Import Relief under the WTO

The WTO’s most-favored-nation principle provides for equal treatment of goods and ser­vices from all member countries. This principle of nondiscrimination, however, is subject to certain exceptions:

A. Unfair imports

• Actions taken against dumping (selling at an unfairly low price)
• Subsidies and special “countervailing” duties to offset the subsidies

B. Fairly traded imports

• Emergency measures to limit imports temporarily, designed to “safeguard” domestic industries.

Source: Seyoum Belay (2014), Export-import theory, practices, and procedures, Routledge; 3rd edition.