Trade Policy Review

The World Trade Organization (WTO) carries out regular reviews of member countries’ trade policies. For its review in October Norway received close to 300 written comments and specific questions from other WTO member countries. “Transparency is essential for ensuring greater predictability for all those involved in trade and economic activity across national borders. Norway actively supports the review system. We wish to set an example by being as open and clear about our own trade policy as possible,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.

Some 300 questions were asked of Norway’s trade- and trade related policies during the 6th trade policy review of Norway in the WTO, which took place 9 and 11 October 2012. In Members’ statements, Norway was widely praised for its active and constructive role in the multilateral trading system, including measures and initiatives in favour of developing countries.

All WTO Members are subject to a peer review of their trade policies at regular intervals in the Trade Policy Review Body (TPRB). When a trade policy review (TPR) of a country is carried out, all the other members have the opportunity to ask questions and make statements to indicate their view of the country’s trade performance. In the wake of the financial crisis, the Director General also reports regularly to the TPRB on recent trade developments, allowing Members to take stock of various trade and trade related measures implemented.

The fourth review of China’s trade policies and practices took place on 12 and 14 June 2012 in WTO, Geneva. In its statement, Norway commended China’s resistance to undertake protectionist measures and its work towards strengthening the multilateral negotiations. Norway also mentioned some areas of special interest and concern where we would like to see improvements. The statement was read by the Norwegian Ambassador to the WTO, Elin Østebø Johansen, and can be read in its full length here .

All WTO Members are subject to a peer review of their trade policies at regular intervals in the Trade Policy Review Body (TPRB). The Norwegian delegation participated in the ninth trade policy review of the EC on 6 and 8 April 2009. Deputy Permanent Representative Henning Stirø made the following statement:

On  14 April 2009 the WTO Trade Policy Review Body met to a second informal discussion on the  current financial and economic crisis and trade-related developments. Norway's  Deputy Permanent Representative Henning Stirø made the following observations at the meeting.

Norway's economy has performed strongly since its previous Trade Policy Review thanks to sound macroeconomic policies, a generally liberal export regime and rising export prices. These are some of the conclusions in the WTO Secretariat's report on the trade policies and practices of Norway.

- It is indeed a great pleasure to take part in the T rade P olicy R eview of Switzerland and Liechtenstein . We count both countries among our closest partners , said Norwegian ambassador Elin Østebø Johansen in her opening statement on 15 December.

The Norwegian delegation participated in the second Trade Policy Review of China in the WTO on 21 and 23 May, and made the following opening statement.

The United States is having its trade policies examined in the WTO on 9 and 11 June. Norway had submitted questions in advance regarding investment and maritime services, and Ambassador Eirik Glenne read the Norwegian statement on the first day of the review.