Articles

New Video Highlights Suffering Caused by WTO Policies in Textiles and Clothing

4 December, 2005
The Global Union representing workers in the textile and clothing sector has released a new video drawing attention to the plight of workers in the sector following the liberalisation of trade at the start of 2005.

Honduras and Panama file complaint with WTO concerning new EU customs duty on bananas

30 November, 2005
On 30 November, Honduras and Panama filed a complaint with the WTO against the new customs duty imposed by the EU on banana imports from 1 January 2006

Mandelson: 'I don't believe in a free market in agriculture'

29 November, 2005
European Union Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said yesterday the EU wasn't prepared to accept 'extravagant demands' from trade partners who want further tariff reductions before a world trade summit next month

Economic Partnership Agreements: EU and Central Africa agree next phase of negotiations

28 November, 2005
EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson met with Central African Ministers on the 25th November in Brussels to agree on the next phase of the Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations between the two regions.

Appellate body issues report on rice dispute

28 November, 2005
The Appellate Body issued its Report regarding the complaint of the United States against Mexico

Effect of the application of the Swiss formula on tariff lines and levels: Examples of coefficients from 5 to 200

28 November, 2005
a set of tables setting out data on how tariff lines will be affected by different coefficients under the Swiss formula in the NAMA negotiations.

Poorest countries given more time to apply intellectual property rules

28 November, 2005
Least-developed countries have been given an extension until 1 July 2013 to provide protection for trademarks, copyright, patents and other intellectual property

Some critical points on WTO agriculture negotiations

24 November, 2005
Agriculture is once again proving to be the determinant of results in the GATT/WTO negotiations. In December 1987, it caused the collapse of the Montreal Mid-term Review of the Uruguay Round negotiations. Then at the end of that round, the results could be consolidated only after the two major developed countries had an agreement in this area in what was called the Blair House accord.

?Asymmetry? in Doha Reports

24 November, 2005
With submission of 'situational' reports to the World Trade Organization Trade Negotiations Committee on the various negotiations in the Doha Development Agenda now submitted, the stage is set for a showdown among members in advance of a December 13 to 18 trade ministerial meeting

A Trade Facilitation DDA Report

24 November, 2005
Doha Development Agenda trade facilitation negotiations Chairman Muhamad Noor Yacob called for intensifying talks in the post-Hong Kong phase by pursuing text-based negotiations clarifying current rules relating to developing countries

EU says sugar reform deal strengthens hand in WTO talks

24 November, 2005
The European Union agreed on a major overhaul of its sugar subsidy program Thursday, cutting prices by 36 percent in a landmark deal that the EU said would strengthen its hand in upcoming world trade talks.

No Progress on GIs

23 November, 2005
The chairman of Doha Development Agenda's trade-related intellectual property negotiations

Mr. Mandelson's Demands

23 November, 2005
European Union trade commissioner Peter Mandelson yesterday issued a stern warning to 'some' trade partners to enter into real negotiations with Brussels instead of making unrealistic demands and hiding behind criticism of the EU

Controversy Over NAMA Report

23 November, 2005
The European Union and the United States on Tuesday told Doha Development Agenda market access negotiations Chairman Stefan Haukur Johannesson that he should not have tabled figures for a tariff-cutting formula and 'paragraph eight' flexibilities for developing countries in his status report

Only a Few Reap the Benefits of Growth in Agriculture

20 November, 2005
Latin America and the Caribbean are demanding that the world's rich countries dismantle their protectionist systems of farm subsidies as they seek to sustain and expand on the success enjoyed by farm exports in the region, which have, however, failed to provide significant benefits for the broader population.

Agriculture is the engine of the negotiations, stresses G20

18 November, 2005
Agriculture lies at the centre of the Doha Round and is the engine of the negotiations, the Group of 20 developing countries stressed on 9 November in a Ministerial press statement.

EU to make new offer on cotton in WTO talks

17 November, 2005
The European Union is poised to make a new offer to poor countries on reducing subsidies to EU cotton growers and lowering barriers to the EU market ahead of a key WTO meeting in December, the European Commission said.

Taiwan Premier Vows to Protect Farming Interests in Wto Meeting

15 November, 2005
Taiwan farmers' interests must be protected and this will be the top priority of a national delegation taking part in a World Trade Organization (WTO) Doha round ministerial-level meeting next month in Hong Kong, Premier Frank Hsieh said Tuesday.

State of NAMA negotiations 'bad and confusing', according to chairman

15 November, 2005
The state of negotiations in the WTO on non-agricultural market access (NAMA) is 'bad' and the picture is becoming more confused, according to the chairperson of the NAMA negotiating group.

WTO members wait for action to shift from London to Geneva

8 November, 2005
Negotiations seemed to have been put 'on hold' at the World Trade Organisation as delegates in Geneva awaited the outcome of a Ministerial meeting in London Monday involving the US, EU, India and Brazil.