South Korea lifts Scotch whisky import barriers
BBC News, 30 June, 2011
Trade barriers to Scotch whisky imports have been removed in South Korea – a nation that already ranks among distillers’ most successful markets. More…
Korea to lift import ban on Canadian beef
The Korea Times, 28 June, 2011
Korea agreed to import Canadian beef products in spite of a recent outbreak of mad cow disease there with the first shipment expected late this year. In return, Canada is set to drop its complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO). More…
WTO rules against Philippines’ spirits tax -sources
Reuters, 27 June, 2011
Taxes levied by the Philippines on alcoholic drinks from the European Union and United States are illegal under global trade rules, the world’s trade dispute body ruled on Monday, according to sources close to the case. More…
India’s opposition led to European Union tariff deal rejection
The Economic Times, 27 June, 2011
The European Union (EU) hasn’t got approval from the World Trade Organisation (WTO) member nations, specially India, for a preferential trade package to Pakistan , a media report said on Monday. More…
Trade facilitation pushed ahead of ‘Doha Lite’ deal
BusinessWorld Online, 27 June, 2011
TWO GLOBAL agencies are pushing to implement trade facilitation measures ahead of the proposed adoption of a “Doha Lite” agreement this December, the World Trade Organization (WTO) said. More…
U.S. industry wary of EU action in tech goods spat
Reuters, 22 June, 2011
U.S. technology companies are worried a victory against European Union tariffs at the World Trade Organization last year may not yield the bonanza they expected because of the way the EU intends to implement the decision, industry representatives said on Wednesday. More…
Doha round’ clash over cotton subsidies
Financial Times, 22 June, 2011
The chances of salvaging even a minimal deal from the so-called “Doha round” of trade talks have receded yet further as the US, European Union and Brazil clashed over rules to restrain cotton subsidies and help the poorest countries. More…
India to issue another warning to US on hike of professional visa fees
The Economics Times, 21 June, 2011
India will issue yet another warning to the United States on the non-compatibility of the recent hike in professional visa fees and imposition of additional import taxes on government purchases with World Trade Organisation, or WTO, rules. More…
Higher exports of cigarettes seen
The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online, 20 June, 2011
The favorable WTO decision on the cigarette excise tax case filed by the Philippines against Thailand is expected to pave the way for unhampered exports of locally-produced cigarettes to the fellow ASEAN country without the threat of discriminatory tax treatment. More…
Talks ignore global value chains – WTO
IOL, 13 June, 2011
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has launched a “made in the world” initiative in a bid to ensure that trade policies and regulations more accurately reflect the fact that traded goods are rarely made in just one “country of origin”. More…
India, China becoming core of global landscape: WTO chief
Hindustan Times, 13 June, 2011
With “unimaginable” role being played by fast-rising India, China and other emerging economies, the nations which were on the periphery of the global landscape are becoming its core, WTO chief Pascal Lamy said on Tuesday. “With the change in geo-political landscape, India, China and other emerging economies are playing a role which was unimaginable even 20 years ago.” Lamy said addressing Panglaykim Memmorial lecture at Jakarta on Tuesday. More…
WTO warns of rising global protectionism
Reuters, 10 June 2011
The world’s trading nations are succumbing to protectionism in the wake of the global financial crisis, limiting exports of food and raw materials and installing new import barriers, the WTO warned on Friday. More…
Russia set to end EU vegetable import ban
AlertNet, 10 June 2011
Russia agreed on Friday to lift a ban on vegetable imports from the European Union if the EU provides safety guarantees, clearing the way to ending a row over a fatal outbreak of E.coli in Europe. More…
WTO says Doha momentum needed
Western Farm Express, 06 June 2011
Director-General Pascal Lamy, head of the World Trade Organization (WTO) said the immediate challenge for the organization is to generate momentum on “realistic, credible and achievable targets” for a positive result that could be agreed upon at the ministerial conference in Geneva on Dec. 15-17. More…
WTO adopts Airbus subsidy findings
Seattle pi, 06 June 2011
The World Trade Organization’s Dispute Settlement Body adopted panel and appellate reports on illegal European government subsidies to airbus on June 1, the WTO reported Monday. More…
India & China seek Green Tech transfer surety for duty cuts
The Economic Times, 03 June 2011
India and China have said that developing countries will bring down duties on environmental goods-items that contribute to keep the earth green-only if developed countries agree to transfer technology and sponsor technical and financial assistance programmes. More…
India backs package for poor nations
Economic Times, 01 June, 2011
India is keen to support an “early harvest” package mainly targeting least developed countries (LDCs) in December at the World Trade Organisation–a move that could help dispel notions that its hard stance on tariff elimination on industrial goods was preventing poor countries from benefiting from a concluded Doha round. More…
Russia says WTO group asked to admit it by year-end
Moneycontrol.com, 01 June, 2011
The head of a group negotiating Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organisation has instructed its members to try to finish the process by the end of 2011, a Russian source close to the talks told Reuters. More…