WTO: Vietnam notifies its intention to accede to the expanded ITA Agreement
Vietnam has officially notified its intention to accede to the expanded Information Technology Agreement (ITA II), as announced by the Chair of the Committee on the Expansion of Trade in IT Products during the WTO meeting on 15 April 2026. The country, which has been a party to the original 1996 ITA since 2007, intends to submit a draft of tariff commitments covering an additional 201 products covered by ITA II, such as touchscreens, GPS devices, games consoles and medical equipment. Vietnam emphasised that it is ready to actively participate in the accession process, and its decision sends a strong signal of the ITA’s continued attractiveness and importance for global technology supply chains. Delegations from WTO member states welcomed the notification, noting that expanding participation in ITA II supports trade, investment and digital development. The ITA Agreement provides for duty-free trade in IT products on a Most Favoured Nation (MFN) basis, meaning that tariff benefits extend to all WTO members in their trade with ITA participants.
Following WTO ruling favourable to EU, China announces withdrawal of its anti-suit injunction policy
The award, made by the WTO appeal arbitrator in the European Union’s dispute with China on the enforcement of intellectual property rights (DS611), marks an important win for EU standard essential patent (SEP) holders, whose research outcomes and innovations were undermined by China’s anti-suit injunction policy. Following the issuance of the award, China officially stated at the WTO that it had withdrawn the anti-suit injunction policy. To that effect, China referred to a ‘notice’ issued by the Supreme People’s Court of China on 23 September 2025. After some initial technical issues were resolved, this notice is currently accessible online from outside China too. Given the unwritten nature of China’s anti-suit injunction policy, the European Commission will continue to closely monitor the situation to ensure China’s full compliance with the WTO appeal Arbitrator’s Award and take further action, if necessary.
World Customs Organization and the United Kingdom Announce Phase V of the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme
The World Customs Organization (WCO), in partnership with the United Kingdom (UK), continues to champion the implementation of the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (WTO TFA) through the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme building on more than 11 years of demonstrated impact and results achieved by participating Members. The WCO’s long-standing partnership with the UK’s His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) underscores a common dedication to strengthening the effective implementation of the WTO TFA. The Programme supports developing countries to integrate more fully into global value chains, adhere to international standards, and fully leverage the opportunities offered by the multilateral trading system. As Phase V of the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme begins, the WCO, UNCTAD, and the UK will continue to build on past successes by providing targeted technical assistance, strengthening public-private collaboration, and supporting Members in adopting international standards.
WTO: Canada launches safeguard investigation on certain wood goods
On 23 April 2026, Canada notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on 21 April 2026 a safeguard investigation on imports of certain wood goods.
WTO: India launches safeguard investigation on soda ash
On 24 April 2026, India notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on 16 March 2026 a safeguard investigation on imports of soda ash. Source
WTO: Madagascar launches safeguard investigation on certain juices, nectars and non-alcoholic beverages
On 17 April 2026, Madagascar notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on 15 April 2026 a safeguard investigation on imports of certain unfermented fruit juices and nectars, and non-alcoholic fruit-flavoured beverages. Source
WTO: Madagascar launches safeguard investigation on certain tableware, kitchenware, and household and packaging articles
On 17 April 2026, Madagascar notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on 15 April 2026 a safeguard investigation on imports of certain tableware, kitchenware, and household and packaging articles, of plastics. Source
WTO: Technology transfer workshop highlights role of enabling environment in LDCs
WTO Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang opened the WTO’s workshop on incentives for technology transfer to least-developed countries (LDCs) on 21 April 2026, drawing attention to the conditions necessary for technology transfer to take root and deliver results in LDCs. Source
WTO: Viet Nam submits request to join Expansion of the Information Technology Agreement
Viet Nam has submitted a request to join the 2015 Expansion of the Information Technology Agreement (ITA II), the Chair of the Committee of Participants on the Expansion of Trade in Information Technology Products, Mr Andrei Rusu of Romania, informed members at a meeting on 15 April. Viet Nam, already a member of the 1996 ITA, which eliminates duties on 203 IT products, intends to submit its draft tariff commitments in due course to cover a further 201 products under the ITA II. Source
WTO: Philippines launches safeguard investigation on imports of rice
On 15 April 2026, the Philippines notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on 26 March 2026 a safeguard investigation on imports of certain types of rice. Source
WTO: Kazakhstan initiates dispute regarding Indonesia duties on imported hot-rolled steel coils
Kazakhstan has requested WTO dispute consultations with Indonesia regarding additional ad valorem import duties on hot-rolled steel coils originating from Kazakhstan. The request was circulated to WTO members on 15 April. This is the first time that Kazakhstan has brought a case as a complainant to the WTO dispute settlement system. Source
WTO: Morocco launches safeguard investigation on certain types of rice
On 13 April 2026, Morocco notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on the same day (i.e. 13 April 2026) a safeguard investigation on imports of certain types of rice. Source
WTO: Zimbabwe initiates safeguard investigation on fibreboards
On 10 April 2026, Zimbabwe notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on 18 July 2025 a safeguard investigation on imports of fibreboards. Source
WTO: Zimbabwe initiates safeguard investigation on doors
On 10 April 2026, Zimbabwe notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on 18 July 2025 a safeguard investigation on imports of doors. Source