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Aid for Trade Review Urges Trade Opening to Combat Global Recession, Draws Donor Support
Developing countries should open their borders to trade in order to stimulate economic growth, according to participants at the Second Global Review of Aid for Trade, which was held at WTO headquarters in Geneva this week. The two-day meeting, which brought together the heads of regional and global financial institutions, international development agencies, as well…
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WTO Finds ‘Further Slippage’ Toward Protectionism, Predicts Rise in Anti-Dumping Cases
The world economy has witnessed ‘further slippage’ toward protectionism, a new report from WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy concluded last week, but the use of ‘high-intensity’ trade-restricting measures remains “contained overall, albeit with difficulties.” The report, the third in a series of periodic analyses of WTO Members’ trade policies, predicted that anti-dumping…
- In Brief
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China, India Lash out at Talk of ‘Carbon Tariffs’
China and India have denounced the possibility that developed countries might impose ‘carbon tariffs’ on goods imported from countries that do not strictly regulate their greenhouse gas emissions. Such a policy would “protect trade in the name of protecting the environment,” China’s Ministry of Commerce said on Friday, media sources reported. “This will not help strengthen…
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WIPO Committee Reaches Standstill on Traditional Knowledge
The WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC) reached an impasse last week on the protection of indigenous knowledge, putting the future of the committee in jeopardy. Members discussed creating a mechanism to protect intellectual property rights of indigenous communities but failed to reach a consensus on the way…
- WTO in Brief
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G8+5 Leaders to Pledge Doha Action as India Plans September Mini-Ministerial
Leaders from the G8 group of major world economies will commit to wrapping up the WTO’s Doha Round of trade talks as soon as possible, according to a draft communiqué that was seen by Reuters. Absent from that statement, however, is a timeline for the completion of the talks, a point that is being strongly…
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The Right to Food – A Trade Issue?
Olivier De Schutter, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food, argued for the primacy of food security in trade negotiations at the WTO last week. Presenting the findings from a report on the right to food, De Schutter addressed agriculture delegates at the WTO. The three-hour session on 2 July drew strong and…
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Boeing/Airbus Feud Reignites over New ‘Launch Aid’
Discussions over potential new European subsidies to plane manufacturer Airbus have reignited an ongoing trade row between Europe and the United States over state support of civil airline industries. The two sides have been locked in legal battles over Brussels’ subsidies to Airbus and Washington’s support for Boeing since 2004. The latest flare in the dispute…
- Events
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Events
9-10 July, Washington, United States. 2009 INTERNATIONAL AID & TRADE. This two-day conference is a forum for humanitarian relief professionals to network, communicate, build partnerships and share knowledge. It brings together procurement professionals, product and service providers and thought leaders from the industry. Participants will attend exhibits, workshops, and round-table discussions…
- Resources
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Resources
FOOD SECURITY: THE ROLE OF AGRICULTURAL TRADE. Robbin Johnson, International Policy Council, June 2009. This discussion paper argues that successful agricultural trade liberalisation requires a shared vision of a global food system that ensures food security, food safety and sustainability. The author argues that food security is fundamentally about achieving reliable access to adequate, affordable…