WTO members gathered for their latest biannual committee meeting to review safeguard actions, with a particular focus on legislative notifications and specific safeguard actions taken by various countries. Japan and Australia raised concerns over the recent increase in safeguard initiations and impositions, labeling them as inappropriate use of the instrument.
During the meeting, notifications of new or amended national safeguard legislation or regulations from several countries were reviewed. Additionally, specific safeguard actions taken by countries such as Indonesia, Madagascar, Morocco, and Türkiye were highlighted, collectively constituting a significant portion of all safeguard actions discussed.
In specific discussions, Japan expressed concerns regarding safeguard measures implemented by Viet Nam and Indonesia. The European Union and the United Kingdom also provided updates on their safeguard measures on certain steel products, with multiple members engaging in discussions on these topics.
One notable development from the meeting was the update on the creation of an online portal for the submission of safeguard notifications by the WTO Secretariat. The Chair informed participants that the project has progressed to the prototype stage, indicating a step towards streamlining the notification process.
Looking ahead, the Committee on Safeguards scheduled its next meeting for the week of 28 October 2024, maintaining a focus on addressing safeguard actions within the framework of WTO rules.
The gathering served as a platform for members to exchange views on safeguard actions and legislative notifications, reflecting the ongoing efforts to ensure the appropriate use of safeguard measures in international trade.