Eastwood's ECO486 Page Eastwood's ECO285 Page Eastwood's ECO284 Page
LAMY: TRADE EXPANSION IS INSURANCE AGAINST FINANCIAL TURBULENCES Director-General Pascal Lamy, at the Geneva Lectures on Global Economic Governance on 6 February 2008, said that the global trading system during the past 60 years "has underpinned un unprecedented period of economic growth and development". He said that "at a time when clouds are darkening over the world economy, the Doha Round is the one global initiative that may boost confidence of world businesses, workers and consumers".
> Speech: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/sppl_e/sppl85_e.htm
GENERAL COUNCIL ESTABLISHES WORKING PARTY FOR EQUATORIAL GUINEA The General Council, on 5 February 2008, established a working party to examine the application of Equatorial Guinea to accede to the WTO. It authorized its Chair to designate the Chairperson of the working party in consultations with members and the representative of Equatorial Guinea.
> News item:
> http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news08_e/acc_equatorial_guinea_feb08_e.htm
>
CANADA IS FIRST TO NOTIFY COMPULSORY LICENCE TO EXPORT GENERIC DRUG The WTO received from Canada, on 4 October 2007, the first notification from any government that it has authorized a company to make a generic version of a patented medicine for export under special WTO provisions agreed in 2003. The triple combination AIDS therapy drug, TriAvir, can now be made and exported to Rwanda, which is unable to manufacture the medicine itself.
> News item:
>
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news07_e/trips_health_notif_oct07_e.> htm More on TRIPS and public health:
>
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/trips_e/pharmpatent_e.htmAGRICULTURE QUESTIONS SWIFTLY EXAMINED, BUT INFORMATION BACKLOG WORSENS In record time, members went through answers to over 20 written questions or sets of questions on how countries are implementing their obligations under the Agriculture Agreement, on 26 September 2007. Many of these were based on the 39 notifications received since the regular Agriculture Committee’s previous meeting in March, but the backlog of delayed notifications is worsening, they heard.
> News item:
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news07_e/ag_com_26sept07_e.htm> More on agriculture:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/agric_e/agric_e.htm> Explanation in "Understanding the WTO":
http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/tif_e/agrm3_e.htmHONG KONG MINISTERIAL IS LAST AND BEST CHANCE TO CONCLUDE THE ROUND BY NEXT YEAR — LAMY Director-General Pascal Lamy, in his remarks to the IMF International Monetary and Financial Committee in Washington on 24 September 2005, said that "the world economy will not come to an end if Hong Kong fails ... but it will be left significantly weaker..." He said he would work intensively with the IMF and the World Bank in the coming months to make the "Aid for Trade" initiative for developing countries a reality.
> Speech: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/sppl_e/sppl03_e.htm
WTO WEBSITE LAUNCHES IMPROVED INFORMATION ON DISPUTES
The WTO has inaugurated a new research tool in its website: a powerful facility
to easily obtain detailed and up-to-date information on dispute-settlement
cases.
> News item:
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news05_e/disputes_info_sep05_e.htm
WORKING PARTY EXAMINES FIRST REVISION OF VIET NAM’S MEMBERSHIP REPORT Viet Nam’s membership negotiations have taken a substantial step forward with the working party looking in detail on 15 September 2005 at the first revision of the document that is a core part of the deal.
> News item:
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news05_e/vietnam_15sep05_e.htm
> More on Viet Nam:
http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/acc_e/a1_vietnam_e.htm
> More on accessions:
> http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/acc_e/acc_e.htm
LAMY OPENS "NEW PHASE" IN TRADE TALKS
Director-General Pascal Lamy, on 14 September 2005, opened his first Trade Negotiations Committee meeting by expressing the hope that it marks a new and more productive phase for the TNC. He urged intensification of work on the core issues in the run-up to the Hong Kong Ministerial, adding that the Round will only succeed if "the development dimension is at the centre of the negotiations".
> Statement by the TNC Chairman:
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news05_e/tnc_stat_lamy_14sep05_e.htm
TRADE POLICY REVIEW: TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO - STRONG GROWTH BUT ACHIEVING AMBITIOUS GOALS REQUIRES FURTHER REFORMS. Since its last review in 1998, trade has played a crucial role in supporting Trinidad and Tobago's rapid economic growth. The country's rich natural endowments, its attractiveness as an investment destination and favorable developments in world markets, specially in the hydrocarbons sector, have produced a strong increase in GDP growth and per capita income, according to a WTO Secretariat report on the trade policies and practices of Trinidad and Tobago.
> Press release: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp251_e.htm
> More on Trinidad and Tobago:
http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/countries_e/trinidad_tobago_e.htm
LAMY TAKES OVER
Mr. Pascal Lamy today (1 September 2005) began his four-year term as Director-General of the World Trade Organization.
> Statement to the media by Pascal Lamy upon taking office on 1
> September
2005: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news05_e/dg_lamy_1sept05_e.htm
> Director-General's page:
http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/dg_e/dg_e.htm
THE SIXTH WTO MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
The Sixth WTO Ministerial Conference will be held in Hong Kong, China from 13 to 18 December 2005.
> Find out more:
http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/minist_e/min05_e/min05_e.htm
> Hong Kong host government website: http://www.wtomc6.gov.hk/
APPELLATE BODY ISSUES REPORT ON SUGAR DISPUTE
The Appellate Body, on 28 April 2005, issued its report on the complaints of Australia, Brazil, and Thailand against “European Communities — Export Subsidies on Sugar” (WT/DS265/AB/R; WT/DS266/AB/R; WT/DS283/AB/R).
Download:
> Just the findings and conclusions in pdf format:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/265_266_283abr_conc_e.pdf
> The full Appellate Body report in Word format:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/265_266_283abr_e.doc
> The full Appellate Body report in pdf format:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/265_266_283abr_e.pdf
APPELLATE BODY ISSUES ANNUAL REPORT
The Appellate Body, on 25 January 2005, released its Annual Report for 2004.
> Annual Report:
> http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/wt_ab3_e.doc
> Communication to the DSB Chair:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/wt_ab4_e.doc
MATRIX ON TRADE MEASURES PURSUANT TO SELECTED MULTILATERAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS (MEAS) To provide background information on MEAs, the WTO Secretariat has prepared a note containing a matrix on trade-related measures pursuant to selected MEAs. The Secretariat has prepared this Matrix in consultation with the Secretariats of the relevant MEAs.
> Find out more at:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/envir_e/mea_database_e.htm
> More on trade and the environment at the WTO:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/envir_e/envir_e.htm
NEW TARIFFS GATEWAY
Tariffs on goods have existed as long as trade, and they remain at the heart of current trade negotiations. The new gateway on tariffs provides guidance for students or experts on how to find information about tariffs on the WTO website.
> Find out more at:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tariffs_e/tariffs_e.htm
APPELLATE BODY ISSUES REPORT ON GAMBLING DISPUTE
The Appellate Body, on 7 April 2005, issued its report on the complaint of Antigua and Barbuda against “United States – Measures Affecting the Cross-Border Supply of Gambling and Betting Services” (WT/DS285/AB/R).
Download:
> Just the findings and conclusions in pdf format:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/285abr_conc_e.pdf
> Full Appellate Body Report in Word format:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/285abr_e.doc
> Full Appellate Body Report in pdf format:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/285abr_e.pdf
REPORT OUT ON DRAMS DISPUTE
The WTO, on 21 February 2005, issued the report of a panel that had examined a complaint by Korea against United States — Countervailing Duty Investigation on Dynamic Random Access Memory Semiconductors (DRAMS) from Korea (DS296).
Download:
> The panel report in Word format:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/296r_a_e.doc
> The panel report in pdf format:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/296r_a_e.pdf
TRADE POLICY REVIEW: PARAGUAY - STABILITY OF THE TRADE AND INVESTMENT REGIME, CRUCIAL TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE GROWTH. Paraguay has made significant efforts to streamline and modernize its trade regimen since its first Review in 1997 including a reduction of applied MFN tariffs to an average of 8.9 per cent, but the country’s economic performance has remained modest reflecting both the impact of exogenous shocks and internal problems, according to a WTO Secretariat report on the trade policies and practices of Paraguay published today.
> Press release: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp246_e.htm
> More on Paraguay:
http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/countries_e/paraguay_e.htm
WTO ISSUES PANEL REPORT ON EC SHIPBUILDING MEASURES
The WTO, on 22 April 2005, issued the panel report on Korea's complaint in the dispute “European Communities — Measures affecting trade in commercial vessels” (DS301).
Download:
> The panel report in Word format:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/301r_e.doc
> The panel report in pdf format:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/301r_e.pdf
RUSSIA CONCLUDES GOODS NEGOTIATIONS WITH 29 MEMBERS
The Russian Federation, at the 27th session of its Working Party on 13 and 15 April 2005, reported the completion of bilateral negotiations on goods with a total of 29 WTO members (the EC counting as one), which represents 50% of members of the Working Party and 87% of total Russian imports.
> Summary of the meeting:
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news05_e/acc_russia_apr05_e.htm
> More on the accession of Russia:
http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/acc_e/a1_russie_e.htm
> More on accessions:
> http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/acc_e/acc_e.htm
SUPACHAI CALLS FOR SUBSTANTIAL DOHA PROGRESS BEFORE SUMMER BREAK Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in his remarks at the start of the 10th Geneva Week for non-resident WTO Members and Observers on 4 April 2005, underlined the need “to translate the positive input of Ministers and Senior officials into give-and-take in the detailed negotiations here in Geneva”. He assured participants that the WTO will continue to be responsive to their special needs for technical assistance.
> Opening Remarks by the Director-General:
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/spsp_e/spsp36_e.htm
> More on Geneva week:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/devel_e/genwk10_e.htm
SUPACHAI UNDERSCORES WTO CONTRIBUTION TO WORLD PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in his introductory remarks at the WTO Public Symposium on 20 April 2005, said that “the WTO has extended the rule of law into the international trade realm and has contributed significantly to keeping peaceful and stable trading relations between WTO Members”. He added that “trade is not the answer to all the world's problems, but it can make a powerful contribution to international efforts for development”.
> Introductory remarks:
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/spsp_e/spsp38_e.htm> Programme:
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/events_e/symp05_e/symp_devagenda_prog_05_e.htm
|
WTO 10th Anniversary
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the creation of the World Trade Organization on January 1, 1995 as part of the entry into force of the agreements concluded under the Uruguay Round of trade negotiations, signed by ministers at Marrakesh on April 15, 1994. |
|
WTO:
The story in photos > Follow the link The
Future of the WTO
Report by the Consultative Board to the Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi
Download whole document
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NEW PAGES: WTO APPELLATE BODY REPERTORY OF REPORTS AND AWARDS 1995–2004 The Appellate Body Repertory is intended to serve as a source of information for those interested in the field of international trade law. It was initially developed as an internal research tool to assist the Appellate Body Secretariat in carrying out its duty to provide legal support to Appellate Body Members. It consists of excerpts from all Appellate Body Reports and Article 21.3(c) Arbitration Awards circulated through 7 April 2004.
> Find out more:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/repertory_e/repertory_e.htm
TRIPS ISSUES - ARTICLE 27.3B, TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, BIODIVERSITY The list of Members' documents circulated under the 2001 mandate of the Doha Development Agenda relating to Article 27.3b, traditional knowledge, biodiversity has now been updated on the website
> Find out more at:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/trips_e/art27_3b_e.htm#documents
> Background and the current situation on Article 27.3(b):
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/trips_e/art27_3b_background_e.htm
> More on TRIPS: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/trips_e/trips_e.htm
NEW GATEWAY PAGE ON THE COTTON SUB-COMMITTEE
WTO members on 19 November 2004 set up a body to focus on cotton as a specific issue in the agriculture talks, as required in the 1 August 2004 decision — sometimes called the “July Package” — covering all the WTO negotiations. This page details the background to the cotton initiative and work carried out by the Sub-Committee
> Find out more at:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/agric_e/cotton_subcommittee_e.htm
APPELLATE BODY ISSUES REPORT ON COTTON DISPUTE
The Appellate Body, on 3 March 2005, issued its report on the complaint of Brazil against "United States — Subsidies on Upland Cotton" (WT/DS267/AB/R).
Download:
> Just the findings and conclusions in pdf format:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/267abr_conc_e.pdf
> Full Appellate Body Report in Word format:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/267abr_e.doc
> Full Appellate Body Report in pdf format:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/267abr_e.pdf
WTO WELCOMES PUBLIC ACCESS TO HISTORICAL GATT DOCUMENTS ON THE INTERNET The WTO, on 19 April 2005, welcomed the launch by Stanford University Libraries and Academic Information Resources (SULAIR) of a website to permit public access to de-restricted documents of the GATT, the predecessor of the WTO.
> Press release: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/pres05_e/pr402_e.htm
> GATT archives: http://gatt.stanford.edu/page/home
NEW REQUESTS FOR CONSULTATIONS
The WTO has received the following new requests for consultations:
DS328: European Communities — Definitive Safeguard Measure on Salmon — Request for Consultations by Norway – 3 March 2005
> Find out more at:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/dispu_status_e.htm#328
> More on Dispute Settlement:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/dispu_e.htm
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES’ GOODS TRADE SHARE SURGES TO 50-YEAR PEAK Riding a wave of higher oil and commodity prices, and vigorous global trade growth including recovery in trade in office and telecom equipment, developing countries saw their share in world merchandise trade rise sharply in 2004 to 31%, the highest since 1950, according to WTO figures released on 14 April 2005. “As trade continues to play a growing role in economic activity, it is increasingly important for development and poverty alleviation,” said Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi.
> Press release: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/pres05_e/pr401_e.htm
> More on Trade Statistics:
http://www.wto.org/english/res_e/statis_e/statis_e.htm
> More on WTO economic research and analysis:
http://www.wto.org/english/res_e/reser_e/reser_e.htm
REGIONALIZATION, BSE AND FOOT-AND-MOUTH STILL TOP ISSUES LIST WTO members meeting on 9–10 March 2005 failed to agree on a work programme on implementing “regionalization”, but progressed in their latest review of the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) Agreement. Mad cow disease (BSE or bovine spongiform encephalopathy) and foot and mouth disease repeatedly emerged as concerns in the SPS Committee, both underlying the broader issues and in the more specific trade concerns raised.
> News item:
> http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news05_e/sps_march05_e.htm
> More on SPS: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/sps_e/sps_e.htm
WTO'S FIRST 10 YEARS "A SUCCESS" — SUPACHAI
Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in his speech "The WTO After 10
Years: The Lessons Learned and The Challenges Ahead" to the Council on Foreign Relations in New York on 10 March 2005, expressed confidence that "the lessons learned during our first decade will help future leaders to chart the course for greater equity, stability and prosperity". He said that one of the most important achievements has been "the enhanced integration of developing countries into the WTO system".
> Speech: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/spsp_e/spsp35_e.htm
SUPACHAI: DOHA SUCCESS WILL ENHANCE GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in a speech at the High-Level Round Table on Agricultural Trade Reform and Food Security on 13 April 2005 at FAO, Rome, stressed that “the path to food security is through integration and interdependence, not protection and autarchy”.
> Speech: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/spsp_e/spsp37_e.htm
ARBITRATOR APPOINTED IN ARGENTINA — US ANTI-DUMPING DISPUTE
On 8 April 2005, Mr. A.V. Ganesan, Member of the Appellate Body, accepted the request by Argentina and the United States to act as arbitrator to determine the reasonable period of time for implementation of the DSB's recommendations and rulings in “United States — Sunset Reviews of Anti-Dumping Measures on Oil Country Tubular Goods from Argentina”.
> Appointment of Arbitrator:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/268_11_e.doc
> All documentation on the case DS268:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/dispu_status_e.htm#268
> More on Dispute Settlement:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/dispu_e.htm
> More on the Appellate Body:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/appellate_body_e.htm
PANEL REPORTS OUT ON GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS DISPUTES
The WTO, on 15 March 2005, issued the reports of the panel that had examined complaints by the United States and Australia against “European Communities — Protection of trademarks and geographical indications for agricultural products and foodstuffs” (DS174 and DS290, respectively).
> Download the reports:
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news05_e/panelreport_174_290_e.htm
> DS174: Conclusions and recommendation:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/174r_conc_e.doc
> All documentation on the case DS174:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/dispu_status_e.htm#174
> DS290: Conclusions and recommendation:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/290r_conc_e.doc
> All documentation on the case DS290:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/dispu_status_e.htm#290
> More on Dispute Settlement:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/dispu_e.htm
GENERAL COUNCIL ACCEPTS SEPARATE APPLICATIONS FROM SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO At the February 15th 2005 meeting, the General Council accepted the separate applications for membership of the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Montenegro and agreed to the establishment of Working Parties to start the negotiations. As from that date the application of “Serbia and Montenegro” was withdrawn and this entity ceased to be an applicant and an observer.
(Click on the links or copy and paste them into your browser. Alternatively, you can go to our home page http://www.wto.org and follow the links.)
TRADE POLICY REVIEW: SIERRA LEONE - RECONSTRUCTION EFFORTS TO BE BASED ON SOUND POLICY MAKING. Since the end of civil unrest in 2002 and the return to a democratically elected Government, Sierra Leone, the poorest country in the world, has made intensive efforts to strengthen the legal and institutional framework for coherent and sound policy-making and to promote export and market diversification with the result of vibrant growth in the economy, according to a report on the trade policies and practices of Sierra Leone published by the WTO Secretariat.
> Press release: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp243_e.htm
> More on Sierra Leone:
http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/countries_e/sierra_leone_e.htm
US AND CANADA BLOCK FIRST EC PANEL REQUESTS IN NEW 'HORMONES' DISPUTE Four first-time requests for a dispute panel to be set up were blocked on 25 January 2005, including the European Communities' requests to consider the United States' and Canada's continued sanctions against the EC's import ban on hormone-treated beef.
> Summary of the meeting:
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news05_e/dsb_25jan05_e.htm
> More on Dispute Settlement:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/dispu_e.htm
TRADE POLICY REVIEW: JAPAN - FURTHER STRUCTURAL REFORMS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO A SUSTAINED RECOVERY. Since its previous Trade Policy Review, in 2002, Japan's economic situation has improved, particularly compared with the previous decade of slow growth, according to a report on the trade policies and practices of Japan published by the WTO Secretariat.
> Press release: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp242_e.htm
> More on Trade Policy Reviews:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tpr_e.htm
TRADE POLICY REVIEW: MONGOLIA - EARLY MARKET ORIENTED REFORMS HELPED THE TRANSITION TO A STABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH Early market-oriented reforms, including establishment of an open trade regime, significantly helped the transition of Mongolia from a centrally planned economy until 1991 to a market-based economy, currently enjoying stable economic growth and moderate inflation, according to a WTO Secretariat report on the trade policies and practices of Mongolia.
> Press release: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp245_e.htm
> More on Mongolia's participation in the WTO:
http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/countries_e/mongolia_e.htm
NEW PUBLICATION: THE WTO BUILDING
This brochure details the history the Centre William Rappard, the home of the WTO and the first building in Geneva built specifically to house an international organization. It contains pictures of the inside and outside of the building and its grounds.
> Download the brochure in pdf format:
http://www.wto.org/english/res_e/booksp_e/wto_building_e.pdf
WTO TALKS CAN BE 'A CATALYST FOR GROWTH', SUPACHAI TELLS AFRICAN MEETING Work on the Doha agenda has to intensify, with continued top-level political involvement, Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi told a meeting of African and Nordic ministers in Tanzania on 20 January 2005. In a wide-ranging speech, he urged African countries to reap potential big gains by taking a longer view in the agriculture negotiations, and he said that the discussion on preference erosion has to reconcile conflicting objectives among developing countries.
> Speech:
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/spsp_e/spsp34_e.htm
SUPACHAI URGES MEMBERS TO MULL TRADE POLICIES TO HELP TSUNAMI SUFFERERS Swiftly concluding the current Doha Agenda negotiations and perhaps other actions, such as better market access, and restraint in using trade remedies, are needed to help countries trying to recover from the Asian tsunami, WTO Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi told members on 13 January 2005. In a letter to all members, he urged them to consider whether they can introduce any trade policies now to help the worst affected economies to recover.
> News item:
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news05_e/dg_letter_13jan05_e.htm
FOUR CANDIDATES NOMINATED FOR THE POST OF DIRECTOR-GENERAL
The following candidates have been nominated by their respective governments for the post of WTO Director-General to succeed the current Director-General, Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, whose term of office expires on 31 August 2005: Carlos Pérez del Castillo of Uruguay, Jaya Krishna Cuttaree of Mauritius, Luiz Felipe de Seixas Corrêa of Brazil, and Pascal Lamy of France.
> Press release: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/pres05_e/pr393_e.htm
SUPACHAI WELCOMES EU-US DECISION ON AIRCRAFT DISPUTE Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, on 11 January 2005, welcomed the decision taken by the European Union and the United States to negotiate a bilateral resolution to their ongoing dispute concerning aircraft subsidies rather than continue the cases they had brought in October to the WTO’s Dispute Settlement Body.
> Press release: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/pres05_e/pr394_e.htm
APPELLATE BODY - REVISED WORKING PROCEDURES TAKE EFFECT
The revised Working Procedures for Appellate Review enter into effect for appeals initiated after 1 January 2005.
> News item:
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news05_e/ab_work_proc_4jan05_e.htm
> More on Appellate Body:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/appellate_body_e.htm
UPDATED PAGES ON CURRENT ACCESSIONS NEGOTIATIONS
The section of the website dealing with the status of ongoing accessions negotiations has been updated to include developments up to December 2004. The details for each country now include links to statistics and unrestricted official documents where available. Click on the country name in the table at http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/acc_e/status_e.htm to see the detail page for each country.
> More on accessions:
> http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/acc_e/acc_e.htm
ACCESSION WORKING PARTIES ESTABLISHED FOR AFGHANISTAN, IRAQ
The General Council, on 13 December 2004, established working parties to examine, respectively, the membership applications of Afghanistan and Iraq.
> News item:
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news04_e/gc_afghanistan_iraq_13dec04_e.htm
> More on accessions:
> http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/acc_e/acc_e.htm
ACCESSION MOVES FORWARD AS MEMBERS EXAMINE THE TERMS
Viet Nam’s membership negotiations progressed further on 15 December 2004 as the working party examined the first draft of the report it will issue at the end of the negotiation.
> News item:
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news04_e/acc_vietnam_15dec04_e.htm
ITU/WTO WORKSHOP ON TELECOM AND ICT REGULATION
Papers and presentations from the recent workshop on Telecom and ICT regulation held 1-7 December 2004 are now available on the website at http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/serv_e/telecom_e/workshop_dec04_e/workshop_dec04_e.htm
LAOS: WTO MEMBERSHIP WILL 'ACCELERATE ECONOMIC REFORM'
The Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) kicked off its membership negotiations on 28 October 2004 by outlining the reforms it has already undertaken and calling on members to take account of its status as a land-locked, least-developed country without a representative in Geneva.
> News Item:
> http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news04_e/laos_28oct04_e.htm
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES TRADE POLICY REVIEW
Members commend EC's liberalization but call for further steps in agriculture and technical barriers.
> Press release: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp238_e.htm
DSB GRANTS CHILE AUTHORIZATION TO RETALIATE IN BYRD AMENDMENT CASE At the same meeting, held on 17 December 2004, the Dispute Settlement Body adopted the Appellate Body and panel reports concerning anti-dumping measures applied by the United States on oil country tubular goods exported from Argentina.
> Summary of the meeting:
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news04_e/dsb_17dec04_e.htm
TRADE POLICY REVIEW: SWITZERLAND/LIECHTENSTEIN
Further multilateral market opening would provide greater advantages.
> Press release: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp240_e.htm
DDG RANA OPENS JITAP MANAGEMENT MEETING
Deputy Director-General Dr. Kipkorir Aly Azad Rana, in his opening address on 15 December 2004, urged a JITAP schedule that will maximize beneficiary countries' participation in the Doha negotiations. JITAP is the joint technical assistance programme of the WTO, UNCTAD and the ITC.
> opening address:
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news04_e/speech_rana_15dec04_e.htm
WTO MEMBERSHIP RISES TO 147
The Kindom of Nepal, on 23 April 2004, became the 147th member of the World Trade Organization. This brief article also lists the other countries that are in the process of joining the WTO.
> News item: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news04_e/wto_147members_23apr04_e.htm
| APPELLATE BODY ISSUES REPORT ON
EC TARIFF PREFERENCES The Appellate Body, on 7 April 2004, issued its report on India's complaint against the EC in “European Communities — Conditions for the Granting of Tariff Preferences to Developing Countries” (WT/DS246/AB/R). Download: > The report in Word format: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/246abr_e.doc > The report in pdf format: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/246abr_e.pdf > All documentation on the case DS246: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/dispu_status_e.htm#246 > More on Dispute Settlement: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/dispu_e.htm > More on Appellate Body: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/appellate_body_e.htm VIEW TRADE STATISTICS NEWS CONFERENCE A video of the Trade Statistics news conference held on 5 April 2004 can now be viewed online > Find out more at: http://www.wto.org/english/res_e/webcas_e/webcas_e.htm#5apr04(Click on the links or copy and paste them into your browser. Alternatively, you can go to our home page http://www.wto.org and follow the links.) UNDERSTANDING THE WTONew edition of the basic guide to the WTO now available for download: Understanding the WTO (replaces Trading Into the Future) > find out more at http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/tif_e/tif_e.htm AGRICULTURE NEGOTIATIONS BACKGROUNDER UPDATED Long overdue, we have now updated the agriculture negotiations backgrounder on the WTO website. This latest revision includes the “frameworks” produced before and during Cancún and a short section on the cotton initiative. You can browse it, or download the 69-page document in Word or pdf format on the WTO website (in English -- French and Spanish translations to follow): http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/agric_e/negs_bkgrnd00_contents_e.htm .. or follow this path: www.wto.org > trade topics > agriculture/agriculture negotiations > agriculture negotiations backgrounder. MEMBERS WELCOME UNILATERAL REFORMS BY THE GAMBIA WTO members, in concluding their trade policy review of The Gambia on 6 February 2004, noted that economic liberalization has contributed to The Gambia's high growth rate since the late 1990s. They encouraged the country to consolidate reforms aimed at promoting investment and diversifying exports. > Press release: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp227_e.htm DR. SUPACHAI SAYS SAUDI ACCESSION AN “IMMINENT REALITY” Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in a speech at the Jeddah Economic Forum on 19 January 2004, said that there is a “realistic chance” that Saudi Arabia will accede to the WTO before the end of this year. Earlier, in an address in Dhaka, Bangladesh to the International Chamber of Commerce, he urged the business community to give active support to the Doha Development Agenda. > speech at the Jeddah Economic Forum: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/spsp_e/spsp20_e.htm > address to the International Chamber of Commerce in Dhaka: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/spsp_e/spsp21_e.htm NEW WTO STAFF WORKING PAPER NOW AVAILABLE A new WTO staff working paper by Hildegunn Kyvik Nordås entitled "Vertical specialization and the quality of infrastructure" is now available on the website. You can read the abstract or download the entire document at http://www.wto.org/english/res_e/reser_e/wpaps_e.htm#2003 NEW REQUESTS FOR CONSULTATIONSThe WTO has received the following new requests for consultations: Egypt: Measures affecting imports of textile and apparel products - Request for Consultations by the United States: 6 January 2004. In this particular dispute, the United States has alleged that Egypt has imposed tariffs higher than those it agreed to during the Uruguay Round. > find out more at: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/dispu_status_e.htm#305 TURKEY’S TRADE POLICY REVIEW CALLS FOR CONTINUED REFORMS Turkey’s economic reforms could be strengthened by continued structural adjustment, privatization and improved goods and services commitments, to attract foreign investment and make its trading regime more predictable, says a Secretariat report on the country’s trade policies and practices released on 19 December 2003.> Press release: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp225_e.htm
WTO AND CPA PUBLISH NEW TRADE BOOKLET FOR MPS The WTO and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association have published a new booklet on the multilateral trading system, based on regional workshops for African and Caribbean Parliamentarians held in Cape Town and Port-of-Spain in 2003. > details: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news03_e/cpa_booklet_19dec_e.htm ‘TIME TO REACTIVATE THE NEGOTIATING GROUPS AND OTHER BODIES’ — GENERAL COUNCIL CHAIR AND DG The WTO’s negotiating groups and the Trade Negotiations Committee should be reactivated Chairperson Carlos Pérez del Castillo and WTO Director-General Supachai told the General Council on 15 December 2003. They had suspended the groups after the Cancún Ministerial Conference ended inconclusively in September, and their reports kicked off the General Council’s deliberations on ending the deadlock, as ministers had instructed in Cancún. > Key issues clearer, possible solutions becoming visible: General > Council chairperson’s assessment: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news03_e/stat_gc_chair_15dec03_e.htm > Ministers want to resume talks using Cancún text: Director-General’s statement: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news03_e/stat_gc_dg_15dec03_e.htm CHAIR WRAPS UP: NEGOTIATING GROUPS CAN RESTART, BUT STILL NO DEAL ON TOUGH ISSUES Members are willing to restart work in the negotiating groups, but there is still no major breakthrough, General Council Chairperson Carlos Pérez del Castillo said on 16 December 2003. He was wrapping up the council’s discussion on the follow up from the Cancún Ministerial Conference.> Chairperson’s closing statement: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news03_e/stat_gc_chair_16dec03_e.htm WTO APPELLATE BODY CONFIRMS US ANTI-DUMPING SUNSET REVIEW OF CERTAIN JAPANESE STEEL PRODUCTS IS LEGAL The WTO Appellate Body’s 15 December 2003 report on dispute DS244, “United States — Sunset Review of Anti-Dumping Duties on Corrosion-Resistant Carbon Steel Flat Products from Japan”, reversed some of the legal reasoning of the original panel report, issued on 14 August 2003. In particular, the Appellate Body found that the US Sunset Policy Bulletin can be challenged in WTO dispute settlement. Although their analysis of Japan’s claims differed in important respects, neither the panel nor the Appellate Body made any finding that the United States had acted inconsistently with its obligations under the Anti-Dumping or the WTO Agreement. Download: > The report in Word format: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/244abr_e.doc > The report in pdf format: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/244abr_e.pdf > All documentation on the case DS244: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/dispu_status_e.htm#244 > More on Dispute Settlement: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/dispu_e.htm 26TH WTO TRADE POLICY COURSE ENDS Twenty-two government officials from developing countries and economies in transition completed on 11 December 2003 a three month training on the multilateral trading system, its rules and its procedures. > News item: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news03_e/26th_tpc_ends_e.htm DENMARK DONATES ANOTHER 600,000 SWISS FRANCS FOR WTO TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Denmark pledged a new contribution of DKK 3 million (CHF 600,000) on 17 December to the Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund, for 2004. Denmark contributed a similar amount in January 2003. > Press release: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/pres03_e/pr369_e.htm
PROFESSOR MERIT JANOW SWORN IN AS NEW APPELLATE BODY MEMBER In a ceremony presided over by Ambassador Shotaro Oshima, chair of the Dispute Settlement Body, Professor Merit Janow of the United States was sworn in as a member of the Appellate Body at the WTO on 15 December 2003. > News item: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news03_e/ab_member_16dec03_e.htm VIET NAM STARTS ITS ‘QUANTUM JUMP’ BUT STILL SOME WAY TO GO Viet Nam’s membership negotiations entered a new phase as its working party started work on key points of draft “elements” of a working party report on 10 December, but members warned that a lot of work still remains. > News item: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news03_e/acc_vietnam_12dec_e.htm NEW REQUESTS FOR CONSULTATIONS The WTO has received the following new requests for consultations: India - Anti-dumping measures on imports of certain products from the European Communities and/or Member States - Request for Consultations by the European Communities: 11 December 2003 > find out more at: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/dispu_status_e.htm#304 DISPUTE BODY ADOPTS RULINGS ON US STEEL SAFEGUARDS AND JAPAN’S MEASURES ON APPLES The Dispute Settlement Body, on 10 December 2003, adopted the panel and Appellate Body reports on US definitive safeguard measures on imports of certain steel products and Japanese measures affecting the importation of apples. > Summary of the meeting: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news03_e/dsb_10dec03_e.htm MEMBERS ENCOURAGE THAILAND TO CONTINUE REFORMSWTO members, at the conclusion of their fourth trade policy review of Thailand on 14 November 2003, encouraged the country to continue with trade liberalization and structural reforms, which have contributed to the steady development of the economy since the previous review in 1999. > Press release: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp223_e.htm LIBERAL TRADE POLICIES HELP CHILE COPE WITH EXTERNAL SHOCKSWTO members, in concluding their third trade policy review of Chile on 4 December 2003, said that liberalization policies since the last review in 1997 have made Chile's economy more resilient and enabled the country to cope well with a number of external shocks over the past years. > Press release: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp224_e.htm WTO Discussion Papers - No. 1: Industrial Tariffs and the Doha Development AgendaContaining many tables and charts, the paper focuses on the basic mandate given to negotiators at Doha and looks at specific issues facing developed, developing and least-developed countries. Download for free (52 pages, 636KB) |
| WTO Discussion Papers - No.
2: Improving the Availability of Trade Finance during Financial Crises
This paper explores the reasons behind the failure by private markets and other institutions to meet demand for cross-border and domestic short-term trade finance during financial crises such as the one which affected emerging economies in the 1990s. Link. |
EC, CANADA AND US TO DISCUSS NEXT MOVE IN HORMONE-TREATED BEEF CASE The European Communities, at the DSB meeting on 1 December 2003, asked Canada and the US to initiate a compliance procedure to assess the WTO consistency of the EC's new measure in the hormone-treated beef case but Canada and the US said that they would rather hold further discussions.
> Summary of the meeting:
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news03_e/dsb_1dec03_e.htm
WTO DISCUSSION PAPERS - NO. 2: IMPROVING THE AVAILABILITY OF TRADE FINANCE DURING FINANCIAL CRISES This paper explores the reasons behind the failure by private markets and other institutions to meet demand for cross-border and domestic short-term trade finance during financial crises such as the one which affected emerging economies in the 1990s.
> Find out more at:
https://secure.vtx.ch/shop/boutiques/wto_index_boutique.asp?language=E&rayon=free_eng
PANEL RULES ON INDIA-EU DISPUTE ON GSP TARIFF PREFERENCES
The WTO, on 1 December 2003, issued a panel report that found EU's special tariff preferences for 12 developing countries under its “Drug Arrangements”, as prescribed in the EU’s GSP regulation, to be in violation of trade rules because they discriminate against other developing countries. One panelist dissented from the report.
APPELLATE BODY ISSUES REPORT ON US-JAPAN APPLE DISPUTE
The Appellate Body, on 26 November 2003, issued a report upholding the findings of a panel that Japan's quarantine restrictions on imports of apples from the United States are inconsistent with certain provisions of the WTO Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures.
Download:
> The report in Word format:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/245_abr_e.doc
> The report in pdf format:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/245_abr_e.pdf
> All documentation on the case DS245:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/dispu_status_e.htm#245
> More on Dispute Settlement:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/dispu_e.htm
SUPACHAI WELCOMES SUPPORT FROM LEADERS OF IMF AND WORLD BANK WTO Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi welcomed, on 21 November 2003, the strong support shown by IMF Managing Director Horst Köhler and World Bank President James D. Wolfensohn who sent a joint letter to global leaders encouraging them to redouble their efforts in advancing the Doha Development Agenda global trade talks.
> Press release: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/pres03_e/pr366_e.htm
AFRICAN TRADE MINISTERS URGE RESUMPTION OF NEGOTIATIONS
Trade ministers from 12 African countries, in a statement after an informal meeting with Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi in Cairo on 13-14 November 2003, called on the WTO membership — particularly the major trading partners — “to return to the negotiating table in the shortest possible delay”.
> Statement:
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news03_e/stat_african_minist_nov03_e.htm
THE NETHERLANDS DONATES 1.4 MILLION EURO TO WTO TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE The Netherlands Government pledged, on 19 November 2003, a contribution of 1.4 million euro (1.8 million Swiss francs) to the Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund.
> Press release: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/pres03_e/pr367_e.htm
NEW WEBPAGE SET UP FOR DECISION ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND PUBLIC HEALTH The WTO website now includes a dedicated page for member governments to make known their use (or intention to use) provisions allowing cheaper pharmaceutical products to be traded more easily across borders under compulsory licensing.
> News item:
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news03_e/trips_publhealth_nov03_e.htm
> Dedicated webpage for notifications under 30 August 2003 decision:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/trips_e/public_health_e.htm
MOROCCO JOINS WTO'S INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AGREEMENT
Morocco, on 14 November 2003, joined a WTO agreement on removing all tariff barriers to information technology products such as personal computers and telecoms equipment.
> News item:
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news03_e/ita_morocco_nov03_e.htm
APPELLATE BODY ISSUES REPORT ON STEEL DISPUTE
The Appellate Body, on 10 November 2003, issued its report on the complaints brought to the WTO by Brazil, China, the European Communities, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Norway and Switzerland against United States — Definitive Safeguard Measures on Imports of Certain Steel Products. It upheld most of the Panel's conclusions that the US measures were inconsistent with the WTO Safeguards Agreement and the GATT 1994 but reversed some findings regarding tin mill products and stainless steel wire which did not affect the overall result.
DSB ESTABLISHES 3 PANELS
The Dispute Settlement Body, on 7 November 2003, established three panels to examine, respectively, Australia's quarantine regime for imports, Mexico's anti-dumping measures on beef and rice, and the European Communities' customs classification of frozen boneless chicken cuts. Summary of the meeting: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news03_e/dsb_7nov03_e.htm
WTO APPOINTS NEW APPELLATE BODY MEMBER AND REAPPOINTS THREE EXISTING MEMBERS The WTO Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) appointed on 7 November 2003 Ms. Merit E. Janow of the United States to the Appellate Body and reappointed Messrs. Georges Michel Abi-Saab of Egypt, Arumugamangalam Venkatachalam Ganesan of India and Yasuhei Taniguchi of Japan.
> Press release: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/pres03_e/pr364_e.htm
SPECIAL EVENTS ON DEVELOPMENT
Geneva Week VII, 10-14 November 2003: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/devel_e/genwk7_e.htm
National Trade Policy Seminar (Cambodia), 27-29 October 2003: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/devel_e/sem_cambodia_oct03_e.htm
MEMBERS COMMEND HAITI'S ECONOMY AS ONE OF MOST LIBERAL IN LATIN AMERICA WTO members, in concluding their first trade policy review of Haiti on 6 November 2003, said that the country's unilateral reform efforts have made it one of the most liberal economies in Latin America and the Caribbean.
> Press release: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp222_e.htm
SUPACHAI SAYS DDA FAILURE WOULD BE LOST OPPORTUNITY FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in a keynote address to the Third City of London Biennial Meeting on 4 November 2003, said that failure to advance the Doha Development Agenda would be a “lost opportunity” for developing countries to become more fully integrated into the global economy, and to benefit from the economic growth that trade can generate.
> keynote address: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/spsp_e/spsp18_e.htm
(Click on the links or copy and paste them into your browser. Alternatively, you can go to our home page http://www.wto.org and follow the links.)