13 WTO Members Propose Initiative to Help Trade of Medical Goods

A group of World Trade Organization members proposed an initiative that would call for a range of measures to increase trade in medical goods, including “restraint” in deploying export restrictions, more efficient customs measures and increased transparency for trade in medical goods, the European Commission said Nov. 23. The 13-member Ottawa Group, which includes the European Union, Japan, Australia, Kenya, Chile, Norway and others, also said WTO members should refrain from imposing tariffs on medical goods as a way to help “facilitate trade” during the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative will be submitted to the WTO secretariat this week before heading to the WTO General Council for discussion.