October 2013

Cotton producers seek Bali commitments, as aid levels for cotton stay healthy

WTO News, 30 October, 2013

The chairperson of the agriculture negotiations told members on 30 October 2013 they will have to move fast if a text on cotton is to be agreed at the 3–6 December Bali Ministerial Conference, following the recent circulation of a proposal from four sub-Saharan cotton producers. More…

The Bali finish line is clear and in sight” — Azevêdo

WTO News, 25 October, 2013

Director-General Roberto Azevêdo told the Trade Negotiations Committee on 25 October 2013 that he has been intensively consulting with delegations, focusing on “specific issues, paragraphs and even words” of the Bali package that have been identified as requiring urgent attention. More…

WTO panel views China’s rare earth export caps as violating rules

Globalpost, 25 October, 2013

A World Trade Organization panel has broadly upheld a complaint that China’s restrictions on rare earth exports run counter to WTO rules, sources close to the matter. More…

India pushes to change WTO subsidy rules so it can stockpile food

The Guardian, 21 October, 2013

India is pushing hard for a change to global trade rules that would allow governments in developing countries more leeway to pay poor farmers above-market prices for food for national stockpiles. Critics warn, however, that such a policy shift – which India is pursuing in the name of food security – could end up hurting poor producers in other parts of the world. More…

Record number of concerns raised on food safety, animal-plant health measures

WTO News, 16-17 October, 2013

The WTO committee dealing with food safety and animal and plant health heard a record number of specific trade concerns – 11 new, 12 old and one under “other business” – but was unable to agree on a mediation procedure designed to avoid legal disputes when it met on 16-17 October 2013. More…

Farm talks chair outlines shape of what might be possible for Bali meeting

WTO News, 11 October, 2013

Some pieces of a deal in selected agricultural issues are clearer to see, although tough work remains on a number of issues before the December Bali Ministerial Conference, chairperson John Adank told agriculture negotiators on 11 October 2013. More…

EU steps up WTO dispute with Russian over car levy

Reuters, 10 October, 2013

The European Union asked the World Trade Organization (WTO) on Thursday to rule on the legality of a recycling fee Russia imposes on imported cars, stepping up a trade dispute between the two. More…

WTO ministerial conference: India softens stand, set to talk all issues at Bali

The Economic Times, 08 October, 2013

Commerce and industry minister Anand Sharma has indicated India’s willingness to discuss trade facilitation at the World Trade Organization ministerial meeting in Bali without tying it down to a debate on food security. More…

WTO DG Azevêdo visits India ahead of Bali talks

Business Standard, 07 October, 2013

Two months before the ministerial meet in Bali, Indonesia, Director General (DG) of World Trade Organization (WTO) Roberto Azevêdo is visiting Delhi today to meet senior government officials and captains of Indian industry to understand the country’s stance during the upcoming negotiations. More…

WTO must seal deal on cross-border trade to reinvigorate Doha talks

South China Morning Post, 02 October, 2013

New World Trade Organisation director general Roberto Azevedo has been in office barely a month, but already he has helped reboot the stalled Doha Round of world trade negotiations. More…

USTR Froman warns poor countries would be the biggest losers if Bali fails

WTO News, 01 October, 2013

US Trade Representative Michael Froman, in his keynote address at the WTO Public Forum 2013 on 1 October, warned that if Bali shows that the WTO is not a viable forum for negotiations, bilateral and plurilaterals will likely be the only avenue for trade negotiations. He added that small countries and poor countries would feel the loss the most. More…