Trade Policy Review Mechanism
The surveillance of national trade policies is fundamental to the work of the WTO. The Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM) is a peer assessment designed to improve adherence by all members to WTO rules, disciplines and commitments and to enhance the transparency of WTO members’ trade policy regimes. All WTO members are reviewed, with the frequency of each country’s review depending on its share of world trade. Canada participates in the reviews of all WTO members, and is itself reviewed every four years (most recently in March 2007).
The TPRM also calls for the Trade Policy Review Body (TPRB) to undertake an annual overview of developments in the international trading environment. This overview is assisted by an annual report of the Director-General, which sets out major activities and highlights significant policy issues affecting the trading system. In view of the financial and economic crisis, this work has increased in significance this year as it also serves to facilitate a monitoring role for the standstill commitments on trade protectionism taken by G20 and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) members in November 2008.
Canada is very supportive of this work by the TPRB. The reports from the Director-General on the financial and economic crisis and on trade-related developments provide useful and timely information concerning international trends. Moreover, it is Canada’s view that greater transparency and surveillance of trade policies and practices will contribute positively to addressing the trade challenges of the global economic crisis.
Dispute Settlement
Dispute settlement is the cornerstone of the multilateral trading system. The WTO dispute settlement mechanism underscores the rule of law and makes the trading system more secure and predictable. The system is based on clearly defined rules, with timetables for completing each case. A firm supporter of the rules-based dispute settlement system, Canada is among its most active participants. Canada is currently engaged in the following disputes:
Canada is a complainant in the following cases:
Korea—Measures Affecting the Importation of Bovine Meat and Meat Products from Canada (Complaint by Canada) (WTO Ref: DS 391)
European Communities—Measures Affecting the Approval and Marketing of Biotech Products (Complaint by Canada) (WTO Ref: DS 292)
China—Measures Affecting Imports of Automobile Parts (Complaint by Canada) (WTO Ref: DS 342)
United States—Subsidies and Other Domestic Support for Corn and Other Agricultural Products (Complaint by Canada) (WTO Ref: DS 357)
European Communities—Certain Measures Prohibiting the Importation and Marketing of Seal Products (Complaint by Canada) (WTO Ref: DS 369)
United States—Certain Country of Origin Labelling (COOL) Requirements (Complaint by Canada) (WTO Ref: DS 384)
European Communities—Hormones (WTO Ref: DS 48)
Canada is a respondent in the following cases:
Canada—Provisional Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties on Grain Corn from the United States (Complaint by the United States) (WTO Ref: 338)
Canada is a third party in the following cases:
China—Grants, Loans and Other Incentives (Complaint by the United States) (WTO Ref: 387)
European Communities—Measures Affecting Trade in Large Civil Aircraft (Complaint by the United States) (WTO Ref: DS 316)
United States—Measures Affecting Trade in Large Civil Aircraft (Complaint by the European Communities) (WTO Ref: DS 353)
United States—Definitive Antidumping and Countervailing Duties Against Chinese Products (Complaint by China) (WTO Ref: DS 379)
Chile—Price Band System and Safeguard Measures Relating to Certain Agricultural Products (Complaint by Argentina) (WTO Ref: DS 207)
China—Measures Affecting the Protection and Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights (Complaint by the United States) (WTO Ref: DS 362)
United States—Measures Affecting Trade in Large Civil Aircraft (Complaint by the European Communities) (WTO Ref: DS 317)
European Communities—Measures Affecting Trade in Large Civil Aircraft (Second complaint by the United States) (WTO Ref: DS 347)
