The World Trade Organization members adopted a decision on the transparency of tariff rate quotas and completed the third triennial review of the Nairobi Decision on Export Competition during the March 24-25 meeting of the Committee on Agriculture. The Nairobi Decision review included a review report and a "decision on comprehensive export competition notification requirements and formats," which will streamline the notification requirements and integrate the export competition questionnaire from the Nairobi Decision, the WTO said. The decision adopted regarding TRQ administration says that members agreed to use a "modified format" for making notifications and that members with TRQ commitments should make a one-off notification with key information and subsequent notifications based on any changes to their TRQs.
Canada requested dispute consultations at the World Trade Organization with China regarding Chinese duties on Canadian agricultural and fishery products, the WTO announced on March 24. Canada alleged that the measures violate the WTO's Understanding on the Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994.
The World Trade Organization's Dispute Settlement Body on March 24 heard a request from China to establish a panel in its dispute against the EU's countervailing duties on new battery electric vehicles from China. The DSB "took note" of statements made by China and the EU and said it would "revert to this matter should a requesting member wish to do so."
Ethiopia hopes to join the World Trade Organization by the 14th Ministerial Conference, which will take place in March 2026, the WTO said. During a March 19 meeting of the WTO Working Party on Ethiopia's accession, the country said "its goods offer commits the country to bound rates -- maximum tariffs -- lower than those" found in the benchmark for least developed countries for the agricultural sector.
Pakistan formally accepted the World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies on March 20, bringing the number of countries that have accepted the deal to 94. The WTO needs 17 more countries to accept to get to two-thirds of the membership, the threshold for the agreement to take effect.
Colombia formally accepted the World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies on March 19, bringing the number of countries that have accepted the deal to 93. The WTO needs 18 more countries to accept to get to two-thirds of the membership, the threshold for the agreement to take effect.
Guatemala formally accepted the World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies on March 10, bringing the number of countries that have accepted the deal to 92. The WTO needs 19 more countries to accept to get to two-thirds of the membership, the threshold for the agreement to take effect.
Canada opened a dispute at the World Trade Organization on March 5 to challenge the new U.S.-imposed 25% tariff on all non-energy goods and 10% tariff on energy goods from Canada, claiming that the measure violates the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade "as well as the WTO's Trade Facilitation Agreement." Canada said that the U.S. measures "appear to be inconsistent with the United States' obligations" under GATT and TFA provisions.
North Macedonia formally accepted the World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies on Feb. 28, bringing the number of countries that have accepted the deal to 91. The WTO needs 20 more countries to accept to get to two-thirds of the membership, the threshold for the agreement to take effect.
World Trade Organization Deputy Director-General Angela Ellard urged WTO members to speed up their formal acceptance of the fisheries agreement "as much as possible" to show a commitment to the "multilateral trading system" and the "sustainability of our oceans," the WTO said. Speaking at the launch of the "OECD Review of Fisheries 2025" report, Ellard said she hopes the deal can be adopted at the UN Ocean Conference in June. Twenty-two more members must ratify the agreement before it can take effect.