WTO News

On 24 April 2026, India notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on 16 March 2026 a safeguard investigation on imports of soda ash.

At a meeting of the Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) on 23-24 April, items discussed by WTO members included technology transfer, digitalization of IP offices, and TRIPS non-violation and situation complaints. In the meeting, chaired by Emmanuelle Ivanov-Durand of France, members were also updated on notifications under various provisions of the TRIPS Agreement, including through the WTO Secretariat's sixth Annual Transparency Report. Mr Alaa Hegazy of Egypt was elected chair for the coming year.

On 23 April 2026, Canada notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on 21 April 2026 a safeguard investigation on imports of certain wood goods.

Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala met with the Chief Executive of Macao, China, Sam Hou Fai on 23 April at the WTO. They discussed the active role Macao, China plays at the WTO and its strong support for the multilateral trading system. As trade openness and transparency are key to Macao, China's strong economic performance, both leaders highlighted the importance of the WTO for supporting the ongoing contribution of Macao, China to the global economy.

Forty-six women-led businesses in Jordan have been selected as beneficiaries of the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund, allowing them to begin a year-long programme to strengthen their participation in international trade. The announcement was made in Amman on 23 April at a launch event hosted by the Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation (JEDCO), WEIDE's partner business support organization in the country.

WTO members examined Aid for Trade flows, the participation of least-developed countries (LDCs) in global trade and capacity-building for developing economies during WTO Development Week held from 20 to 22 April.

Speaking at a meeting of the Working Party on Ethiopia's accession to the WTO held on 22 and 23 April, Ethiopia's Minister of Trade and Regional Integration and Chief Trade Negotiator, Kassahun Gofe Balami, informed members of several key decisions taken by the Ethiopian Government in response to members' requests. He reported that the negotiations have "reached a decisive juncture" and reiterated Ethiopia's commitment to engage constructively and substantively to advance and finalize the accession process.

WTO Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang opened the WTO's workshop on incentives for technology transfer to least-developed countries (LDCs) on 21 April 2026, drawing attention to the conditions necessary for technology transfer to take root and deliver results in LDCs.

On 17 April 2026, Madagascar notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on 15 April 2026 a safeguard investigation on imports of certain unfermented fruit juices and nectars, and non-alcoholic fruit-flavoured beverages.

On 17 April 2026, Madagascar notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on 15 April 2026 a safeguard investigation on imports of certain tableware, kitchenware, and household and packaging articles, of plastics.

Viet Nam has submitted a request to join the 2015 Expansion of the Information Technology Agreement (ITA II), the Chair of the Committee of Participants on the Expansion of Trade in Information Technology Products, Mr Andrei Rusu of Romania, informed members at a meeting on 15 April. Viet Nam, already a member of the 1996 ITA, which eliminates duties on 203 IT products, intends to submit its draft tariff commitments in due course to cover a further 201 products under the ITA II.

On 15 April 2026, the Philippines notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on 26 March 2026 a safeguard investigation on imports of certain types of rice.

Eligible WTO members now have until 8 May 2026 to submit grant proposals under the WTO Fish Fund's second Call for Proposal, following an extension of the original deadline.

Kazakhstan has requested WTO dispute consultations with Indonesia regarding additional ad valorem import duties on hot-rolled steel coils originating from Kazakhstan. The request was circulated to WTO members on 15 April. This is the first time that Kazakhstan has brought a case as a complainant to the WTO dispute settlement system.

On 13 April 2026, Morocco notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on the same day (i.e. 13 April 2026) a safeguard investigation on imports of certain types of rice.

On 10 April 2026, Zimbabwe notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on 18 July 2025 a safeguard investigation on imports of fibreboards.

On 10 April 2026, Zimbabwe notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on 18 July 2025 a safeguard investigation on imports of doors.

The WTO's 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) concluded early 30 March with ministers adopting a number of decisions as well as making a commitment to continue work in Geneva on key outstanding issues.

The 129 WTO members participating in the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement (IFDA) issued a joint ministerial declaration on 29 March at the end of the 14th Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé, Cameroon. A joint press release by the IFDA co-Coordinators — the Republic of Korea and Chile — is provided below.

Sixty-six members, covering approximately 70% of global trade, have adopted a pathway to bring into force the WTO Agreement on Electronic Commerce through interim arrangements while continuing to work towards its incorporation into the WTO legal framework of rules, co-convenors announced on 28 March at the 14th Ministerial Conference taking place in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The joint press release is below.