EU, Iceland, Japan, New 
Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, and the United States) are developed countries. 
104. For the OECD as a whole, the trend in the level of support relative to total farm receipts (the 
percentage PSE) has been declining since about 19 99 (Chart 6).  This trend has been determined 
mainly by the fall in market price support;  one of the main reasons for the decline in market price 
support has been the rise in agricultural commod ity prices which resulted in lower protection for 
domestic producers.  Furthermore, many tariffs on ag ricultural products are specific duties or complex 
tariffs which include specific duties.  Higher import prices reduce the ad valorem  equivalents of these 
types of tariffs and, therefore, the relative protecti on provided by these specific duties.  In addition, in 
some cases ad valorem  tariffs have also been reduced in response to rising prices.   
0102030405060708090100
0200,000400,000600,000800,0001,000,0001,200,0001,400,000
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010Total value of production (at farm gate) PSE MPS Percentage PSEChart 6
Support to OECD agricultural producers
(US$ million and % of total farm receipts)
Source: WTO Secretariat based on OECD data.PSE = Producer Support Estimate
MPS = Market Price Support
Percentage PSE = PSE as a percentage of total farm receipts
  
105. Although the rise in international prices has led to  a reduction in protection, it could also be 
noted that varying protection, de pending on prices, also has the effect of insulating producers from 
international prices.  Furthermore, in some countri es, tariffs may be relatively low and market prices 
are allowed to fluctuate but producers are insulated from these fluctuations by direct payments based 
on the difference between these market prices and threshold prices set out in legislation.  In these cases the increase in international prices may also lead to a reduction in support with little or no 
change to agriculture policies. WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 27 
 
 
106. Another factor explaining the decline in mark et price support has been the reforms in some 
economies, such as the EU and Mexico, which have  contributed to the reduction in the difference 
between domestic and world market prices.  
107. There are big differences in the relative and abso lute amounts of support provided in different 
countries:  Australia and New Zealand provide rela tively little support to producers while in Japan and 
Norway over half of total farm receipts are the result of support measures.  There are also big 
differences in the level of support provided to differe nt products which is not captured by the average 
figures for the entire sector.  For the OECD as a w hole, the average Single Commodity Transfer for 
the 2008-10 period for rice was over 50% of gross farm receipts and over 20% for sugar, while other products received lower levels of support (the SC T does not include general transfers to agriculture 
from which producers may also benefit).  Within each country, support can also vary considerably 
from one product to another; for example in Canada  in 2010 the SCT for milk production was 60% of 
the value of receipts and 0% for wheat.  
108. The OECD presents country-specific data in na tional currency terms and general data in US 
dollars and Euros using annual average exchange rat es available from its database.  In the following 
paragraphs and charts, support is expressed in US dollar terms alt hough changes in support levels can 
be sensitive to changes in the exch ange rate.  However, the relative levels of support (the percentage 
PSE and SCT) are not affected nor do the trends in support levels across different years in different 
countries change significantly. 
(a) Developed-country members of the OECD 
109. The trend in declining levels of PSE in the OE CD as a whole applies also to the developed-
country members of the OECD (Chart 7).  For th is group, the percentage PSE declined from over 
one-third of total farm receipts in 1999 to less th an one-fifth in 2010.  The increase in the value of 
production means that, in absolute terms the dec line in support, from over US$231 billion to US$197 
billion, is less pronounced.   
Chart 7
Developed OECD members support to agricultural producers
WTO Secretariat based on OECD data.(US$ million and % of total farm receipts)
Source:a            Australia, Canada, the EU, Iceland, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, and the United States0102030405060708090100
0100,000200,000300,000400,000500,000600,000
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010European Union
0102030405060708090100
010,00020,00030,00040,00050,00060,00070,00080,00090,000100,000
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010Japan
0102030405060708090100
050,000100,000150,000200,000250,000300,000350,000400,000
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010United States
Total value of production (at farm gate) PSE MPS Percentage PSE0102030405060708090100
0200,000400,000600,000800,0001,000,0001,200,000
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010Developed country OECD membersa
  WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 28  
 
110. Taking the three developed-country members of the OECD with the greatest value of 
production (the EU, Japan, and the United States), the situation also differs from one member to another:   
 Support in the EU has followed the overall tr end among developed countries in the OECD as 
the percentage PSE almost halved to less th an 20% in 2010 compared with 1999.  Over the 
same period, the total value of agricultural pr oduction increased significantly.  Therefore, the 
PSE in US dollar or Euro terms did not declin e by the same amount and actually increased 
until 2003, after which it fell as reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy started to take 
effect.  It could also be noted that the leve l of market price support in the EU has been 
declining significantly as international prices have increased and the difference between them 
and internal EU prices has narrowed.  At the same time, direct payments to producers have 
increased considerably.  In 2010, market pr ice support represented only 15% of the PSE and 
other forms of support (mostly direct payments) represented 85% of the PSE; 
 In the case of Japan, the percentage PSE has dec lined from nearly 60% of total farm receipts 
in 1999 and 2000 to 50% in 2 010.  However, the value of the PSE in US dollars has not 
changed significantly.  In Yen terms, there h as been a decline but it too has been relatively 
modest as it fell from JPY 5.9 trillion in 1999 and 20 00 to nearly JPY 4.6 trillion in 2010.  In 
line with rising international prices, the market  price support element of the PSE has declined 
more significantly, while direct payments to producers has increased; 
 The PSE in the United States has followed the overall trend among developed countries in the 
OECD and declined in both relative and absolute  terms.  With some exceptions, such as the 
dairy and sugar sectors, tariffs on agricultural products in the United States are not high.  
Therefore, market price support has normally been low relative to most other OECD 
countries.  Rising international prices have redu ced market price support still further.  In 
addition, for the main commodities, direct paym ents to producers under marketing loans and 
counter-cyclical payments are based on market pric es and, therefore, these have also declined.  
(b) Developing-country members of the OECD 
111. The total value of agricultural production among the developing-country members of the 
OECD (Chart 8) was US$176.6 billion in 2010, which is small compared with the value of production 
in the EU (US$422 billion) or the United States (U S$339 billion).  Therefore, in monetary terms, 
support given to agriculture in these countries tends to  be much smaller than in the larger developed-
country members of the OECD.  However, for this group of countries, the percentage PSE (at 25%) is 
higher than for developed-country members of the OE CD  and, although this is lower than in 1999 
when it was 36%, it has not declined by the same am ount.  In US dollar terms, the PSE increased from 
US$35.6 billion in 1999 to US$46.8 billion in 2010.   There are big differences among this group of 
countries:  the PSE for Chile is about 3% of farm receipts while the PSE for the Republic of Korea is 
about 45%.  For the three developing-country members of the OECD with the largest agriculture sectors, the development of support over the past few years differs: 
 In the Republic of Korea, the percentage PSE, has been declining sin ce 2000.  However, the 
value of agricultural production increased c onsiderably between 2000 and 2007 which pushed 
up farm receipts and reduced th e percentage PSE.  In Won terms, support in 2009 was almost 
the same as in 1999 although it did decline in 2010.  Most support is provided through market 
price support with big differences between dom estic and international prices caused mostly 
by high tariffs.  Furthermore, most of Korea's agricultural tariffs are either simple ad valorem,  
or the higher of a specific duty and an ad valorem  duty, thus the amount of protection either 
stays the same or it can even increase with rising prices; WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 29 
 
 
 The percentage PSE in Mexico declined sharply from a peak of nearly 27% in 2002 as market 
price support measures were reduced and, since 2004, it has remained relatively stable at 
about 12%.  In Mexico, relatively little of the PSE is provided through market price support 
measures.  Instead support comes through direct payments, on-farm services and investment programmes; 
 In Turkey, support to agricultural producers has been quite variable.  Between 1999 and 2001, 
the percentage PSE fell quite sharply from 33% to 16% before increasing again to nearly 38% 
in 2006 and then falling again to 28% in 2010.  Nearly all the PSE comes from market price 
support due to the relatively high tariffs for agricultural goods. 
Chart 8
Developing OECD members support to agricultural producers
WTO Secretariat based on OECD data.(US$ million and % of total farm receipts)
Source:a            Chile, Republic of Korea, Israel, Mexico, and Turkey.Total value of production (at farm gate) PSE MPS Percentage PSE0102030405060708090100
020,00040,00060,00080,000100,000120,000140,000160,000180,000200,000
1 9 9 61 9 9 71 9 9 81 9 9 92 0 0 02 0 0 12 0 0 22 0 0 32 0 0 42 0 0 52 0 0 62 0 0 72 0 0 82 0 0 92 0 1 0Developing country OECD members a
0102030405060708090100
05,00010,00015,00020,00025,00030,00035,00040,000
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010Republic of Korea
-100102030405060708090100
-5,0005,00015,00025,00035,00045,00055,000
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010Mexico
0102030405060708090100
010,00020,00030,00040,00050,00060,00070,00080,00090,000
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010Turkey
  
(c) Other countries in the OECD database 
112. Among the non-OECD countries in the OECD database, the value of agricultural production 
tripled in the period 1999 to 2010 when it reach ed over US$1 trillion (Chart 9).  The PSE also 
increased, reaching US$172 billion in 2010.  This gr oup of non-OECD countries have also applied 
negative support to agriculture in some years be fore, mostly from having domestic prices below world 
prices.  Furthermore, China, the Russian Fe deration and Ukraine tax some commodities while 
subsidizing others, which can make average fi gures across all products difficult to interpret. 
113. Throughout the 2000s, market price support has been mostly positive, except in the case of 
China in 2008 and Ukraine in 2007 and 2008 wh en market price support was again negative, 
reflecting lower domestic prices compared to intern ational ones.  The PSE level varies considerably 
from one country to another, from 2% of farm receipts in South Africa to 21% in the Russian Federation.  For the three countries in this gr oup with the highest values of production, the 
development of support varies, although all of th em have the same trend towards higher levels of 
support: 
 In Brazil, the percentage PSE was negative in 1 997 but then increased to 7% of farm receipts 
in 1998 and since 2000 has been in the range of 4% to 7%.  At the same time, the values for WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 30  
 
agricultural production and total farm receipts have increased considerably (the value of 
support in US dollars increased, reaching US$8. 7 billion in 2009 before falling to US$7.1 
billion in 2010); 
 China also had negative levels of support in the past but increasing direct payments to 
producers and input subsidies as well as rising prices, have seen the percentage PSE increase 
from -2.6% of farm receipts in 1999 to 17.4% in 2010.  As the value of agricultural 
production and farm receipts have increased ove r the same period, the US dollar value of 
support has also increased, reaching US$147 billion in 2010 compared to the total value of 
production which was US$799 billion; 
 Support to agricultural producers in the Russi an Federation has also increased since 1999 
when the percentage PSE was 1% of the value of  farm receipts to stabilise at just over 20% 
for 2008, 2009 and 2010.   
Chart 9
Selected non-OECD members support to agricultural producers
WTO Secretariat based on OECD data.(US$ million and % of total farm receipts)
Source:a            Brazil, China, Russian Federation, South Africa, and the Ukraine.Total value of production (at farm gate) PSE MPS Percentage PSE-20020406080100
-200,0000200,000400,000600,000800,0001,000,0001,200,000
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010Selected non-OECD membersa
-110112233445566778899
-20,000020,00040,00060,00080,000100,000120,000140,000160,000180,000
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010Brazil
-1201223354658698192
-100,0000100,000200,000300,000400,000500,000600,000700,000800,000900,000
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010China
-100102030405060708090100
-10,000010,00020,00030,00040,00050,00060,00070,00080,00090,000100,000
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010Russian Federation
  
3. Trade distortions 
114. As stated above, the PSE is not a measure of trade or production distortion.  Although the 
precise extent to which different policies can affect  trade and production is hard to quantify, it has 
been shown that some types of support, such as suppor t for inputs, have a greater effect than others, 
such as area-based payments.  Furthermore, in e ach country the level of  support and the policies 
leading to that support vary from one product to another.16   
                                                      
16 An assessment of the trade and production effect of different policies can be found in a number of 
articles by the OECD: OECD (2006), Decoupling: Policy Implications , AGR/CA/APM(2005)22/Final, Paris;  
OECD (2002), Agricultural Policies in OECD Countries:  A Positive Reform Agenda, OECD Publishing; 
OECD (2007), OECD Economic Surveys:  European Union,  Chapter 6, OECD Publishing; OECD (2011), 
Evaluation of Agricultural Policy Reforms in the United States, OECD Publishing; OECD (2011), Evaluation of 
Agricultural Policy Reforms in the European Union, OECD Publishing; Martini, R. (2011) Long-term trends in WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 31 
 
 
115. On-going reforms of agricultural support, such  as the EU's Common Agricultural Policy and 
the US Farm Bill, provide an opportunity to move towards less trade-distorting policies. 
C. SUPPORT IN THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR  
116. To mitigate the impact of the global financia l crisis and to sustain growth, governments 
around the world put in place various support measures.  These included macroeconomic measures 
such as the easing of monetary policy and across-the-board tax reductions, which were aimed at 
stimulating demand.  Some governments also in troduced border protection (increases in tariffs, 
introduction of quotas and import licensing) as we ll as behind-the-border measures.  Behind-the-
border government support took many forms including, inter alia : direct money transfers, tax 
concessions, assumption of contingent liabilities, infrast ructure development and equity injections. All 
the above have trade implications.  
117. A recent OECD analysis based on GTAP simulations found that border restrictions are the 
most distortive to trade and GDP as they directly alter market prices, thereby affecting both producers 
and consumers.17  Fiscal assistance to produc tion could also distort trade.  The level of distortion is 
dependent on how the support is structured.  Fo r example, an economy-wide corporate tax cut or 
concession would be the least distorting.  On the ot her hand, support provided to particular industries 
or sectors, which results in increased production and displaces imports, would have an adverse impact 
on trade.  Fiscal assistance targeting consumption, if applied in a non-restrictive manner (i.e. if it 
applies equally to both domestic and imported goods), should in theory enhance trade flows.  
118. In cases where fiscal measures exert a "demand-pu ll" effect, but are linked to a local-content 
requirement, it will be difficult for foreign suppliers to benefit from the increased demand.  A precise 
analysis of trade and economic effects of such  measures depends on the availability of detailed 
information on how the measures are implemented. 
119. Previous monitoring reports have focused on border measures, which are relatively easy to 
monitor and assess.  A large proportion of be hind-the-border government support, which was 
provided in response to the global financial crisis, was given to the banking sector. These measures 
have also been covered in some de tail in previous reports.     
120. Today's networked nature of global production and trade adds a layer of complexity to 
studying the effects of any behind-the-border m easures.  Measures that boost domestic production 
invariably suck in imports because of the global nature  of supply chains.  Such relationships call into 
question the simple calculus of believing that behind-the-border support to a sector or industry will boost domestic production and reduce imports, raising the possibility that an economy’s 
manufacturing sector may stand to gain more in terms of an output increase through trade 
liberalisation. 
121. Data availability on behind-the-border gove rnment support varies significantly across 
countries. In some cases, support provided in the fo rm of cash transfers and equity injections is 
published as part of budgetary documents. Howe ver, support provided as tax exemptions and 
assumption of contingent liabilities is more difficult to ascertain.  Furthermore, data disaggregated on 
the basis of sectors and industries are also not easily  available. For example, in the case of loan 
guarantees provided by the government, the borrower do es not pay the risk premium associated with 
the default risk, but instead gets the loan at the risk -free interest rate.  Only  if the borrower defaults 
would the government be asked to repay the loan.  
                                                                                                                                                                     
agricultural policy impact, OECD Food, Agricultural and Fisheries Working Papers, No 45, OECD Publishing, 
Paris. 
17 OECD (2010), Trade and Economic Effects of Responses to the Economic Crisis , Trade Policy 
Studies, Paris. WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 32  
 
122. According to data presented in a background no te by the WTO Secretariat on the financial 
and economic crisis and the role of the WTO, mo st support programmes were  of a general nature, 
making it difficult to determine precisely which sectors or industries were benefiting from such support.
18  Sectors that have been identified include  the automobile sector, energy, textiles and 
clothing, air transport, shipping and tourism.  Furthermore, assistan ce was also provided to small and 
medium enterprises and to some exporters.  Howeve r, in most cases the form and amount of support 
remains ambiguous.  
123. It is mainly developed countries, and some developing countries, that have used budgetary 
and other measures in their efforts to revive economic growth.  Budgetary support assumes that 
countries providing such assistance have enough fiscal space to do so.   
124. The problem raised by the data issue is two-fo ld.  Firstly not all Members provide adequate 
data.  Secondly, in cases where some information is provided, deciphering  the support is not a 
straightforward matter and ambiguity relating to clas sification often remains.  As already mentioned 
in a background note by the Secretariat, "assessing  the trade impact of assistance measures is a 
complex task in view of the different forms that assistance can take and of its potential to result in 
different costs and benefits depending on the specifics of each situation."19 
125. Even where data are provided, such as thr ough the subsidies notifications to the WTO, it 
covers different time periods and differing form s of support, depending on the Member's 
interpretation of what constitutes a "notifiable" subsidy (Table 7).  
Table 7  
Subsidy notifications to the WTO 
Country 2005 2007 2009 2011 Most recent year covered 
Argentina Yes Yes Yes Yes 2008-2010 
Australia Yes Yes Yes Yes July2010-June2011 
Brazil Yes Yes Yes Yes 2009-2010 
Canada Yes Yes Yes Yes 2008-2010 
China Yes Yes Yes No 2007-2008 
EU Yes Yes Yes Yes 2009-2010 
India Yes Yes Yes No 2008-2009 
Indonesia No No No No 1995 
Japan Yes Yes Yes Yes April2009-March2010 
Korea Rep. of Yes Yes Yes Yes 2009-2010 
Mexico Yes Yes Yes Yes 2009-2010 
Saudi Arabia Yes Yes Yes Yes 2011 
South Africa No No No No 2001-2002 
Turkey Yes Yes Yes Yes 2010-2011 
United States Yes Yes Yes Yes Oct2008-Sept2010 
Source : WTO Secretariat based on notifications to the Subs idies Committee (G/SCM/W/546/Rev.13   of 12 April 2012).  
 
126. In the case of EU notifications, headline number s are available for member states.  Data for 
the United States tend to be more comprehensive in comparison; information is made available at the 
federal as well as sub-federal levels, and these data are provided for specific industries as well as in 
respect of the measures used.   
127. In the case of China, the extent of government s upport to industry is not clearly stated in the 
available official documents.  For other countries, data availability falls somewhere within the broad 
spectrum evident in the practice of the major trading economies.   
128. Furthermore, in almost all cases no evaluation of the trade impact of such support exists.  The 
United States and Australia are exceptions and do provi de analysis with respect to the trade impact of 
the support provided.  In the case of the former, such analysis is provided through their subsidy 
                                                      
18 WTO document WT/TPR/OV/W/4 of 14 June 2011. 
19 WTO document WT/TPR/OV/W/4 of 14 June 2011. WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 33 
 
 
notification, while in the latter case it is thr ough the Productivity Commission.  However, conducting 
such an evaluation is a costly exercise which most countries do not undertake.  
129. A particular difficulty that arises in the case of  major traders relates to measures adopted in 
respect of export finance.  It may not always be possible to assess government or official guarantees 
that underwrite export finance.  Equally, the operations  of export financing institutions that assist the 
overseas importers often defy a complete analysis. 
130. These and similar difficulties with data preclude  meaningful monitoring and analysis of 
behind-the-border government support measures.  A proper analysis would require, at a minimum, 
that Members provide details of government suppor t extended to specific industries and by specific 
measure. These would include: direct payments and equity injections, tax concessions, loan 
guarantees and export promotion measures.    
IV. DEVELOPMENTS IN TRADE FINANCING 
Scrutinizing the trade finance situation and supporting the low end of the market 
131. The meeting of the Expert Group on Trade Fi nance in late 2011 clearly indicated that 
expectations from markets participants were on th e downside both in terms of trade volumes and the 
availability of trade finance.  Cons traints specific to the fi nancial sector include funding in US dollars 
for non-US financial institutions - a problem that is felt acutely by the trade and trade finance 
communities since trade is largely denominated in US dollars, and further pressures on liquidity and 
capital linked to the simultaneous implementation of  Basel II and III regulatory requirements.   
132. The trade finance situation has been kept under tighter scrutiny during the past six months, 
with frequent contacts between international organi zations, professional organizations active in trade 
finance (the Berne Union of export credit agenci es, the International Chamber of Commerce), and 
banks.  The IMF teamed up with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) to survey the trade 
finance market at the end of 2011.  The WTO and the World Bank have been active too, notably by regularly exchanging informati on with market participants. 
133. One cause for concern was that banks with excessive balance sheet exposure could be 
tempted to use trade finance as a prime vector fo r bank deleveraging.  The decision not to roll over 
short-term letters of credit, or similar self-liqui dating trade instruments, results in an immediate 
reduction of banks' assets.  While large compani es/customers have more chance of maintaining 
existing lines of financing, there is a risk that de leveraging affects small and medium size enterprises. 
134. At the meeting of the Expert Group on Trade Finance, held on 15 May 2012, there was a 
consensus among participants that the situation had been improving since the beginning of 2012, after 
a short but intense period of tension on liqui dity and capital linked to the simultaneous 
implementation of Basel II and III regulatory requi rements, and because of deleveraging by some 
European banks.  The volumes of trade finance were growing slowly, but this was consistent with the 
slowing down in the volumes of world trade.  Hence, while liquidity seemed to come back on the main routes of trade and spreads fell somewhat relative to end-2011 levels, the market remained 
characterized by a greater selectivity in risk -taking and flight to "quality" customers. 
135. In that environment, the lower end of the ma rket (e.g. low-income countries) was struggling 
to obtain affordable finance, with the smaller comp anies in the smaller countries most affected.  With 
respect to conditions in different regions, the rela tively easy market situation in Asia contrasted 
sharply with the difficult situation felt in Europe (Western and Eastern), th e MENA region, and some 
African regions (sub-Saharan Africa, for example).   WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 34  
 
136. The adoption of WTO conclusions and recomme ndations in its G-20 Report to Cannes was a 
welcome development, allowing the WTO and its pa rtners to move forward in addressing these gaps. 
A key recommendation is that trade finance facilitation programmes operated by multilateral 
development banks in favor of SMEs in developing countries should be strengthened where they 
existed, and be created where they did not yet exist, in particular in Africa.  In the past year, the WTO 
had been stepping up its advocacy in favor of these development-oriented programmes, notably by 
participating in Board meetings of the Islamic Development Bank, the African Development Bank 
and other meetings of the World Bank's Intern ational Financial Corporation (IFC) and EBRD. 
Notable progress was made by the African Development Bank (AfDB) to create a permanent trade finance facilitation programme.  In this process, th e AfDB is also receiving technical support from the 
Asian Development Bank and the IFC.  Continue d G-20 involvement was fe lt necessary not only to 
keep the trade and development actors mobilized, but  also to get the support of finance ministries, 
which were represented at the Boards of MDBs. 
Improving the data and information available on trade finance 
137. In the conclusion of the G-20 Development Working Group in Cannes, G-20 members had 
also asked for efforts to improve data collection on trade finance to be increased.  International 
statistics on trade finance are insufficient in quality and quantity, not least because relevant statistical 
institutions are not able to collect them.  Currently , the only regular source of data emanates from the 
Berne Union, whose dataset used to feed the data bases of the OECD and the BIS, two of the main 
institutions which, along with the IMF, are r esponsible for collecting trade finance data.  
138. Apart from the Berne Union, there are a numbe r of initiatives under way to aggregate data 
directly from private sector organizations.  One initiative is the establishment of a registry of 
individual short-term trade transactions by the ICC.  The current matrix of data contains more than 5.5 
million transactions.  These data are, however, protec ted by copyright and confidentially agreements, 
and their prime purpose is to be used by regulat ory authorities for prudential reasons, to assess the 
safety of trade finance transactions.  At the Expert Group meeting on 15 May 2012, there was a 
consensus that the current ICC registry containing sh ort-term trade finance data should be enlarged to 
cover long-term data.  The integrity and confidentiality  of such data has to be preserved, to maintain 
the incentive of banks to collect it. 
Prudential issues affecting trade 
139. With respect to regulatory matters under the Basel framework, there was a consensus that 
progress on Basel II issues, announced by the Basel  Committee on Banking Supervision before the G-
20 Summit in Cannes, was beneficial from a developm ent perspective, and that the dialogue with the 
Basel Committee should be pursued on elements of Basel III regulation to be prioritized.  It was important to insist on the development impact of  the trade finance industry (contributing to the 
expansion of trade and hence economic growth), its lo w risk character (trade finance being safer than 
major sovereign risks at the present moment), and the absence of leverage (one-to-one relationship 
with the transaction on merchandise).  The industry needs to collect information demonstrating the 
safe and sound character of its activity.  There is great interest in the adoption by the European 
Parliament of the trade finance provisions implemen ting Basel II and III rules at the European level, 
particularly in the field of trade finance.  Under these rules, the one-year maturity floor would be waived for all short-term trade finance instruments,  and the credit conversion factor for the calculation 
of the leverage ratio would not be a flat rate of 100%, but only 20% and 50% depending on products.  
V. TRADE AND SELECTED ECONOMIC TRENDS 
140. World trade and output has grown more slowly than expected since the last report on trade 
measures was issued in November 2011.  The prin cipal cause of the slowdown is the European 
sovereign debt crisis, which continues to weigh heavily on global economic activity.  Weaker demand WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 35 
 
 
for imported goods on the part of the European Un ion has taken a toll on exports from developing 
economies, including Brazil, South Africa and even China.  At the same time, developed economies 
appear to be diverging, with some sinking back into recession and others recording modest but sustained growth.  Output has contracted recently in highly-indebted European countries (e.g. Italy, Spain, and especially Greece) while other devel oped economies have seen their economic prospects 
improve.  This divergence is most evident when  comparing the recent economic performance of the 
United States with that of the European Union.  Output and employment have both risen modestly in 
the United States while they have stagnated or c ontracted in the EU.  Japan’s economy has recently 
shown signs of improvement, with indices of leadi ng indicators from the OECD pointing to faster 
growth in coming months.  However, China’s econo my has decelerated as a re sult of falling external 
demand for its exports and reduced investment expend iture at home.  Which of these trends exerts the 
greatest influence on global demand in the coming months may determine the trajectory of trade in the remainder of 2012. 
141. International trade appears to have been negativ ely affected by the increased level of financial 
instability in recent months, particularly during the fourth quarter of 2011 as the sovereign debt crisis 
deepened.  This is illustrated by Chart 10, which shows the contribution of developed and developing 
economies to growth in world merchandise exports.  Year-on-year growth in the dollar value of world 
merchandise exports fell from 22% in 2011Q3 to  10% in 2011Q4, with developed economies 
contributing less than one third of the increase,  compared to nearly one-half (46%) in 2011Q3. 
13 1410
-7
-18 -19-13113117101210
31214
13
-5
-13-14-1231615
11 101213
12
72528
23
-12
-31-33-2542826
18 172225
22
10
-40-30-20-10010203040
2008Q1 2008Q2 2008Q3 2008Q4 2009Q1 2009Q2 2009Q3 2009Q4 2010Q1 2010Q2 2010Q3 2010Q4 2011Q1 2011Q2 2011Q3 2011Q4Chart 10
Contributions to year-on-year growth in world merchandise exports, 2008Q1 - 2011Q4
Source:(Percentage change in US$ values)
NoteDeveloped economies Developing economies + CIS a
World merchandise exports, year-on-year percentage change
a Includes significant re-exports.
Due to scarce data availability, Africa and Middle East regional totals are under-represented by about 5% and  
10% respectively.
WTO Secretariat estimates, based on data compiled from IMF International Financial Statistics; Eurostat 
Comext Database; Global Trade Atlas; and national statistics.  
142. Since world output is expected to grow more  slowly in 2012 than in 2011, the WTO 
anticipates a slower expansion in merchandise trade as well.  The WTO’s latest trade forecast, which 
was released on 12 April 2012, foresees a 3.7% growth  in the volume of world exports in 2012, down 
from the 5.0% rate of 2011.  Exports of developed economies are expected to grow 2.0% this year 
following an expansion of 4.7% in 2011.  Meanwh ile, exports of developi ng economies (including the WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 36  
 
Commonwealth of Independent States) should increase by 5.6% in 2012, very close to their 5.4% 
growth rate in 2011.  The volume of developed economies’ imports should only increase by 1.9% in 
2012, down from 2.8% in 2011.  Developing economie s’ imports should grow by 6.2% this year, 
compared with 7.9% in 2011. 
Merchandise trade volumes 
 
143. Estimates of world merchandi se trade in volume terms, as provided by the Netherlands 
Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis (CPB) thro ugh March 2012, are shown in Chart 11.  The 
volume of world trade (average of exports and imports) fell 0.2% in th e latest month, after stagnating 
in February at 0.0% (recently revised upwar ds from -0.3%).  Although exports of advanced 
economies rose 0.3% in March, shipments from the United States and Japan grew at a faster pace 
(2.9% and 1.9%, respectively), while those eman ating from within the euro area lagged behind 
(0.2%).  Export growth for emerging and developing  economies was negative in March at -0.8%, and 
almost the same, -0.9%, for Asian developing economies (including China). 
144. Imports of advanced economies rose 0.4% in the latest month. Strong growth of 4.4% in the 
United States and 3.8% in Japan was cancelled out by a -2.0% decline in the euro area.  Meanwhile, 
imports of emerging and de veloping economies fell 0.5%, led by  Latin America (-2.7%), Central and 
Eastern Europe (-1.5%), and Africa/Middle East (-1 .4 %).  Imports of developing Asian economies 
(including China) were up only slightly (0.5%) in March. 
145. Growth in the volume of world trade for the year to date (i.e. January-March 2012 compared 
to January-March 2011) was 2.7%, which is lowe r than the WTO's forecast of 3.7% for 2012.  
However, the WTO's forecast assumed that trade gr owth would pick up in the second half of the year, 
and the lacklustre results in 2011Q4 will certainly  lower the baseline for an nual figures when they 
eventually become available, so  the CPB estimate can be seen as roughly in line with the WTO's 
projection.  Initial CPB values are volatile and subject to revision, so a measure of "momentum", defined as the growth rate of the last three mont hs over the previous three months, is sometimes 
preferable.  Momentum increased to 1.4% in March from 1.1% in February and from 0.4% in 
December, which suggests that the most recent pe riod of financial distress associated with the 
sovereign debt crisis had only a temporary negative impact on trade flows.  This would not 
necessarily be the case should the crisis take another turn for the worse. 
146. Trade volume figures are deflated to remove the influence of export and import prices, 
including commodity prices and exchange rates.  Energy prices have recorded a strong 11% increase 
since last October while metals and food have incr eased by 1% and 5%, respectively.  The strength of 
primary commodity prices over time helps to expl ain why year-on-year growth rates for import 
volumes in commodity exporting regions were above th e world average in the first quarter of this 
year, since higher prices boost export earnings and allow countries to purchase more from abroad.  World import growth averaged 2.6% in Q1, but bigger increases have been seen in Central and 
Eastern Europe
20 (4.8%), Africa/Middle East (5.1%) and Latin America (7.2%). 
                                                      
20 This estimate includes the Russian Federation. WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 37 
 
 
50100150200250300
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011Chart 11
Volume of monthly exports and imports, January 2000 - March 2012
50100150200250300
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
OECD excluding Turkey, Mexico, the Republic of Korea, and Central European countries.
CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis.(Indices, 2000 = 100)Exports
Imports
World
a
Source:Emerging economies Advanced economiesaWorld
  WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 38  
 
Merchandise trade values 
147. Chart 12 shows merchandise exports and imports  of selected economies in billion current US 
dollars (not seasonally adjusted) from January 20 08 to April 2012. Most countries are shown through 
March except for Brazil, China, Chinese Taipei, Jap an, Republic of Korea and Singapore, which have 
already reported merchandise trade values for April.  
148. Exports and imports of the United States grew relatively strongly in March, although the pace 
of growth was lower than in prev ious months.  The United States recorded a 6% year-on-year increase 
in the dollar values of its exports, down from 13% in February.  Imports also rose 6% in March after 
advancing 10% in the previous month.  The European  Union's exports to the rest of the world were 
nearly unchanged from a year ago (up just 1% from March 2011), while imports were lower (down 
2%).  Trade flows of individual EU member states, in cluding intra-EU trade, declined more sharply in 
March.  Germany's exports and im ports dropped 5% and 3%, respectively, from a year earlier, while 
French exports and imports were down 4% and 7%.  Spain experien ced strong contractions in both 
exports (-15%) and imports (-20%). 
149. Year-on-year growth in China's exports was just 5% in April.  By comparison, export growth 
averaged 17% over the previous 12 months.  China also had zero per cent growth in its imports in 
April after averaging 20% growth for the 12 months ending in March.  Brazil' s exports were down 3% 
year on year in April.  Imports performed slightly  better, with 2% (positive) growth, but the average 
over the 12 months ending in March was much higher, at 22%.  In contrast, Japan's trade accelerated, 
as export growth jumped to 11% in April from 5%  in March and import gr owth advanced to 11% 
from 10%. WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 39 
 
 
050100150200250
2008 2009 2010 2011 20120102030405060708090
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
050100150200250
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
020406080100120140160180
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012Chart 12
Monthly merchandise exports a nd imports of selected econom ies, July 2 008 - April 2012
United States Japan(US$ billion)
European Union (27) extra-trade
China
0102030405060
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012Republic of Korea01020304050607080
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012France
010203040506070
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012United Kingdom
020406080100120140160
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012Germany
 WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 40  
 
05101520253035404550
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
0246810
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012051015202530
2008 2009 2010 2011 20120102030405060
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
024681012
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
010203040506070
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012Brazil Russian Federation
India South Africa
ItalyGreeceChart 12 (continued)
051015202530
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012Australia
05101520253035404550
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012Canada
 WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 41 
 
 
051015202530354045
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
0510152025303540
2008 2009 2010 2011 20120510152025
2008 2009 2010 2011 201202468101214161820
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
0246810
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
0510152025
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012Turkey Indonesia
Spain Portugal
Malaysia SingaporeChart 12 (continued)
051015202530
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012Thailand
051015202530
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012Chinese Taipei
Source :  IMF, International Financial Statistics;  GTIS;  GTA database; national statistics.Exports Imports
  WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 42  
 
Trade in commercial services 
150. The availability of statistics on international trad e in services is limited, compared with trade 
in goods.  However, new quarterly figures join tly prepared by the WTO and UNCTAD, show a 
slowdown in services trade coinciding with the wor sening sovereign debt crisis, similar to that 
observed for merchandise trade. 
151. Chart 13 shows year-on-year growth in the dolla r value of commercial services exports for 
the world and for selected regions, as estimated by the WTO and UNCTAD on the basis of the available data for individual countries.  Global e xport growth fell to 3% in 2011Q4 from 13% in the 
2011Q3.  Europe led the decline with export growth of  just 1% in the fourth quarter, down from 15% 
in the third, but North America and Asia also slowed towards the end of the year. 
02468101214161820
World North America (incl. Mexico) Europe Asia and OceaniaChart 13
World exports of commercial services by selected rergion. 2011Q1 - 2011Q4
(Year-on-year percentage change)
Source: WTO/UNCTAD.2011Q1 2011Q3 2011Q4 2011Q2
  
152. Exports and imports of developed economies mostly  grew slowly or stagnated in 2011Q4, but 
Japan's fourth quarter exports declined by 3%.   Both the Russian Federation and Brazil recorded 
double-digit export growth in Q4 (21% and 10%, resp ectively), but China's exports declined by 1% 
after having grown 26% as recently as in 2011Q1.  On the import side, all three countries still 
managed double-digit growth (11% for Brazil, 18% for China, and 24% for the Russian Federation). 
153. Quarterly estimates for world trade in commercia l services are not yet available for the first 
quarter of 2012, but monthly figures point to conti nued contraction or stagnation for the EU and Japan 
on both exports and imports.  Howeve r, exports and imports of the Un ited States both appear to have 
grown about 10% year-on-year. WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 43 
 
 
Output and employment 
154. Recent data on GDP growth and unemployment rates for selected economies are presented in 
Chart 14.  Economic activity in the European Union stagnated in the first quarter of 2012 and the 
overall EU unemployment rate increased to 10.2%.  Economic conditions in the United States have 
been trending in a more positive direction.  The country's rate of unemployment is also declining 
slowly but steadily.  China's rate of GDP growth has slowed significantly recently.  The European 
Union is China's largest trading partner, so any reduction in demand for goods in the former is bound 
to have a negative impact on exports and production in  the latter.  However, despite a slower pace of 
growth compared to its recent past, China's growth  remains impressive compared with most countries 
in the world. WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 44  
 
024681012
-10-8-6-4-20246
2008Q1
2008Q22008Q32008Q42009Q12009Q22009Q32009Q42010Q12010Q22010Q32010Q42011Q12011Q22011Q32011Q42012Q1
% of labour force% change over previous quarterChart 14
GDP growth and unemployment rates of  selected economies, 2008Q1 - 2012Q1
(Annualized percentage change over previous  quarter and percentage of labour force)
United States
024681012
-12-10-8-6-4-20246
2008Q1
2008Q2
2008Q32008Q42009Q12009Q2
2009Q3
2009Q42010Q12010Q2
2010Q3
2010Q42011Q12011Q2
2011Q3
2011Q42012Q1
% of labour force% change over previous quarterEuropean Union (27)
024681012
-8-6-4-20246
2008Q1
2008Q22008Q32008Q42009Q12009Q22009Q32009Q42010Q12010Q22010Q32010Q42011Q12011Q22011Q32011Q42012Q1
% of labour force% change over previous quarter012345678910
-20-15-10-50510
2008Q1
2008Q2
2008Q32008Q42009Q12009Q22009Q3
2009Q4
2010Q12010Q22010Q32010Q42011Q1
2011Q2
2011Q32011Q42012Q1
% of labour force% change over previous quarter
0123456789
-10-8-6-4-20246
2008Q1
2008Q2
2008Q3
2008Q42009Q12009Q22009Q3
2009Q4
2010Q12010Q22010Q32010Q4
2011Q1
2011Q22011Q32011Q4
2012Q1
% of labour force% change over previous quarter
0123456
-20-15-10-50510
2008Q1
2008Q2
2008Q32008Q42009Q12009Q22009Q3
2009Q4
2010Q12010Q22010Q32010Q42011Q1
2011Q2
2011Q32011Q42012Q1
% of labour force% change over previous quarterFrance Germany
United Kingdom Japan
 WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 45 
 
 
012345
-20-15-10-505101520
2008Q1
2008Q2
2008Q32008Q42009Q1
2009Q2
2009Q32009Q42010Q12010Q2
2010Q3
2010Q42011Q12011Q2
2011Q3
2011Q42012Q1
% of labour force% change over previous quarterChart 14  (continued)
Republic of Korea
0510152025
2008Q1
2008Q2
2008Q3
2008Q42009Q12009Q22009Q3
2009Q4
2010Q12010Q22010Q3
2010Q4
2011Q12011Q22011Q32011Q4
2012Q1% change over previous quarterIndia
a Quarter-on-quarter GDP growth estimated by WTO based on year-on-year changes reported by China's National Bureau 
of Statitsics through 2010Q4.0123456789
-20-15-10-5051015
2008Q1
2008Q2
2008Q32008Q42009Q1
2009Q2
2009Q32009Q42010Q1
2010Q2
2010Q32010Q42011Q12011Q2
2011Q3
2011Q42012Q1
% of labour force% change over previous quarterBrazil
0123456789
-20-15-10-5051015
2008Q1
2008Q22008Q3
2008Q4
2009Q12009Q2
2009Q3
2009Q42010Q12010Q2
2010Q3
2010Q42011Q1
2011Q2
2011Q32011Q4
2012Q1
% of labour force% change over previous quarterRussian Federation
-50510152025
2008Q1
2008Q2
2008Q3
2008Q42009Q1
2009Q2
2009Q3
2009Q4
2010Q12010Q2
2010Q3
2010Q4
2011Q1
2011Q22011Q3
2011Q4
2012Q1% change over previous quarterChina a
01234567
-6-4-202468
2008Q1
2008Q22008Q3
2008Q4
2009Q12009Q22009Q3
2009Q4
2010Q12010Q22010Q32010Q4
2011Q1
2011Q22011Q32011Q4
2012Q1
% of labour force% change over previous quarterAustralia
 WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 46  
 
Chart 14  (continued)
0123456789
0123456789
2008Q1
2008Q22008Q32008Q42009Q12009Q22009Q32009Q42010Q12010Q22010Q32010Q4
2011Q1
2011Q22011Q32011Q42012Q1
% of labour force% change over previous quarterIndonesia
01234567
-25-20-15-10-5051015
2008Q1
2008Q22008Q32008Q42009Q1
2009Q2
2009Q32009Q42010Q1
2010Q2
2010Q32010Q42011Q12011Q2
2011Q3
2011Q42012Q1
% of labour force% change over previous quarterMexico0123456789
-10-8-6-4-202468
2008Q1
2008Q2
2008Q3
2008Q42009Q12009Q22009Q32009Q42010Q12010Q22010Q32010Q42011Q12011Q2
2011Q3
2011Q42012Q1
% of labour force% change over previous quarterCanada
Source :  Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and National Statistics.Note:  All data are seasonally adjusted except for the unemployment rate of Indonesia.  Unemployment rates of EU 
countries are harmonized rates.GDP (LHS) Unemployment rate (RHS)0246810121416
-25-20-15-10-50510152025
2008Q1
2008Q22008Q3
2008Q4
2009Q12009Q2
2009Q3
2009Q42010Q12010Q2
2010Q3
2010Q42011Q1
2011Q2
2011Q32011Q4
2012Q1
% of labour force% change over previous quarterTurkey
051015202530
-8-6-4-20246
2008Q1
2008Q2
2008Q3
2008Q42009Q1
2009Q2
2009Q3
2009Q4
2010Q12010Q2
2010Q3
2010Q4
2011Q1
2011Q22011Q3
2011Q4
2012Q1
% of labour force% change over previous quarterSouth Africa
0246810
-5051015
2008Q1
2008Q2
2008Q3
2008Q42009Q12009Q22009Q3
2009Q4
2010Q12010Q22010Q3
2010Q4
2011Q12011Q22011Q32011Q4
2012Q1
% of labour force% change over previous quarterArgentina
  
 WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 47 
 
 
Annex 1 
 
Trade and trade-related measures1 
  Mid October 2011 - mid May 2012 
 
VERIFIED INFORMATION   
   
Country/ 
Member State  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
Argentina Updated list of "criterion values" ( valores criterio de 
carácter precautorio )  for imports of certain products, 
i.e. woven fabrics of cotton (NCM 5208.11.00; 
5208.12.00; 5208.21.00; 5208.22.00; 5208.31.00; 5208.32.00; 5208.33.00; 5208.39.00; 5208.42.00; 
5208.51.00; 5208.52.00; 5208.59.10; 5208.59.90); tube 
or pipe fittings of iron or steel (NCM 7307.19.20; 
7307.93.00); certain tubes, pipes and hollow profiles 
(for example, open seam or welded, riveted or similarly 
closed),  of iron or steel (NCM 7306.40.00; 7306.61.00; 7306.69.00; 7306.90.10; 7306.90.20; 7306.90.90); and machinery for the preparation of meat or poultry (NCM 
8438.50.00), from specific origins  Administración Federal de 
Ingresos Públicos -  
Resoluciones Generales 
Nos. 3195, 3198, 3200, and 3203 (October 2011)   
Argentina Reintroduction of repatriation requirements on all 
proceeds of exports of cr ude oil, gas and mining Decreto 1722/2011 (25 
October 2011)   
Argentina Updated list of "reference values" ( valores 
referenciales de carácter preventivo ) for exports of  
milk and cream in powder, concentrated or containing 
added sugar or other sweetening matter (NCM 
0402.21.10; 1901.90.90), for certain specified destinations Resolución General AFIP 
No. 3223 (17 November 2011)   
Argentina Updated list of "criterion values" ( valores criterio de 
carácter precautorio )  for imports of a variety of 
products, i.e. plastic bottle caps (NCM 3923.50); 
tableware and kitchenware (NCM 3924.10.00); plastic 
and metal boxes (NCM 3926.90; 7326.90; 7616.99); suitcases, backpacks and bags (NCM 4202.12; 4202.32; 
4202.92; 4202.99); plywood (NCM 4409.10; 4409.21; 
4409.29; 4411.92; 4412.31; 4412.32; 4412.39); terry towelling and similar woven terry fabrics of cotton 
(NCM 5802.19.00); blankets (NCM 6301.40); metal 
mountings and fittings (NCM 8302.41; 8302.42; 8302.49);  baby carriages and parts thereof (NCM 
8715.00.00); and combs (NCM 9615.11), from specific 
origins  Administración Federal de 
Ingresos Públicos -  Resoluciones Generales 
Nos. 3213, 3214, 3215, 
3216, 3217, 3227, 3228, 3229, 3230 and 3231 
(November 2011)   
Argentina Termination on 21 December 2011  of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of twist drill bits with cylindrical 
shank (NCM 8207.50.11; 8207.50.19) from India (imposed on 21 December 2006)   WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/ARG, 
25 April 2012   
Argentina Extension of export taxes on hydrocarbons Ley No. 26732 (21 
December 2011)   
Argentina Updated list of "criterion values" ( valores criterio de 
carácter precautorio )  for imports of yarn (NCM 
5402.48); and water balloons (NCM 9505.90), from specific origins  Administración Federal de 
Ingresos Públicos -  
Resoluciones Generales Nos. 3266 and 3267 (9 
February 2012)   
  Annex 1 (cont'd) 
                                                      
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 referred to with the provisions of any 
WTO agreement or such measure's impact on, or relationship with, the global financial crisis. WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 48  
 
Country/ 
Member State  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
Argentina Updated list of "criterion values" ( valores criterio de 
carácter precautorio )  for imports of a variety of 
products, i.e. plastic household articles (NCM 
3924.90); plastic parts (N CM 3926.90); woven fabrics 
of cotton (NCM 5211.12.00; 5211.20.20; 5211.32.00; 5211.39.00; 5211.42.10; 5211.42.90; 5211.43.00); yarn 
(NCM 5509.21; 5509.22; 5510.11; 5510.30; 5510.90); 
woven fabrics of synthetic  staple fibres (NCM 
5512.11.00; 5512.19.00); ceramic or porcelain 
tableware, kitchenware, other household articles and 
toilet articles (NCM 6911.10.10; 6911.10.90; 6911.90.00; 6912.00.00), and waste and scrap (NCM 
8113.00.10); plates, sticks, tips and the like for tools, 
unmounted, of cermets  (NCM 8209.00.11; 8209.00.19; 8209.00.90), from specific origins  Administración Federal de 
Ingresos Públicos -  Resoluciones Generales 
Nos. 3296, 3297, 3298, 
3299, 3300, 3301, 3302, and 3315 (March and April 
2012)   
Argentina New import requirements introduced covering all 
products. Online import  sw orn statements/affidavit 
(Declaración Jurada Anticipada de Importación ) to be 
send to the Argentinian Ta x Agency (AFIP) for its 
approval through a "single window" ( ventanilla única 
electrónica ). AFIP granting import authorization could 
take up to 10 working days  Resoluciones Generales 
Nos. 3252 y 3255 (5 
January and 25 January 2012 respectively) Effective 1 
February 2012 
Argentina Termination on 13 March 2012 (without measure) of 
anti-dumping investigation on imports of paper and 
paperboard, coated on one or both sides with kaolin (China clay) or other inorganic substances, with or 
without a blinder, and with no other coating, whether or 
not surface-coloured, surface-d ecorated or printed, in 
rolls or rectangular (including square) sheets, of any 
size  (NCM 4810.13.89; 4810.13.90; 4810.19.89; 
4810.19.90) from Korea, Rep. of (initiated on 15 
December 2010) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/209/ARG, 31 
March 2011 and Permanent Delegation of 
Argentina to the WTO (26 
April 2012)    
Argentina Extension of the temporary reduction of export tariffs 
"derecho de exportación " on fish and crustaceans 
(NCM 0304; 0305), prepared or preserved fish (NCM 1604), and on prepared or preserved crustaceans  
(NCM 1605)  (originally implemented from 18 August 
2011 to 18 February 2012) WTO document 
WT/TPR/OV/14, 21 
November 2011 and Permanent Delegation of 
Argentina to the WTO (26 
April 2012)  Effective until 
19 June 2012 
Argentina New requirements introduced on locally manufactured 
and imported products of the printing industry (NCM 
49).  Mandatory affidavit conformity-assessment 
requirement to be presented to the Secretary of State for Internal Trade Disposición No. 26/2012, 
Ministerio de Economía y 
Finanzas Publicas - 
Dirección Nacional de Comercio Interior  
(23 March 2012)   
Argentina Pre-approval requirement  (sworn statement) for all 
imports of services exceeding the amount of 
US$100,000   Permanent Delegation of 
Argentina to the WTO (10 
May 2012)  Effective 1 April 
2012 
Argentina Initiation on 23 April 2012 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of  poly(ethylene 
terephthalate) granules "PET" (NCM 3907.60.00) from 
China; India; Korea, Rep. of; Chinese Taipei; and Thailand Resolución No. 39/2012 
Comercio Exterior - 
Secretaría de Comercio 
Exterior (23 April 2012)   
Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and 
Uruguay (Mercosur) Prolongation of temporary increase of the Mercosur 
Common Tariff (to 35%) for imports of prepared or 
preserved peaches, including nectarines (NCM 2008.70.10; 2008.70.90) (in itially effective from 1 
April 2011 to 31 December 2011). Paraguay given a 
waiver on this measure Decisión No. 36/11 del 
Consejo del Mercado 
Común (19 December 2011) and 
Camex Resolution No. 99 
(29 December 2011) Effective 1 
January 2012 to 
31 December 2012 
  Annex 1 (cont'd) WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 49 
 
 
Country/ 
Member State  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay (Mercosur) Prolongation of temporary aut horization to increase the 
Mercosur Common Tariff applied rates, but not above their bound levels, for imports of 14 tariff lines (certain 
toys: NCM 9503.00.10; 9503.00.21; 9503.00.22; 
9503.00.31; 9503.00.39; 9503.00.40; 9503.00.50; 9503.00.60; 9503.00.70; 9503.00.80; 9503.00.91; 
9503.00.97; 9503.00.98;  9503.00.99) (initially effective 
from 1 April 2011 to 31 December 2011). Paraguay and Uruguay given a waiver on this measure Decisión No. 37/11 del 
Consejo del Mercado Común 
(19 December 2011) and 
Camex Resolution No. 98 (29 December 2011) Effective 1 
January 2012 to 31 December 
2012 
Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and 
Uruguay (Mercosur) Special authorization to increase the Mercosur 
Common Tariff applied rates, but not above their bound levels, for certain products (no more than 100 tariff 
lines per Member), for renewable periods of 12 months   Decisión No. 39/11 del 
Consejo del Mercado Común 
(20 December 2011) and 
Permanent Delegation of Brazil to the WTO (15 
May 2012)  Effective until 
31 December 2014, (but still 
pending 
incorporation into  all 
Mercosur 
members' domestic legal 
systems, in order 
to take effect) 
Australia Initiation on 31 October 2011 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of quicklime "calcium oxide" 
(HS 2522.10.00) from Thailand WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/AUS, 
2 April 2012   
Australia Initiation on 7 November 2011 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of aluminium road wheels 
(ARWs) for passenger motor vehicles, including 
wheels used for caravans and trailers, in diameters 
ranging from 13 to 22 inches (HS 8708.70.91) from China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/AUS, 2 April 2012   
Australia Initiation on 7 November 2011 of  countervailing 
investigation on imports of aluminium road wheels 
(ARWs) for passenger motor vehicles, including wheels used for caravans and trailers, in diameters 
ranging from 13 to 22 inches (HS 8708.70.91) from 
China WTO document 
G/SCM/N/235/AUS, 
4 April 2012   
Australia Initiation on 6 February 2012 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of formulated glyphosate (HS 3808.93.00) from China Permanent Delegation of 
Australia to the WTO (11 May 2012)    
Australia Termination on 6 February 2012 (without measure) of 
anti-dumping investigation on imports of single and 
multi-core cables insulated with polymeric materials intended for use in electric installations at working 
voltages up to and including 1 kV (HS 8544.49.20) 
from China (initiated on 9 September 2011) Permanent Delegation of 
Australia to the WTO (11 
May 2012)    
Australia Livestock Export Re gulatory Framework setting post-
arrival regulatory arrangements (HS 0102; 0104; 0106.13; 0106.19), for specific destinations (different 
implementation dates) Permanent Delegation of 
Australia to the WTO (11 May 2012)    
Australia Initiation on 19 April 2012 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of poly(vinyl chloride) 
homopolymer resin "PVC" (HS 3904.10.00) from 
Korea, Rep. of Australia Customs 
Dumping Notice No. 
2012/14 (19 April 2012)   
Azerbaijan Implementation of a new Customs Code (approved on 
24 June 2011) aimed at facilitating trade Permanent Delegation of 
Azerbaijan to the United 
Nations (24 April 2012) Implemented on 
1 January 2012 
Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russian Federation Initiation on 18 November 2011 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of motor vehicles (HS 8704.21.31; 8704.21.91) from Germany, Italy, Poland, 
and Turkey   Permanent Delegations of 
Belarus and the Russian Federation to the United 
Nations (14 May 2012)   
  Annex 1 (cont'd) WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 50  
 
Country/ 
Member State  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russian Federation Initiation on 25 November 2011 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of certain types of tubes of stainless steel (HS 7304.41.00) from China Permanent Delegations of 
Belarus and the Russian Federation to the United 
Nations (14 May 2012)   
Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russian 
Federation Increase of import tariffs (from zero to 5%) on 
machines for cleaning, sorting or grading seed, grain or 
dried leguminous vegetables (HS 8437.10.00)  Permanent Delegations of 
Belarus and the Russian Federation to the United 
Nations (14 May 2012) Effective 1 
January 2012 
Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russian 
Federation Increase of import tariffs (from zero to 10% but not less 
than €2.5/kg (US$3)) on drilling machines (HS 
8430.41.00; 8430.49.00)  Permanent Delegations of 
Belarus and the Russian 
Federation to the United Nations (14 May 2012) Effective 1 
January 2012 
Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russian 
Federation Introduction of import tariff quotas for 2012 on certain 
products, i.e. poultry (HS 0207.14.20; 0207.14.60) (250,000 tonnes), beef (HS 0202) (530,000 tonnes), and 
pork (400,000 tonnes) (HS 0203) Permanent Delegations of 
Belarus and the Russian Federation to the United 
Nations (14 May 2012) Effective 1 
January 2012 
Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russian 
Federation Increase of import tariffs (from zero to 15%) on carbon 
electrodes not exceeding 1,000 mm (HS 8545.11.00) Permanent Delegations of 
Belarus and the Russian 
Federation to the United Nations (14 May 2012) Effective 1 
January 2012 
Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russian 
Federation Temporary elimination of import tariffs on 
concentrated apple juice and apple puree including 
compotes (HS 2007.99.97; 2009.79.19; 2009.79.30) Permanent Delegations of 
Belarus and the Russian 
Federation to the United 
Nations (14 May 2012) Effective 2 
January 2012 to 
2 September 
2012 
Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russian Federation Extension of the temporary reduction of import tariffs 
(from 15% to 5%) on paper and cardboard (HS 
4810.13.80; 4810.19.90; 4810.22.10; 4810.29.30)   Permanent Delegations of 
Belarus and the Russian 
Federation to the United 
Nations (14 May 2012) Effective 22 
February 2012 to 
31 December 
2012 
Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russian Federation Reduction of import tariffs (from 15% to 10%) on bars 
of non-alloy  steel (HS 7214.91.00; 7214.91.90; 7214.99.10; 7214.99.39; 7216.21.00; 7216.22.00; 
7216.31.90; 7216.32.11; 7216.33.10; 7216.33.90; 
7216.40.10) Permanent Delegations of 
Belarus and the Russian Federation to the United 
Nations (14 May 2012) Effective 9 
March 2012 
Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russian Federation Temporary increase of import tariffs (to US$140/tonne) 
on certain types of sugar (HS 1701.13.10; 1701.13.90; 
1701.14.10; 1701.14.90; 1701.91.00)   Permanent Delegations of 
Belarus and the Russian 
Federation to the United Nations (14 May 2012) Effective 1 May 
2012 to 31 July 
2012 
Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russian 
Federation Modification of import tariffs (from 20% but at least 
€3/unit (US$4/unit) to 10% but at least €10/unit 
(US$13/unit)) on certain watches (HS 9102.11.00; 9102.12.00; 9102.19.00; 9102.21.00; 9102.29.00; 
9102.91.00; 9102.99.00) Permanent Delegations of 
Belarus and the Russian 
Federation to the United Nations (14 May 2012)   
Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russian 
Federation Elimination of import tariffs (previously 15%) on 
cobalt powders (HS 8105.20.00) Permanent Delegations of 
Belarus and the Russian Federation to the United 
Nations (14 May 2012)   
Bolivia, (Plurinational State of) Amendments introduced in the government 
procurement Law ( Normas Básicas del Sistema de 
Administración de Bienes y Servicios ) authorizing 
public entities to effectuate direct contract of goods and 
services provided by public companies, strategic public 
companies, companies with majority State 
participation, and their subsidiaries (for tender prices 
less than or equal to market prices)  Decreto Supremo No. 1121 
(11 January 2012)   
  Annex 1 (cont'd) WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 51 
 
 
Country/ 
Member State  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
Bolivia, (Plurinational State of) Authorizati on to export certain food products, i.e. meat 
of bovine animals, fresh, chilled or frozen (HS 0201.10.00; 0201.20.00; 0201.30.00; 0202.10.00; 
0202.20.00; 0202.30.00) (quota 2,000 tonnes) ; maize 
(corn) (HS 1005.90; 1005.90.11) (quota 30,000 tonnes); and rice (HS 1006.10.90; 1006.20.00; 1006.30.00; 
1006.40.00) (quota 30,000 metric tonnes) Decreto Supremo No. 1163 
(14 March 2012)   
Brazil Increase of import tariffs (from 2% to 14%) on tall oil 
fatty acids (NCM 3823.13.00)  Secex Circular No. 49 (13 
October 2011)   
Brazil Temporary elimination of import tariffs on antisera and 
other blood fractions and modified immunological 
products, whether or not obtained by means of 
biotechnological processes (NCM 3002.10.37; 
3002.10.39) Camex Resolution No. 83 
(31 October 2011) and Secex Portaria No. 40 (23 
November 2011) Effective 3 
November 2011 to 2 November 
2012 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 2%) on 
certain products, i.e. sardines (NCM 0303.71.00) (quota 
30,000 tonnes), disodium sulphate ( anidro ) (NCM 
2833.11.10) (quota 650,000 tonnes), and sodium triphosphate (sodium tripolyphosphate) (NCM 
2835.31.90) (quota 30,000 tonnes) 
 Camex Resolution No. 83 
(31 October 2011) and 
Secex Portaria No. 40 (23 
November 2011) Effective 3 
November 2011 
to 2 November 
2012 
Brazil Termination on 4 November 2011 (without measure) of 
anti-dumping investigation on imports of  nitrile rubber 
"NBR" not hydrogenated (NCM 4002.59.00) from 
India and Poland (initia ted on 1 October 2010) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/BRA, 
26 March 2012   
Brazil Initiation on 10 November 2011 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of tubes and pipes of refined 
copper (NCM 7411.10.10; 7411.10.90) from China  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/BRA, 
26 March 2012   
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 2%) on 
informatics and telecommunication equipment  (NCM 8471.90.12; 8517.62.39; 9030.82.10; 9032.89.82); and 
(to 2% and zero) on 162 capital goods and 29 integrated 
systems (NCM Chapters 82; 84; 85; 86; 90), through the "ex-out" regime (mechanism designed to 
temporarily reduce import tariffs on capital goods and 
informatics and telecommunication equipment not locally produced) Camex Resolutions No. 84 
and 85 (10 November 2011) Effective until 
31 December 2012 
Brazil Termination on 23 November 2011 (without measure) 
of anti-dumping investigation on imports of  heavy 
plates (NCM 7208.51.00; 7208.52.00)  from  Korea, 
Rep. of;  Romania; Russian Federation; and Spain (initiated on 26 August 2010) 
 WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/BRA, 
26 March 2012   
Brazil Termination on 29 November 2011 (without measure) 
of anti-dumping investigation on imports of colourless 
flat glass, clear, produced by float process, with a 
thickness between 2 and 19 mm (NCM 7005.29.00) from China and Mexico  (initiated on 8 July 2010) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/BRA, 
26 March 2012   
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 2%) on 
informatics and telecommunication equipment  (NCM 
8517.62.59; 8532.24.10; 9030.89.90; 9032.89.23); and (to 2% and zero) on 387 capital goods and 29 integrated 
systems (NCM Chapters 39; 73; 82; 84; 85; 86; 87; 90; 
94),  through the "ex-out" regime (mechanism designed to temporarily reduce import tariffs on capital goods 
and informatics and teleco mmunication equipment not 
locally produced)  Camex Resolutions No. 95 
and 96 (9 December 2011) Effective until 
31 December 
2012 
  Annex 1 (cont'd) WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 52  
 
Country/ 
Member State  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 2%) on 
certain products, i.e. other colouring matter (NCM 3206.11.19) (quota 95,000 tonnes, except imports from 
Colombia); and poly(vinyl ch loride), not mixed with 
any other substances (NCM 3904.10.20) (quota 12,000 tonnes) Camex Resolution No. 97 
(23 December 2011) and Secex Portaria No. 1 (6 
January 2012) Effective 26 
December 2011 to 25 December 
2012 
Brazil Initiation on 29 December 2011 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of polycarbonate resins  (NCM 
3907.40.90) from Korea, Rep. of and Thailand  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/BRA, 
26 March 2012   
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 2%) on 164 
capital goods and integrated systems (NCM Chapters 73; 82; 84; 85; 90); and creation of 6 new informatics 
and telecommunication equipment tariff lines (NCM 
8517; 8543; 9030; 9032), resulting in a temporary decrease of import tariffs (to 2%), through the "ex-out" 
regime (mechanism designed to temporarily reduce 
import tariffs on capital goods and informatics and 
telecommunication equipment not locally produced)  Camex Resolutions No. 1 
and 2 (12 January 2012) Effective until 
31 December 2012 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 2%) on 134 
capital goods and integrated systems (NCM Chapters  73; 84; 85; 90); (to 6%) on c onstant weight scales and 
scales for discharging a predetermined weight of 
material into a bag or container, including hopper scales (NCM 8423.30.11); and creation of 4 new 
informatics and telecommunication equipment tariff 
lines (NCM 8517; 8543; 9030), resulting in a temporary decrease of import tariffs (to 2%), through 
the "ex-out" regime (mechanism designed to 
temporarily reduce import tariffs on capital goods and informatics and telecommunication equipment not 
locally produced) Camex Resolutions No. 9 
and 10 (13 February 2012) Effective until 
30 June 2013 
Brazil Termination on 26 February 2012 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of methyl methacrylate (NCM 
2916.14.10) from France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom (imposed on 23 March 2001) Secex Circular No. 24 (27 
May 2011)   
Brazil Initiation on 7 March 2012 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of tubes, pipes welded of 
circular cross-section of stainless steel (NCM 7306.40.00; 7306.90.20) from China and Chinese 
Taipei Secex Circular No. 6 (6 
March 2012)   
Brazil Initiation on 15 March 2012 of  safeguard investigation 
on imports of fine or table wine (NCM 2204.21.00) WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/BRA/5, 
2 April 2012   
Brazil Termination on 27 March 2012 (without measure) of 
anti-dumping investigation on imports of  nitrile rubber 
"NBR" not hydrogenated (NCM 4002.59.00) from Argentina;  France; Korea,  Rep. of; and the United 
States (initiated on 1 October 2010) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/209/BRA, 
28 March 2011 and Secex Circular No. 13 (26 March 
2012)   
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 2%) on 45 
capital goods tariff lines (NCM Chapters 84; 85; 87; 
90); and (to 10%) on certain continuous-action 
elevators and conveyors, for goods or materials (NCM 8428.39.90), and creation of a new tariff line for informatics and telecommunication equipment  (NCM 
9030.89.90), resulting in a temporary decrease of 
import tariffs (to 2%), through the "ex-out" regime (mechanism designed to temporarily reduce import 
tariffs on capital goods and informatics and 
telecommunication equipment not locally produced) Camex Resolutions Nos. 
18 (4 April 2012) and 28 
(25 April 2012) Effective until 
30 June 2013    
  Annex 1 (cont'd) WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 53 
 
 
Country/ 
Member State  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
Brazil Temporary elimination of import tariffs on terephthalic 
acid and its salts (NCM 2917.36.00) (quota 75,000 tonnes) (effective until 31 July 2012); and temporary 
reduction (to 2%) of import tariffs on flat-rolled 
products, not in coils, with patterns in relief of a thickness exceeding 10 mm (NCM 7208.51.00) (quota 
145,000 tonnes) (effectiv e until 2 October 2012) Camex Resolution No. 19 
(4 April 2012)   
Brazil Initiation on 13 April 2012 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of flat-rolled products of stainless steel of a width of 600 mm or more, of a 
thickness exceeding 0.35 mm but less than 4.75 mm 
(NCM 7219.32.00; 7219.33.00; 7219.34.00; 7219.35.00; 7220.20.90) from China; Finland; 
Germany; Korea, Rep. of;  South Africa;  Chinese 
Taipei;  the United States; and Viet Nam Secex Circular No. 17 (12 
April 2012)   
Brazil Initiation on 19 April 2012 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of flat-rolled products of other 
alloy steel (NCM 7225.19.00; 7226.19.00) from China; Korea, Rep. of;  and Chinese Taipei Secex Circular No. 18 (17 
April 2012)   
Brazil Temporary  reduction (t o 2%) of import tariffs on 
adiponitrila (1,4-dicianobutano) (NCM 2926.90.91) 
(quota 40,000 tonnes) Camex Resolution No. 23 
(19 April 2012) Effective 23 
April 2012 
Brazil New legislation granting  preference in government 
procurement to locally produced products in certain 
sectors, i.e. textile and footwear (8 November 2011); 
and motor and machinery, medicines, and 
pharmaceutical products (3 April 2012)  (NCM 
Chapters 28; 29; 30; 35; 42; 61; 62; 63; 64; 65; 94; 96) Permanent Delegation of 
Brazil to the WTO (27 
April 2012)    
Brazil Special Tax Refund Regime for Exporting Companies 
(Reintegra ) reducing the tax on industrialized products 
(IPI) for the automotive industry Permanent Delegation of 
Brazil to the WTO (27 
April 2012)    
Brazil Initiation on 3 May 2012 of anti-dumping investigation 
on imports of flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy 
steel, of a width of 600 mm or more, hot-rolled, not 
clad, plated or coated, of a thickness of 4.75 mm or more (NCM 7208.51; 7208.52) from Australia; China; 
Korea, Rep. of;  Russian Federation; South Africa; and 
Ukraine Secex Circular No. 19 (2 
May 2012)   
Brazil Initiation on 10 May 2012 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of monoethanolamine and 
triethanolamine (NCM 2922.11.00; 2922.13.10) from 
Germany and the United States Secex Circular No. 20 (9 
May 2012)   
Brazil Termination on 11 May 2012 (without measure)  of 
anti-dumping investigation on imports of polymeric 
MDI (NCM 3909.30.20) from Belgium (initiated on 8 
June 2011) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/216/BRA, 
23 September 2011 and Secex Circular No. 21 (9 
May 2012)   
Brazil Introduction of non-automatic import licensing 
requirements on apricots (NCM 0809.10) and wheat 
flour  Permanent Delegation of 
Brazil to the WTO (15 
May 2012)    
Brazil Bilateral agreement signed with Mexico on 19 March 
2012 limiting duty-free imports for automobiles and 
utility vehicles (NCM 8703; 8704) (US$1.45 billion for 
2012-13; US$1.56 billion fo r 2013-14; and US$1.64 
billion for 2014-15). Free-trad e to be re-established on 
19 March 2015 Permanent Delegation of 
Brazil to the WTO (15 
May 2012)    
Brazil CERAD "National Centre  on Risk Management" , new 
division created with the aim of coordinating 
intelligence and risk management related to customs operations, to improve the quality of inspections by 
applying risk management techniques 
 Permanent Delegation of 
Brazil to the WTO (15 
May 2012)    
  Annex 1 (cont'd) WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 54  
 
Country/ 
Member State  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
Canada Initiation on 27 Oct ober 2011 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of stainless steel sinks with a single drawn bowl having a volume between 1,600 and 
5,000 cubic inches or with multiple drawn bowls 
having a combined volume between 2,200 and 6,800 cubic inches, excluding sinks fabricated by hand (HS 
7324.10.00) from China   WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/CAN, 22 March 2012 and 
Permanent Delegation of 
Canada to the WTO (30 April 2012)  Provisional duty 
imposed on 25 January 2012 
Canada Initiation on 27 Oct ober 2011 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of stainless steel sinks with a single drawn bowl having a volume between 1,600 and 
5,000 cubic inches or with multiple drawn bowls 
having a combined volume between 2,200 and 6,800 cubic inches, excluding sinks fabricated by hand (HS 
7324.10.00) from China   WTO document 
G/SCM/N/235/CAN, 23 March 2012 and 
Permanent Delegation of 
Canada to the WTO (30 April 2012)  Provisional duty 
imposed on 25 January 2012 
Canada Elimination of import tariffs on 70 tariff lines (goods 
used in manufacturing) (HS Chapters 15; 20; 34; 39; 64; 74; 76; 79; 87)  Permanent Delegation of 
Canada to the WTO (10 May 2012)  Effective 17 
November 2011 
Canada Amendments to the customs tariff to simplify its 
structure, and reduce the customs processing burden by 
consolidating similar tariff items that have the same tariff rates and by removing end-use provisions where 
appropriate Permanent Delegation of 
Canada to the WTO (10 
May 2012)  Effective 15 
December 2011, 
and changes to tariff schedule 
effective 1 
January 2012 
Canada Creation of new tariff items/lines to facilitate the 
importation of low-value non-commercial shipments arriving by post or courier (HS 9825) Permanent Delegation of 
Canada to the WTO (10 May 2012)  Effective 1 
January 2012 
Canada Temporary elimination of  import tariffs on petroleum 
oils (HS 2710.19.91; 2710.20.10), for fuels used in the 
production of energy and electricity Permanent Delegation of 
Canada to the WTO (10 
May 2012)  Effective 30 
March 2012 
Canada Elimination from the import control list of steel 
products (HS 7206; 7207; 7208; 7209; 7210; 7211; 7212; 7213; 7214; 7215; 7 216; 7217; 7218; 7219; 
7220; 7221; 7222; 7223; 7 224; 7225; 7226; 7227; 
7228; 7229; 7301; 7302; 7 304; 7305; 7306; 7308; 
7312; 7313; 7317)  
 Permanent Delegation of 
Canada to the WTO (30 April 2012)  Effective 1 April 
2012 
Canada Termination on 23 April 2012 (without measure) of 
anti-dumping investigation on imports of potassium 
silicate of all grades and ratios in a soluble solid 
including chunks, flakes or  powder forms (also known 
as silicic acid, potassium salt, potassium water glass, 
potash water glass, potassium silicate glass)  (HS 
2839.90.10) from Pakistan  (initiated on 6 January 
2012) 
 Permanent Delegation of 
Canada to the WTO (10 
May 2012)    
Canada Termination on 23 April 2012 (without measure) of 
countervailing investigation on imports of potassium 
silicate of all grades and ratios in a soluble solid 
including chunks, flakes or  powder forms (also known 
as silicic acid, potassium salt, potassium water glass, potash water glass, potassium silicate glass)  (HS 
2839.90.10) from Pakistan  (initiated on 6 January 
2012)  Permanent Delegation of 
Canada to the WTO (10 
May 2012)    
Canada Initiation on 23 April 2012 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of certain liquid dielectric transformers (HS 8504.23.00; 8504.90.90) from Korea, 
Rep. of   
 Permanent Delegation of 
Canada to the WTO (10 May 2012)    
Canada Initiation on 4 May 2012 of  anti-dumping investigation 
on imports of certain carbon and alloy steel pipe piles 
"piling pipe" (HS 7306.30.00) from China   Permanent Delegation of 
Canada to the WTO (10 
May 2012)    
  Annex 1 (cont'd) WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 55 
 
 
Country/ 
Member State  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
Canada Initiation on 4 Ma y 2012 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of certain carbon and alloy steel pipe piles "piling pipe" (HS 7306.30.00) from 
China 
 Permanent Delegation of 
Canada to the WTO (10 May 2012)    
Chile Initiation on 27 April 2012 of  safeguard investigation 
on imports of other worked maize grain (HS 
1104.23.00) ( maíz trabajado de otro modo ) WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/CHL/13, 2 May 
2012 Provisional duty 
imposed on 27 
April 2012 
China Import ban on poultry products (HS 0207) from Iran (9 
November 2011) and Australia (10 February 2012), due 
to pathogenic avian influenza disease  Permanent Delegation of 
China to the WTO (25 
April 2012)    
China Initiation on 18 November 2011 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of coated bleached folding, 
solid bleached sulfate (SBS ), folding boxboard (FBB), 
coated ivory board or white card paper (HS 4810.31.00; 
4810.32.00; 4810.39.00; 4810.92.00; 4810.99.00; 
4811.51.90; 4811.59.99; 4811.60.90) from the United States   WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/CHN, 
17 April 2012   
China Initiation on 18 November 2011 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of ethylene glycol monobutyl 
ether and diethylene gl ycol monobutyl ether (HS 
2909.43.00) from the EU and the United States   WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/CHN, 
17 April 2012   
China First batch of 2012 export quotas for rare-earth 
minerals (10,546 tonnes)  Permanent Delegation of 
China to the WTO (9 May 
2012)  Announced by 
MOFCOM in  
December 2011  
China Termination on 13 December 2011 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of wear-resistant overlay (HS 
4804.39.00) from the EU and the United States  
(imposed on 13 December 2006)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/CHN, 
17 April 2012   
China Promulgation of the "Catalogue of  Commodities 
subject to Export Licence Administration 2012" 
(including 49 categories of commodities), under the Foreign Trade Law and Management Regulations for 
Commodity Import & Export.  (i) Export quotas for: 
wheat, corn, rice, wheat flour , rice flour, cotton, sawn 
timber, live cattle, live pigs, live chicken, coal, coke, 
crude oil, refined oil, rare-earth, antimony and 
antimony products, tungsten and tungsten products, zinc ore, tin and tin products, silver, indium and indium 
products, molybdenum, phosphate ores; (ii) quota 
bidding: mat rush and mat rush products, silicon carbide, talcum lump (powder), magnesia, alumina, 
licorice and licorice products ; and (iii) export licensing 
control: live cattle, live pigs, live chicken, fresh chilled beef, frozen beef, fresh chilled pork, fr ozen pork, fresh 
chilled chicken, frozen ch icken, ozone depleting 
substances, paraffin, zinc a nd zinc-based alloys, certain 
metals and metal products, platinum (for processing 
trade), automobiles (including complete knock-down 
kits) and their chassis, motorcycles (including all-terrain vehicles) and their engines and frames, natural 
sand (including standard sand), molybdenum products, 
citric acid, vitamin C, penicillin industrial salt and disodium sulphate  Permanent Delegation of 
China to the WTO (9 May 
2012) and MOFCOM Announcement No. 
98/2011 (30 December 
2011) Effective 1 
January 2012 
China Reduction of interim import tariff rates on around 730 
products, i.e. energy and raw materials, high-tech 
manufacturing equipment, inputs for agricultural 
production, food, and public health products Permanent Delegation of 
China to the WTO (9 May 
2012) and Tariff 
Commission No. 27 of 2011  
 Effective 1 
January 2012 
  Annex 1 (cont'd) WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 56  
 
Country/ 
Member State  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
China Revised Regulation on the administration of 
Certificates of Import and Export Licensing Permanent Delegation of 
China to the WTO (9 May 2012) and MOFCOM 
Decree No. 1/2012 (4 
February 2012) Effective 5 
March 2012 
China Initiation on 23 March 2012 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of "resorcinol" M-
dihydroxybenzene (HS 2907.21.00) from Japan and the United States   
 Permanent Delegation of 
China to the WTO (25 
April 2012)    
China Initiation on 23 March 2012 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of toluene diisocyanate 
(TDI80/20) (HS 2929.10.10) from the EU Permanent Delegation of 
China to the WTO (25 
April 2012)    
China Revised Guiding Catalogue  of Indigenous Innovation in 
Key Technologies and Equipment removing specific 
eligibility criteria relating to import substitution and to 
the generation of foreign exchange earnings through 
exports. It no longer provides that products will be 
eligible for government procurement preferences, nor does it any longer identify subsidies and other benefits 
for which listed products are eligible Permanent Delegation of 
China to the WTO (9 May 
2012)  Effective 14 
November 2011 
China Reduction of import tariffs on certain products, i.e. 
(from 8% to 3%) slitting blade for paper cutting 
machine (HS 8447.90.10), (from 15% to 10%) 
objective lenses (HS 9002.90.10; 9002.90.90) Permanent Delegation of 
China to the WTO (9 May 
2012)  Effective 1 April 
2012 
China Termination of the lower interim tariff and resumption 
of MFN import tariff on LCD panels (32-inch and 
above) (HS 9013.80.30) Permanent Delegation of 
China to the WTO (9 May 
2012)    
Colombia Measure to facilitate trade through the implementation 
of the Authorized Economic Operator "AEO" 
framework ( operador econónomico autorizado ) Permanent Delegation of 
Colombia to the WTO 
(24 April 2012) Effective 31 
October 2011 
Costa Rica Measure to facilitate trade through the implementation 
of a new informatics customs system for goods in 
transit  ( Tránsito Internacional de Mercancías "TIM" ) Permanent Delegation of 
Costa Rica to the WTO 
(24 April 2012) Effective 21 
November 2011 
Croatia Amendments to the list of goods subject to export and 
import licences, eliminating from this requirement 
certain products, i.e. mineral or chemical fertilizers nitrogenous (HS 3102.10.10; 3102.30.90; 3102.40.10) 
(effective 15 December 2011), and radio equipment and 
telecommunications terminal equipment (HS 8517; 8525; 8526) (effective 1 March 2012) Permanent Delegation of 
Croatia to the WTO 
(11 May 2012)   
Croatia Elimination of import tariffs  on natural calcium 
phosphates, natural aluminium calcium phosphates, and 
phosphatic chalk (HS 2510.20.00)   Permanent Delegation of 
Croatia to the WTO 
(26 April 2012) Effective 24 
February 2012 
Ecuador Establishment of a temporary quota (338,000 kg) on 
imports of turkey meat and edible offal (HS 
0207.25.00),  for imports from the Andean Community 
except Bolivia (Plurinational State of) COMEX Resolution No. 
31 (31 October 2011) Effective 31 
October 2011 
Ecuador Temporary elimination of import tariffs on cotton, not 
carded or combed (HS 5201.00.30) (quota 300 MT) COMEX Resolution No. 
33 (31 October 2011) Effective 31 
October 2011 
Egypt Initiation on 24 November 2011 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of cotton yarn (HS 5205; 5206; 5207) WTO documents 
G/SG/N/6/EGY/5, 5 December 2011 and 
G/SG/N/7/EGY/4, 9 
January 2012 Provisional duty 
imposed on 29 December 2011 
Egypt Initiation on 22 December 2011 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of matches (in boxes) (HS 3605) from Pakistan WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/EGY, 20 January 2012   
  Annex 1 (cont'd) WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 57 
 
 
Country/ 
Member State  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
Egypt Termination on 22 December 2011 (without measure) 
of anti-dumping investigation on imports of polymers of vinyl chloride "PVC" floor and wall coverings (HS 
3918.10) from China (initiated on 11 April 2011) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/EGY, 20 January 2012   
EU Initiation on 1 November 2011 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of t ube and pipe fittings (other 
than cast fittings, flanges and threaded fittings), of iron 
or steel (not including stainl ess steel), with a greatest 
external diameter not exceeding 609.6 mm, of a kind used for butt-welding or other purposes (HS 
7307.93.11; 7307.93.19; 7307.99.30; 7307.99.90) from 
the Russian Federation and Turkey WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/EU, 18 April 2012   
EU Initiation on 10 November 2011 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of open mesh fabrics made of 
glass fibres, with a cell size of more than 1.8 mm both in length and in width and weighing more than 35 g/m
2, 
excluding fibreglass discs  (HS 7019.51.00; 7019.59.00) 
from Malaysia  (possible circumvention of anti-
dumping measures of imports from China imposed in 
2011) Commission Regulation 
No. 1135/2011 
(9 November 2011)   
EU Initiation on 25 November 2011 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of bioethanol, sometimes referred to as "fuel ethanol", i.e. ethyl alcohol produced 
from agricultural products denatured or undenatured, 
excluding products with a water content of more than 0.3% (m/m) measured according to the standard EN 
15376, as well as ethyl alcohol produced from 
agricultural products contained in blends with gasoline with an ethyl alcohol content of more than 10% (v/v) 
(HS 2207.10.00; 2207.20.00; 2208.90.99; 2710.11.11; 
2710.11.15; 2710.11.21; 2710.11.25; 2710.11.31; 2710.11.41; 2710.11.45; 2710.11.49; 2710.11.51; 
2710.11.59; 2710.11.70; 2710.11.90; 3814.00.10; 
3814.00.90; 3820.00.00; 3824.90.97) from the United States WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/EU, 18 April 2012   
EU Initiation on 25 November 2011 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of bioethanol, sometimes referred to as "fuel ethanol", i.e. ethyl alcohol produced 
from agricultural products denatured or undenatured, 
excluding products with a water content of more than 0.3% (m/m) measured according to the standard EN 
15376, as well as ethyl alcohol produced from 
agricultural products contained in blends with gasoline with an ethyl alcohol content of more than 10% (v/v) 
(HS 2207.10.00; 2207.20.00; 2208.90.99; 2710.11.11; 
2710.11.15; 2710.11.21; 2710.11.25; 2710.11.31; 2710.11.41; 2710.11.45; 2710.11.49; 2710.11.51; 2710.11.59; 2710.11.70; 2710.11.90; 3814.00.10; 
3814.00.90; 3820.00.00; 3824.90.97) from the United 
States  WTO document 
G/SCM/N/235/EU, 23 March 2012    
EU Opening of a tendering procedure for the 2011-12 
marketing year for imports of sugar (HS 1701) at reduced import tariffs Commission Implementing 
Regulations Nos. 1239/2011 (30 November 
2011) and 356/2012 (24 
April 2012)   
EU Termination on 10 December 2011 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of  furfuryl alcohol "FA" (HS 
2932.13.00) from China (imposed on 31 October 2003) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/EU, 18 
April 2012   
  Annex 1 (cont'd) WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 58  
 
Country/ 
Member State  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
EU Termination on 14 December 2011 (without measure) 
of anti-dumping investigation on imports of  polyethylene terephthalate having a viscosity number of 
78 ml/g or higher, according to the ISO Standard 1628-
5 (HS 3907.60.20) from Oman and Saudi Arabia (initiated on 16 February 2011) 
 WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/EU, 18 April 2012   
EU Termination on 14 December 2011 (without measure) 
of countervailing investigation on imports of  
polyethylene terephthalate having a viscosity number of 
78 ml/g or higher, according to the ISO Standard 1628-5 (HS 3907.60.20) from Oman and Saudi Arabia 
(initiated on 16 February 2011) 
 WTO document 
G/SCM/N/235/EU, 23 
March 2012    
EU Initiation on 17 December 2011 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of white phosphorus 
(elemental/yellow phosphorus) (HS 2804.70.00) from Kazakhstan 
 WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/EU, 18 
April 2012   
EU Initiation on 20 December 2011 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of aluminium foil of a 
thickness of 0.007 mm or more but less than 0.021 mm, 
not backed, not further worked than rolled but whether 
or not embossed, in low wei ght rolls of a weight not 
exceeding 10 kg (HS 7607.11. 11; 7607.19.10) from 
China 
 WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/EU, 18 April 2012   
EU Temporary suspension of import tariffs (to zero) on 
certain cereals, i.e. common wheat of low and medium 
quality (HS 1001.90.99), and feed barley (HS 1003.00), 
for all imports under reduced-duty tariff quotas (2011-
12 marketing year) Commission Implementing 
Regulation No. 1350/2011 
(21 December 2011) Effective 1 
January 2012 to 
30 June 2012 
EU Initiation on 21 December 2011 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of certain organic coated steel 
products, i.e. flat-rolled products of non-alloy and alloy steel (not including stainless steel) which are painted, 
varnished or coated with plastics on at least one side, 
excluding so-called "sandwic h panels" of a kind used 
for building applications and consisting of two outer metal sheets with a stabilizing core of insulation 
material sandwiched betw een them, and excluding 
those products with a final co ating of zinc-dust (a zinc-
rich paint, containing by wei ght 70% or more of  zinc)  
(HS 7210.70.80; 7212.40.80; 7225.99.00; 7226.99.70) 
from China  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/EU, 18 
April 2012   
EU Termination on 21 December 2011 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of  mixtures of urea and ammonium nitrate in aqueous or ammoniacal solution (HS 
3102.80.00) from Algeria, Belarus, Russian Federation, 
and Ukraine (imposed on 23 September 2000)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/EU, 18 April 2012   
EU Termination on 12 January 2012 of anti-dumping duties 
on imports of  vinyl acetate (HS 2915.32.00) from the United States (investigation initiated on 4 December 
2010 and provisional duty imposed on 17 August 2011) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/EU, 18 April 2012 and 
Commission Decision 
(2012/24/EU) (11 January 2012)   
  Annex 1 (cont'd) WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 59 
 
 
Country/ 
Member State  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
EU Termination on 12 January 2012 (without measure) of 
anti-dumping investigation on imports of molybdenum 
wire, containing by weight at least 99.95% of 
molybdenum, of which the maximum cross-sectional 
dimension exceeds 1.35 mm but does not exceed 4 mm  (HS 8102.96.00) from Switzerland (possible 
circumvention of anti-dumping measures of imports 
from China imposed in 2010) (initiated on 19 May 2011) Commission Regulation 
No. 477/2011 (17 May 2011) and Council 
Implementing Regulation 
No. 14/2012 (9 January 2012)   
EU Termination on 9 February 2012 of anti-dumping duties 
on imports of  "steel wire ropes - SWR", steel ropes and cables, including locked coil ropes, excluding ropes and 
cables of stainless steel, with a maximum cross-
sectional dimension exceed ing 3 mm  (HS 7312.10.81; 
7312.10.83; 7312.10.85; 7312.10.89; 7312.10.98; 
7312.10.98)  from South Africa (imposed on 17 August 
1999) Council Implementing 
Regulation No. 102/2012 (27 January 2012) 
  
EU Initiation on 16 February 2012 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of ceramic tableware and 
kitchenware (HS 6911.10.00; 6912.00.10; 6912.00.30; 6912.00.50; 6912.00.90) from China 
 Commission Notice 
(2012/C 44/07) 
(16 February 2012) 
  
EU Initiation on 16 February 2012 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of threaded tube or pipe cast 
fittings, of malleable cast iron (HS 7307.19.10) from 
China, Indonesia, and Thailand  Commission Notice 
(2012/C 44/08) 
(16 February 2012) 
  
EU Initiation on 22 February 2012 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of certain organic coated steel 
products, i.e. flat-rolled products of non-alloy and alloy steel (not including stainless steel) which are painted, 
varnished or coated with plastics on at least one side, 
excluding so-called "sandwic h panels" of a kind used 
for building applications and consisting of two outer 
metal sheets with a stabilising core of insulation 
material sandwiched betw een them, and excluding 
those with a final coating of zinc-dust (a zinc-rich paint 
containing by weight 70% or more zinc) 
(HS 7210.70.80; 7212.40.80; 7225.99.00; 7226.99.70) from China 
 Commission Notice 
2012/C 52/05 (22 February 
2011)   
EU Termination on 28 February 2012 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of  polyethylene terephthalate "PET" 
having a viscosity of 78ml/g or higher according to ISO 
Standard 1628-5 (HS 3907.60.20) from Korea, Rep. of (imposed on 30 November 2000)   Commission Notices 
2011/C 122/08 (20 April 
2011) and 2012/C 57/06 
(25 February 2012)   
EU Termination on 22 March 2012 (without measure) of 
anti-dumping investigation on imports of stainless steel 
fasteners and parts ther eof "SSF" (HS 7318.12.10; 
7318.14.10; 7318.15.30; 7318.15.51; 7318.15.61; 
7318.15.70) from India (initiated on 13 May 2011)   Commission Decision 
2012/163/EU (22 March 
2012)   
EU Initiation on 31 March 2012 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of  "hollow sections" welded 
tubes, pipes and hollow profiles of square or 
rectangular cross-section, of iron other than cast iron or steel other than stainless, but excluding line pipe of a 
kind used for oil or gas pi pelines and casing and tubing 
of a kind used in drilling for oil or gas (HS 7306.61.92; 7306.61.99) from FYR of Macedonia, Turkey, and 
Ukraine  
 Commission Notice 
(2012/C 96/07) (31 March 
2012)   
  Annex 1 (cont'd) WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 60  
 
Country/ 
Member State  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
EU Termination on 5 April 2012 (complainant withdrew its 
complaint) of anti-dumping investigation on imports of  sodium cyclamate (HS 2929.90.00) from China limited 
to two producers (Fang Da Food Additive "Shen Zhen" 
Limited and Fang Da Food Additive "Yang Quan" Limited) (initiated on 17 February 2011) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/216/EEC, 14 October 2011 and 
Commission Decision 
(2012/185/EU) (4 April 2012)   
EU Termination on 18 April 2012 of anti-dumping duties 
on imports of  strawberri es, uncooked or cooked by 
steaming or boiling in water, frozen, whether or not 
containing added sugar or  other sweeteners (HS 
0811.10.11; 0811.10.19; 0811.10.90) from China (imposed on 17 April 2007) 
 Commission Notice 
2012/C 110/06 (17 April 2012)   
EU Termination on 20 April 2012 (without measure) 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.) 
(initiated on 29 July 2011)  Commission Notice 
2011/C 223/08 (29 July 2011) and Commission 
Implementing Regulation 
No. 332/2012 (13 April 2012)   
EU Initiation on 27 April 2012 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of bicycles and other cycles (including delivery tricycles but excluding unicycles) (HS 8712.00.30; 8712.00.70) from China 
 Commission Notice 
(2012/C 122/06) (27 April 2012)   
EU Termination on 8 May 2012 (without measure) of anti-
dumping investigation on im ports of certain seamless 
pipes and tubes of iron or  steel, excluding seamless 
pipes and tubes of stainle ss steel, of circular cross-
section, of an external diameter not exceeding 406.4 
mm with a Carbon Equivalent Value (CEV) not 
exceeding 0.86 according to th e International Institute 
of Welding (IIW) formula and chemical analysis (HS 
7304.19.10; 7304.19.30; 7304.23.00; 7304.29.10; 
7304.29.30; 7304.31.80; 7304.39.58; 7304.39.92; 7304.39.93; 7304.51.89; 7304.59.92; 7304.59.93) from 
Belarus (initiated on 28 June 2011) 
 WTO document 
G/ADP/N/216/EEC, 14 
October 2011 and 
Commission Decision (2012/247/EU) (7 May 
2012)   
Honduras Termination on 20 October 2011 (without measure) of 
anti-dumping investigation on imports of aqueous and 
non-aqueous paint (HS 3208.10.90; 3208.20.90; 3208.90.10; 3208.90.91; 3209.10.90; 3209.90.10) from 
El Salvador and Guatemala (initiated on 2 July 2010) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/HND, 
25 April 2012   
Honduras Termination on 29 December 2011 (without measure) 
of anti-dumping investiga tion on imports of aqueous 
and non-aqueous paint (HS 3208.10.90; 3208.20.90; 
3208.90.10; 3208.90.91; 3209.10.90; 3209.90.10) from  
the United States (initiated on 2 July 2010) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/HND, 25 April 2012   
India Termination (case closed) of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of cold-rolled flat products of stainless steel of 200 series having a width of less than 
600 mm including all austenitic grades having nickel 
content of less than 6% (HS 7220.20.10; 7220.20.21; 7220.20.22; 7220.20.29; 7220.20.90; 7220.90.10; 
7220.90.21; 7220.90.22; 7220.90.29; 7220.90.90)  from 
China, United Arab Emirates, and the United States (initiated on 16 August 2010)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/IND, 5 April 2012   
  Annex 1 (cont'd) WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 61 
 
 
Country/ 
Member State  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
India New telecoms regulation which includes (among 
others) provisions to: (i) promote the domestic 
production of telecommunication equipment to meet 
80% Indian telecom sector demand through domestic 
manufacturing with a value addition of 65% by 2020; 
and (ii) provide preferential market access for 
domestically manufactured telecommunication 
products, including mobile devices, SIM cards with 
enhanced features, with special emphasis on Indian 
products for which IPRs reside in India to address 
strategic and security concerns of the Government, 
consistent with international commitments 
 Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO (10 May 2012) referring to 
Draft National Telecom 
Policy released by the Press Information Bureau Announced on 
10 October 2011 
India Reduction of import tari ffs (from 30% to 20%) on dates 
(HS 0804.10.20; 0804.10.30) Notification No. 97/2011 - 
Customs, Ministry of 
Finance (Department of 
Revenue) (13 October 2011)   
India Termination on 13 Oct ober 2011 of safeguard duties 
(China specific) on imports of aluminium flat-rolled 
products and aluminium foil (HS 7606; 7607) (investigation initiated on 27 January 2009, provisional 
and definitive duties imposed on 23 March 2009 and 
19 June 2009 respectively)  WTO documents 
G/SG/N/16/IND/4, 
9 February 2009 and G/SG/N/16/IND/4/Suppl.5, 
25 October 2011   
India Initiation on 25 October 2011 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of c holine chloride of all forms 
and concentrations used for animal feed (HS 
2309.90.10; 2923.10.00) from China 
 WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/IND, 5 April 2012   
India Initiation on 11 November 2011 of anti-dumping 
investigation 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 
 WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/IND, 
5 April 2012   
India Initiation on 2 December 2011 of safeguard 
investigation (China Specific) on imports of carbon 
black (HS 2803.00.10) WTO documents 
G/SG/N/16/IND/8, 9 
January 2012 and 
G/SG/N/16/IND/8/Suppl.1, 30 March 2012 On 16 March 
2012 DG 
(Safeguards) 
recommended imposition of 
provisional duty 
India Termination on 20 December 2011 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of flexible slabstock polyol - I (HS 3907.20) from Singapore (imposed on 11 February 
2002)   
 WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/IND, 5 April 2012   
India Termination on 30 December 2011 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of polypropylene (HS 3902.10.00; 
3902.30.00) from Saudi Arab ia (investigation initiated 
on 24 February 2009, provisi onal and definitive duties 
imposed on 30 July 2009 and 19 November 2010 
respectively) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/209/IND, 
19 April 2011 and Notification No. 130/2011-Customs Ministry of 
Finance - Department of 
Revenue (30 December 2011)   
India Elimination of export tax on iron ore fines (HS 
2601.11.30; 2601.11.40) ), and on iron ore lumps and pellets (HS 2601.11.10; 2601.11.20) (originally 
imposed in  March 2011) 
 Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO (10 May 2012) Effective 30 
December 2011 
  Annex 1 (cont'd) WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 62  
 
Country/ 
Member State  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
India Reduction of import tariffs (from 10% to 2%) on 
platinum (HS 7110.11; 7110.19.00) Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO (10 May 2012) Effective 17 
January 2012 
India Conversion of specific duty to ad valorem  import tariffs 
on certain products, i.e. (2% and 5%) gold (HS 7108), 
and (6%) silver (HS 7106; 7107) Notifications Nos. 2/2012-
Customs and 3/2012-
Customs, Ministry of Finance - Department of 
Revenue 
(16 January 2012) Effective 17 
January 2012 
India Preference to domestically manufactured electronic 
goods in procurement due to security considerations 
and in government procurement (not less than 30% of the total procurement value of that electronic products 
or products) Notification 
No. 8(78)/2010-IPHW, 
Ministry of Communications and 
Information Technology 
(10 February 2012)   
India Initiation on 10 Februa ry 2012 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of soda ash (HS 2836.20) from 
the Russian Federation and Turkey WTO document 
G/ADP/N/227, 4 April 
2012   
India Reduction of the minimum export price "MEP" (to 
US$700/tonne) on basmati rice (HS 1006) Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO 
(10 May 2012) Effective 21 
February 2012 
India Initiation on 22 Februa ry 2012 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of bulk drug cefadroxil 
monohydrate (HS 2942.00.11) from the EU Notification No. 
14/08/2011-DGAD 
Ministry of Commerce & 
Industry - Department of Commerce (22 February 
2012)   
India Termination on 22 February 2012 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of sodium tripoly phosphate (STPP) 
(HS 2835.31.00) from China (investigation initiated on 
5 November 2009, provisiona l and definitive duties 
imposed on 21 September 2010 and 8 July 2011 
respectively) Notifications 
Nos. 58/2011-Customs 
Ministry of Finance - 
Department of Revenue (8 July 2011) and  
 13/2012-Customs (ADD) 
Ministry of Finance - Department of Revenue 
(22 February 2012)   
India Ministerial panel adopted the following trade-related 
measures: (i) authorization to export an additional 1 
million metric tonnes of sugar (HS Chapter 17), on top 
of the 2 million metric tonne s already permitted; (ii) no 
imposition of exports cap on rice (HS 1006) and wheat (HS 1001); and (iii) new extension of export ban on 
pulses (HS 0713) (originally implemented on 27 June 
2006, and extended until 31 March 2012) Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO (10 May 2012)   
India Authorization to expor t (from additional ports and 
agencies) wheat (HS 1001.10.90; 1001.90.20; 
1001.90.39) and non-basmati rice (HS 1006.10.90; 
1006.20.00; 1006.30.10; 1006.30.90; 1006.40.00) from non-EDI land customs stations (electronic data 
interchange) 
 Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO 
(10 May 2012) Effective 23 
February 2012 
India Termination on 29 February 2012 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of phenol (HS 2707.99.00; 
2907.11.10) from Korea, Rep. of; Chinese Taipei; and the United States (imposed on 19 September 2007) Notification No. 14/2012-
Customs (ADD) Ministry 
of Finance - Department of Revenue 
(29 February 2012)   
  Annex 1 (cont'd) WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 63 
 
 
Country/ 
Member State  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
India Export prohibition on cott on (HS 5201; 5203) effective 
5 March 2012. On 12 Marc h 2012 the prohibition was 
lifted, subject to prior registration of contracts.  On 4 
May 2012 permission for regist ration of contracts for 
export was authorized again, under some conditions Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO (10 May 2012)   
India Elimination of import tariffs on re-imported cut and 
polished diamonds (HS 71) Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO 
(10 May 2012)   
India Elimination of the "E ducation Cess" and "Secondary 
and Higher Education Cess" taxes on imported products Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO (10 May 2012)   
India Reduction of import tariffs on certain products, i.e. live 
animals, vegetables,   food, minerals, pharmaceuticals, 
fertilizers, plastics, woods, papers, textiles, ceramics, jewellery, tools, machineries, and dredgers (HS 
Chapters 02; 03; 04; 05; 06; 07; 08; 10; 11; 12; 13; 14; 
15; 17; 19; 21; 22; 23; 25; 26; 27; 30; 31; 33; 39; 40; 
44; 47; 48; 49; 50; 51; 54; 55; 56; 61; 62; 63; 68; 69; 
70; 71; 72; 74; 82; 84; 85) Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO 
(10 May 2012) Effective 17 
March 2012 
India Increase of import tariffs on certain products, i.e. (from 
60% to 75%) vehicles with a petrol engine superior to 
3,000 cc (HS 8703); and vehicles with a diesel engine 
superior to 2,500 cc (HS 8703); (from 10% to 30%) 
bicycles (HS 8712);  (from 10% to 20%) bicycles parts and components (HS 8713); and (from 5% to 7.5%) on 
flat-rolled products of non-alloy steel (HS 7208; 7209; 
7210; 7211; 7212) Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO (10 May 2012) Effective 17 
March 2012 
India Extension of the concessional rate (5% of the basic 
customs tariff) on certain products, i.e. drugs/vaccines 
and their bulk drugs used in their manufacturing process  
 Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO 
(10 May 2012)   
India Public procurement B ill 2011 establishing "open 
competitive bidding" as the preferred method for all 
public entities Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO 
(10 May 2012)   
India Minimum of 20% reserved for micro and small 
enterprises in public procurement Permanent Delegation of 
India to the WTO 
(15 May 2012)   
Indonesia Decree of Ministry of Agriculture (14 December 2011) 
on the importation of fresh bulbous plants reducing 
(from 14 to 4) the list of entry points (selected seaports 
equipped with stricter quarantine centres) for imports of  agricultural and horticultural products Permanent Delegation of 
Indonesia to the WTO 
(11 May 2012)   
Indonesia New Indonesian tariffs and classification book (BTKI 
2012) adjusting its classification system and facilitating 
import process Permanent Delegation of 
Indonesia to the WTO 
(26 April 2012) Effective 1 
January 2012 
Indonesia New regulation on pre-shipment inspection on tire 
imports (HS 4011) Permanent Delegation of 
Indonesia to the WTO 
(26 April 2012) Effective 1 
January 2012 
Indonesia Export ban on raw and semi-processed rattan products 
(HS 1401.20).  Certain rattan (HS 4601; 4602; 9401; 
9403) can only be exported by firms holding export 
licenses on forestry products. The exports require an 
independent surveyor for t echnical and pre-shipment 
verification Permanent Delegation of 
Indonesia to the WTO 
(11 May 2012) Effective 1 
January  2012 
  Annex 1 (cont'd) 
    WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 64  
 
Country/ 
Member State  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
Indonesia Initiation on 20 January 2012 of safeguard investigation 
on imports of articles of fini shed casing and tubing with 
yield strength of over 75,000 psi and worked pipe-end 
(HS 7304.29.00) WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/IDN/17, 27 January 2012   
Indonesia Initiation on 27 January 2012 of safeguard investigation 
on imports of "Mackerel", excluding fillets, livers and 
roes, fresh or chilled, or frozen (HS 0302.64.00; 
0303.74.00) WTO documents 
G/SG/N/6/IDN/18, 8 
February 2012 and 
G/SG/N/8/IDN/13, 5 March 2012   
Indonesia Threshold of mining a nd coal production prioritizing 
the supply to domestic needs at a benchmark price in accordance with effective pr ice in the international 
market. Mechanism in place in order to manage and 
prevent shortages Permanent Delegation of 
Indonesia to the WTO (11 May 2012) Effective 6 
February 2012 
Indonesia Import procedures for used capital goods (but not 
scrap) (HS Chapters 84; 85; 87; 88; 90)  implemented. 
Used capital goods can only be imported by a direct 
user, reconditioning, manufacturing, and health equipment supplier companies.  The goods are 
subjected to a technical insp ection by a surveyor in the 
country of origin. A recommendation from the Ministry of Industry is required before importing used capital 
goods   Permanent Delegation of 
Indonesia to the WTO 
(11 May 2012) Effective 13 
February  2012 
to 31 December 
2013 
Indonesia New import regulations on procurement, circulation, 
sale, supervision, and cont rol on alcoholic beverages 
(HS 2203.00.10; 2203.00.90; 2204.10.00; 2204.21.11; 
2204.21.12; 2204.21.21; 2204.21.22; 2204.29.11; 2204.29.12; 2204.29.21; 2204.29.22; 2204.30.10; 
2204.30.20; 2205.10.10; 2205.10.20; 2205.90.10; 
2205.90.20; 2206.00.10; 2206.00.20; 2206.00.30; 2206.00.40; 2206.00.90; 2208.20.10; 2208.20.20; 
2208.20.30; 2208.20.40; 2208.30.10; 2208.30.20; 
2208.40.10; 2208.40.20; 2208.50.10; 2208.50.20; 2208.60.10; 2208.60.20; 2208.70.10; 2208.90.10; 
2208.90.20; 2208.90.30; 2208.90.40; 2208.90.50; 
2208.90.60; 2208.90.70; 2208.90.90)  WTO document 
WT/TPR/OV/14, 21 
November 2011 and 
Permanent Delegation of Indonesia to the WTO (26 
April 2012) Effective 1 
March 2012 
Indonesia Termination on 13 April 2012 (without measure) of 
safeguard investigation on im ports of conveyor belts or 
belting reinforced only with metal of a width exceeding 20 cm (HS 4010.11.10) (initia ted on 3 November 2011) WTO document 
G/SG/N/9/IDN/5, 20 April 2012   
Indonesia Decree of Minister of Agriculture No. 
03/Permentan/OT.140/1/2012 on Horticultural Product Import Recommendation introducing import quota system on fresh and processe d fruits and vegetables 
(HS Chapters 06; 07; 08; 09; 20; 21) Permanent Delegation of 
Indonesia to the WTO (11 May 2012) Effective 1 May  
2012 
Indonesia New regulations on imports of certain products, i.e. rice 
(HS 1006.30.99); sodium tripolyphospate (sodium triphosphate) (HS 2835.31.90); used capital goods; 
ozone depleting substan ces;  colour multifunction 
machine, colour photocopy machine, and colour printer machine; and iron and steel 
 Permanent Delegation of 
Indonesia to the WTO (26 April 2012)   
Israel Temporary reduction of import tariffs on hard cheese 
(HS 0406) Permanent Delegation of 
Israel to the WTO 
(24 October 2011)   
Israel Reduction of import tariffs on certain non-food 
products, i.e.  electrical appliances, cement, raw 
lumber, and manufactured goods not locally produced Permanent Delegation of 
Israel to the WTO (May 
2012) Effective 1 
January 2012 
  Annex 1 (cont'd) WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 65 
 
 
Country/ 
Member State  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
Jordan Termination on 16 December 2011 of safeguard  duties 
on imports of ceramic tiles (HS 6907.90; 6908.90) (investigation initiated on 25 November 2008 and duty 
imposed on 1 September 2010) WTO documents 
G/SG/N/10/JOR/7/Suppl.2,  1 September 2010 and 
G/SG/N/10/JOR/7/Suppl.3, 
9 January 2012    
Jordan Initiation on 4 April 2012 of  safeguard investigation on 
imports of bars and rods of iron and steel (HS 7213.20.6; 7214) WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/JOR/16, 13 April 2012   
Korea, Rep. of Extension of the temporary reduction of import tariffs 
on certain products, i.e. pork (HS 0203.29), milk 
powder (HS 0402.10; 0402.21; 0402.29), coffee (HS 
0901.11; 0901.12), soap (HS 3401.20), and lauryl alcohol (HS 3823.70) (originally effective from 28 
January 2011 to 30 June 2011) 
 Permanent Delegation of 
Korea to the WTO (10 
May 2012) Effective until 
31 December 
2011 
Korea, Rep. of Reduction of import tariffs (from 35% to 30%) on 
refined sugar (HS 1701.91; 1701.99) Permanent Delegation of 
Korea to the WTO 
(25 April 2012) Effective 1 
January 2012 
Korea, Rep. of Temporary elimination of import tariffs on refined 
sugar (HS 1701.10; 1701.91) Permanent Delegation of 
Korea to the WTO (25 April 2012) Effective 1 
January 2012 to 30 June 2012 
Korea, Rep. of Temporary reduction of import tariffs on garlic (HS 
0703.20) (quota 5,400 tonnes) Permanent Delegation of 
Korea to the WTO 
(25 April 2012) Effective 1 
January 2012 to 
31 March 2012 
Korea, Rep. of Temporary reduction of import tariffs on certain food 
products, i.e. live swine (HS 0103.91; 0103.92); pork (HS 0203.19; 0203.29) (quota 120,000 tonnes); fish 
(HS 0303.54); cream (HS 0401.40; 0401.50); milk 
powder (HS 0402.10; 0402.21; 0402.29);  butter (HS 0405.10); processed butter (HS 0405.20; 2106.90); 
cheese (HS 0406.10; 0406.90); egg powder (HS 
0408.91); guts for casing (HS 0504.00); manioc chips for alcohol production (HS 0714.10); raisin (HS 
0806.20); hot pepper (HS 0904.21) (quota 11,185 
tonnes); wheat for milling (HS 1001.99); malting barley for alcohol production (HS 1003.90); corn for 
processing (HS 1005.90); flake, granules and pellets of 
potatoes (HS 1105.20); malt (HS 1107.10; 1107.20); manioc starch for paper (HS 1108.14); sweet potato 
starch (HS 1108.19); crude soybean oil for food (HS 
1507.10); olive oil (HS 1509.10; 1509.90); sunflower-seed oil (HS 1512.11; 1512.19); rape or colza oil (HS 
1514.11; 1514.91); rice bran and grape-seed oil (HS 
1515.90);  raw cane or beet sugar (HS 1701.12; 1701.13; 1701.14); lactose (HS 1702.11; 1702.19); 
processed chocolates (H S 1806.20); processed ground-
nut (HS 2008.11); roughly distilled alcohol for 
beverage (HS 2207.10); and industrial modified starch 
(HS 3505.10) 
 Permanent Delegation of 
Korea to the WTO (25 April 2012) Effective 1 
January 2012 to 30 June 2012 
  Annex 1 (cont'd) WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 66  
 
Country/ 
Member State  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
Korea, Rep. of Temporary reduction of import tariffs on certain  
products, i.e. whey for feeding (HS 0404.10); manioc chips and pellets for feeding (HS 0714.10); rye seed for 
green manure (HS 1002.10); unhulled barley for 
feeding (HS 1003.90); oats for feeding (HS 1004.90); maize for feeding and mushroom growing (HS 
1005.90); soya beans for feeding (HS 1201.90); rape or 
colza seeds for feeding (HS 1205.10; 1205.90); cotton seeds for feeding (HS 1207.29); whey straw and husks 
for mushroom growing (HS 1213.00); alfalfa for 
feeding (HS 1214.10; 1214.90); fodder roots for feeding and mushroom growing (HS 1214.90; 
2308.00); animal or vegetable fats and oils (HS 
1518.00); molasses (HS 1703.10; 1703.90); anhydrous glucose (HS 1702.30); bran of wheat (HS 2302.30); 
beet-pulp (HS 2303.20); dis tillers dried grains (HS 
2303.30); oil-cake from soya bean oil (HS 2304.00); oil-cake of cotton seeds (HS 2306.10); oil-cake of 
coconut (HS 2306.50); oil-cake of palm nuts (HS 
2306.60); cotton seed hulls (HS 2308.00); agricultural pesticides (HS 2903.39); and urea for agricultural fertilizers (HS 3102.10) Permanent Delegation of 
Korea to the WTO (25 April 2012) Effective 1 
January 2012 to 31 December 
2012 
Korea, Rep. of Initiation on 18 January 2012 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of  aluminium bottle cans (HS 
7612.90.90) from Japan Permanent Delegation of 
Korea to the WTO (25 April 2012)   
Kyrgyz Republic Temporary introduction of export tariffs (som 14/kg 
(US$0.3/kg)) on certain products, i.e. animal and 
vegetable fertilizers (HS 3101) ; mineral or chemical 
fertilizers, nitrogenous (HS 3102) ;  mineral or chemical 
fertilizers, phosphatic (HS 3103) ;  mineral or chemical 
fertilizers, potassic (HS 3104) ; and other fertilizers (HS 
3105) 
 Permanent Delegation of 
the Kyrgyz Republic to the 
WTO (27 February 2012) Effective 15 
February 2012 to 
15 August 2012 
Mexico Termination on 20 October 2011 (without measure) of 
anti-dumping investigation on imports of amoxicillin 
trihydrate (HS 2941.10.12) fr om China  (initiated on 12 
July 2011) 
 WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/MEX, 12 March 2012   
Mexico Termination on 20 October 2011 (without measure) of 
countervailing investigation on imports of amoxicillin 
trihydrate (HS 2941.10.12) fr om China  (initiated on 12 
July 2011) 
 WTO document 
G/SCM/N/235/MEX, 12 
March 2012   
Mexico Termination on 21 October 2011 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of woven fabrics of cotton 
"denim" (HS 5209.42.01; 5209.42.99; 5211.42.01; 
5211.42.99)  from China (investigation initiated on 
21 April 2010) 
 WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/MEX, 12 
March 2012   
Mexico Elimination of import tari ffs on certain fruits not locally 
produced, i.e. kiwis (HS 0810.50.01) and mealybugs 
(cochinillas ) (HS 0511.99.01) Permanent Delegation of 
Mexico to the WTO 
(25 April 2012) Effective 26 
December 2011 
  Annex 1 (cont'd) WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 67 
 
 
Country/ 
Member State  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
Mexico Elimination of import tariffs on certain products (113 
tariff lines), i.e. fish, alc ohols, marble, floor tiles or 
mosaics, feathers and artic les of feathers, jewelry, 
precious metals, parts for motor vehicles, motorcycles, 
machinery and mechanical appliances, domestic appliances, furnaces and ovens, sound recording or 
reproducing apparatus, cathode -ray tube monitors  (HS 
Chapters 04; 16; 22; 25; 30; 32; 37; 40; 45; 46; 49; 67; 69; 71; 82; 83; 84; 85; 87; 90; 92; 96); and reduction of 
import tariffs on 87 tariff lines, i.e. textiles and 
clothing, brooms, lighters, buttons, pens, combs, and thermos   (HS Chapters 57; 61; 62; 63; 95; 96) (Decreto 
de Competitividad y Reducción Arancelaria de la Zona 
Económica fronteriza )  Permanent Delegation of 
Mexico to the WTO (25 April 2012) Effective 23 
January 2012 
Mexico Measure to facilitate trade through the implementation 
of the High Level Regulatory Cooperation Council 
"HLRCC" framework ( Programa de Trabajo del 
Consejo de Alto Nivel para la Cooperación 
Regulatoria ) aimed at eliminating unnecessary costs 
 Permanent Delegation of 
Mexico to the WTO 
(25 April 2012) Effective 28 
February 2012 
Mexico Initiation on 5 March 2012 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of bicycles for children (HS 
8712.00.02; 8712.00.04) from China Secretaría de Economía, 
Unidad de Prácticas 
Comerciales Internacionales 
Notificación EXP 12/11 (5 
March 2012)   
Mexico Termination on 29 March 2012 (without measure) of 
safeguard investigation on imports of spiral-welded 
steel pipes and tubes of 30 in ches in diameter and 11.5 
metres in length, manufactur ed in accord ance with the 
specifications of American Petroleum Institute (API), 
Standard API 5L (HS 7305.19.01) (initiated on 
3 July 2010) WTO document 
G/SG/N/9/MEX/1, 12 
April 2012   
Mexico Import quota ( cupo de importación ) on beans ( frijol ) 
(HS 0713.33.02; 0713.33.03; 0713.33.09) (100,000 
tonnes) extended for the year 2012  Permanent Delegation of 
Mexico to the WTO 
(11 May 2012)   
New Zealand Termination on 4 April 2012 (without measure) of anti-
dumping investigation on im ports of flavoured and 
unflavoured tomatoes (whole, chopped or crushed) in a liquid medium and packed in containers up to and 
including 4 kg (HS 2002.10.00) from Italy (initiated on 
19 September 2011) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/NZL, 22 March 2012 and Permanent Delegation of 
New Zealand to the WTO 
(20 April 2012)    
New Zealand New measure (Government Model Contracts 2nd 
Edition) to facilitate public  procurement procedures Permanent Delegation of 
New Zealand to the WTO (20 April 2012)    
Nicaragua Establishment of a temporary tariff quota ( contingentes 
arancelarios ) for duty-free imports of certain food 
products, i.e. poultry meat (HS 0207.11; 0207.12; 
0207.13; 0207.14) (quota 1,900 metric tonnes) (effective 26 March 2012), rice in the husk (HS 
1006.10.90) (quota 50,000 metric tonnes) (effective 12 
March 2012), rice (HS 1006.20; 1006.30; 1006.40) (quota 12,000 metric tonnes) (effective 12 March 
2012), and corn syrup (HS 1702.90.20) (quota 100 
metric tonnes) (effective 6 February 2012) Permanent Delegation of 
Nicaragua to the WTO (21 
May 2012)    
  Annex 1 (cont'd) WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 68  
 
Country/ 
Member State  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
Nicaragua Extension of the tempor ary elimination of import tariffs 
on certain products, i.e. wheat flour (HS 1101.00.00), oats/barley rolled or flaked grains (HS 1104.12.00; 
1104.29.10), palm and soya-bean oils (HS 1507.10.00; 
1511.10.00), palm vegetabl e waxes used for candle 
elaboration (HS 1521.10.00),  canned sardines (HS 
1604.13.00), food preparations of oats and barley 
(HS1901.90.90), pasta (HS 1902.11.00; 1902.19.00), prepared soups (HS 2104.10.00), food preparations (HS 
2106.90.99), deodorants (HS 3307.20.00), soap for 
toilet use (HS 3401.11.19), gloves of plastic and rubber (HS 3926.20.00; 4015.19.00), masks to prevent 
influenza (HS 4823.90.99), flat-rolled products of iron 
or non-alloy steel (HS 7210.61.10; 7210.70.10), portable electric lamps (HS 8513.10.00), and 
toothbrushes (HS 9603.21.00) 
 Permanent Delegation of 
Nicaragua to the WTO (21 May 2012)  Effective until 
30 June 2012 
Nicaragua Extension of the tempor ary reduction (to 5%) of import 
tariffs on certain oils (HS 1507.90.00; 1508.90.00; 
1509.90.00; 1511.90.90; 1512.19.00; 1512.29.00; 1513.19.00; 1513.29.00; 1515.29.00) Permanent Delegation of 
Nicaragua to the WTO (24 
April 2012)  Effective until 
30 June 2012 
Nigeria Introduction of additi onal import levies of 15% on 
wheat (HS 1001.10.00; 1001.90.00), 65% on wheat 
flour (HS 1101.00.00), and 40% on rice (HS 1006.10.10; 1006.40.00)  Permanent Delegation of 
Nigeria to the WTO (10 
May 2012)  Effective 20 
February 2012 
Norway Reduction of the customs import d eclaration fee Permanent Delegation of 
Norway to the WTO (24 April 2012)  Effective 1 
January 2012 
Pakistan Initiation on 10 November 2011 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of uncoated writing/printing 
paper ranges from 50 gr/m2 to 130 gr/m2 and coated 
writing/printing paper ranges from 73 gr/m2 to 
170gr/m2 (excluding impregna ted paper), produced 
from 100% wood pulp (HS 4802.55.10; 4802.55.90; 4802.56.00; 4802.57.00; 4802.58.90; 4802.61.00; 
4802.62.00; 4810.13.10; 4810.13.20; 4810.13.90; 
4810.14.00; 4810.19.10; 4810.19.90; 4810.22.00) from China, Indonesia, Japan, and Thailand 
 WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/PAK, 30 
January 2012   
Pakistan Initiation on 23 November 2011 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of uncoated writing/printing paper ranges from 50 gr/m
2 to 130 gr/m2 and coated 
writing/printing paper ranges from 73 gr/m2 to 
170gr/m2 (excluding impregna ted paper), produced 
from 100% wood pulp (HS 4802.55.10; 4802.55.90; 
4802.56.00; 4802.57.00; 4802.58.90; 4802.61.00; 
4802.62.00; 4810.13.10; 4810.13.20; 4810.13.90; 4810.14.00; 4810.19.10; 4810.19.90; 4810.22.00) from 
Indonesia and Thailand 
 WTO document 
G/SCM/N/235/PAK, 30 January 2012   
Pakistan Import ban on Compressed Natural Gas "CNG" 
cylinders and conversion kits (HS 8409.91.91) (public 
transport vehicles exempted) Permanent Delegation of 
Pakistan to the WTO 
(27 April 2012) Effective 15 
December 2011 
Pakistan Authorization to e xport organic brown sugar (HS 
1701.11.00; 1701.12.00)   Permanent Delegation of 
Pakistan to the WTO (27 April 2012) Effective 28 
December 2011 
Pakistan Export ban on pulses  obtained from processing of 
imported input (HS 0713) Permanent Delegation of 
Pakistan to the WTO 
(21 May 2012) Effective 28 
December 2011 
  Annex 1 (cont'd 
 
   WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 69 
 
 
Country/ 
Member State  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
Pakistan Measure to facilitate trade through the implementation 
of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement, facilitating the transit of goods  Permanent Delegation of 
Pakistan to the WTO (27 April 2012)   
Pakistan Import restrictions on cer tain used products classified 
as scraps, e.g. automobile batteries Permanent Delegation of 
Pakistan to the WTO 
(21 May 2012)   
Paraguay Extension of the imposition of temporary import 
licensing requirement for imports of poultry meat (NCM 0207.11.00; 0207.12.00; 0207.13.00; 
0207.14.00) (originally implemented on 28 April 2011) Permanent Delegation of 
Paraguay to the WTO (21 May 2011) Effective 22 
December 2011 
Paraguay Import licensing requireme nts for imports of tubes and 
pipes of iron or steel (NCM 7306.30.00; 7306.61.00) Permanent Delegation of 
Paraguay to the WTO (21 May 2011) Effective 13 
January 2012 
Peru Termination on 30 November 2011 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of all types of footwear (other than 
sandals and flip flops) with uppers of any material (HS 6402.19; 6402.20; 6402.99; 6404.11; 6404.19; 6404.20; 
6405.10; 6405.90) from Chinese Taipei (imposed on 31 
January 2000)   WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/PER, 26 
March 2012   
Peru Termination on 18 January 2012 of anti-dumping duties 
on imports of tyres for motor cars, vans and lorries (HS 4011.10.00; 4011.20.00; 4011.91.00; 4011.99.00) from China (imposed on 9 May 2002)  Permanent Delegation of 
Peru to the WTO (15 May 2012)   
Peru Termination on 16 February 2012 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of refined soya and sunflower vegetable oil and mixtures from Argentina (imposed on 30 November 2002)  Permanent Delegation of 
Peru to the WTO (15 May 2012)   
Peru Termination on 15 March 2012 of anti-dumping duties 
on imports of cups made  of paperboard with 
polyethylene  from Chile (imposed on 26 September 
2002)  
 Permanent Delegation of 
Peru to the WTO (15 May 2012)   
Philippines Termination on 7 December 2011 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of clear float glass (HS 7005.29) from 
Indonesia (imposed on 8 December 2000)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/PHL, 26 
April 2012   
Russian Federation Extension of pri ce preference for locally manufactured 
goods under government procurement scheme Permanent Delegation of  
the Russian Federation to 
the United Nations (14 
May 2012)   
South Africa Elimination of import tariffs on certain products, i.e. 
feed supplements, containing by mass 40% or more lysine, whether or not containing added antibiotics or 
added melengestrol acetate (HS 2309.90.65); and lysine 
and its esters, salts thereof (HS 2922.41) Report No. 380 of 2011 - 
International Trade Administration 
Commission - Government 
Gazette No. 34671 (No. R.845) (14 October 2011)   
  Annex 1 (cont'd) 
   WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 70  
 
Country/ 
Member State  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
South Africa Reduction of import tariffs on certain products, i.e. 
artificial filament yarn (excluding sewing thread), not put up for retail sale, including artificial monofilament 
of less than 67 dtex (HS 5403); yarn (excluding sewing 
thread) containing 85% or more by mass of staple fibres of nylon or other polya mides, not put up for retail 
sale (HS 5509.1); other yarn  (excluding sewing thread) 
containing 85% or more by mass of synthetic staple fibres, not put up for retail sale (HS 5509.4); other yarn 
(excluding sewing thread) of polyester staple fibres 
mixed mainly or solely with artificial staple fibres, not 
put up for retail sale (HS 5509.51); and yarn (excluding 
sewing thread) of artificial staple fibres, not put up for 
retail sale (HS 5510) Report No. 381 of 2011 - 
International Trade Administration 
Commission - Government 
Gazette No. 34671 (No. R.847) (14 October 2011)   
South Africa Initiation on 18 November 2011 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of fully threaded screws with 
hexagon heads, excluding those of stainless steel (HS 
7318.15.39) from China 
 WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/ZAF, 6 February 2012 Provisional duty 
imposed 
South Africa Termination on 21 December 2011 (no sunset review 
initiated before lapse date) of anti-dumping duties on 
imports of multi-ply paper and paperboard with a mass of 180g/m
2 or more but not exceeding 550g/m2, coated 
on one side with kaolin clay (commonly know as white 
liner or gray back paperboard) (HS 4810.92)  from Korea, Rep. of  (duty imposed on 22 December 2006)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/ZAF, 
6 February 2012 
  
South Africa Creation of a new tari ff line "pistons, with an outside 
diameter not exceeding 155 mm, whether or not fitted 
with gudgeon pins, piston rings or cylinder liners or sleeves, for motor vehicle engines" (HS 8409.99.30), 
resulting in the elimination of import tariffs Notice No. R. 1066 
(Government Gazette No. 
34859) - South African Revenue Service  (23 
December 2011) Effective 23 
December 2011 
South Africa Creation of a new ta riff line "mechanical water supply 
meters, designed for use with pipes with an inside 
diameter not exceeding 40 mm" (HS 9028.20.10), resulting in an increase of import tariffs (to 10%).  
Imports from the EU, EFTA, and the Southern African 
Development Community (SADC) members exempted Notice No. R. 1067 
(Government Gazette No. 
34859) - South African Revenue Service  (23 
December 2011) Effective 23 
December 2011 
South Africa Elimination of import tariffs (from 10%) on hydraulic 
brake fluids, not containing or containing less than 70% 
by mass of petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals (HS 3819.00.90)  
 Permanent Delegation of 
South Africa to the WTO 
(15 May 2012)    
South Africa Increase of import tariffs (from zero to 20%) on lawn 
mower blades (HS 8208.40)  Permanent Delegation of 
South Africa to the WTO 
(15 May 2012)    
South Africa Elimination of import tariffs (from 20%) on reception 
apparatus for television not designed to incorporate a 
video display or screen (i.e. set top boxes) (HS 
8528.71) 
 Permanent Delegation of 
South Africa to the WTO 
(15 May 2012)    
South Africa Decrease of import tariffs (currently 20%) on certain 
fittings for loose-leaf binders or files (HS 8305.10; 
8305.90)  Permanent Delegation of 
South Africa to the WTO 
(15 May 2012)    
South Africa New provisions established in December 2011 under 
which preferential public procurement regime defined the sectors from which government institutions will 
exclusively procure locally. The sectors are: power 
pylons, railway rolling st ock, buses, canned and 
processed vegetables, clothi ng and textiles, footwear, 
leather products, and te levision set top boxes  Permanent Delegation of 
South Africa to the WTO (15 May 2012)  Effective 7 
December 2011 
  Annex 1 (cont'd) WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 71 
 
 
Country/ 
Member State  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
Switzerland Elimination of import tariffs on certain informatics and 
telecommunication equipment (HS 8443.31.00; 8518.90.11; 8528.59.00; 8528.71.10; 8529.90.30; 
8531.80.20; 8531.90.20; 8544.49.30) Permanent Delegation of 
Switzerland to the WTO (21 May 2012) Effective 1 
January 2012 
Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu Reduction of import tariffs ( tax rebates for customs 
duties ) on certain components and raw materials (1,259 
products in categories such as electronics, textiles, 
chemicals, plastics, and machinery) which are used to 
produce goods for export WTO document 
WT/TPR/OV/14, 21 November 2011 and 
Permanent Delegation of 
the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, 
Penghu, Kinmen and 
Matsu  to the WTO (25 April 2012) Effective 
October 2011 
Separate Customs Territory of 
Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and 
Matsu Special safeguard (volume-based) measure on imports 
of  milk (HS 0401.10.20; 0401.20.20; 0401.30.20; 
0402.99.20; 0402.99.92; 0403.90.29; 0403.90.40; 0403.90.59; 0403.90.90; 1806.90.53; 1806.90.55; 
1901.90.25; 1901.90.27) Permanent Delegation of 
the Separate Customs 
Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and 
Matsu  to the WTO (25 
April 2012) Effective 25 
October 2011 to 
31 December 2011 
Separate Customs Territory of 
Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and 
Matsu Temporary reduction of import tariffs on certain 
products, e.g. (from 5% to 2.5%) preparation for infant 
use (HS 1901.10.00), (from 12% to 6%)  prepared milk powder (HS 1901.90.21; 1901.90.22) Permanent Delegation of 
the Separate Customs 
Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and 
Matsu  to the WTO (25 
April 2012) Effective 25 
November 2011 
to 24 May 2012 
Separate Customs Territory of 
Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and 
Matsu Additional extension of the temporary reduction of 
import tariffs on certain products, i.e. (from 5% to 
3.75%) butter (HS 0405.10.00); (from 8% to 6%) milk fat (HS 0405.90.10); (from 6% to 3%) flours of maize 
(HS 1102.20.00); and (from 3% to 1.5%) soya beans 
(HS 1208.10.00) (originally effective from 1 December 2010 to 31 May 2011, and renewed from on 1 June 
2011 until 30 November 2011) WTO document 
WT/TPR/OV/14, 21 
November 2011 and Permanent Delegation of 
the Separate Customs 
Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and 
Matsu  to the WTO (25 
April 2012) Effective 1 
December 2011 
to 31 May 2012 
Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and 
Matsu Temporary reduction of import tariffs  (from 10% to 
5%) on milk and cream powder  (HS 0402.10.00; 
0402.21.00) Permanent Delegation of 
the Separate Customs 
Territory of Taiwan, 
Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu  to the WTO (25 
April 2012) Effective 10 
February 2012 to 
9 August 2012 
Thailand Authorization to import certain food products, i.e. not-
fat dry milk (HS 0402.10.30; 0402.10.90), soybeans 
(HS 1201.00.10; 1201.00.90), soybean meal (HS 
2304.00.00), and potatoes (HS 0701.10.00;  0701.90.00), on top of implemented tariff  quota at 
lower in-quota tariff rates. Quota allocation for these 
products based on "licensing on demand"  Permanent Delegation of 
Thailand to the WTO (21 
May 2012) Effective 1 
January 2012 
Trinidad and Tobago Termination on 13 December 2011 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of portland grey cement (HS 2523) 
from Thailand (imposed on 2 March 2000)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/TTO, 22 
February 2012   
Turkey Initiation on 29 November 2011 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of vulcanized rubber thread 
and cord  (HS 4007.00) from Thailand WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/TUR, 
22 March 2012   
Turkey Termination on 21 December 2011 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of polyester textured yarn (HS 
5402.33) from Korea, Rep. of (imposed on 27 June 
2000)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/TUR, 
22 March 2012   
  Annex 1 (cont'd) WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 72  
 
Country/ 
Member State  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
Turkey Increase of import tariffs (from zero to 35%) on 
hydrogenated palm oil and pa lm seed oil for technical 
and industrial uses (HS 1516.20.98) Permanent Delegation of 
Turkey to the WTO (26 April 2012)  Effective 1 
January 2012 
Turkey Elimination of import tariffs on certain products, i.e. 
(from 135%) bovine animals (HS 0102.29.59; 
0102.29.99); (from 30%) desiccated coconut (HS 0801.11); (from 10%) soya-bean oil (HS 1507.10.10); 
(from 46.8%) coconut oil (HS 1516.20.98); and (from 
135%) glucose and glucose syrup (HS 1702.30.50)  Permanent Delegation of 
Turkey to the WTO (9 
May 2012)  Effective 1 
January 2012 
Turkey Reduction of import tariffs on certain products, i.e. 
(from 23.4% to 10%) sesamum seeds (HS 1207.40.90); (from 30% to 20%) maize (HS 1005.90); and (from 19.5% to 5%) soya-bean oil (HS 1507.90.10); (from 
58.5% to 20%) tropical nuts,  mixtures containing 50% 
or more by weight of tropical nuts and tropical fruits (HS 2008.19.11) Permanent Delegation of 
Turkey to the WTO (9 May 2012)  Effective 1 
January 2012 
Turkey Initiation on 31 January 2012 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of granite (HS 6802.23; 6802.93) from India Permanent Delegation of 
Turkey to the WTO (26 April 2012)    
Turkey Increase of import tariffs (from zero to 15%) on bovine 
animals (HS 0102.29.59) Permanent Delegation of 
Turkey to the WTO (26 
April 2012)  Effective 6 
March 2012 
Turkey Initiation on 20 March 2012 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of electric storage water heaters (HS 8516.10.80) from China, Italy, and Serbia Permanent Delegation of 
Turkey to the WTO (26 April 2012)    
Turkey Termination on 21 March 2012 of anti-dumping duties 
on imports of monoethylene glycol (MEG) 
(HS 2905.31) from  Saudi Arabia (investigation 
initiated on 26 December 2008, and definitive duty imposed on 2 May 2010)   WTO document 
G/ADP/N/202/TUR, 
6 August 2010 and 
Permanent Delegation of Turkey to the WTO (9 
May 2012)    
Turkey Increase of import tariffs (from 1% to 5%) on certain 
food products, i.e. potatoes seed (HS 0701.10); rice for sowing (HS 1006.10.10); melon seeds (HS 1207.70); sugar beet seeds (HS 1209.10); and vegetable seeds 
(HS 1209.91.80) 
 Permanent Delegation of 
Turkey to the WTO (26 April 2012)  Effective 22 
March 2012 
Turkey Initiation on 19 April 2012 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 China and Chinese Taipei Permanent Delegation of 
Turkey to the WTO (9 
May 2012)    
Ukraine Termination on 28 December 2011 (without measure) 
of safeguard investigation on imports of certain 
products of crude oil processing (gasoline of the brand A-76 (A-80), A-92, A-95, diesel oil, heating oil, 
condensed gas, road bitumen, machine oil) (HS 
2710.11.41; 2710.11.45; 2710.19.31; 2710.19.41; 2710.19.45; 2710.19.49; 2710.19.61; 2710.19.63; 
2710.19.65; 2710.19.69; 2710.19.49; 2710.19.51; 
2710.19.61; 2710.19.81; 2711.12.94; 2711.12.97; 2711.13.10; 2711.13.97, 2711.14.00; 2711.19.00; 
2713.20.00) (initiate d on 29 January 2011) 
 WTO documents 
G/SG/N/6/UKR/8, 13 
April 2011 and G/SG/N/9/UKR/6, 9 
January 2012   
Ukraine Reduction of import tariffs (from 7% and 6%) on 
certain cars, motor vehicles, and boats (HS 8703.23.11; 
8703.24.10)  Permanent Delegation of 
Ukraine to the United 
Nations (16 May 2011) Effective 1 
January 2012 
Ukraine Elimination of export tariffs for ba rley (HS 1003.00.90)  Permanent Delegation of 
Ukraine to the United Nations (21 May 2012) Effective 1 
January 2012 
  Annex 1 (cont'd) WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 73 
 
 
Country/ 
Member State  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
Ukraine Initiation on 27 January 2012 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of citric acid  (HS 2918.14.00) from China   Permanent Delegation of 
Ukraine to the United Nations (21 May 2012)   
United States Termination on 28 October 2011 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of diamond sawblades and parts 
thereof (HS 8202.39; 8206.00) from Korea, Rep. of (imposed on 4 November 2009)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/USA, 3 
April 2012 and Permanent Delegation of the United 
States to the WTO (9 May 
2012)  US Court of 
International 
Trade enjoined revocation of the 
order, while an 
appeal is on going 
United States Initiation on 16 November 2011 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells and modules (HS 8501.61.00; 
8507.20.80; 8541.40.60) from China 
 WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/USA, 3 April 2012   
United States Initiation on 16 November 2011 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of crystalline silicon 
photovoltaic cells and modules (HS 8501.61.00; 8507.20.80; 8541.40.60) from China WTO document 
G/SCM/N/235/USA, 4 
April 2012 and Permanent Delegation of the United 
States to the WTO (9 May 
2012)  Provisional duty 
imposed on 19 
March 2012 
United States Initiation on 22 November 2011 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of circular welded carbon-
quality steel pipe (HS 7306.19;  7306.30; 7306.50) from 
India, Oman, United Arab Emirates, and Viet Nam WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/USA, 3 
April 2012   
United States Initiation on 22 November 2011 of  countervailing 
investigation on imports of circular welded carbon-
quality steel pipe (HS 7306.19;  7306.30; 7306.50) from 
India, Oman, United Arab Emirates, and Viet Nam WTO document 
G/SCM/N/235/USA, 4 
April 2012 and Permanent 
Delegation of the United States to the WTO (9 May 2012)  Provisional duty 
imposed on 30 
March 2012 for 
imports from India and Viet Nam 
United States Termination on 1 December 2011 of anti-dumping 
duties on imports of stainle ss steel sheet and strip in 
coils (HS 7219.13; 7219.14; 7219.32; 7219.33; 
7219.34; 7219.35; 7219.90; 7220.12; 7220.20; 7220.20.90) from Korea, Rep. of (imposed on 21 May 
1999)  
 WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/USA, 3 
April 2012   
United States Termination on 4 January 2012 (revocation of order 
pursuant to determination in sunset review, retroactive 
to 2010) of anti-dumping duties on imports of certain cut-to-length carbon-quality steel plate (HS 7208.40; 
7208.51; 7208.52; 7208.53; 7208.90; 7210.70; 7210.90; 
7211.13; 7211.14; 7211.90; 7212.40; 7212.50; 7225.40; 7225.50; 7225.99; 7226.91; 7226.99) from Italy and 
Japan (imposed on 10 February 2000)  WTO document 
G/ADP/N/223/USA, 3 
April 2012   
United States Termination on 4 January 2012 (revocation of order 
pursuant to determination in sunset review, retroactive 
to 2010) of countervailing du ties on imports of certain 
cut-to-length carbon-quality steel plate (HS 7208.40; 
7208.51; 7208.52; 7208.53; 7208.90; 7210.70; 7210.90; 7211.13; 7211.14; 7211.90; 7212.40; 7212.50; 7225.40; 
7225.50; 7225.99; 7226.91; 7226.99) from Italy 
(imposed on 10 February 2000)  WTO document 
G/SCM/N/235/USA, 4 April 2012   
  Annex 1 (cont'd) 
   WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 74  
 
Country/ 
Member State  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
United States Elimination of import  tariffs on pure ethanol (minimum 
190 proof) Permanent Delegation of 
the United States to the 
WTO (9 May 2012)  Effective 1 
January 2012 
United States Initiation on 24 January 2012 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of wind towers or sections thereof, whether assembled or unassembled, and 
designed to support the nacelle and rotor blades for use 
in wind turbines with minimum rated electrical power generation capacities in excess of 100 kilowatts (HS 
7308.20.00; 8502.31.00) from China and Viet Nam Permanent Delegation of 
the United States to the 
WTO (9 May 2012)    
United States Initiation on 24 January 2012 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of wind towers or sections thereof, whether assembled or unassembled, and 
designed to support the nacelle and rotor blades for use 
in wind turbines with minimum rated electrical power generation capacities in excess of 100 kilowatts (HS 
7308.20.00; 8502.31.00) from China  Permanent Delegation of 
the United States to the 
WTO (9 May 2012)    
United States Initiation on 25 January 2012 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of steel wire garment hangers, 
fabricated from carbon steel wire, whether or not 
galvanized or painted, whether or not coated with latex 
or epoxy or similar gripping materials, and/or whether 
or not fashioned with paper covers or capes (with or 
without printing) and/or nonslip features such as 
saddles or tubes (HS 7323.99.90; 7326.20.00) from Chinese Taipei and Viet Nam 
 Permanent Delegation of 
the United States to the 
WTO (9 May 2012)    
United States Initiation on 25 January 2012 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of steel wire garment hangers, 
fabricated from carbon steel wire, whether or not 
galvanized or painted, whether or not coated with latex or epoxy or similar gripping materials, and/or whether 
or not fashioned with paper covers or capes (with or 
without printing) and/or nonslip features such as saddles or tubes (HS 7323.99.90; 7326.20.00) from 
Viet Nam  
 Permanent Delegation of 
the United States to the 
WTO (9 May 2012)    
United States Initiation on 26 January 2012 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of large residential washers 
(HS 8450.11.00; 8450.20.00; 8450.90.20; 8450.90.60) 
from Korea, Rep. of and Mexico  Permanent Delegation of 
the United States to the 
WTO (9 May 2012)    
United States Initiation on 26 January 2012 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of  large residential washers 
(HS 8450.11.00; 8450.20.00; 8450.90.20; 8450.90.60) 
from Korea, Rep. of Permanent Delegation of 
the United States to the 
WTO (9 May 2012)    
United States Termination on 2 March 2012 of anti-dumping duties 
on imports of fresh and ch illed Atlantic salmon (HS 
0302.12) from Norway (imposed on 12 April 1991)  Permanent Delegation of 
the United States to the 
WTO (9 May 2012)    
United States Termination on 2 Ma rch 2012 of countervailing duties 
on imports of fresh and ch illed Atlantic salmon (HS 
0302.12) from Norway (imposed on 12 April 1991) 
(order has been revoked effective 13 February 2011) Permanent Delegation of 
the United States to the 
WTO (9 May 2012)    
United States Interagency Trade En forcement Centre (ITEC) created 
for stricter enforcement of trade deals and targeting unfair trading practices Permanent Delegation of 
the United States to the 
WTO (9 May 2012)  Executive order 
signed on 28 February 2012, 
and published on 
5 March 2012 
  Annex 1 (cont'd) WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 75 
 
 
Country/ 
Member State  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
United States Amendments to Section 701 of the Tariff Act of 1930 
(19 U.S.C 1671) clarifying th at the countervailing duty 
law can be applied to subsidized goods from non-
market economy countries, and that the Department of 
Commerce can adjust anti-dumping duties applied to goods from non-market economy countries when 
countervailing duties are applied to the same good 
 PL 112-99 (13 March 
2012) and Legislation H.R. 4105 "Enrolled Bill" (7 
March 2012)   
United States Initiation on 27 March 2012 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of drawn stainless steel sinks 
(HS 7324.10) from China  Permanent Delegation of 
the United States to the 
WTO (9 May 2012)    
United States Initiation on 27 March 2012 of countervailing 
investigation on imports of drawn stainless steel sinks 
(HS 7324.10) from China  Permanent Delegation of 
the United States to the 
WTO (9 May 2012)    
United States Termination on 20 April 2012 of anti-dumping duties 
on imports of orange juice (HS 2009.11; 2009.12) from 
Brazil (imposed on 9 March 2006)  Permanent Delegation of 
the United States to the 
WTO (9 May 2012)  
  
Venezuela (Bolivarian Rep. of) Temporary elimination of import tariffs on 27 food 
tariff lines, i.e. live bovine animals (HS 0102.10.00); 
meat of bovine animals, fr esh, chilled or frozen (HS 
0201.10.00; 0201.30.00; 0202.10.00; 0202.30.00); milk and cream (HS 0402.21.19); dried leguminous 
vegetables (HS  0713.10.90; 0713.33.91; 0713.40.90); 
wheat and meslin (HS 1001.10.90; 1001.90.20); maize (corn) (HS 1005.10.00); soya beans (HS 1201.00.10); 
sunflower seeds (HS 1206.00.10); oil seeds and 
oleaginous fruits (HS 1207.10.10; 1207.20.10); vegetable seeds (HS 1209.91.10; 1209.91.20; 
1209.91.30; 1209.91.40; 1209.91.50; 1209.91.90); 
preparations for infant use (HS 1901.10.10); and food preparations (HS 2106.10.10; 2106.10.20; 2106.90.90)   Resolución Ministerios del 
Poder Popular para la 
Agricultura y Tierras, de 
Planificación y Finanzas, para la Alimentación y 
para el Comercio. Gaceta 
Oficial No. 39.882 (13 March 2012) Effective 4 
March 2012 to 4 
March 2013 
Venezuela (Bolivarian Rep. of) Temporary elimination of import tariffs and other 
customs duty ( tasa por servicio de aduana ) on certain 
products for medical and surgical purposes,  from 
specified origins. Imports al so exempted from the value 
added tax  
 Decreto No. 8847 -  Gaceta 
Oficial No. 39.882 (13 
March 2012)   
Viet Nam Reduction of import tariffs (from 40% to 35%) on beer 
(HS 2203.00.10; 2203.00.90) Permanent Delegation of 
Viet Nam to the WTO (2 
November 2011) Effective 1 
January 2012 
Viet Nam Import quotas for tobacco material Permanent Delegation of 
Viet Nam to the WTO (7 
May 2012)    
Viet Nam Additional procedures requiring that importers of 
certain motor vehicles (up to 9 seats) present an 
affidavit establishing their commercial status (i.e. importer, distributor) 
 Permanent Delegation of 
Viet Nam to the WTO (7 
May 2012)    
  Annex 1 (cont'd) 
 
    
        
 WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 76  
 
NON-VERIFIED INFORMATION   
  
Country/ 
Member State Measure Source/Date Status 
Egypt Temporary export ban (originally implemented in 
2008) on rice implemented on a permanent basis  Grain Market Report GMR 
No. 416 (27 October 2011) 
and WTO document 
WT/TPR/OV/14, 21 November 2011   
Egypt On 25 October 2011 an import ban on cotton was 
implemented. On 22 Novemb er 2011, it was partially 
lifted for imports of cotton to be used in the 
manufacturing of products for export. On 18 March 
2012, the ban was totally lifted  USTR, 2012 National 
Trade Estimate Report on 
Foreign Trade Barriers 
(NTE) (March 2012)   
Egypt Extension of the export tariffs (LE 150/tonne 
(US$24.8/tonne))  on blocks of raw marble and granite 
(HS 2515.11; 2516.11) (originally implemented since 13 June 2011) Press reports referring to 
Ministerial Decree 
707/2011 and WTO 
document 
WT/TPR/OV/14, 21 
November 2011 Effective until 
12 December 
2012 
Egypt Elimination of import tariffs on raw sugar Press reports referring to 
Ministerial Decree 
165/2012 Effective 31 
December 2012 
Ethiopia Export ban on raw and semi-processed hides and skins  USTR, 2012 National 
Trade Estimate Report on 
Foreign Trade Barriers 
(NTE) (March 2012)   
Israel Further amendments to the import car scheme allowing 
imports of vehicles mee ting US Standards including 
those made by non NAFTA Members   Bloomberg BNA (29 
February 2012)   
Kazakhstan Temporary export ba n on vegetable oil  (HS 1512) Press reports  referring to 
Customs Union Decision 
No. 822 (18 October 2011)   
Kazakhstan New government proc urement requirements granting 
preferential treatment for tenders that include a 
significant percentage of locally produced goods and services. To qualify for preferential treatment a 
certificate from the Ministry of Industry and New 
Technologies stipulating the "extent" of its local content is required USTR, 2012 National 
Trade Estimate Report on 
Foreign Trade Barriers 
(NTE) (March 2012)   
Kazakhstan Extension of the tem porary export prohibition on light 
distillates (HS 2710.19.21; 2710.19.25) (originally 
effective from 30 October 2010 to 6 May 2011) Press reports and WTO 
document 
WT/TPR/OV/14, 21 November 2011 
 Effective until 1 
July 2012 
Kazakhstan Establishment of a duty-free import quota (434,737 
tonnes) on raw cane sugar with no artificial flavours or 
colours 
 Press reports (26 January 
2012) Effective 27 
January 2012 
Kuwait Termination in December 2011of the import ban on 
live birds, hatching eggs  originating from US State of 
Minnesota.  Termination on 10 January 2012 of the import ban on frozen and chilled poultry from the 
United States (imposed in June 2011) USTR, 2012 National 
Trade Estimate Report on 
Foreign Trade Barriers 
(NTE) (March 2012)   
  Annex 1 (cont'd) 
   WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 77 
 
 
Morocco Temporary elimination of import tariffs on durum Grain Market Report GMR 
No. 416 (27 October 2011)  Effective until 
31 December 
2011 
Morocco Additional extension of the temporary elimination of 
import tariffs on soft wheat and hard wheat (originally 
effective from 1 October 2011 to 31 December 2011) WTO document 
WT/TPR/OV/14, 21 
November 2011 and Press reports referring to Decree 
No. 2-12-72 (23 February 
2012)  Effective until 
30 April 2012 
Myanmar Scheme granting import permits for cars  (built no 
earlier than 1995) in  exchange of a car older than 30 
years 
 Reuters (25 November 
2011) Effective 19 
September 2011 
Nepal Nepal Department of Customs to revise the reference 
price of 200 items, i.e. garments, dry food, pvc 
flooring, plywood, rice, foodstuffs, and cosmetics  The Kathmandu Post (13 
January 2012)   
Pakistan Reduction of import tariffs ( regulatory duties ) on 388 
essential and luxury items, i.e. cosmetics, domestic 
appliances, food, cigarettes USTR, 2012 National 
Trade Estimate Report on 
Foreign Trade Barriers 
(NTE) (March 2012)   
Panama Increase of import tariffs on certain electric and/or 
hybrid vehicles (from zero to 5%)  Economist Intelligence 
Unit - NewsWire (7 
November 2011)   
Sri Lanka Government's 2012 Budget promoting import 
substitution industries and investment incentives for selected sectors identified as "strategic import 
replacement enterprises" USTR, 2012 National 
Trade Estimate Report on 
Foreign Trade Barriers 
(NTE) (March 2012)   
Sri Lanka Ad valorem  import tariffs for certain products, i.e. 
textiles and fruits were replaced by specific tariffs, 
resulting in an increase of tariff levels USTR, 2012 National 
Trade Estimate Report on 
Foreign Trade Barriers 
(NTE) (March 2012)   
Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) levy "cess" (from 
10% to 35%) levied on imports of "non-essential" products. On top of the EDB, certain food products, i.e. 
biscuits, butter, cheese, dairy are subject to specific 
duties (locally-manufactured goods are not subjected to the EDB)   USTR, 2012 National 
Trade Estimate Report on 
Foreign Trade Barriers 
(NTE) (March 2012)   
Sri Lanka Imports of textiles and apparel levied with a specific 
tax of SL Rs 75/kg (US$0.58/kg), for items not to be used by the apparel export industry  USTR, 2012 National 
Trade Estimate Report on 
Foreign Trade Barriers 
(NTE) (March 2012)   
Uruguay Introduction of export tax (0.21%) on certain products, 
i.e. meat , wool, and dairy products  El País Digital (16 
November 2011)   
Venezuela (Bolivarian Rep. of) Law of Fair Cost and Prices regulating the prices of 
locally and imported goods and services USTR, 2012 National 
Trade Estimate Report on 
Foreign Trade Barriers 
(NTE) (March 2012) Effective 22 
November 2011 
(promulgated in 14 July 2011)  
Viet Nam Proposed reduction of export tariffs on certain products, 
i.e. coal, processed limestone (from 17% to 14%)   Asia Pulse (1 November 
2011)   
Viet Nam Proposed reduction of import tariffs on 1,000 items, i.e. 
meat and by-products   Asia Pulse (1 November 
2011)   
Viet Nam Import quota  on salt fixed at 102,000 tonnes  for the 
year 2012  Vietnam News Summary 
(27 February 2012) 
  
 
   WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 79 
 
 
 
ANNEX 2 
 
General Economic Stimulus Measures1 
(Mid October 2011 - mid May 2012) 
 
 
VERIFIED INFORMATION 
       
Country/ 
Member State  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
Argentina Fleet Renewable Scheme ( Programa de Financiamiento para 
la Ampliación y Renovación de Flota del Transporte Automotor de Cargas ), through Banco de la Nación 
Argentina , granting preferential credit line to purchase  trucks 
and lorries   Permanent Delegation 
of Argentina to the WTO (10 May 2012)  
  
Australia State and Federal aid ($A 275 million (US$271 million)) for 
car manufacturer GM Holden for the manufacture of two next-generation models Permanent Delegation 
of Australia to the WTO (11 May 2012)    
Bolivia (Plurinational State 
of) State aid through targeted credits for agricultural production 
and export Decreto Supremo No. 
1163 (14 March 2012)   
Brazil Export credit insurance scheme ( Seguro de Crédito à 
Exportação-SCE ) for micro and SMEs with a gross income of 
up to R$90 million (US$44.8 milli on) and  annual exports up 
to US$1 million (previous year figures)  Camex Resolution 
No. 20 (4 April 2012)   
Brazil Export credit scheme (up to US$50,000) ( Programa de 
Financiamento às Exportaç ões -PROEX ) for enterprises with 
a gross income of up to R$3.6 million (US$1.8 million). Certain flexibilities on type of warranties accepted by banking 
institutions introduced   Camex Resolution 
No. 21 (4 April 2012)   
Brazil Government incentives to specific sectors, i.e. 
telecommunications, computers, semiconductors, including 
extension of tax breaks for certain products, e.g. stoves, 
refrigerators, freezers, washi ng machines, furniture, laminated 
plastic PET, wallpaper, light fixtures, and chandeliers Provisional Executive 
Order No. 563 (3 
April 2012) and 
Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(15 May 2012)  Effective 3 April 
2012 to 30 June 
2012 
Annex 2 (cont'd) 
                                                      
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 referred to with the provisions of any 
WTO agreement or such measure's impact on, or relationship with, the global financial crisis. WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 80  
 
Country/ 
Member State  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
Brazil The Incentive Programme for Technological Innovation and 
Consolidation of the Productive Chain of Motor Vehicles 
(INOVAR-AUTO) was created by Provisional Executive 
Order No. 563 and partially regulated by Executive Decree No. 7716, both dated 3 April 2012. The Programme aims at 
supporting technological develo pment, innovation, safety, 
environmental protection, energy efficiency and quality of cars, trucks, buses and auto parts. The companies qualified may benefit from tax credits (IPI) based on expenses incurred 
in the country in each calendar quarter. Such expenses must 
be related to: (i) research; (ii) technological development; (iii) technological innovation; (iv) strategic raw materials; (v) 
tooling; (vi) collections to the National Fund for Scientific 
and Technological Development - FNDCT - as provided for in regulations, and (vii) capacity-building of providers. 
Automobile manufacturers must meet at least 3 of the 
following 4 criteria to be eligible for the new industrial and trade regime: (i) investing a specified share of gross revenue 
in research and development; (ii) investing a proportion of 
revenue in engineering; (iii)  having some production steps 
onshore; and (iv) carrying out en ergy-efficiency evaluations  Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(15 May 2012) and 
Decree No. 7.716 (3 April 2012)   
Brazil Complementary measures to Plano Brasil Maior I , including 
a series of fiscal incentives such as national preference in 
public procurement, more fl exibility on trade financing, 
incentives for IT industry, and tougher enforcement of trade 
regulations against unfair trade practices. New support 
programme through BNDES for preferential loans to foster local production and technological innovation Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(15 May 2012)    
China Termination on 31 December 2011 of 2 government support 
programmes encouraging the purchase of efficient vehicles ("Automobiles Going to the Countryside" and "Old for New 
Automobiles") Permanent Delegation 
of China to the WTO (25 April 2012)    
EU       
Denmark Large growth guarantee scheme (global budget DKr 75 
million (US$12.9 million)), extension of aid element calculation methodology in guarantees for SMEs Public information 
available on the European 
Commission's website 
transmitted by the EU Delegation. EU State 
Aid SA. 33810 (11/N) 
(6 January 2012) Effective until 31 
December 2015 
Denmark Extension of the export credit financing scheme (overall 
budget DKr 20 billion (US$3.4 billion)) Public information 
available on the European 
Commission's website 
transmitted by the EU Delegation. EU State 
Aid SA. 33844 (11/N) 
(11 January 2012) Effective until 31 
December 2015 
Germany Rescue aid scheme (€5.046 million (US$6.4 million)) for 
manufacturing industry ( Rettungsbeihilfe an Odersun AG ) Public information 
available on the European 
Commission's website 
transmitted by the EU Delegation. EU State 
Aid SA. 34143 (11/N) 
(7 February 2012)  Effective 7 
February 2012 to 9 August 2012 
Annex 2 (cont'd) WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 81 
 
 
Country/ 
Member State  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
Germany Extension of interest make-up scheme "CIRR" (€2.295 
million (US$2.9 million)) for ship financing Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's website transmitted by the EU 
Delegation. EU State 
Aid SA. 34067 (11/N) (8 February 2012)  Effective 2 
January 2012 to 
31 December 
2013 
Greece Extension of the temporary guarantee scheme to support 
access to finance through loan guarantees Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's website transmitted by the EU 
Delegation (25 April 
2012) Effective 1 
January 2012 to 
31 March 2012 
Greece Aid scheme (€52 million (US $66 million)) through direct 
grant for post and telecommunications EU State Aid SA. 
32562 (11/N) (25 
January 2012)    
Greece Aid scheme (€25.14 million (U S$32 million)) through direct 
grant for air transport  EU State Aid NN 
26/09 (18 February 
2012)   
Italy Aid scheme (€94 million (US$120 million)) through soft loan 
to AgustaWestland SpA for the development of medium-sized 
helicopters (AW 169) Public information 
available on the 
European Commission's website 
transmitted by the EU 
Delegation. EU State Aid SA. 33731 (11/N) 
(7 March 2012)   
Netherlands Aid scheme for shipbuild ing EU State Aid SA. 
33051 (11/N) (25 
January 2012)  Effective 1 
January 2009 to 
1 January 2020 
Poland State aid (Zl 5.28 million (U S$1.6 million)) (October 2011) 
and (Zl 3.65 million (US$1.1 million)) (December 2011), in 
the form of equity interv ention to transport firms  Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's website transmitted by the EU 
Delegation. EU State 
Aids SA. 32612 (11/N) (19 October 2011) and  SA. 33042 
(11/N) (7 December 
2011)  Effective 
October 2011 to 
December 2015 
Annex 2 (cont'd) 
 
 
 
 WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 82  
 
Country/ 
Member State  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
Poland State aid in the form of guarantees for export and 
"internationalization" Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's website transmitted by the EU 
Delegation. EU State 
Aid SA. 33422 (11/N) (20 December 2011)  Effective 1 
January 2012 to 
31 December 
2016 
Portugal Aid scheme (overall budget €13 7.3 million (US$175 million)) 
(sistema de incentivos a revitalização e modernização do 
tecido empresarial "SIRME" ) EU State Aid SA. 
32012 (10/N) (16 
November 2011)  Effective 16 
November 2011 
to 31 October 
2012 
United Kingdom National Loan Guarantee Scheme (£20 billion (US$31.6 
billion)) granting issuance of unsecured debt to reduce the 
cost of finance for SMEs Public information 
available on the 
European Commission's website transmitted by the EU 
Delegation (25 April 
2012)   
Hong Kong, China Budget measures (HK$80 billion (US$10.3 billion)) through 
concessionary revenue measures , financing guarantee scheme, 
and subsidies Permanent Delegation 
of Hong Kong, China to the WTO (21 May 
2012)   
India New telecoms regulation which includes (among others) 
provisions to: (i) promote i ndigenous R&D, innovation and 
manufacturing that serve domestic and foreign markets; and 
(ii) create a fund to promote indigenous R&D, IPR creation, 
entrepreneurship, manufacturing, commercialising and 
deployment of state-of-the-art telecom products and services Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO (10 May 2012) 
referring to Draft 
National Telecom Policy released by the 
Press Information 
Bureau Announced on 
10 October 2011 
Korea, Rep. of Government support for first-time exporters and domestic 
firms with insufficient experience in exports with a view to 
increasing the number of export-oriented SMEs. For example, 
trade insurance contract limit for SMEs increased (from W 19 
trillion  to W 22 trillion (from US$16.2 billion to US$18.7 
billion))  for the year 2012 Permanent Delegation 
of Korea to the WTO (10 May 2012) During the first 
quarter of 2012, contract limit 
disbursed 
amounted W 4.5 trillion (US$3.8 
billion)  
Russian Federation Additional financial aid (R ub 6 billion (US$192.6 million)) 
for development of pig meat processing Permanent Delegation 
of  the Russian Federation to the 
United Nations (14 
May 2012)   
Russian Federation Government progr amme (total budget Rub 3,700 billion 
(US$118.8 billion)) for development of coal industry until 
2030. Rub 250 billion (US$8 billion) to be financed by the Government and the rest by priv ate investments. State finance 
allocated to: restructuring of the coal industry (Rub 31.1 
billion (US$998 million)), deve lopment of transportation 
infrastructure (Rub 195.5 b illion (US$6.2 billion)), and 
prevention of emergency s ituations (Rub 12.8 billion 
(US$410.8 million)) Permanent Delegation 
of  the Russian 
Federation to the United Nations (14 May 2012)   
South Africa Stimulus Package (R 3.2 billion (US$384.8 million)) over 6 
years, for industrial development Permanent Delegation 
of South Africa to the 
WTO (15 May 2012)    
Annex 2 (cont'd) 
 WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 83 
 
 
Country/ 
Member State  
Measure  
Source/Date  
Status 
South Africa New implementation phase  of the Second Industrial Policy 
Action Plan (released in March 2012) providing grant finance 
to a number of sectors, tax breaks, and capital investment Permanent Delegation 
of South Africa to the 
WTO (15 May 2012)    
Switzerland Cantonal income support for dairy producers in the Canton of 
Valais (Sw F 900,000 (US$957,040) for year 2011)  Permanent Delegation 
of Switzerland to the 
WTO (24 April 2012)   
Separate Customs Territory 
of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen 
and Matsu Temporary incentive (NT$2,000 (US$67.8)) for the purchase 
of air conditioners, refrigerators, and washing machines 
complying with Energy Efficiency Rating Class 1 or 2 Permanent Delegation 
of the Separate 
Customs Territory of 
Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu  to 
the WTO (21 May 
2012) Effective 1 
January 2012 to 
31 March 2012 
Thailand Extension of the "Rice mortgage scheme"  for rice WTO document 
WT/TPR/OV/14, 21 
November 2011 and Permanent Delegation 
of Thailand to the 
WTO (26 April 2012) For in-season 
rice effective 7 
October 2011 to 29 February 
2012 (except for 
the Southern region effective 
1 February 2012 
to 31 July 2012); and for off-
season rice 
effective 1 March 2012 to 
15 September 
2012 (except for the Southern 
region effective 
1 July 2012 to 31 October 2012) 
Thailand "Cassava mortgage scheme" for production year 2011-12 Permanent Delegation 
of Thailand to the 
WTO (26 April 2012) Effective 1 
February 2012 to 
31 May 2012 
Trinidad and Tobago Fair Share Programme for Micro and Small Enterprises 
(MSEs) with the aim of increasing access to public 
procurement opportunities for qualifying  MSEs and co-
operatives. The programme also aims to promote MSEs' capacity building through  training and development   Permanent Delegation 
of Trinidad and 
Tobago to the WTO 
(23 May 2012)   
United States Trade Adju stment Assistance Legislation PL112-40 extending 
TAA programmes Permanent Delegation 
of  the United States 
to the WTO (9 May 2012)   
United States Expiration of Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit 
"VEETC" (US$0.45/gallon of pure ethanol (minimum 190 
proof)) Permanent Delegation 
of the United States to 
the WTO (9 May 
2012)  Effective 1 
January 2012 
United States Global Credit Express Pilot Loan Programme delivering 
short-term working capital loan s to SMEs.  Loans may not 
exceed (US$500,000) with a fixed-rate financing at a 
relatively low interest cost (f ixed at Commercial Interest 
Reference rate 2.6%) Permanent Delegation 
of the United States to 
the WTO (9 May 
2012)    
Annex 2 (cont'd) 
    WT/TPR/OV/W/6 
Page 84  
 
 
NON-VERIFIED INFORMATION   
  
Country/ 
Member State Measure Source/Date Status 
Bolivia (Plurinational State 
of) Establishment of an internal tax to finance a support fund for 
the dairy sector of Bs 0.1 /litre (US$0.01/litre) on beer and 
from Bs 0.4/litre to Bs 1.3/litre (from US$0.06/litre to 
US$0.19/litre) on imported alcoholic beverages Press reports  
referring to Law No. 
707 (30 November 
2011)   
Côte d'Ivoire Introduction of minimum price guarantees fo r cocoa farmers  Ag ence France Presse 
(2 November 2011)   
Panama Certificate of Promotion of Agricultural Exports CEFA 
programme granting incentives to agricultural exporters to 
reduce packing and transportation costs for specified non-
traditional agricultural products. In 2011, 1,024 certificates 
were issued valued at US$9.7 million USTR, 2012 National 
Trade Estimate Report 
on Foreign Trade 
Barriers (NTE) 
(March 2012)   
 
 
 
__________