India threatens to move WTO against EU’s carbon tax
The Hindustan Times, 28 July, 2011
India has threatened to move World Trade Organisation (WTO) against the European Union if it fails to withdraw carbon tax to be imposed on flights landing or taking off from European airports from January 2012. Even though the additional per passenger cost would be around six US dollars, Indians would be paying approximately about one billion US dollars a year to Europe. Similar cost for China would be about four billion US dollars. More…
EU agrees to stop confiscation of Indian generic drugs
The Economic Times, 28 July, 2011
India’s long-drawn dispute with the European Union over confiscation of Indian generic drugs in transit to other countries at European airports has been temporarily settled. More…
WTO adopts reports on steel fastener anti-dumping case
WTO News, 28 July, 2011
At its meeting on 28 July 2011, the Dispute Settlement Body adopted the Panel and Appellate Body reports which examined anti-dumping measures taken by the European Union on imports of iron and steel products from China. Summary of the meeting. and Proposed items for consideration at the DSB:
Chairman outlines preparations for the December Ministerial
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WTO News, 27 July, 2011
The Chairman of the General Council, Amb. Yonov Frederick Agah, on 27 July 2011, said that delegations would need “to see what is realistically achievable in a pragmatic and realistic spirit” when they prepare in earnest after the summer break for the December Ministerial Conference. More…
Lamy urges members to think ‘what next for the WTO’
WTO News, 26 July, 2011
Members find themselves unable to agree on a package of issues selected from the Doha Round agenda for the December 2011 Ministerial Conference, and should focus on how to proceed after the conference, Director-General Pascal Lamy reported to ambassadors on 26 July 2011. More…
EU files dispute against China
WTO News, 25 July, 2011
On 25 July 2011, the European Union requested consultations with China under the dispute settlement system concerning the latter’s definitive anti-dumping duties on x-ray security inspection equipment from the EU. More…
India regaining status as trading powerhouse
The Economic Times, 21 July , 2011
India broke into the club of top 20 exporters of goods and reclaimed its position among top 10 services exporters in 2010, moving up two notches in both categories from 2009 in a display of resilience to the economic downturn that continues to cast its shadow on the US and the EU. More…
Changing face of trade pacts requires coherence with WTO, report says
WTO News, 20 July, 2011
Burgeoning bilateral and regional trade agreements meet the need to regulate global production and can benefit non-members, but the WTO’s multilateral system also has a role in reducing the resulting complexity, according to the latest edition of the organization’s flagship publication released on 20 July 2011 in Geneva. More…
WTO Sides With Mexico in Tuna Battle With U.S.
The Wall Street Journal, 20 July, 2011
The World Trade Organization has sided with Mexico in a two-decade long trade battle with the U.S. over whether Mexico’s tuna fish is “dolphin safe,” Mexican officials said Tuesday. More…
India imposes anti-dumping duty on Japanese, Chinese gas
The Economic Times, 19 July, 2011
India has imposed anti-dumping duty of up to USD 1.41 per kg on imports of a gas, used primarily for refrigeration purpose, to protect domestic players from cheap Chinese and Japanese shipments. More…
Aid for Trade: Lamy reports 60% increase in resources and positive impact on the ground
WTO News, 18 July, 2011
WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy, in opening the Third Global Review of Aid for Trade on 18 July 2011, reported a 60% increase in Aid for Trade resources since 2005. He cited results of the initiative range from increased export volumes, to more employment, to faster customs clearance times and impacts on poverty. More…
Philippines’ WTO win upheld
Business Online, 17 July, 2011
A World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling stating that Thailand discriminated against Philippine cigarette exports has become final and officials from both countries are now expected to discuss how to implement needed fiscal and customs reforms. More…
China scores broad win in WTO fastener appeal against EU
AFP News, 15 July, 2011
China scored a broad victory Friday at the World Trade Organization in its appeal against Brussels over EU anti-dumping measures imposed on imports of Chinese metal fasteners such as nuts and bolts. More…
WTO rejects U.S. anti-dumping tariffs on Vietnam shrimp
Chicago Tribune, 11 July, 2011
World Trade Organization judges on Monday ruled that the United States is violating global trade rules in using its controversial “zeroing” method to impose anti-dumping tariffs on shrimp from Vietnam. More…
Paper says China has legal, moral right to curb rare earth exports
Reuters, 07 July, 2011
China is well within its rights, legally and morally, to limit rare earth exports, argued an article in Chinese state media on Thursday, days after the World Trade Organization ruled against China on its curbs of raw materials exports. More…
WTO calls on EU to phase out crisis state aid
Live Mint, 07 July, 2011
The World Trade Organization (WTO) called on Wednesday on the European Union (EU) to phase out state aid to the private sector during the financial crises, so as not to hinder long-term restructuring. More…
China Restrictions on Exports of Nine Raw Materials Break Rules, WTO Says
Bloomberg, 05 July, 2011
Chinese restrictions on exports of nine raw materials violate global rules and give the country’s manufacturers an unfair edge, a World Trade Organization panel said, backing a complaint by the U.S., the European Union and Mexico. More…
Pakistan seeks India’s help at WTO
The Economic Times, 05 July, 2011
Pakistan wants India to withdraw its objections at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to enable it to seek trade concessions from the European Union for its flood-hit people, a daily said. More…
US threatens to drag India to WTO over cotton export restrictions
The Economic Times, 04 July 2011
The United States has alleged that restrictions imposed by India on export of cotton has contributed to global price volatility and its appropriateness should be discussed at the World Trade Organization, but India maintains that the restrictions fall outside the purview of the multilateral trade body. More…
Lamy calls for greater transparency in fiscal support measures
WTO News, 01 July, 2011
WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy told the Special Session of the Trade Policy Review Body on “The Financial and Economic Crises on the Role of the WTO” on 1 July 2011 that “we can and must do better in notifications and information sharing”. He noted that information on procurement activities are already being shared by parties to the Government Procurement Agreement, adding that this is one area that “offers great potential for boosting trade growth and for bringing under closer multilateral review this area of fiscal support”. More…