trade topics
COVID-19 and world trade
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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On this page:
- Latest news
- Trade forecast
- FAQs
- WTO reports
- Trade and trade-related measures
- WTO members' proposals
- Enquiry points
- WTO members' notifications
- Business/civil society response
- Support for open trade
- Useful links
See also:
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.
Latest news
Trade forecast 2020 (October 2020)
Frequently asked questions: The WTO and COVID-19
WTO reports on COVID-19 and world trade
- Trade in Medical Goods in the Context of Tackling COVID-19
- Annexes (in Excel)
- Download data (including data based on WCO-WHO revised classification)
- Data visualization app
- Transparency — why it matters at times of crisis
- Export prohibitions and restrictions
- The treatment of medical products in regional trade agreements
- E-commerce, trade and the COVID-19 pandemic
- Standards, regulations and COVID-19 — what actions taken by WTO members?
- Trade in services in the context of COVID-19
- Helping MSMEs navigate the COVID-19 crisis (updated on 24 Sept. 2020)
- The COVID-19 pandemic and trade-related developments in LDCs
- The economic impact of COVID-19 on women in vulnerable sectors and economies
- Trade costs in the time of global pandemic
- Cross-border mobility, COVID-19 and global trade
- COVID-19 and agriculture: A story of resilience
- How WTO members have used trade measures to expedite access to COVID-19 critical medical goods and services
- The TRIPS Agreement and COVID-19
COVID-19: Trade and trade-related measures
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.
Useful links
- Agricultural Market Information System
- Consumers International COVID-19
- Enhanced Integrated Framework: COVID-19 and LDCs
- FAO COVID-19
- IATA database of government measures
- IFPRI Food Export Restrictions Tracker
- ILO COVID-19 and the world of work
- Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture COVID-19
- International Civil Aviation Organization COVID-19 airport status
- International Food Policy Research Institute COVID-19
- International Fund for Agricultural Development COVID-19
- International Grains Council (IGC)
- International Road Transport Union COVID-19
- International Trade Centre: COVID-19 and small businesses
- IMF COVID-19
- Logistics Cluster COVID-19: cargo entry points
- OECD COVID-19
- Standards and Trade Development Facility COVID-19
- Trade Facilitation Resource Repository COVID-19
- UN Initiative on Model Provisions for Trade in Times of Crisis
- UNCTAD COVID-19
- UNICEF news and updates on COVID-19
- United Nations COVID-19
- United Nations Economic Commission for Africa COVID-19
- WCO-WHO revised classification for COVID-19 medical supplies
- WHO COVID-19 pandemic
- World Bank COVID-19
- World Customs Organization COVID-19
- World Economic Forum Covid Action Platform
- World Food Programme COVID-19
- World Intellectual Property Organization COVID-19
- World Organisation for Animal Health COVID-19
- World Tourism Organization 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.
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Global business/ civil society response to COVID-19
- Progressive International: “Waiver from certain provisions of the TRIPS Agreement for the prevention, containment and treatment of COVID-19”
- Civil society letter: Supporting proposal by India and South Africa on waiver from certain provisions of the TRIPS Agreement for the prevention, containment and treatment of COVID-19
- International Chemical Trade Association: ICTA call for open chemical trade in response to COVID-19
- Keidanren (Japan Business Federation): Realizing free, open trade and investment under COVID-19
- Business groups: 2020 G20 recommendations for promoting innovation, digital technologies, and trade
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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