Transparency remains core priority in work of subsidies committee

The Chair drew attention to the WTO Secretariat's compendium on notification submission rates, which is updated twice a year, and recalled the Secretariat's training on notification obligations held on 21 January 2025. Despite these efforts, he expressed serious concern over persistent low compliance with subsidy notification obligations.

As of the meeting date, 113 members had yet to submit their 2025 new and full subsidy notifications (due on 30 June 2025), 80 members had not submitted their 2023 notifications while 81 had not submitted 2021 notifications. Many of these members have either never submitted notifications or have not done so for several years.

The Chair strongly urged all members to submit complete notifications as soon as possible, stressing that all members rely on the collective effort to make notified information available. He also highlighted the Secretariat's technical assistance activities and encouraged delegations facing difficulties to contact the Secretariat.

Nine members echoed these calls and commended the Secretariat's continued efforts to support members in preparing and submitting their notifications, including through targeted technical assistance.

Review of members' subsidy notifications

During the meeting, the Committee examined 2025 new and full subsidy notifications submitted by Cuba; Honduras; Jordan; Macao, China; New Zealand; Chinese Taipei; and Timor-Leste. Additionally, it reviewed outstanding notifications from earlier cycles, notably from Jordan. The Committee also continued its review of 2023 subsidy notifications from Albania, 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 legislative notifications submitted by Argentina, Iceland, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Türkiye, the United States and Viet Nam. 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, Canada, China, Colombia, the European Union, India, Peru, Türkiye,  the United Kingdom, the United States and Viet Nam for the period January to June 2025.

The Committee also considered notifications on preliminary and final countervailing duty actions from members including Australia, Brazil, Canada, the European Union, 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 adopted its report to the Council for Trade in Goods (CTG) regarding the actions taken and discussions on possible future actions to improve submission of notifications.

The Committee also discussed a range of issues under the following separate agenda items: "GNP per capita calculations for all WTO Members using the methodology in G/SCM/38" (item sponsored by the United Kingdom); "France's electric vehicle subsidies programme" (item sponsored by the Republic of Korea); "United Kingdom's electric car grant" (item sponsored by the Republic of Korea);  "discriminatory subsidies policies and measures of the United States" (item sponsored by China); "subsidies and overcapacity" (item sponsored by Australia, Canada, the European Union, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States); and "China's first set technology equipment programme" (item sponsored by the United States).

The Committee also adopted its 2025 annual report to the CTG. 

Next meeting

The spring and autumn 2026 meetings of the SCM Committee are scheduled to take place in the weeks of 27 April and 26 October 2026, respectively.