COVID-19 and world trade
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The COVID-19 pandemic represents an unprecedented disruption to the global economy and world trade, as production and consumption are scaled back across the globe.
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One of the most effective means of addressing this crisis is through timely, accurate information. An informed public is better positioned to make sound decisions including on questions related to trade. This is why we have created this dedicated page on the WTO website. It will provide up-to-the minute trade-related information including relevant notifications by WTO members, the impact the virus has had on exports and imports and how WTO activities have been affected by the pandemic.
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Trade forecast 2020 (October 2020)
WTO reports on COVID-19 and world trade
COVID-19: Trade and trade-related measures
INFORMATION FOR MEMBERS AND OBSERVERS ONLY”); document.write(“
The tables below have been compiled by the WTO Secretariat. They are informal situation reports and an attempt to provide transparency with respect to trade and trade-related measures taken in the context of the COVID-19 crisis. These tables will be updated regularly by the Secretariat. The Secretariat will seek verification of new measures on an ad hoc basis. In case of any query, please contact the TPRD Monitoring Section at the following contact: tprd-monitoring@wto.org. “); // document.write(“
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The list contains two sections. The first section contains information and measures identified from official sources, for example government and ministry websites and communications. This list is also available on the WTO public website. The second section contains information and measures obtained from other public sources, for example media reports. This list is only available on the Members’ website. Neither section is exhaustive.
In accordance with the long-standing practice of the WTO Trade Monitoring Exercise of verifying information and measures with Members, the WTO Secretariat is seeking verification of the measures identified in the table, including official source, HS Codes, implementation date etc. To this effect, individual emails will be sent out to relevant Members shortly. We encourage Members to promptly provide updated information on these and other measures as appropriate, including through notifications to the relevant WTO Committees.
The below table will be updated regularly and verification will be sought throughout this process.
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The goods table includes two categories of measures. The first category (on a beige background) contains information and measures identified from official sources, for example government and ministry websites and communications. This list is also available on the WTO public website. The second category (on a grey background) contains information and measures obtained from other public sources, for example media reports. This list is only available on the members’ website. Neither section is exhaustive.
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The table below has been compiled by the WTO Secretariat and is an informal situation report and an attempt to provide transparency with respect to measures affecting trade in services taken in the context of the COVID-19 crisis. It does not pass judgment on or questions the right of WTO members to take such actions. The information in this table is not exhaustive and does not include information on general support measures relating to services. Further, the objective of this table is not to list all COVID-related measures taken by governments around the world to limit movement, nor all the measures taken to ease the impact of border restrictions or other limits on movement.
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The information in the services table is not exhaustive and does not include information on general support measures relating to services. Further, the objective of this table is not to list all COVID-related measures taken by governments around the world to limit movement, nor all the measures taken to ease the impact of border restrictions or other limits on movement.
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This non-exhaustive list of intellectual property measures has been compiled by the WTO Secretariat from official sources. It represents an informal situation report and an attempt to provide transparency with respect to measures related to intellectual property rights (IPRs) taken in the context of the COVID-19 crisis. For detailed information regarding each measure, please visit the respective official source.
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The below list has been compiled by the WTO Secretariat from official sources. It is not exhaustive. The list and the information contained therein is an informal situation report and an attempt to provide transparency with respect to trade and trade-related measures taken in the context of the COVID-19 crisis.
“); // document.write(“
The below list has been compiled by the WTO Secretariat from official sources. It is not exhaustive. The list and the information contained therein is an informal situation report and an attempt to provide transparency with respect to trade and trade-related measures taken in the context of the COVID-19 crisis. The list of measures does not pass judgment on or question the right of WTO members to take such actions and it does not alter the current long-standing practice of the WTO Trade Monitoring Exercise of verifying information and measures with members. Members are encouraged to provide updated information on these and other measures as appropriate.
“); document.write(“
The tables below have been compiled by the WTO Secretariat. They are informal situation reports and an attempt to provide transparency with respect to trade and trade-related measures taken in the context of the COVID-19 crisis. These tables will be updated regularly by the Secretariat. The Secretariat will seek verification of new measures on an ad hoc basis. In case of any query, please contact the TPRD Monitoring Section at the following contact: tprd-monitoring@wto.org.”);
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- Goods measures, as of “+(parseInt(updateDateTradeMeasure.substring(3,5))) + ” ” + month_array[parseInt(updateDateTradeMeasure.substring(0,2))] + ” ” + (updateDateTradeMeasure.substring(6,10))+”
- Services measures, as of “+(parseInt(updateDateServicesTradeMeasure.substring(3,5))) + ” ” + month_array[parseInt(updateDateServicesTradeMeasure.substring(0,2))] + ” ” + (updateDateServicesTradeMeasure.substring(6,10))+”
- Intellectual property measures, as of “+(parseInt(updateDateIPTradeMeasure.substring(3,5))) + ” ” + month_array[parseInt(updateDateIPTradeMeasure.substring(0,2))] + ” ” + (updateDateIPTradeMeasure.substring(6,10))+”
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COVID-19: Support measures
The table below lists the support measures taken by WTO members and observers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These measures have been submitted by delegations directly to the WTO Trade Monitoring Section in response to the requests by the Director-General in March 2020 and by Deputy Director-General Agah in September 2020. The list only includes measures communicated by members and observers and features measures only in the original language of the submission. The list is an informal situation report and an attempt to provide transparency with respect to support measures taken in the context of the COVID-19 crisis.
WTO members’ proposals on COVID-19
Latest proposal
Enquiry points
In many areas of trade, WTO members are required to establish or maintain one or more “Enquiry Points” to answer reasonable enquiries of governments, traders and other interested parties and provide relevant documents and information. In emergency situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, access to information on product requirements and certification procedures can be crucial, as it can minimize or avoid delays or rejections at customs points.
WTO members’ notifications on COVID-19
As of , WTO members had submitted a total of related to COVID-19.
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WTO Trade Barometers
The WTO has developed a set of indicators to provide “real-time” information on trends in world trade: the Goods Trade Barometer and the Services Trade Barometer. Both barometers highlight turning points in world trade and are intended to complement conventional trade statistics and forecasts.
Sign up to ePing to receive daily email alerts on evolving product requirements and procedures in response to COVID-19
Global business/ civil society response to COVID-19
Maintaining open trade
It will be up to us to turn this crisis into a historic opportunity that will allow us to definitively transform the economies of our subregion, harmonize and converge our economic and financial systems, and create a regional business fabric capable of competing in the international arena
Leoncio Amada NZE, President for the CEMAC region at the African Energy Chamber
1 June 2020
Specialization and production on a large scale generate significant economic benefits. This is what enables consumers to access sophisticated goods at a low cost. If, however, we backtrack, and build value chains that are less fragmented and more resistant to shocks, then production costs will rise and consumers will foot the bill
Isabelle Méjean, professor at the École polytechnique française
26 May 2020
In a world that is interdependent, a strong system of multilaterally agreed rules lies at the foundation of a stable and predictable system. And in a world during and after COVID-19 where economic challenges seem inevitable, such rules will have an even more crucial role to play
RV Anuradha, specialist in international economic law and policy
19 May 2020
Trade Facilitation and COVID-19: Report on Survey Results
This report compiles the findings of the joint COVID-19 survey carried out by TFAF, ICC and the Alliance.
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