Nations ‘Sober Up’ and Start to Withdraw Medical-Export Bans

Following two months where nations imposed 150 trade-related restrictions on exports of critical medical goods, some countries are slowly beginning to roll them back.

Over the past month, China, the U.K., Turkey, Russia, Sri Lanka and Thailand rescinded their export restrictions on ventilators, hand sanitizer and other medical equipment, according to the University of St. Gallen’s latest Global Trade Alert report.

Governments have begun to loosen up because they realize export restrictions aren’t all that effective in ensuring sufficient supplies of medical equipment for their citizens, said Simon Evenett, a professor at the University of St. Gallen.

“Lots ...