Trade Barriers Stand in the Way of Defeating COVID-19

At the 73rd World Health Assembly earlier this week, public health officials from dozens of countries gathered — virtually, of course — to discuss strategies to defeat COVID-19.

One strategy worth pursuing? Tearing down trade barriers.

Every country needs access to medical supplies as cheaply as possible. But many governments raise the price of these supplies by levying needless tariffs on medicines, personal protective equipment, and vaccines. Nepal, for instance, sets a 15% average tariff on medicines. Ecuador imposes a 55% levy on personal protective equipment. And India charges a 10% tax on imported vaccines.