The OECD reports a rise in export restrictions on critical raw materials, posing increasing risks to global supply chains. The report examines specific policy measures affecting the trade of minerals and other inputs essential to clean energy and manufacturing. This is a substantive policy analysis of named trade restrictive measures across multiple countries.
Country/Institution Archives:Int
ASEAN Concludes DEFA Negotiations
ASEAN Senior Economic Officials resolved all outstanding issues in the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) negotiations at the Second Meeting of the 57th SEOM held in Manila on 27-29 May 2026. This marks the conclusion of DEFA negotiations among ASEAN member states. DEFA covers digital trade rules across the region.
WTO Goods Council addresses trade tensions and transparency with 38 specific trade concerns
The WTO Council for Trade in Goods met on 20-21 May 2026, with members addressing 38 specific trade concerns, nine of which were raised for the first time. Delegations discussed growing strain on the rules-based trading system amid escalating trade tensions and compliance challenges. The meeting was chaired by Ambassador Erwin Bollinger of Switzerland.
China requests WTO dispute panel over India’s measures on solar cells and IT goods
At the DSB meeting on 22 May 2026, China requested establishment of a dispute panel to review Indian measures restricting imports of solar cells, solar modules, and information technology goods. The DSB Chair also addressed ongoing WTO dispute settlement reform discussions.
WTO Trade Policy Review: Japan (16th Review, May 2026)
The WTO conducts its sixteenth Trade Policy Review of Japan on 27 and 29 May 2026, based on reports from both the WTO Secretariat and the Government of Japan. The review examines Japan’s trade policies and practices across all sectors.
WTO Agriculture Committee discusses domestic support, El Niño impacts, and Middle East conflict effects
The WTO Committee on Agriculture met on 27-28 May 2026 for its first session since MC14 in Yaoundé, covering farm domestic support and members’ notifications, net food-importing developing country status determinations, and global agricultural forecasts. Members also discussed the trade impacts of El Niño and the Middle East conflict on food markets.
DDG Nordquist calls for urgent action on fisheries subsidies at Monaco Blue Initiative
WTO Deputy Director-General Nordquist urged members to complete acceptance and implementation of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies and advance negotiations on additional disciplines targeting overcapacity and overfishing. She warned that harmful fisheries subsidies undermine ocean sustainability and coastal livelihoods. The remarks were delivered at the Monaco Blue Initiative on 27 May 2026.
New Zealand launches safeguard investigation on certain aluminium extrusions
New Zealand notified the WTO Committee on Safeguards on 27 May 2026 of the initiation of a safeguard investigation on imports of certain aluminium extrusions, effective 28 May 2026. The investigation was formally notified through WTO channels.