·
Core
concern: The
World Trade Organization’s Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures
stressed low compliance in
subsidy notifications at its 30 April 2026 meetings.
·
Chair’s
warning: Jungsoo Hur highlighted that transparency is critical but many members are failing to report
subsidies on time.
·
Major
gaps:
o 100 members yet to submit 2025 notifications
o 78 members pending 2023 submissions
o 80 members missing 2021 obligations
·
Impact: Weak reporting undermines the functioning
of the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures.
·
Call
to action:
Members urged to submit
pending notifications urgently and seek technical help from the
WTO Secretariat if needed.
·
Notification
review: The
Committee examined subsidy reports from multiple members including India,
China, United States, and the European Union.
·
Ongoing
reviews:
Continued scrutiny of older notifications (2023, 2019) to ensure compliance.
·
Countervailing
duties:
Members reviewed reports on anti-subsidy actions (duties imposed to counter
unfair subsidies).
·
Export
subsidy issue: Some
countries still haven’t
met the 2015 deadline to eliminate export subsidies.
·
Additional
discussions:
Covered topics like
o Subsidies and overcapacity
o Electric vehicle subsidies
o “Level playing field” concerns
o Transnational subsidies
·
Institutional
update:
Michèle Govier appointed to the Permanent Group of Experts.
·
Next
meeting:
Scheduled for week of 26
October 2026.
·
Key
takeaway:
Persistent gaps in subsidy reporting are raising concerns about transparency, fairness, and effective
global trade governance.
At
regular and special meetings of the Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures
(SCM) on 30 April 2026, improving transparency through the timely and complete submission
of subsidy notifications was once again a central theme of the Committee's work.
The Chair, Jungsoo Hur of the Republic of Korea, emphasized
the critical importance of transparency for the effective operation of the Committee
and expressed concern about the continued low level of compliance with notification
obligations. He strongly encouraged members to submit their outstanding notifications
as soon as possible.
The
Chair drew attention to the WTO Secretariat's compendium on notification submission
rates. He reported that 100 members have yet to submit their 2025 new and full subsidy
notifications, 78 members have not provided their 2023 notifications, and 80 members
have not fulfilled their 2021 notification obligations, significantly affecting
the proper functioning of the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures.
The
Chair reiterated his call for members to submit their notifications promptly, emphasizing
that all members benefit from the collective effort of timely and complete notifications.
He also highlighted the WTO Secretariat's technical assistance activities and encouraged
delegations facing difficulties with notifications to contact the Secretariat. Seven
members echoed these concerns and calls.
Review of members' subsidy
notifications
During
the meeting, the Committee reviewed 2025 new and full subsidy notifications submitted
by Albania; Argentina; Burkina Faso; Cambodia; Canada; Chile; China; Comoros; the
Dominican Republic; El Salvador; the European Union (also pertaining to Austria;
Belgium; Bulgaria; Cyprus; Czech Republic; Denmark; Estonia; Finland; France; Germany;
Greece; Hungary; Ireland; Italy; Latvia; Lithuania; Malta; the Netherlands; Poland;
the Slovak Republic; Slovenia; Spain; and Sweden); Ghana; Haiti; Hong Kong, China;
Japan; the Republic of Korea; Lesotho; Malaysia; Norway; Singapore; Switzerland;
Türkiye; Ukraine; the United Kingdom; and the United States.
The
Committee also continued its review of 2023 subsidy notifications from Australia,
China, Eswatini, India, Kazakhstan and Norway. It also continued its review of a
2019 notification from the Russian Federation.
National legislation
The
Committee reviewed three legislative notifications submitted by Botswana. It also
continued its review of the legislative notifications of the European Union, Saint
Kitts and Nevis, and the Solomon Islands.
Reports of members on countervailing
duty actions
Members
reviewed semi-annual reports on countervailing duty actions submitted by Australia,
Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, the European Union, Iceland, India, Mexico, Peru,
the United Kingdom, the United States and Viet Nam for the period July to December
2025.
The
Committee also considered notifications on preliminary and final countervailing
duty actions from members including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European
Union, Iceland, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The
Chair reiterated the need for regular and timely submissions of these reports to
ensure ongoing transparency and effective review by the Committee.
Other matters
The
Chair recalled the 31 December 2015 deadline for the elimination of export subsidies
by members that received "fast track" extensions under Article 27.4 of
the SCM Agreement. He noted that only 15 of the 19 members that had received extensions
have provided the final required notifications. He called on the remaining four
members to comply without delay.
The
Committee reviewed the updated GNI per capita calculations for members listed in
Annex VII(b) of the SCM Agreement. Upon the request by the Committee at its October
2025 meeting, the Secretariat also provided calculations using the same methodology
for all WTO members.
The
Committee elected Ms Michèle Govier from Canada as the new member of the Permanent
Group of Experts, replacing Donald Cameron Orth.
The
Committee also discussed a range of issues under the following separate agenda items:
"subsidies and overcapacity" (item sponsored by Australia, Canada, the
European Union, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States); "France's
electric vehicle subsidies programme" (item sponsored by the Republic of Korea);
"subsidies and the level playing field" (item requested by China); "transnational
subsidies" (item requested by the United States); and "China's first set
technology equipment programme" (item sponsored by the United States).
Next meeting
The
Chair reminded members that the autumn 2026 meetings of the SCM Committee are scheduled
to take place in the week of 26 October 2026.