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Note To Subscribers
Note To Subscribers to the email version Periodic backlogs in our servers have disrupted service over the last few issues. Further, a few weeks ago the BRIDGES list was used as a way to distribute unsolicited email. We are attempting to contact those responsible and are developing code that will eliminate any chance of this occurring…
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WTO Goods Council Starts On Trade Facilitation Mandate; Textiles Coming Up Short
The WTO’s Council for Trade in Goods (CTG) met on 23 and 24 May, where it discussed, inter alia, the work programme on trade facilitation (specifically Article X of GATT 1994), the implementation- related items on the textiles agreement, and the relevant preparations, in connection with paragraph 18 of China’s Protocol of Accession, for the…
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Agriculture, Peace, And Expansion Dominate COMESA Heads of State Summit
Leaders from nine African states of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) gathered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 23 and 24 May for the seventh Heads of State Summit. The theme of the summit was "promoting trade and investment" in the COMESA’s nine-state Free Trade Area (FTA). Discussion topics included, inter alia,…
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'US Steel' Dispute Panel To Convene 3 June As Dispute Requests Increase
‘US Steel’ Dispute Panel To Convene 3 June As Dispute Requests Increase The EC announced at a 22 May meeting of the WTO’s Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) that it would call for the establishment of a dispute panel to examine the steel safeguard tariffs imposed by the US on a range of steel imports at a…
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Least Developed Country Agenda Gets Underway
The 28th session of the WTO’s Sub-Committee on Least Developed Countries (LDCs) met on 24 May to discuss, inter alia, enhancing the participation of LDCs in the multilateral trading system (MTS), the activities of the International Trade Centre vis-à-vis LDC trade diversification, technical assistance and the Integrated Framework, market access, and accession. New Chair sits for…
- In Brief
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Chirac Speaks For World's Poor Against US Unilateralism; EU-Chile Conclude Agreement
Strongly criticising US unilateralism which "runs contrary to a balanced and serene vision of the world," recently re-elected French President Jacques Chirac noted that recent US safeguard tariffs on steel imports and massive increases to farm subsidies would hurt poor countries hardest — including those in Latin America. Speaking at a 16- 18 May EU-Latin…
- WTO in Brief
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TRIMs Committee Stalls on Implementation Issue
The 21 May meeting of the TRIMs Committee (Trade-related Investment Measures) saw pervasive differences between most developed and developing countries on modifications to the TRIMs agreement as well as continued divergence on paragraph 12 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration, relating to implementation issues (see BRIDGES Weekly, 20 March 2001). As requested by the Goods Council…
- Events
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Events
For a more comprehensive list of events in trade and sustainable development, please refer to ICTSD’s web calendar at: http://www.ictsd.org/cal/index.htm. Coming Up This Week: 28 May - 3 June 27-31 May, Geneva, Switzerland: INTERNATIONAL TRADE FACILITATION WEEK. Organised by the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). For further information contact: Mario Apostolov, Forum Coordinator; UN/…
- Resources
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Resources
THE GREENING OF TRADE LAW: INTERNATIONAL TRADE ORGANIZATIONS AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES. By Richard H. Steinberg, published by Rowman & Littlefield, 2002. The book systematically compares how each of the world’s major international trade organizations has been addressing environmental issues. For further information, contact: 8 Artillery Row, Westminster, London SW1P 1RZ; tel (+44-20) 7828-0010;…