The year 2020 has witnessed a health crisis of unparalleled dimensions that has triggered ongoing complications on a global scale. Through restrictions on economic activities and disruptions in supply chains, COVID-19 has severely impeded global trade. Among the ensuing problems, the question of excusing a party’s failure to perform its contractual obligations is of key interest. This contribution analyses the conditions for exemption from liability with view to contracts for the international sale of goods subject to the 1980 UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. It revisits the statutory requirements and illustrates COVID-19 scenarios that might satisfy the relevant thresholds. This article further examines the particular legal consequences following from an exemption from liability, including the controversial discussion as to the adequate remedies in cases of economic hardship. Finally, this contribution addresses the newly revised International Chamber of Commerce’s clauses on force majeure and hardship.

中文翻译：

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COVID-19 和国际销售合同：前所未有的豁免理由还是照常营业？

2020 年见证了一场规模空前的健康危机，在全球范围内引发了持续的并发症。通过限制经济活动和中断供应链，COVID-19 严重阻碍了全球贸易。在随之而来的问题中，为一方未能履行其合同义务开脱是一个关键问题。本文分析了根据 1980 年《联合国国际货物销售合同公约》的国际货物销售合同免除责任的条件。它重新审视了法定要求，并说明了可能满足相关阈值的 COVID-19 情景。本文进一步研究了免除责任后的特定法律后果，包括关于经济困难情况下的适当补救措施的有争议的讨论。最后，本文讨论了新修订的国际商会关于不可抗力和困难的条款。