At its meeting on 13 October, the World Trade Organization (WTO) Committee on Market Access elected Mr. Gaurav Gupta of India as Chair for the remainder of the 2025-26 period.
Members continued their discussions on supply chain resilience, following a series of experience-sharing sessions. The Chair noted that members emphasized the significance of this issue and acknowledged the Committee's ongoing work. "The next steps would depend on members' guidance and that the Committee would revert to this matter at the next informal meeting," said the Chair.
Australia, New Zealand, Norway, and Switzerland raised concerns about increasing fragmentation in global trade due to rising tariffs and associated costs. These countries expressed worries over instability and uncertainty affecting consumers, workers, and businesses worldwide. They highlighted a lack of transparency in trade arrangements and urged all WTO members to notify any new or amended tariff measures, including preferential ones, to the organization. "They affirmed their commitment to upholding the system of global trade rules and the shared commitment by all members to meaningful WTO reform."
Twelve other members contributed their perspectives during this discussion.
Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, and Peru brought forward an agenda item related to the European Union's Regulation on Deforestation-Free Supply Chains (EUDR). They argued that it functions as a quantitative restriction on imports that should be reported to the Committee. The EU responded: "The EUDR is not a market access measure, but rather an internal regulation measure designed in line with WTO rules." Four additional members spoke on this topic.
During the meeting, 35 trade concerns were discussed; three were raised for the first time. New issues included tariff rate quotas for certain steel products in Canada; regulations affecting pharmaceutical imports into Indonesia; and tariff rates applied to alcoholic products in Trinidad and Tobago.
The WTO Secretariat presented recent updates to its list of official member websites providing public access to tariff or import data. This latest version features 23 updates and includes five new links for members whose information was previously unavailable.
The Committee also reviewed efforts to improve compliance with notification requirements regarding applied tariffs, import statistics, and quantitative restrictions. The Chair requested that the Secretariat prepare a report summarizing these discussions for submission to the Council on Trade in Goods next month.
An official from the World Customs Organization (WCO) provided an update on organizational restructuring as well as progress relating to the Harmonized System Convention. Technical work has begun for HS2033. The official stated that cooperation between WCO and WTO will be further strengthened in coming months under a memorandum of understanding signed earlier this year. The collaboration underscores how trade policy and customs implementation are closely linked components of global trade.
Several countries—Brazil, India, Republic of Korea, Japan, China, and Chinese Taipei—expressed concern about an EU proposal involving reduced tariff rate quota volumes and higher tariffs on imported steel. They are seeking clarification from the EU regarding consistency with WTO obligations. The EU responded: "The proposed measures were fully compatible with WTO rules (GATT Article XXVIII) and that it was ready to enter into negotiations with affected members."
Russia voiced concern about a UK report concluding renegotiation of its tariff rate quotas following Brexit.
The Secretariat announced updates to the WTO website featuring expanded access to derestricted negotiating materials from previous GATT rounds—including around 1,600 bilateral records such as requests, offers, and agreements foundational to current goods schedules.
The next formal meeting of the Committee is tentatively set for 9-10 March 2026.