Discussions on the definition of "essential goods", and commitments to ensure the availability of commercial purchases of essential goods, are needed. As are commitments to avoid the implementation of export restrictions and prohibitions affecting essential goods, as well as exempting these goods from import tariffs on a permanent basis, among other initiatives.

Discussions to establish international commitments to keep airports, ports, customs and border facilities operational should be initiated. In addition, it is imperative to create schemes to facilitate cross-border movement of businesspeople and those working in essential activities. The harmonization of criteria to allow travel (for example, in the recognition of vaccine certificates, PCR tests and health passes) is critical to facilitating the flow of people across borders.

To tackle supply chain logistics, it is important to discuss initiatives to facilitate cross-border movement of maritime seafarers so that companies could get their crew to their vessels. Accelerating the implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) to expedite shipments and the release of goods should also be discussed. Governments should be encouraged to go beyond what is established in the TFA and to reflect that in any trade agreement. The use of technology and paperless procedures should also be advanced. Border cooperation and technical assistance must be enhanced for the implementation of all these measures.

To facilitate the digital transformation and allow the expansion of the digital economy, it is important to agree on modern trade rules to foster the digital economy. Rules on data privacy, data localization, cross-border data flows, and electronic commerce (consumer protection, electronic payments and electronic signatures, among others) need to be discussed at international fora like APEC and other regional economic integration arrangements.

The role of international organizations and regional economic integration schemes is important in addressing transparency problems. There should be discussions about adding teeth to transparency provisions, in particular to address emergency situations like those related to the pandemic. For instance, binding arrangements should consider the possibility of implementing appropriate sanctions against governments for not duly reporting new regulations or changes to existing regulations.

More work on risk assessment is needed to ensure that the proportionality of a measure matches the risk involved. Discussions on addressing harmonization, mutual recognition and equivalence issues are needed to facilitate regulatory approval for essential goods. The discussions should also involve measures to increase the production of medical goods, including expediting inspections, approving factories, and facilitating partnerships and technology transfer.

Governments should consider supporting the multilateral discussions about a temporary waiver of certain obligations in the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) in response to COVID-19, with the intention to enable timely and affordable access to vaccines and medicines, and to scale up production of essential medical products.