Here is a thread (my first!) with some insights on how #trade might be leveraged to fight #COVID19 from our latest @OECDtrade policy note (with @SorescuSilvia and Andrea Andrenelli).
https://read.oecd-ilibrary.org/view/?ref=1060_1060354-ie4a355ojd&title=Using-trade-to-fight-COVID-19-Manufacturing-and-distributing-vaccines

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All countries need vaccines, but not all are able to produce these.... (Did you know that vaccines are one of the most imported products, up there with mobile phones?).

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However, exports of vaccines are concentrated in few countries...

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This is because manufacturing capacity for COVID-19 vaccines is also concentrated…
Which means that trade will play a key role in distributing vaccines

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Moreover, many of the products needed to produce vaccines and to distribute and administer them are produced by different countries across the globe, we need each other...

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We also need to ensure that tariffs do not impede distribution efforts. Tariffs remain on:
- preservatives, adjuvants, stabilisers & antibiotics (on average between 2.6% and 9.4%);
- syringes & needles (4.4%);
- vials, stoppers, cold boxes, freezers, or dry ice (up to 12.7%).
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So, what can policymakers do?
Keep markets open:
reduce remaining tariffs;
streamline procedures at the border;
avoid export restrictions;
improve information sharing to help connect manufacturers and distributors.

Thanks for listening!

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