Report to the TPRB from the Director-General on Trade-Related Developments (2017)
Mid-October 2016 to Mid-May 2017
WTO members record lowest monthly average in new trade restrictions since 2008: Between mid-October 2016 and mid-May 2017 WTO members recorded the lowest monthly average of new trade restrictions since the financial crisis of 2008, according to the Director-General’s mid-year report on trade-related developments presented to members on 24 July. Director-General Roberto Azevêdo welcomed this news, and urged WTO members to show continued moderation. The report also shows that the trade coverage of the trade-facilitating measures was significantly higher than that of the restrictions.