June 2014

Azevêdo warns against revisiting Bali decisions

WTO News, 25 June, 2014

WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo, at the Trade Negotiations Committee meeting on 25 June 2014, noted concerns about efforts by some delegations to revisit the Trade Facilitation Agreement agreed in Bali. He warned that “everything we worked together to achieve in Bali would be potentially be lost”. He assured members that the WTO Secretariat is “working hard” to ensure the provision of technical assistance to developing countries in trade facilitation. More…

Subsidies issue: US, EU want India to detail food support programmes to WTO

Business Line, 15 June, 2014

India and China have been asked to submit information on their food subsidy programmes to the World Trade Organisation by the US, the EU and some other countries. More…

Singapore commits to WTO’s trade facilitation agreement

Chanel News Asia, 11 June, 2014

The Republic will implement all the provisions of the World Trade Organization’s Agreement on Trade Facilitation once it comes into force, which is expected to be by July 31, 2015, says the Ministry of Trade and Industry. More…

China faces trade war impasse as TPP members close new admissions

China Times, 08 June, 2014

After joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) more than 10 years ago, China and the WTO are sensing the pressure of being “marginalized” in the restructuring of the international trade system, especially with the nation facing the pressure of joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), reports the Shanghai-based China Business News. More…

India-US solar dispute at WTO to have China, EU as third party observers

Business Line, 06 June, 2014

The India-US dispute over domestic content requirement in the country’s solar energy programme at the World Trade Organisation is being keenly watched by other countries with some wanting to participate as observers in the panel hearings. More…

Azevêdo underlines leadership role of Bangladesh in post-Bali work

WTO News, 03 June, 2014

Director-General Roberto Azevêdo, in a speech to Bangladesh textile manufacturers and exporters in Dhaka on 3 June, said that “Bangladesh’s substantive input and continued active engagement can help the LDC Group realize the full potential from the Bali package and the Doha Development Agenda”. He expressed confidence that “under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina whom I just met, Bangladesh can continue to consolidate its economic and social advancement”. More…

Deal or no deal? EU-Canada trade deal falters at final hurdle

Reuters, 02 June, 2014

Canada and the European Union are struggling to finalize a multibillion-dollar trade pact six months after political leaders said it was sealed, an embarrassment for Brussels as it seeks a far bigger deal with the United States. More…