report (2016) of the council for trade in
goods
In
accordance with the "Procedures for an Annual Overview of
WTO Activities and for Reporting under the WTO" (WT/L/105), the
Council for Trade in Goods (CTG, or the Council) is to report each year to the
General Council on the activities in the Council as well as those in its
subsidiary bodies. The reports are to be "factual in nature, containing an
indication of actions and decisions taken, with cross references to reports of
subordinate bodies and could follow the model of the GATT 1947 Council
reports to the CONTRACTING PARTIES".
Since
its 2015 Annual Report (G/L/1140) was issued, the CTG met four times in formal
session, on the following dates:
15 April 2016 (G/C/M/125); 11 May 2016 (G/C/M/125/Add.1);
14 July 2016 (G/C/M/126); and 17 November 2016 (G/C/M/127[1]).
The
subject matters raised and/or acted upon in the Council were as follows:
1 Election of Chairperson
of the Council for Trade in Goods. 3
2
Appointment of Officers for the subsidiary bodies of the Council. 3
3
Matters of the Committee on Market Access. 4
3.1 Draft decision on the Procedure for the
Introduction of Harmonized System 2017 Changes to Schedules of Concessions
using the Consolidated Tariff Schedules (CTS) database. 4
3.2 Collective waiver requests on the
introduction of the Harmonized System 2002, 2007, 2012, and 2017 4
4
Waivers under Article IX of the WTO Agreement. 4
4.1 Introduction of Harmonized
System 2002 changes into WTO Schedules of Tariff Concessions: 4
4.1.1 Collective request for a waiver
extension (G/C/W/728) 4
4.2 Introduction of Harmonized
System 2007 changes into WTO Schedules of Tariff Concessions: 4
4.2.1 Collective request for a waiver
extension (G/C/W/729) 4
4.3
Introduction of Harmonized System 2012 changes into WTO Schedules of
Tariff Concessions: 4
4.3.1 Collective request for a waiver
(G/C/W/730) 4
4.4
Introduction of Harmonized System 2017 changes into WTO Schedules of Tariff
Concessions 5
4.4.1 Collective
request for a waiver (G/C/W/733 and G/C/W/733/Rev.1) 5
4.5 Jordan – Request for a Waiver Relating
to the Transitional Period for the Elimination of the Export Subsidy Programme
for Jordan (G/C/W/705; G/C/W/705/Corr.1; G/C/W/705/Rev.1; and G/C/W/705/Rev.2) 5
4.6 United States – Request for a Waiver
Extension – Former Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (G/C/W/721) 5
4.7 United States – Request for a Waiver:
Trade Preferences Granted to Nepal (G/C/W/724) 5
4.8 European Union – Request for a Waiver
Extension – Application of Autonomous Preferential Treatment to the Western
Balkans (G/C/W/731) 6
4.9 Cuba – Request for a Waiver Extension –
Article XV:6 of the GATT 1994 contained in the decision of
14 February 2012 (WT/L/850) – (G/C/W/734) 6
5 ENLARGEMENT OF THE
EUROPEAN UNION: PROCEDURES UNDER ARTICLE XXVIII:3 OF GATT 1994 6
5.1 Enlargement of the European Union on
1 July 2013 (G/L/1051/Add.5) 6
5.2 Enlargement of the European Union on
1 July 2013 (G/L/1051/Add.6) 6
6
Accession of the Kyrgyz Republic to the eurasian economic union: procedures
under article XXVIII:3 of gatt 1994. 6
7
Accession of the republic of Armenia to the eurasian economic union: procedures
under article XXVIII:3 of gatt 1994. 7
8
Notification of Regional Trade Agreements. 7
9
Notifications. 7
9.1 Status of notifications under the
provisions of the Agreements in Annex 1A of the WTO Agreement
(G/L/223/Rev.23) 7
10
Russian Federation – trade restricting measures – REQUEST FROM Ukraine (G/C/W/720). 8
11
Indonesia's Import and export Restricting Policies and Practices – Request from
the European Union, Japan, and the United States. 8
12
China – issues related to trade in seafood – request from Norway. 8
13
Nigeria – Import restrictiNG MEASURES. 9
14
Ecuador – import RESTRICTING measures – request from Japan AND THE United
States 9
15
Ukraine – issues related to customs valuation – rEquest from Norway. 9
16
INDIA – IMPORT RESTRICTING MEASURES. 10
17
Pakistan – discriminatory taxes – request from the european union.. 10
18
EUROPEAN UNION – ANTI-DUMPING INVESTIGATION ON IMPORTS OF COLD‑ROLLED FLAT
STEEL PRODUCTS ORIGINATING IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION AND CHINA – REQUEST FROM
THE Russian Federation.. 10
19
SRI LANKA – DAIRY TARIFFS – REQUEST FROM New Zealand.. 10
20
CANADA – WINE RELATED POLICIES AND MEASURES – REQUEST FROM NEW ZEALAND 10
21
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – MEASURES RELATED TO IMPORTS OF FISH AND SEAFOOD
PRODUCTS. 10
22
Croatia – regulation of import and sale of certain oil products – request from
the Russian Federation.. 11
23
China – import tax on personal effects at the border – request from Japan 11
24
Work Programme on Electronic Commerce. 11
25
ISSUES CONSIDERED UNDER AGENDA ITEM "OTHER BUSINESS". 12
25.1 Information about the expiry date of Section 15(a)(ii) of the Protocol on the
Accession of China 12
25.2 United States' Seafood Import
Monitoring Programme. 12
25.3 Russian Federation's Trade Measures
Affecting Ukrainian Transit of Products. 13
25.4 China's Import Tax System on Personal
Effects at the Border – Request from Japan. 13
25.5 Turkey's Measures Regarding Additional
Customs Duties on Imported Tyres – Request from Japan 13
25.6 Members' Notifications – Request from
New Zealand. 13
25.7 Russian Federation's Certification
Requirements for Cement – Request from the European Union 13
26
Consideration of annual reports of subsidiary bodies of the Council for Trade
in Goods. 13
27
Adoption of the Annual Report of the Council for Trade in Goods to the General
Council. 13
1 Election of Chairperson of
the Council for Trade in Goods
1.1. At its meeting of 15 April, the Council elected
Ambassador Hamish McCormick
(Australia) as its Chairperson for 2016.
2.1. At its meeting of 15 April, the Council agreed to
suspend this agenda item in order for the Chair to continue to carry out his
consultations on the nomination of persons to chair the subsidiary bodies of
the Goods Council; it also agreed to reconvene a meeting once the process had
been concluded. On 11 May the Council reconvened its meeting to
conclude this agenda item; took note of the statement made by the outgoing
Chair, and agreed on the nominations of the following persons for election as
Chairpersons of its subsidiary bodies for 2016:
|
Chairpersons of CTG Subsidiary Bodies
|
|
Market Access
|
Ms Hanna Olsen BODSBERG (Norway)
|
|
Agriculture
|
Mr Garth EHRHARDT (Canada)
|
|
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
|
Ms Marcela OTERO (Chile)
|
|
Technical Barriers to Trade
|
Ms Esther PEH (Singapore)
|
|
TRIMs
|
Ms Marine WILLEMETZ (Switzerland)
|
|
Anti‑Dumping Practices
|
Mr Peira SHANNON (Australia)
|
|
Subsidies and Countervailing Measures
|
Mr Jin-dong KIM (Korea)
|
|
Safeguards
|
Mr Yugsong CHEN (China)
|
|
Import Licensing
|
Mr Tapio PYYSALO (Finland)
|
|
Rules of Origin
|
Mr Chin-Tung CHANG (Chinese Taipei)
|
|
Customs Valuation
|
Dr Yasser KORANI (Egypt)
|
|
State Trading Enterprises
|
Ms Yeili RANGEL PEÑARANDA (Colombia)
|
|
Committee of Participants on the Expansion of Trade in Information
Technology Products (ITA Committee)
|
Ms Zsofia TVARUSKO (Hungary)
|
2.2. At the same meeting, the Council
agreed to proceed on the understanding that, as concerns the Vice-Chairpersons, it would be for the subsidiary bodies to decide if they needed a ViceChairperson
in cases where the option existed under the respective Agreement and/or rules
of procedure, and for the respective Chairperson to hold the necessary
consultations.
2.3. The Council also took note of the
statements made by Canada; Chile; Colombia; Ecuador;
the European Union; Mexico; Morocco (on behalf of the African Group); Oman;
Singapore; Sri Lanka (on behalf of the Asian Group); and the United
States.
3.1. At its meeting of 17 November, the Council considered a
draft decision on the Procedure for the Introduction of Harmonized System 2017
Changes to Schedules of Concessions using the Consolidated Tariff Schedules
(CTS) database. The Council approved the
draft decision and agreed that the draft decision (G/C/W/732) be forwarded to
the General Council for adoption.
3.2. At its meeting of 17 November,
the Council considered four collective waiver requests on the introduction of
Harmonized System 2002, 2007, 2012 and 2017 changes into
WTO Schedules of Concessions (see Section 4 below).
4.1. At its meeting of 17 November,
the Council considered a collective request
for an extension of the waiver in connection with the introduction of
HS2002 changes to the Schedules of Concessions. The Council approved the
waiver request and recommended that the draft decision (G/C/W/728) be forwarded
to the General Council for adoption.
4.2. At its
meeting of 17 November, the Council considered a collective request
for an extension of the waiver in connection with the introduction of
HS 2007 changes to the Schedules of Concessions. The Council approved
the waiver request and recommended that the draft decision (G/C/W/729) be
forwarded to the General Council for adoption.
4.3. At its
meeting of 17 November, the Council considered a collective request
for a waiver in connection with the introduction of HS 2012 changes
to the Schedules of Concessions. The
Council approved the waiver request and recommended that the draft decision
(G/C/W/730) be forwarded to the General Council for adoption.
4.4. At its
meeting of 17 November, the Council considered a collective request
for a waiver in connection with the introduction of HS 2017 changes
to the Schedules of Concessions. The
Council approved the waiver request and recommended that a revised draft
decision (G/C/W/733/Rev.1), including other Members in the Annex to the
decision, be forwarded to the General Council for adoption.
4.5. At its meeting of 15 April, as agreed by the CTG at its
meeting of 10 November 2015, the Council continued considering
Jordan's waiver request and draft waiver decision concerning the Transitional
Period for the Elimination of the Export Subsidy Program for Jordan (G/C/W/705;
G/C/W/705/Corr.1; G/C/W/705/Rev.1; and G/C/W/705/Rev.2). The Chairperson
reminded delegations that, at the CTG meeting in November 2015,
Jordan had introduced document G/C/W/705/Rev.2, limiting its request to
three (3) years and annexing a WTO action plan to implement a WTO‑compatible
programme in replacement of the current programme. The Council took note of the
statement made by Jordan; and of the statements made by Australia; China;
Egypt; Guatemala; Japan; New Zealand; Oman; Pakistan; Qatar; the Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia; Chinese Taipei; Turkey; and the United States. At Jordan's
request, the Council agreed to revert to the matter at its meeting of 17 November,
when Jordan would inform the Council about the development of its replacement
programme.
4.6. At its meeting of 17 November, Jordan informed the
Council about the development of its subsidy replacement programme. The Council took note of the statements made
by Jordan, as well as of the statements made by Australia; China; Egypt; Japan;
New Zealand; Pakistan; Qatar; Saudi Arabia; Chinese Taipei; Turkey; and the United
States. The Council agreed to revert to this issue at its meeting in April 2017.
4.7. At the CTG meeting of 15 April, the Council considered a
request and a draft waiver decision submitted by the United States relating to
the extension of the waiver concerning the Former Trust Territory of the
Pacific Islands (G/C/W/721). The Council took note of the statement made by the
United States, and of the statement made by the European Union on its internal procedures.
The Council agreed to revert to this request at its meeting of 14 July.
4.8. At the CTG meeting of 14 July, the Council again
considered the request and draft waiver decision submitted by the United States
relating to the extension of the waiver concerning the Former Trust Territory
of the Pacific Islands (G/C/W/721). The Council took note of the statement made
by the United States, and of the statement made by the European Union relating
to its internal procedures. The Council agreed to revert to this request at its
meeting of 17 November.
4.9. At the CTG meeting of 17 November, the Council
again considered the request and draft waiver decision submitted by the United
States. The Council approved the waiver request and recommended that the draft
decision (G/C/W/721) be forwarded to the General Council for adoption.
4.10. At the CTG meeting of 14 July, the Council
considered a request and draft waiver decision submitted by the United States
relating to certain trade preferences to be granted to Nepal, contained in
document G/C/W/724. The Council took note of the statement made by the
United States, and of the statements made by Nepal and the European Union, and
agreed to revert to the request at its meeting of 17 November.
4.11. At the CTG meeting of 17 November, the Council
again considered the request and draft waiver decision submitted by the United
States. The Council
approved the waiver request and recommended that the draft decision (G/C/W/724)
be forwarded to the General Council for adoption.
4.12. At the CTG meeting of 17 November, the Council
considered a request and draft waiver decision submitted by the European Union
relating to the extension of the preferential treatment granted to products
originating in the Western Balkans (Albania; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Croatia;
Kosovo[2]; Montenegro; Serbia; and the
former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia). The Council approved the waiver request and recommended that the draft
decision (G/C/W/731) be forwarded to the General Council for adoption.
4.13. At the CTG meeting of 17 November, the Council
considered a request and draft waiver decision submitted by Cuba relating to
the extension of the waiver granted to Cuba in order to facilitate its
compliance with Article XV:6 of the GATT 1994. The Council approved the waiver request and
recommended that the draft decision (G/C/W/734) be forwarded to the General
Council for adoption.
5.1. At its meeting of 15 April, the Council took note of the
statement made by the European Union and agreed to extend the deadline
mentioned by the European Union in document G/L/1051/Add.5 until
1 January 2017.
5.2. At its meeting of 14 July, the Council took note of the
statement made by the European Union pertaining to the progress it had made in
respect of its enlargement following the accession of the Republic of Croatia on
1 July 2013. The Council also took note of the statements made by
Australia and Brazil.
5.3. At its meeting of 17 November, the Council took note of the statement made by the European Union and
agreed to extend the deadline mentioned in document G/L/1051/Add.6 until
1 July 2017. The Council also took note of the statements made by
Brazil and the Russian Federation.
6.1. At its meeting of 14 July, the Council considered the
extension of the deadline set out in document G/L/1110/Add.1 from the
Kyrgyz Republic, or until 12 February 2018. The Council also took
note of the clarification provided by the Kyrgyz Republic that the exact date
of the ratification of its Protocol of Accession to the EURASIAN Economic Union
(EAEU) was 15 August 2015, and that all periods referred to in its
communication should consequently run from 12 August 2015, and not
from 9 May 2015 as indicated in its initial request
(document G/L/1137). The Council took note of the statements made by the Kyrgyz
Republic; China; the European Union; Japan; and Switzerland, and approved the
requested extension until 12 February 2018.
6.2. At its meeting of 17 November, the Council took note of
the information provided by the Kyrgyz Republic relating to its renegotiations under
Article XXVIII:3 of GATT 1994, following its accession to the EAEU.
The Council also took note of the statements made by China; the European Union;
Japan; Switzerland; Turkey; and Ukraine.
7.1. At its meeting of 14 July, the European Union invited
Armenia and others to follow its practice of periodically updating the Council
about the progress made in respect of the renegotiation processes following
their accession to the EAEU. The Council took note of the statement made by the
European Union and of the statements made by Brazil; Canada; China; Japan;
Chinese Taipei; Ukraine; and the United States. The Council also took note of
the information provided by Armenia on its renegotiations following its
accession to the EAEU.
7.2. At its meeting of 17 November, the Council took note of the statement made by the Republic of
Armenia and agreed to extend the deadline mentioned in document G/L/1110/Add.2
until 2 January 2018. The Council also took note of the statements
made by China; the European Union; Japan; Chinese Taipei; and Ukraine.
8.1. At its meetings on 15 April,
14 July, and 17 November, the Council was informed of the
following notifications on regional trade agreements:
a.
Free Trade Agreement between the
Republic of Korea and New Zealand (WT/REG367/N/1);
b.
Accession of
Seychelles to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Free Trade Area
(WT/REG368/N/1);
c.
Free Trade
Agreement between Australia and China (WT/REG369/N/1);
d.
Free Trade
Agreement between China and the Republic of Korea (WT/REG370/N/1);
e.
Free Trade
Agreement between the Republic of Korea and Viet Nam (WT/REG371/N/1);
f.
Economic
Partnership Agreement between Japan and Mongolia (WT/REG373/N/1);
g.
Free Trade
Agreement between Mexico and Panama (WT/REG374/N/1); and
h.
Free Trade
Agreement between the Republic of Korea and Colombia (WT/REG375/N/1).
9.1. At its meeting of 15 April,
the Council took note of the latest revision of the status of notifications
contained in document G/L/223/Rev.23, and of the statements made by the
European Union and the United States concerning the importance of timely
notifications and of the compilation of notifications contained in the
G/L/223 series. The Council also took note of the explanation provided by
the Secretariat as to how the document containing the compilation of the annual
notifications made by Members under the Agreements in Annex 1A of the
WTO Agreement is prepared.
10.1. At its meeting of 15 April,
the Council took note of the statement made by Ukraine relating to the trade-restricting
measures applied by the Russian Federation that restricted international
traffic in transit from the territory of Ukraine to third destinations via
the territory of the Russian Federation, and of the questions posed to the
Russian Federation in document G/C/W/720. The Council also took note of
the statements made by Australia; Canada; the European Union; Jamaica; Japan;
the Republic of Korea; Switzerland; Turkey; and the United States,
and of the responses provided by the Russian Federation.
11.1. At its meeting of 15 April, the Council took note of statements made by the European Union,
Japan, and the United States, relating to various aspects of Indonesia's trade
and investment regime, including in relation to import licensing requirements,
unique technical regulations, pre‑shipment inspection requirements, export
restrictions, local content, domestic manufacturing requirements, sales
restrictions on 4G mobile phones, and a general lack of transparency,
amongst others. The Council also took note of statements made by Australia;
Brazil; Canada; the Republic of Korea; New Zealand; Switzerland; and Chinese
Taipei; and of the statement made by Indonesia in response to these concerns.
11.2. At its meeting of 14 July, the Council again took note of statements made by the European
Union, Japan, and the United States, relating to their continued concerns on
various aspects of Indonesia's trade and investment regime, including in
relation to import licensing requirements, unique technical regulations, pre-shipment
inspection requirements, export restrictions, local content, domestic
manufacturing requirements, sales restrictions on 4G mobile phones and a
general lack of transparency, amongst others. The Council also took note of
statements made by Australia; Brazil; Chinese Taipei; the Republic of Korea;
New Zealand; and Norway; and of the statement made by Indonesia in response to
these concerns.
11.3. At its meeting of 17 November, the Council again took note of statements made by the European
Union, Japan, and the United States, relating to their continued concerns on
various aspects of Indonesia's trade and investment regime, including in
relation to import licensing requirements, unique technical regulations, pre-shipment
inspection requirements, export restrictions, local content, domestic
manufacturing requirements, sales restrictions on 4G mobile phones and a
general lack of transparency, amongst others. The Council also took note of
statements made by Australia; Brazil; Canada; Chinese Taipei; the Republic of Korea;
New Zealand; and Norway, and of the statement made by Indonesia in
response to these concerns.
12.1. At its meeting of 15 April, the Council took note of the statements made by Norway relating to
measures implemented by China since December 2010 that affected Norwegian
exports of seafood, including quarantine and testing procedures, and allocation
of "import licences" for salmon. The Council also took note of the
statement by the European Union, and of the responses provided by China.
12.2. At its meeting of 14 July, the Council took note of the statements made by Norway relating to
measures implemented by China since December 2010 that affected Norwegian
exports of seafood. The measures included quarantine and testing procedures,
and allocation of "import licences" for salmon. The Council also took
note of the statement by the European Union, as well as the statement made by
China.
12.3. At its meeting of 17 November, the Council again took note of
the statement made by Norway relating to the measures implemented by China
since December 2010 that affected Norwegian exports of seafood. The Council
also took note of the statement made by the European Union, and of China's responses
to this issue.
13 Nigeria – Import restrictiNG MEASURES
13.1. At its meeting of 15 April, the Council took note of the statements made by Chile, the
European Union, Iceland, Norway, Thailand, the United States, and Uruguay,
relating to the long‑standing import restricting measures imposed by Nigeria,
including currency restrictions and local content requirements. These measures
had a significant impact on imports of fish products and construction
materials, amongst other products. The Council also took note of statements
made by Australia; Chinese Taipei; Japan; and Switzerland, as well as of the
statement made by Nigeria.
13.2. At its meeting of 14 July, the Council took note of the statements made by the European
Union, Iceland, Norway, Thailand, the United States, and Uruguay, relating to
the continued import restricting measures imposed by Nigeria, including
currency restrictions and local content requirements. The Council also took
note of statements made by Argentina; Australia; Chile; Japan; and Chinese
Taipei, as well as of the statement made by Nigeria.
13.3. At its meeting of 17 November, the Council again discussed the continued import restricting
measures imposed by Nigeria, including currency restrictions and local content
requirements, and took note of statements made by Argentina; Australia; Chile; the
European Union; Iceland; Japan; Norway; Thailand; the United States; and
Uruguay, as well as of the statement made by Nigeria.
14.1. At its meeting of 15 April, the Council took note of the statements made by Japan and the
United States relating to import restricting measures on automobiles and
balance-of-payment (BOP) measures taken by Ecuador, and of the questions
posed by the United States to Ecuador in document G/C/W/722. The Council
also took note of the statements made by Canada; Chile; the European Union; the
Republic of Korea; and Switzerland, and of the statement made by Ecuador in
response to the concerns raised.
14.2. At its meeting of 14 July, the Council again took note of the statements made by Japan and
the United States relating to import restricting measures on automobiles and
BOP measures taken by Ecuador. The Council also took note of the
statements made by Canada; Chile; Colombia; the European Union; Guatemala;
the Republic of Korea; Mexico; Peru; and Switzerland, and of the statement made
by Ecuador.
14.3. At its meeting of 17 November, the Council again took note of further statements made by Japan
and the United States relating to import restricting measures on automobiles
and BOP measures taken by Ecuador. The Council also took note of the
statements made by Canada; the European Union; the Republic of Korea;
Switzerland; and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and of the statement
made by Ecuador.
15.1. At its meeting of 15 April, the Council took note of the statement made by Norway relating to
the use by Ukraine of indicative prices to determine the customs value in
respect of fish and fish products. The Council also took note of the statements
made by Japan, Switzerland, and the United States, and of the statement made by
Ukraine.
15.2. At its meeting of 14 July, the Council again took note of the statement made by Norway
relating to the use of indicative prices to determine the customs value of
imports of fish and fish products. The Council also took note of the statements
made by the European Union; Switzerland; and the United States, and of the statement
made by Ukraine.
16 INDIA – IMPORT RESTRICTING MEASURES
16.1. At its meeting of 15 April, the Council took note of the statement made by Japan relating to
the introduction by India of minimum import prices on iron and steel products,
port closures affecting apple imports, tariff increases, and localized
conformity assessment requirements, amongst other concerns. The Council also
took note of statements made by Australia; Canada; Chile; China; the European
Union; New Zealand; the Republic of Korea; Chinese Taipei; and the United
States. The Council also took note of the statement made by India.
16.2. At its meeting of 14 July, the Council again took note of the statements made by Japan and
New Zealand relating to the introduction by India of minimum import prices on iron
and steel products, as well as port closures affecting apple imports, amongst
other concerns. The Council also took note of statements made by Australia;
Canada; China; the European Union; the Republic of Korea; Chinese Taipei; and
the United States, and of the statement made by India.
16.3. At its meeting of 17 November, the Council further discussed India's import restricting measures relating
to the introduction by India of minimum import prices on iron and steel
products, port closures affecting apple imports, tariff increases, and
localized conformity assessment requirements, amongst other concerns. The
Council took note of statements made by Australia; Canada; China; the European
Union; Japan; the Republic of Korea; New Zealand; Chinese Taipei; Thailand;
and the United States, and of the statement made by India.
17.1. At its meeting of 15 April, the Council took note of the statement made by the European Union
about a taxation mechanism implemented by Pakistan which apparently established
discriminatory taxation between products produced locally and those imported
into Pakistan. The Council also took note of the statements made by Canada;
Japan; Switzerland; Chinese Taipei; and the United States, and of the statement
made by Pakistan.
18.1. At its meeting of 14 July, the Council took note of the statement made by the Russian Federation
relating to anti-dumping investigations undertaken by the European Union in
respect of cold-rolled flat steel products originating in the Russian
Federation and China. The Council also took note of the statements made by
China and the European Union.
19 SRI LANKA – DAIRY TARIFFS – REQUEST FROM New Zealand
19.1. At its meeting of 14 July, the Council took note of the statement made by New Zealand relating
to tariffs being applied by Sri Lanka above its ad valorem binding to skimmed
and whole milk powder. The Council also took note of the statement made by Sri
Lanka.
20.1. At its meeting of 14 July, the Council took note of the statement made by New Zealand
relating to the wine-related policies and measures adopted by the Canadian
provincial authorities of British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec. The Council
also took note of the statements made by Australia; Chile; the European Union;
Mexico; and the United States, as well as of the statement made by Canada.
21 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – MEASURES RELATED TO IMPORTS OF FISH AND
SEAFOOD PRODUCTS[4]
21.1. At its meeting of 14 July, the Council took note of the statement made by the Russian Federation
relating to a proposed rule under the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP)
of the United States aimed at combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated
fishing, and seafood fraud. The Russian Federation asked for further
clarification on the reporting requirements for fish producers and exporters
and importers under the SIMP. The Council also took note of the statements made
by Indonesia and the United States.
21.2. At its meeting of 17 November, at the request of China, under the title "United
States of America – Seafood Import Monitoring Programme", the Council took
note of statements made by China and the Russian Federation in respect of the
US' Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) aimed at combating illegal,
unreported, and unregulated fishing, and seafood fraud. The Council also took
note of the statement made by the United States.
22.1. At its meeting of 17 November, the Council took note of a statement made by the Russian Federation
in respect of Croatia's requirements for imports and sale of certain oil
products. The Council also took note of a statement made the European Union.
23.1. At its meeting of 17 November, the Council took note of a statement made by Japan in respect of
import taxes being applied on personal effects at the border in China. The Council
also took note of the statement made by Korea, and the statement made in
response by China.
24.1. At its meeting of 15 April, the Chairperson recalled that, at the last Ministerial Conference,
held in Nairobi in December 2015, Ministers had adopted the decision
contained in document WT/L/977 on the "Work Programme on Electronic
Commerce" (Work Programme or WPEC). In this decision, Ministers reaffirmed
not only the mandate of the Work Programme adopted on
25 September 1998 and contained in document WT/L/274, but also
reaffirmed subsequent Ministerial Declarations and Decisions on the Work
Programme. Therefore, Ministers decided to continue the work under the WPEC
since the last session, based on the existing mandate and guidelines and on the
basis of proposals submitted by Members in the relevant WTO bodies as set
out in paragraphs 2 to 5 of the Work Programme. To this end, they
instructed the General Council to hold periodic reviews in its sessions of July
and December 2016 and July 2017, based on the reports that might be
submitted by those WTO bodies entrusted with the implementation of the
Work Programme, including this Council, and to report to the next session of
the Ministerial Conference. With a view to informing the General Council, at
its July 2016 session, about the discussions that had taken place on e‑commerce
in this Council, he invited delegations to make their statements on this
matter.
24.2. Given that there were no interventions from Members, he proposed
that the Council take note of the information he had provided and to revert to
this issue at the next CTG meeting.
24.3. At its meeting of 14 July, the Chairperson recalled the mandate contained in
document WT/L/977, adopted by Ministers at the Ministerial Conference in
Nairobi in December 2015; and with a view to fulfilling the mandate given
to this Council to report to the General Council at its July and
December 2016 and July 2017 meetings about the discussions that had
taken place on E‑commerce in the CTG, he invited delegations to make their
statements and suggestions on this matter.
24.4. Canada;
China; the European Union; Japan; Korea; Switzerland; and the United States encouraged Members to reinvigorate and widen discussion on e‑commerce,
to make more effective use of the Work Programme, to promote digital economic
growth and reinforce
the openness that had allowed the Internet to become a dynamic force for
economic growth, to increase access to best
technologies, and to
bolster the Internet's ability to facilitate commerce in digital products,
services, and physical goods. General reference was
also made to the JOB documents (JOB/GC/94, JOB/GC/96, and JOB/GC/97) that
were circulated to Members through the General Council.
24.5. The Council took note of the statements made and agreed that in
order to fulfil the Nairobi mandate, the Chairperson would make, on his own
responsibility, a purely factual report to the General Council on 27-28 July
based on the discussions held in the CTG at its meetings of 15 April and
14 July.
24.6. At its meeting of 17 November, the Chairperson recalled the mandate contained in
document WT/L/977, adopted by Ministers at the Ministerial Conference in
Nairobi in December 2015; and with a view to fulfilling the mandate given
to this Council to report to the General Council at its July and
December 2016 and July 2017 meetings about the discussions that had
taken place on E‑commerce in the CTG, he invited delegations to make their
statements and suggestions on this matter.
24.7. China and Pakistan introduced a communication circulated to the
General Council, the Goods and Services Councils, and the Committee on Trade
and Development (JOB/GC/110/Rev.1, JOB/CTG/2/Rev.1, JOB/SERV/243/Rev.1, and
JOB/DEV/39/Rev.1), pertaining to the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce. China
noted the complexity of the e‑commerce debate, including in particular the wide
digital gap among Members, and expressed the desire to proceed progressively in
an inclusive manner on e‑commerce, with a focus on realizing pragmatic progress
at MC11.
24.8. The Council took note of the statements made by 22 delegations (Argentina;
Australia; Brazil; Canada; Colombia; Costa Rica; Ecuador; the EU; Hong Kong,
China; India; Japan; Korea; Mexico; Paraguay; Peru; Russian Federation; Singapore;
South Africa; Switzerland; Chinese Taipei; the United States; and the
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela) which referred to various aspects of China and Pakistan's communication.
25.1. At its meeting of 15 April, China again informed the Council that Section 15(a)(ii) of
its Protocol of Accession would expire on 11 December 2016 and
indicated that, consequently, Members using the surrogate or analogue country
methodology in their anti‑dumping investigations against China should take the
necessary steps to bring their legislation into line with the new conditions
after the expiry date of Section 15. The Council took note of the
information provided by China.
25.2. At its meeting of 14 July, the Council again took note of the information provided by China
relating to the expiry date of Section 15(a)(ii) of its Protocol of
Accession on 11 December 2016. The Council also took note of a
statement made by the United States and of the response provided by China.
25.3. At its meeting of 17 November, the Council again took note of the information provided by China
relating to the expiry date of Section 15(a)(ii) of its Protocol of
Accession on 11 December 2016. The Council also took note of statements
made by Canada; the European Union; Mexico; and the United States, as well as
of the response provided by China.
25.4. At its meeting of 15 April, the Council took note of the statement made by the Russian Federation
relating to a proposed Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) of the United
States aimed at combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and
seafood fraud. The Council also took note of the statements made by Norway, and
the United States.
25.5. At its meeting of 14 July, the Council took note of the statement made by Ukraine concerning
a recent expansion of the Russian Federation's trade‑restrictive measures that
affected goods imported from Ukraine, particularly establishing some
prohibitions to import certain agricultural goods, and various restrictive
transit measures. The Council also took note of the statements made by
Australia; Canada; the European Union; Japan; the Republic of Korea; Norway;
Turkey; and the United States, as well as of the statement made by the
Russian Federation.
25.6. At its meeting of 14 July, the Council took note of the statement made by Japan in relation
to the simplified import tax system on personal effects of China. The Council
also took note of the statement made by China.
25.7. At its meeting of 17 November, the Council took note of
the statement made by Japan in respect of additional customs duties imposed by
Turkey in respect of imported tyres. The Council also took note of the
statements made by Chinese Taipei and Turkey.
25.8. At its meeting of 17 November, the Council took note of the
statement by New Zealand flagging its desire to see a more fulsome discussion
at the CTG's April 2017 meeting relating to Members' poor compliance
record with submitting timely and complete notifications. The Council also took
note of statements made by Australia; Brazil; Costa Rica; the European Union;
Japan; Singapore; Switzerland; and the United States.
25.9. At its meeting of 17 November, the Council took note of the
statement made by the European Union in respect of the Russian Federation's
certification requirements for cement products. The Council also took note of
the statement made by the Russian Federation in response.
26.1. At its meeting of 17 November,
the Council took note of the annual reports of its subsidiary bodies.[9]
27.1. At its meeting of 17 November,
the Council adopted its Annual Report (2016) to the General Council.
__________
[2] Under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244/99.
[3] See Section 25.3 below.
[4] See Section 25.2 below.
[5] See Section 25.4 below.
[6] See Section 21 above.
[7] See Section 10 above.
[8] See section 23 above.
[9] Agriculture (G/L/1165); TRIMs (G/L/1153 and G/TRIMS/6); Subsidies
and Countervailing Measures (G/L/1157 and G/SCM/148); Anti-dumping
(G/L/1158 and G/ADP/23); Safeguards (G/L/1155 and G/SG/142); Market Access
(G/L/1154); Import Licensing (G/LIC/W/47); Customs Valuation (G/L/1160);
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (G/L/1164); ITA (G/L/1163); Pre-shipment
Inspection and Independent Entity (G/L/1161); Rules of Origin (G/L/1159 and
G/RO/W/166); Technical Barriers to Trade (G/L/1167 and G/RO/W/166); and Working
Party on State Trading Enterprises (G/L/1156 and G/STR/15).