Title: Multilateral Trading System during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author: Yang Guohua

Abstract: The beginning of 2020 saw the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which spread rapidly across the world and has resulted in immeasurable economic and social losses. International trade has been severely affected due to a dramatic decline of trade in goods and services. The multilateral trading system has experienced challenges but has actively coped with the pandemic. WTO Members reacted in a controlled manner by implementing anti-pandemic measures with minimal influences on trade and effectively participating in international cooperation; the Secretariat contributed by regularly making announcements along with other organizations and excelled in trade analysis and information tracing, while they have basically followed trade rules without disputes. The pandemic has resulted in new requirements for the multilateral trading system while providing new opportunities for its improvement.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic, Export restriction, International cooperation, WTO Secretariat, WTO rules