WTO dispute settlement system reform discussions are getting off to a timid start. This comes as decisive alternative appeals arbitration panels are gradually coming on stream in Geneva.
World Trade Organization
South Africa files case against EU citrus import measures at WTO
A last little present for the August holidays brought to us from the southern hemisphere. South Africa requested consultations today with the EU in Geneva regarding measures applied mid July which add extra precautionary measures on its citrus fruit shipments from overseas. The measures are taken prima facie to avert …
Arbitrators issue first post-Appellate Body report in Geneva
Appeal arbitrators issued the first ruling that follows the demise of the Appellate Body in late 2019 at the World Trade Organization. The format and content of the award give an initial indication of what the future of WTO dispute settlement might be.
WTO Corner : TRIPS waiver work, Korean washers
After the climax of an overall successful 12th ministerial conference mid-June at the World Trade Organization’s headquarters in Geneva came a few weeks of quiet as a summer break looms for trade diplomats. South Africa, India press for swift work on TRIPS waiver extension Some WTO members however are keen …
G7 pledges cooperation on trade-and-climate, WTO, economic coercion
Everything that has to do with climate-and-trade policy cooperation among the great powers, especially the European Union and the United States remains vague, woolly and hard to fathom. Nonetheless, a further step towards a certain degree of clarity was taken at Elmau at the G7 leaders’ summit hosted by Germany. …
WTO panel lenient on EU steel safeguard
Part Two of the recent Turkey-EU trade dispute settlement saga around pharmaceuticals and steel is ending today with a panel report that goes easy on Brussels in its handling of its 2018 steel safeguard measure. Even if the panel did not give the EU a clean slate in the way …
WTO: Turkey to appeal EU pharma case win in ad hoc arbitration mechanism
The MPIA will once again have to wait. But Turkey and the EU are setting a precedent by using an alternative World Trade Organization appeals mechanism to settle their legal scores as the appellate body continues to lie dormant.
WTO Corner : June M12 dates, Russia fallout, Turkey, carbon accounting
The General Council of the WTO met informally today to take stock of a range of issues, but most importantly to try to nail down a definitive date for the next ministerial conference – also known at MC12.
WTO : fourteen members put in question Russia’s MFN rights
Fourteen members of the World Trade Organization, counting the European Union as one, have formally announced that they were considering no longer offering the Russian Federation the most-favoured-nation rights it is normally entitled to as a member of the international organisation.
G7 calls off Russia MFN status in WTO – EU keeps oil embargo option open
The G7 group of countries vowed to deny Russia the benefits of most-favoured nation treatment it currently enjoys in the World Trade Organization. This move could be followed by further announcements by other WTO members in the coming days and weeks.
