One of the most interesting publications of trade policy think tanks and research institutions this week is by the Hinrich Foundation and delves into the global solar panel supply chain. The OECD has updated its trade facilitation database and the International Institute for Sustainable Development has released a detailed explainer …
WTO Fish
WTO Corner: US ‘forced labour in fish deal’ surprise, e-commerce, Ottawa group on health
An overview of notable recent developments at the World Trade Organization focusing on fish subsidy talks, e-commerce negotiations and trade and health.
WTO Corner: US Ambo good-bye, no miraculous catch of fish, services domestic regulation
Ahead of the last General Council meeting of the year – the agenda of which is now finally out -, US Ambassador to the WTO Dennis Shea, who represented the Trump administration in Geneva and oversaw the blockage of the Appellate Body, made a farewell speech as he prepares to …
WTO Corner: Hong Kong sues US, fish talks, COVID and US election hiatus
Hong Kong contests US ‘China’ label for its goods exports Hong Kong has filed a dispute against a new United States rule that obliges goods exports from Hong Kong to be labelled as coming from ‘China’. Hong Kong, a WTO member, is a separate customs territory and nominally a different …
WTO Corner: China gets Section 301 win, DG candidate confessionals, fish talks
Welcome back to our WTO Corner column for regular updates on trade diplomacy in Geneva. Panel gives China a full win in Section 301 tariff case The majority of WTO law experts would have said this case was a no-brainer. The panellists appointed to judge on the matter thought so …
WTO General Council mid-way roundup
World Trade Organization members took a series of small decisions at a still-ongoing General Council meeting in Geneva this week. Ambassadors also heard new proposals for change in the WTO by or under the leadership of the United States. Wide gaps among WTO countries remain on fundamental issues ahead of …
Commission hopes for swift mandate for US trade talks – debate on fish, speed and WTO continues
Member state trade ministers gathered in the Romanian capital Bucharest today to take stock of current European Union trade files. The most pressing issue on the table was the EU-US trade relationship. But capitals also discussed the way forward for the World Trade Organization and other bilateral trade files. Despite …
Beyond Brussels: Countries vow to intensify WTO talks on fisheries aid
Any mention of the World Trade Organization these days usually includes the words “reform” or “Appellate Body”. While efforts to limit harmful fisheries subsidies aren’t making many big headlines right now, the good news is that they actually seem to be making some progress. That’s not to say a deal …
WTO: Fishing for a small deal in Buenos Aires
The World Trade Organization has done a good job of tamping down any expectation that its upcoming ministerial meeting will agree on much of anything.
US retreat casts shadow over Buenos Aires WTO Ministerial
Despite bright sunny weather, there is a cloud hanging over the World Trade Organization’s headquarters on the shores of lake Geneva.