On 23 January 2026, Australia notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on 23 January 2026 a safeguard investigation on imports of fabricated structural steel.

23 January 2026

A major update of the Harmonized System (HS) for the customs classification of traded goods published on 21 January sets out new HS tariff headings for human vaccines and other essential health goods. These changes, carried out by the World Customs Organization (WCO) in close cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the WTO, aim to strengthening global preparedness for future health emergencies and improve the visibility of vaccine flows in international trade.

21 January 2026

Speaking at the Berlin Agriculture Ministers' Conference of the 18th Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) in Berlin on 17 January, WTO Deputy Director-General Jean-Marie Paugam stressed that water security is the foundation of food security. He highlighted estimates warning that global water demand could exceed supply by 40 per cent by 2030 if current water-use practices continue.

17 January 2026

On 6 January 2026, Madagascar notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on 24 December 2025 a safeguard investigation on imports of dry pastries and breakfast cereals.

6 January 2026

On 6 January 2026, Madagascar notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on 24 December 2025 a safeguard investigation on imports of plastic pipes and tubes and accessories thereof.

6 January 2026

On 6 January 2026, Türkiye notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on 31 December 2025 a safeguard investigation on imports of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin.

6 January 2026

On 6 January 2026, Türkiye notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on 31 December 2025 a safeguard investigation on imports of terephthalic acid.

6 January 2026

On 6 January 2026, Türkiye notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on 31 December 2025 a safeguard investigation on imports of other paper and paperboard.

6 January 2026

China has requested WTO dispute consultations with India regarding certain Indian measures on solar cells, solar modules, and information technology goods. China said the measures in question include India's tariff treatment and certain measures that China said are contingent upon the use of domestic inputs and otherwise discriminate against Chinese imports. The request was circulated to WTO members on 23 December.

23 December 2025

At a meeting of the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) on 19 December, WTO members agreed to a request from the European Union for authorization to impose countermeasures on imported goods from the United States in line with a WTO arbitrator decision in the US-EU ripe olives dispute.

19 December 2025