During the same time period, WTO members applied 80 new trade facilitation measures, including eliminating or reducing tariffs and simplifying customs procedures. The trade coverage of import-facilitating measures was $183 Billion USD, which was three times the estimated trade coverage of import-restrictive measures ($49B USD). The 2015 expansion of the WTO’s Information Technology Agreement (ITA) was credited as an important contributor to trade facilitation. WTO Director-General, Roberto Azevedo, was pleased and urged WTO members to continue showing moderation and restraint in their use of trade restrictions.
For more information, please visit the World Trade Organization's website.