World Trade Organization

France Says EU Subsidy Offer Exceeds Commission Mandate

French Agriculture Minister Herve Gaymard said Monday that an offer by the European Union to eliminate EU agricultural export subsidies exceeded the negotiating mandate of the EU executive commission.

The Heavy Thud Of American Cotton

Uncle Sam got slapped on the side of the head last month when a World Trade Organization (WTO) panel ruled that multibillion-dollar subsidies by the US to domestic cotton producers violated international trade rules. "This is big stuff," says Clyde Prestowitz, president of the Economic Strategy Institute in Washington.

Talking 'Bout A Revolution

A RULING by a World Trade Organization panel last week might spell the beginning of the end for the enormous subsidies rich countries pay their farmers. That would have profound consequences around the world for agriculture, the environment, food security and the political stability of some countries.

The Grille Looks Familiar

When the RABO S-RV hit China's roads in 2003, Honda suffered whiplash. The injury was understandable: The sport-utility built by Shuanghuan Auto Co. had sheet metal that closely mimicked Honda's CR-V, and a name that was downright Honda-esque. "If you look at the outward design, it is clear it is a copy of our CR-V," Honda spokesman David Iida told Automotive News

EU, Mercosur leaders face hard choices to clinch trade deal

European and Latin American leaders face some tough decisions if they want to agree a free-trade accord by October, officials said Friday after the latest round of talks. The Mercosur bloc -- including core members Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay as well as associate members Bolivia and Chile -- has been negotiating the accord with the European Union for four years.

Corporate Tax Legislation Remains Stalled in the Senate

After months of ferocious lobbying from almost every corner of business, Senate leaders struggled on Wednesday to reach agreement on a bill that would overhaul corporate taxes and create more than $170 billion worth of tax breaks for Rust Belt manufacturers, movie studios, drug companies, computer companies, shipbuilders and even Indian tribes.

Chinese premier calls on EU not to link human rights progress to better trade ties

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao told top European Union officials Thursday they are making an economic mistake to link progress in human rights to lifting a 15-year arms embargo and the official recognition of China as a market economy.

Boll evil? U.S. detractors waging cotton tug of war

The May 2, 2004 Sunday F1BZ EDITION For Brazil -- increasingly a thorn in the side of Washington's trade agenda -- a ruling against American cotton subsidies by the World Trade Organization marks a major victory on the battlefield of commerce.

WTO decision rattles farm state lawmakers

A World Trade Organization decision that U.S. cotton subsidies have hurt producers in other countries and violate WTO rules has made lawmakers from major farm states including Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., and farm lobbyists worried that it could require changes in the 2002 farm bill and in subsidies on other crops such as corn and wheat.

WTO Move Puts Cloud Over Farm Subsidies

The International Herald Tribune | By Elizabeth Becker | April 28, 2004 The White House said Tuesday that it would work with Congress and the U.S. agriculture sector to defend America's agricultural interests after the World Trade Organization ruled that the government's multibillion-dollar subsidies to the U.S. cotton industry violate global trade rules.