South Africa notified the WTO Committee on Safeguards on 8 June 2026 of a safeguard investigation initiated on 5 June 2026 covering A3 and A4 office paper imported into the Southern African Customs Union. The notification follows standard WTO transparency obligations for safeguard proceedings.
Ministry Archives:Wto
Fish Fund supports Tonga’s first WTO fisheries subsidies notification
Tonga submitted its first-ever fisheries subsidy notification to the WTO under the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies on 3 June 2026, facilitated by the WTO Fish Fund. The notification was prepared during a May workshop in Nuku’alofa as part of a funded project, marking a milestone for Pacific developing nations in implementing the agreement.
WTO Members Discuss Ratification Preparations for E-Commerce Agreement, Targeting Mid-2027 Entry into Force
Over 60 WTO co-sponsors of the E-Commerce Agreement met on 9 June 2026 to advance ratification preparations, targeting mid-2027 entry into force. The ECA constitutes the first global baseline ruleset for digital trade and was adopted under interim arrangements at MC14, pending formal incorporation into the WTO rulebook.
WTO Members Advance Discussions on Key Issues for Unlocking Services Trade
The WTO Council for Trade in Services met June 2-4 to discuss future work areas including e-commerce services, green services economy, and LDC participation in services trade. Members agreed to hold a dedicated workshop on recognition of foreign professionals’ qualifications. Discussions also covered facilitating greater LDC integration into global services trade.
WTO Import Licensing Committee holds experience-sharing session on transparency and notification compliance
The WTO Committee on Import Licensing held its second experience-sharing session on 4 June 2026, with representatives from Cambodia, the EU, Myanmar, Thailand, and the United States presenting practices on notifications, public-private cooperation, and digitalization of licensing procedures. The Committee reviewed recent notifications and addressed 12 specific trade concerns. Focus was on improving transparency and […]
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.