06 April 2020
The heads of the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) issued a joint statement on 6 April pledging to work together to facilitate trade in essential goods such as medical supplies, food and energy. The two organisations have invited their members to share information on new trade and trade-related measures and endeavour to make this information available on their respective websites. The organisations also call upon their members to ensure that any new border actions are targeted, proportionate, transparent and non-discriminatory – as agreed by G20 leaders two weeks ago. WCO and WTO stress that such measures should be temporary, and they encourage governments to rescind them once they are no longer needed, especially if they restrict trade. Initiatives to facilitate and simplify cross-border procedures are welcomed and those should be prioritised for exporting and importing essential goods.