U.S., EU, Japan press China on financial services at WTO
Reuters, 31 October, 2011
The United States criticized China on Monday for failing to fulfill World Trade Organization commitments to open its financial services market, while the European Union and Japan pressed for answers on specific areas of Beijing’s regulations. More…
Russia on brink of WTO deal with Georgia
The Financial Times, 30 October, 2011
Russia was on the brink of finally agreeing terms for entering the World Trade Organisation on Sunday night after Moscow said a deal could be reached with Georgia “within hours”. More…
Mixed WTO panel ruling in dispute over EU taxes on Chinese shoes
The Washington Post, 28 October, 2011
A World Trade Organization panel said Friday the dispute between the European Union and China over Chinese-made shoes has largely ended, since the EU stopped its antidumping measures in late March.. More…
WTO panel report out on China-EU footwear dispute
WTO News, 28 October, 2011
The WTO, on 28 October 2011, issued the report of the panel that had examined China’s complaint in the case “European Union – Anti-dumping measures on certain footwear from China” (DS405). More…
Intellectual property council talks health, tobacco packaging and enforcement
WTO News, 28 October, 2011
WTO members assessed the system for helping poorer countries import cheaper medicines, debated whether an Australian bill on plain packaging for cigarettes will hurt poor farmers, and scrutinized a new agreement among a group of countries on stronger intellectual property enforcement, when they met as the TRIPS Council on 24-25 October 2011. More…
EU pushes for ITA expansion, Russia wishes to join
WTO News, 28 October, 2011
The European Union, at the meeting of the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) Committee on 24 October 2011, indicated it will refocus its efforts on a sectoral agreement on information technology products from the Doha Round to the ITA Committee. Russia announced its plans to join the Agreement. More…
WTO panel to examine US anti-dumping measures on Chinese shrimps and sawblades
WTO News, 28 October, 2011
At its meeting on 25 October 2011, the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) established a panel to review US anti-dumping measures imposed on Chinese shrimps and diamond sawblades. More…
Members eye path of ‘smaller steps’ as way out of Doha impasse
WTO News, 25 October, 2011
Ambassadors from WTO member governments confirmed on 21 October 2011 that the upcoming ministerial conference should set a deadlock-breaking path for the Doha Round perhaps by starting on issues where an early agreement might be possible. More…
SPS notifications hit 5 figures
WTO News, 25 October, 2011
Since the WTO was set up 16 years ago, governments have shared information with each other on over 10,000 measures that they have implemented on food safety and animal and plant health, the organization’s committee handling these issues learnt in its 19-20 October 2011 meeting. More…
India may drag EU to WTO over carbon tax on airlines
Business Standard, 20 October, 2011
India may consider dragging European Union to the World Trade Organisation if the 27-nation bloc goes ahead with its contentious plan to impose carbon tax on non-EU airlines, sources said. More…
Chinese solar firms face growth risk after U.S. petition
Reuters, 20 October, 2011
Chinese solar companies, grappling with huge debts, tepid demand and falling prices, risk losing out on one of the few growth markets, with American solar panel makers seeking to impose stiff duties on Chinese products. More…
WTO’s Lamy launches new idea on Doha talks
Moneycontrol.com, 20 October, 2011
World Trade Organization chief Pascal Lamy is backing a new approach to the stalled Doha round of global trade talks, suggesting that the WTO’s members could agree bite-size chunks rather than swallowing the indigestible whole in one go. More…
IBSA urges WTO to end impasse on Doha talks
IBN Live News, 19 October, 2011
India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) on Tuesday called upon WTO members to end the impasse over Doha talks for a global trade treaty, build on consensus achieved and work towards successful conclusion of the negotiations. More…
WTO members close to deal on public works worth billions
AFP News, 18 October, 2011
An international deal is nearing agreement that would open up government contracting to more transparency and foreign competition and unlock tens of billions of dollars in new opportunities, a World Trade Organization diplomat said Tuesday. More…
Japan in WTO move over Brazil car import tax rise
The Financial Times, 17 October, 2011
Japan is taking Brazil to the World Trade Organisation over the Latin American country’s tax increase on imported cars. Brazil is also facing a WTO dispute with the US after an industry group urged action against Brazilian taxes on US-branded shoes made in China. More…
Georgia, Russia to meet again for WTO talks
Xinghua 15 October, 2011
Georgia and Russia will hold their next round of talks concerning the latter’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), a local official participating in the talks said on Saturday. More…
US blasts China for farm trade practices
China Daily, 02 October, 2011
China must make its farm sector more transparent and fairer to foreign competition, the United States told the World Trade Organization’s agriculture committee on Friday, as it reviewed China’s first decade in the world trade body. More…