Introduction to WTO Trade Remedies Agreements

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has adopted several trade principles among members, the most important of which is the principle of freeing markets from non-tariff trade barriers and obstacles. This principle used to allow imports to flow to local markets and to exchange international trade between member states without restrictions, to promote the principle of fair trade and trade growth among members.​

WTO member agreements have allowed member states several exceptions to the principle of deregulation of markets and the lifting of non-tariff restrictions. Such exceptions allow imposing measures in the imports to address the injury or threat of injury to its domestic industry. Which caused by dumped or subsidized imports, or by imposing safeguards ​measures when there are unexpected developments that lead to a significant increase (neutral, modern, and sudden) in imports that cause serious injury or threat to the domestic industry of the importing Member State. These exceptions have been included in the Anti-Dumping agreement, subsidies Agreements and Countervailing Measures, and the agreement on safeguards. Below is a summary of the concept of each agreement to explain the most important provisions in each of them in a simplified manner.​​