-
Lamy: "Moment of Truth" for the Doha Round
Disagreement persists in global trade talks despite a growing resolve among some WTO delegations to bring an urgent conclusion to the negotiations. While most countries stress the importance of pressing forward in the talks, others argue that haste should not precipitate an unsatisfactory compromise on complex issues. Trade ministers from the world’s major economies met on…
-
FAO Summit Attendees Commit to Eliminating Hunger, Securing Food for All
A major international conference recently concluded with a call to address the complex issues underlying the current food crisis, focusing both on short-term action, such as increasing food aid, and long-term action, such as investing in the agriculture sector in developing countries. Heads of state, ministers, and other high-level officials from 181 countries attended a summit…
-
With the Clock Ticking, Countries Push for NAMA Consensus
Negotiators from several developed and developing countries kicked off talks in Geneva on Monday in a concerted push to revive struggling negotiations to reduce barriers to trade in industrial goods. The talks, which are expected to last one to two weeks, involve a mix of rich and poor countries, including the US - the host of…
-
ACTA Negotiations Move Forward Amid Controversy
Delegations from twelve nations and the European Union (EU) met in Geneva on 3-4 June to discuss the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), an agreement that proposes to strengthen the level of intellectual property enforcement standards related to goods and services. Participants of the first official meeting comprised developed and key developing nations, including Australia, Canada,…
-
TRIPS Negotiations: New Reports and Non-Papers Presented
The World Trade Organisation released two reports on Monday outlining the state of play in negotiations on a register for geographical indications (GIs), extension for GIs, and an amendment to the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement. The reports present a factual account of the latest issues under discussion; they do not…
- WTO in Brief
-
US TPR Recommends Continued Openness to Combat Economic Uncertainty
The WTO’s ninth trade policy review (TPR; WT/TPR/S/200) of the world’s largest economy called on the US to cut market barriers to calm economic turmoil and increase exports to narrow the country’s current account deficit. The biennial review further recommended that the US reduce trade barriers and cut its subsidies to the agricultural and energy…
-
WTO Panel Rejects US Appeal, Upholding Brazil's Victory in Cotton Dispute
In a ruling issued last week, the WTO’s Appellate Body upheld Brazil’s complaint that US subsidies to its upland cotton producers violate the country’s world trade obligations. Brasilia maintains that the US payments suppress global cotton prices and allow US cotton producers to control a disproportionate share of the market. The DSB’s ruling, which confirms Brazil’s…
- Events
-
Events
Upcoming events: June 12-19 12 June, Toronto, Canada. CANADA CHINA ENVIRONMENTAL FORUM 2008. The Canada China Environmental Forum is designed to stimulate ideas, encourage partnerships, and inspire Canadian and Chinese businesses to create relationships and opportunities that have significant impact for the environment in both Canada and China. This event allows participants to join the discussion…
- Resources
-
Resources
BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD: NO BASIS FOR CONCLUDING THE DOHA ROUND OF NEGOTIATIONS. By Kevin P. Gallagher and Timothy A. Wise, April 2008. Research and Information System for Developing Countries Policy Brief. Negotiators continue to work desperately to achieve a breakthrough in the World Trade Organisation’s Doha Round. Their goal is to get an…