The WTO said that one country and region restricted the export of masks and other products

Reported by Reuters on April 24, the World Trade Organization (WTO) reported that since the outbreak of the coronavirus, 80 countries and regions have banned or restricted masks, protective equipment, Export of gloves and other items. The WTO said the bans were implemented by 72 member states and eight non-member states, but only 13 member states notified the WTO in compliance with regulations. The WTO noted that a lack of transparency in restrictive measures and a failure of international cooperation could undermine efforts to slow the spread of the epidemic. While export restrictions are understandable, a lack of international cooperation in these areas could cut off import-reliant countries from the supply of urgently needed medical products, triggering a supply shock. The WTO generally prohibits export bans and restrictions, but there are exceptions that allow temporary measures to “prevent or alleviate serious shortages of food or other products that are critical to the exporting Party.” Traffic restrictions have slowed the flow of supplies needed to fight the epidemic, but export restrictions have made it difficult for governments and companies to adjust purchasing decisions and find new suppliers, the report said. G20 leaders said last month that any emergency measures taken to deal with the epidemic should be “targeted, proportionate, transparent and temporary”, but since then new export restrictions have emerged. The United States last week asked China to revise new quality control rules for exports of protective equipment after complaints that they were hampering supply. In addition, despite repeated calls from the EU to lift restrictions that could lead to drug shortages in other countries, France has expanded the list of drugs with export restrictions. The WTO said the restrictions could prompt other countries to follow suit and further reduce existing supplies.