Africa steps up merger of three top trading blocs
Business Daily Africa, 26 November 2009
Eastern and Southern African states have stepped up plans for the establishment of Africa’s biggest economic bloc with the opening of negotiations that may culminate in a Free Trade Area spanning Cape to Cairo by May next year. More…
SAARC on negotiation to relax service market
Institute of International Trade, 25 November 2009
Services market within the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) territory could become more liberal. Trade ministers from SAARC countries are in the move to negotiate on liberalizing the services market within the region. More…
Turkey, Costa Rica eye better trade, political ties
Xinhua, 25 November 2009
Turkish and Costa Rican leaders said Wednesday the two countries intend to sign a free trade agreement to boost bilateral economic relations and also enhance political ties, Turkish media reported. More…
WTO shoptalk next week, but Doha backdrop stays
The Economic Times, 25 November 2009
Trade ministers from 143 countries are meeting in Geneva on Monday to discuss ways to improve the functioning of the WTO. The director general of the world trade body, Pascal Lamy, is hopeful that members would ‘exchange ideas’ on how to conclude the elusive Doha Round by next year. More…
EU writes to WTO over high state taxes on foreign liquor
Economic Times, 25 November 2009
The European Union has included the National Capital Territory of Delhi in the list of erring Indian states that apply higher local levies on imported liquor than those imposed on domestically produced. More…
Indonesian NGOs Want Agriculture Off the Table at WTO Meeting
Jakarta Globe, 24 November 2009
Indonesia should lobby to have the agricultural sector excluded from the Doha Development Round negotiations at the next World Trade Organization meeting, local non-governmental organizations insisted during a discussion on Tuesday. More…
Zespri export monopoly faces WTO questions
The National Business Review, 24 November 2009
In the run-up to the seventh WTO Ministerial Meeting in Geneva beginning November 30, India has proposed urgent reforms in the functioning of the multilateral trade body. More…
India to press for reforms in WTO functioning
Press Trust of India, 22 November 2009
In the run-up to the seventh WTO Ministerial Meeting in Geneva beginning November 30, India has proposed urgent reforms in the functioning of the multilateral trade body. More…
UK bank bailout may have broken WTO rules
Reuters, 22 November 2009
The British government could face trade sanctions if it is found guilty of protectionism as a result of the bank bail out. More…
Developing countries ready tariff deal without WTO
Reuters, 19 November 2009
As the World Trade Organisation’s Doha round stumbles into its ninth year with no end in sight, a group of 22 developing countries are poised to clinch their own deal to cut tariffs and boost trade among themselves. More…
Much work needed for 2010 Doha deal: WTO’s Lamy
Reuters, 17 November 2009
World Trade Organization members still have much work to do if they want to achieve their goal of reaching a new deal on opening up global commerce in 2010, WTO Director General Pascal Lamy said. More…
EU seeks clarification over Russia’s WTO bid
EU Business, 17 November 2009
The European Union will ask Russia, at a Stockholm summit on Wednesday, to clarify its intention to join the World Trade Organization, while Amnesty International wants the focus placed on human rights. More…
Russia to discuss with EU its accession to WTO
RIA Novosti, 16 November 2009
Russia and the European Union will hold on Monday a new round of talks on Russia’s accession to the WTO. More…
Chinese scholar suggests Taiwan finance sector enter China under WTO
The China Post, 14 November 2009
A Chinese scholar attending a cross-Taiwan Strait seminar in Taipei said Saturday that Taiwanese financial institutions seeking to gain access to China’s market should try to enter under the framework of the World Trade Organization. More…
Doha Round may miss goal without ‘maximum flexibility’: APEC draft
MCOT. Net, 11 November 2009
The stalled Doha Round of multilateral free-trade talks under the World Trade Organization may again miss its target deadline unless member economies exercise ”maximum flexibility” in building a clear idea of a final package, a draft of the joint statement by ministers of the Asia-Pacific area showed Wednesday. More…
WTO’s Lamy says U.S. slowing Doha talks: report
Reuters, 10 November 2009
The U.S. is slow in reaching a negotiating position in the Doha round trade liberalization talks, the World Trade Organisation’s Director General said in an Italian business daily on Tuesday. More…
WTO voices concern over high tariffs in SACU states
Business Day, 10 November 2009
Members of the WTO’s trade policy review committee raised its concern over the relatively extensive use of antidumping and other tariff measures by SA on behalf of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). More…
EBRD head urges Russia to increase WTO efforts
Forbes, 10 November 2009
Accession to the WTO would allow Russia to trim import tariffs while remaining competitive, the president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development said. More…
Peaceful demonstrations planned for WTO ministerial
Reuters, 10 November 2009
Anti-capitalist activists will demonstrate against a WTO meeting that starts in Geneva later this month, promising peaceful protests and no repeat of the Seattle riots of 10 years ago. More…
Brazil gives 1st list of US goods hit with tariffs
Taiwan News, 10 November 2009
Brazil has released a preliminary list of U.S. goods that could be hit with tariffs in response to a World Trade Organization ruling on illegal American cotton subsidies. More…
Norway joins WTO challenge to EU seal trade ban
Reuters, 06 November 2009
Norway joined a Canadian challenge at the WTO to the European Union’s ban on trade in seal products. More…
US, EU urge WTO action on China export curbs
Business Spectator, 05 November 2009
The United States, the European Union and Mexico have asked the WTO to settle a dispute with China over export restrictions on raw materials used to make steel, aluminium and chemical products. More…
Internet censorship limits could be set by WTO
MSNBC, 04 November 2009
Censorship of the Internet is open to challenge at the WTO as it can restrict trade in services delivered online. More…