World Trade Organization

Confidence Boosting Measures at WTO, but Differences Remain: Trade Sources

Agence France Presse GENEVA, April 10 (AFP) - WTO members discussed measures for boosting confidence within the world trade body here Monday, including how to improve market access for the poorest countries, but did not reach any concrete conclusions, trade sources said.

Quad WTO Package Falls Short of Moore, Member Expectations

Inside US Trade

U.S.-China Trade Decision Applauded

Associated Press / Tom Raum, Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Speaker Dennis Hastert's scheduling of a vote next month on a bill granting permanent trade benefits to China is being applauded by President Clinton and other supporters of the legislation. "This is very good news," says Clinton.

U.S.: No China Trade Deal Strings

By TOM RAUM, Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) - The Clinton administration, insisting that permanent trade benefits for China must be unconditional, told Congress today that it will oppose any effort to attach strings to the process.

China Urges Low Tariffs to U.S.

BEIJING (AP) - President Jiang Zemin, meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary William Daley, called on Congress on Thursday to give China permanent low-tariff access to U.S. markets.

Members Shy Away from Major Reform of WTO Decision-Making Procedures

International Trade Reporter GENEVA--Nearly four months after their Seattle ministerial meeting ended in embarrassing failure, members of the World Trade Organization appear to be shying away from their initial demands for a major overhaul of the WTO's decisionmaking procedures.

Pettigrew Rejects NAFTA Dispute Model

The Globe and Mail Investment regulations have allowed foreign firms to sue government By Heather Scoffield, Parliamentary Bureau, Ottawa Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew says he will never again pursue strict NAFTA-like investment rules that allow foreign companies to sue the Canadian government.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Says China-EU WTO Deal Would Make His Job Easier

Agence France Presse BEIJING, April 5 (AFP) - US Commerce Secretary William Daley on Wednesday called on China and the Europeans to strike an early World Trade Organization (WTO) deal to make easier his job of convicing lawmakers at home to pass related legislation.

Seattle Violence Blamed on Adversary

Associated Press / Peggy Andersen, Associated Press Writer SEATTLE (AP) -- Police commanders trusted in Seattle's tradition of peaceful protest when planning for the World Trade Organization meeting last fall -- and learned a hard lesson when tens of thousands of protesters filled the streets.