The World Trade Organization WTO Says 80 Countries And Regions Have Restricted Exports Such As Masks.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) report said that since the outbreak of coronavirus, 80 countries and regions have banned or restricted the export of masks, protective equipment, gloves and other items.

WTO said that these prohibitions were implemented by 72 Member States and 8 non member states, but only 13 Member States informed WTO according to the regulations. WTO points out that the lack of transparency in the restrictive measures and the failure of international cooperation may undermine efforts to slow down the spread of the epidemic. Although export restriction measures are understandable, the lack of international cooperation in these areas may cut off the supply of medical products urgently needed by importing countries and trigger a supply shock.

WTO generally prohibits export prohibitions and restrictions, but there are exceptions. Temporary measures are allowed to "prevent or alleviate serious shortages of food or other products vital to export parties". The report says that traffic restrictions have slowed the flow of materials needed to fight the epidemic, but export restrictions have made it difficult for governments and enterprises to adjust procurement decisions and find new suppliers.

The leaders of the group of 20 said last month that any emergency measures to deal with the epidemic should be "targeted, appropriate, transparent and temporary", but since then, new export restrictions have been emerging. Last week, the United States asked China to revise the export quality control rules of new protective equipment, which had previously complained that the rules hinder supply.

In addition, despite repeated calls from the European Union to lift restrictions on drug shortages in other countries, France still extends the list of drugs with export restrictions. WTO said these restrictions could prompt other countries to follow suit and further reduce existing supplies.