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G-7 Fails to Find Consensus on SSM
Capital-based officials from seven major trading powers met last week in a last-ditch attempt to hammer out their differences on an agricultural safeguard mechanism for developing countries, a controversial trade tool that triggered the collapse of world trade talks in Geneva at the end of July. Some delegates considered last week’s informal meeting the final opportunity…
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Peru, Colombia Push for Bilateral Trade Deals with EU
Both Peru and Colombia want to work quickly to conclude bilateral trade deals with the EU, as negotiations toward a regional-level pact have largely stalled. The two countries have been working since 2006 to negotiate a bi-regional trade agreement between the EU and the four-country Community of Andean Nations (CAN), but resistance from Bolivia and…
- In Brief
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Francis Gurry to Lead WIPO
Francis Gurry, an Australian national and WIPO official, was appointed on Monday to serve as Director-General of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). Gurry replaces Kamil Idris, a Sudanese national who has headed WIPO since November 1997 and whose last years in office were plagued by controversy and accusations of mismanagement and fraud. Gurry will commence…
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US Looks to Join Trans-Pacific Trade Agreement
The US is set to join a free trade agreement with Brunei, Chile, New Zealand and Singapore, US Trade Representative Susan Schwab announced on Monday. “This high-standard regional agreement will enhance the competitiveness of the countries that are part of it and help promote and facilitate trade and investment among them, increasing their economic growth and…
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First Generic Drugs En Route to Africa under 5-Year-Old WTO Deal
Canadian drug maker Apotex announced on Tuesday that it would begin shipping generic versions of a patented HIV/AIDS drug to Rwanda, five years after a WTO decision made it possible for the cheaper copies to be produced for export to people in poor countries. Seven million tablets of Apo-TriAvir, a triple-combination HIV/AIDS drug, will be…
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UNCTAD: FDI Flows Hit New High in 2007
Flows of foreign direct investment hit a new high last year, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said in its annual World Investment Report, which was released on 24 September. The report also noted that infrastructure investment in developing countries has experienced rapid growth since 1990. Following four years of consecutive growth, inflows…
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Costa Rican Court Stalls CAFTA-DR Implementation
A ruling of the Costa Rican Supreme Court has thrown into question whether the country’s government will be able to pass legislative reforms required to implement a regional free trade agreement in time to meet a 1 October deadline. The 4-3 Constitutional Court ruling stated that the Legislative Assembly should not have passed legislative changes affecting…
- WTO in Brief
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EU Revives Case against Indian Wine and Spirits Tariffs
The EU has re-opened a WTO challenge to India’s import duties on wine and spirits, putting an end to a 14-month suspension of the dispute. Brussels lifted its complaint in July 2007 after New Delhi promised to cut its drinks tariffs, which the EU claimed unfairly discriminated against its exports (see BRIDGES Weekly, 25 July…
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China Launches WTO Dispute against US Import Tariffs
China has filed a complaint at the WTO against duties that the US has placed on imports of certain Chinese steel pipes, tyres and laminated woven sacks.…
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TPR: Barbados 'A Good Model for Developing Countries'
Barbados stands out among developing countries in terms of its per capita income and human development indicators, but actions to reduce applied tariffs and encourage domestic competition could further strengthen the country’s economy, according to a review of the country’s economic policies conducted by the WTO. The Trade Policy Review (TPR) noted that Barbados is…
- Events
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Events
Coming up: 24-29 September 24 September, London, UK. THE EU AND THE EUROPEAN SECURITY STRATEGY - FORGING A GLOBAL FUTURE. The European Security Strategy (ESS) has become an important reference framework for the EU since its inception in 2003. Hosted by Chatham House, Professor Biscop and Dr. Andersson - based on the publication of their recent…
- Resources
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Resources
WORLD INVESTMENT REPORT: TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATIONS AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE CHALLENGE. UNCTAD, 24 September 2008. The World Investment Report has been published annually since 1991. The World Investment Report 2008 is the 18th report in a series published by UNCTAD; and its theme is “Transnational Corporations and the Infrastructure Challenge.” The report analyses the latest trends in…