SDG #10 is to “Reduce inequality within and among countries.”
Within SDG #10 are 10 targets, of which we here focus on Target 10.a:
Implement the principle of special and differential treatment for developing countries, in particular least developed countries, in accordance with World Trade Organization agreements
Target 10.a has one indicator:
Indicator 10.a.1: Proportion of tariff lines applied to imports from least developed countries and developing countries with zero-tariff
Within trade, there’s what’s known as the Harmonized System, which is a standard for classifying types of goods. Some countries apply a separate code to certain goods imported into their country, known as the tariff line. This poses obstacles to trading partners. But countries can do the opposite and offer most favoured nation status to another country. Such differing treatment is in accordance with Target 10.a’s aim.
Worldwide, the share of imports from least developed countries which the importing country has waived all tariffs to zero is 57% as of 2021. The countries with the lowest tariffs on LDC imports are the microstates Liechtenstein and San Marino. North Korea is the only non-microstate to impose tariffs on less a quarter of all goods imported from LDCs. At the opposite end, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean impose tariffs on more than 90% of goods from LDCs.
