WTO Releases 2011 Trade and Tariff Data

World Merchandise Exports Up by 5% in 2011 in Volume Term

The WTO released on 23 October 2012 its annual package of trade and tariff data, providing detailed statistics on import/export trade flows and tariff rates in 2011. This package includes the 2012 editions of its annual publications - International Trade Statistics, Trade Profiles and World Tariff Profiles - plus an update of the WTO Statistics Database and other data sources.

The statistics reveal that world merchandise exports increased by 5 per cent in 2011 in volume terms. The United States remains the world’s biggest trader (in value terms), with imports and exports totalling US$ 3,746 billion in 2011. China and Germany rank second and third respectively. Exports of commercial services grew by 11 per cent in value terms. The United States is the world’s largest trader, with US$ 976 billion of services trade in 2011.

International Trade Statistics 2012 provides a comprehensive overview of world trade up to the end of 2011, covering merchandise trade by product and services trade by category. Through the use of extensive charts and maps, the publication illustrates noteworthy trends in global trade with links to numerous tables containing more detailed data. A methodological chapter explains how the data is compiled while an appendix illustrates historical trends.

The publication summarizes the market access that each country offers to imports as well as the market access conditions faced by its products in its major export markets. The profiles show both the maximum tariff rates that are legally “bound” in the WTO and the rates that countries actually apply.

The World Tariff Profiles 2012 includes new technical annex tables on the implementation of WTO members’ scheduled commitments under the Agreement on Agriculture (AoA), based on notifications supplied. The tables cover domestic support, tariff quotas, recourse to Article 5 of the AoA (special agricultural safeguard ) and export subsidies.

Trade Profiles 2012 provides the latest information on trade flows and the trade policy measures of WTO members, observers and other selected economies. With information for each of these provided in a standardized format, the publication is a quick reference tool for anyone looking for essential trade statistics.