Existing Multilateral Rules

This section focuses on WTO rules applicable to subsidies that affect trade in goods and services. As we will see below, the rules for trade in goods are set out mainly in the WTO Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM Agreement) and the WTO Agreement on Agriculture (AoA). Subsidies affecting trade in services are subject to the WTO Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), where disciplines are less well developed.