Transparency on subsidies remains central focus of SCM Committee

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.

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• Subsidies and countervailing measures

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; T�rkiye; 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 Mich�le 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.

More information about the SCM Agreement and the WTO's work on subsidies and countervailing measures can be found here.

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