World Trade Organization

WTO's Supachai Calls For Pledge to Agree Framework For Trade Deal

May 14, 2004 Friday 05:17 AM Eastern Time WTO director-general Supachai Panitchpakdi called on OECD trade ministers to signal their commitment today about reaching agreement on the 'bare bones' of a trade liberalisation deal by July.

WTO Talks Encouraging On Agriculture, Singapore Issues: Brazilian Minister

World Trade Organisation talks on the Doha round of trade opening measures are showing encouraging signs of progress on agriculture and an agreement was emerging on the so-called Singapore issues, Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Ernesto Derbez said here on Friday.

Hong Kong Legislature Approves US$32.8 Million To Host WTO Meeting

Hong Kong's legislature approved 256 million Hong Kong dollars (US$32.8 million) on Friday to host the World Trade Organization's sixth ministerial conference, the government said. Financial Secretary Henry Tang said he welcomed the legislature's approval and the Hong Kong government will now proceed "full steam ahead" with the necessary preparations for the conference.

EU Head Office Says Will End Biotech Moratorium Next Week

The European Union's head office said Friday it would approve a variety of genetically modified corn for human consumption next week, ending a 6-year biotech moratorium that the United States has challenged at the World Trade Organization. But whether the decision would open the market for biotech companies was less clear.

Senate OKs Tax Break Repeal

The Senate voted 92 to 5 on Tuesday to approve a sweeping corporate tax bill that would do away with export and depreciation breaks that banks have gotten for years. The House is expected to take up similar legislation soon.

Monsanto Abandons Worldwide GM Wheat Project

Monsanto has abandoned plans to introduce GM wheat on to the world market despite spending seven years and hundreds of millions of dollars developing the crop.

Why We Need An 'Arctic Bridge'

Global warming is doing more than just dissolving Arctic ice fields into chilly waters. The prospect of new navigational trade routes emerging as ice floes melt away is heating up discussions of international trade between Russia and Canada.

Brazil looks to a unified South America by Ivan Cannabrava

Brazil is at a turning point in various aspects, such as changes in domestic priorities and foreign policies. Japan needs to stay abreast of changes and be aware of the opportunities in Brazil.

Take That, U.S. Farmers!

When a World Trade Organization court ruled on Apr. 26 that subsidies paid to American cotton farmers flout international trade rules, it did far more than just administer a wrist slap to the Bush Administration. The U.S. -- and Europe and Japan as well -- put all of their chips on the WTO backing their position. But they were beaten big time by the world's struggling nations instead.

EU Offers To Eliminate Its Farm Export Subsidies At World Trade Talks, But Only If U.S., Canada, Japan Follow

Aiming to boost world trade talks and get poorer countries on side, the European Union's top trade negotiators proposed Monday that rich nations, including the United States, Japan and Canada, drop all forms of subsidies on farm export products. EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy said the EU was ready "go the extra mile" to get a midterm deal by July at the World Trade Organization.