The recent discussions at the Subsidies Committee highlighted ongoing concerns about transparency among World Trade Organization (WTO) members. The Chair pointed out that 82 members have not submitted their subsidy notifications for 2023 and 2021, while 72 are yet to submit their 2019 notifications. He urged members to provide these updates promptly, emphasizing the mutual benefits of timely submissions. Eight members supported this call and praised the Secretariat's efforts in aiding the preparation and submission of notifications.
During a special meeting, the Committee reviewed new and full subsidy notifications for 2023 from countries including Albania, Bahrain, Ecuador, India, Kazakhstan, and Montenegro. It also looked into pending notifications from previous cycles, particularly Madagascar's notification from 2019. Continuing its work on current submissions, the Committee examined those from Australia, Brazil, China, Eswatini, Nepal, Norway, Türkiye, the United States, and Vanuatu for 2023. Additionally, it assessed a notification from Russia dating back to 2019.
Legislative updates were evaluated as well. Notifications were reviewed from Armenia, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Russia Federation United Kingdom and United States while continuing reviews included those from the European Union Ghana Kyrgyz Republic Saint Kitts Nevis Solomon Islands.
The semi-annual reports on countervailing duty actions for July to December 2024 were scrutinized with contributions from Australia Brazil Canada China Colombia European Union India Mexico Peru Chinese Taipei Türkiye United States Viet Nam.
Notifications regarding preliminary final countervailing duty actions were also discussed involving Australia Brazil Canada China European Union Mexico United Kingdom United States.
The Chair stressed the importance of regular timely report submissions to maintain transparency effective oversight by committee.
A reminder was issued regarding a past deadline set for eliminating export subsidies by certain members under Article 27.4 of SCM Agreement only fifteen nineteen had provided final required notifications urging others comply without delay.
Updates on GNI per capita calculations showed Senegal graduating Annex VII(b) but Congo Ghana Honduras Kenya Nicaragua Nigeria Pakistan Zimbabwe remained listed until meeting criteria exceeding US$1k constant dollars three consecutive years
Members exchanged views issues such discriminatory subsidies policies measures US sponsored China France electric vehicle program Korea subsidies overcapacity EU Japan UK US sponsoring item
Mr Kazumochi Kometani Japan elected replacing Ms Tomoko Ota Permanent Group Experts
Trial use e-Agenda platform extending two years streamlining procedures uploading delegation statements formal review scheduled spring twenty-seven meeting
Autumn meetings SCM Committee planned week October twenty-five year