About: WTO reform
Commission outlines ‘greener’ and more assertive trade policy
A tougher approach with partners and more focus on climate and labour rights will be key pillars of the new EU trade policy outlined by the European Commission on Thursday (18 February).
New WTO chief’s pile of problems
The coronavirus pandemic, log-jammed trade talks and a long-delayed meeting of member states are just a few of the crises awaiting Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as she takes the helm of the World Trade Organisation next month.
No time for empty promises: Europe must lead on harmful fisheries subsidies
The European Union (EU) claims to be a leader in sustainability and multilateral cooperation. But so far in the World Trade Organization’s fisheries subsidies talks, the EU has failed to lead. With the talks facing an end of year deadline, Europe has just six weeks to take the reins, write Rashid Sumaila and Daniel Pauly.
EU, Central Asia touch base virtually in turbulent times
EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell and Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen held a teleconference on Tuesday (17 November) with ministers from the five former Soviet republics of Central Asia, with which the EU is trying to forge closer relations.
Captainless WTO in troubled water with no land in sight
As Roberto Azevedo leaves the World Trade Organization Monday (31 August), the institution faces multiple crises without a captain -- a situation experts warn could drag on for months.
Race for the WTO hot-seat leans toward Africa
COVID-19's potential to wreck long-term damage on global commerce means the World Trade Organisation (WTO) faces a crucial period under a new director-general, who may end up hailing from Africa for the very first time.
United States accuses WTO’s Appellate Body of overreach in dispute handling
The US Trade Representative's office on Tuesday (11 February) accused the World Trade Organization's Appellate Body, which decides trade disputes between member countries, of "persistent overreaching" and failure to comply with WTO rules.
China, WTO members join EU’s ad-hoc appellate body in Davos
EU member states reached an agreement on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum with 16 World Trade Organisation members, including China, to establish an ad-hoc appeal body and overcome the US blockage of the global trade-regulating system.
EU, US, Japan agree on proposals to limit subsidies
The EU, US and Japan put forward on Tuesday (14 January) a proposal to limit industrial subsidies among WTO members and explored ways to address forced technology transfers, two issues at the core of ongoing trade frictions with China.
EU leaders to call for strengthening of trade sanction toolbox
EU leaders will urge co-legislators in the European Parliament and the Council of the EU to examine “as a matter of priority” the possibility to sanction countries breaching trade rules and blocking the dispute settlement process, according to the latest version of the summit conclusions seen by EURACTIV.
EU to strengthen trade sanctions as WTO paralysis starts
As the international system for settling trade disputes is set to become crippled on Tuesday (10 December), Europe will in the coming days propose ways to bolster its sanction toolbox against countries that adopt ilegal trade measures and block the renewal of WTO’s appellate body.
A new trade policy with teeth and muscle
Europe is prepared to step up its response to unfair trade practices and push for a renewed WTO, aiming to display a more assertive stance towards its partners in the future.
Malmstrom: ‘We cannot do much to protect individual countries on the Airbus case’
EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström is no longer optimistic when it comes to avoiding US tariffs on goods, thanks to the result of the WTO Airbus case.
Chinese official: ‘Without a strong WTO, connectivity means nothing’
The EU and Japan have launched a new strategy to strengthen ties between Europe and Asia, seen as an alternative to China’s ‘Belt and Road’. But in view of the ongoing global trade disputes, for senior Chinese diplomat Xuejun Guo, the priority is nonetheless the renovation of the World Trade Organisation’s appellate body.
WTO in ‘critical situation’, EU warns
EU member states discussed on Tuesday (1 October) how to address the “critical situation” of the World Trade Organisation, as the US continues to block the renovation of its appellate body, key for the functioning of the institution.
Hogan convinces MEPs by toughening up trade stance
Phil Hogan obtained late on Monday (30 September) the MEPs’ preliminary approval to become the EU's next Trade Commissioner, promising a tougher stance towards China to ensure the protection of European values, and environmental principles in particular.
Macron wraps ‘very unifying’ G7 summit with Trump
French President Emmanuel Macron steered a tense G7 summit towards a happy conclusion on Monday (26 August), in what will be remembered as one of the most conciliatory gatherings since Donald Trump took over the US presidency.
One year after the US-EU joint statement, how are transatlantic trade relations doing?
In July 2018, European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker travelled to the US to meet Donald Trump in a bid to ease trade tensions. A year on from the EU-US joint statement, commercial negotiations are at a stalemate.
EU, Canada agree first workaround to avoid US block on WTO judges
Canada and the European Union announced a deal on Thursday (25 July) to stop their trade disputes falling into limbo at the World Trade Organization, where a US block on appointments of judges will paralyse the world's top trade court from December.
EU says G20 summit priorities to be multilateralism and WTO reform
World leaders will descend upon Osaka, Japan, next week with a myriad of goals for the international discussions at the 2019 G20 Summit, in the context of growing trade and geopolitical tensions.
EU cobbles workaround to avoid US block on WTO judges
The European Union is set to propose creating a shadow system to get around a US block on appeals in disputes at the World Trade Organization (WTO), according to a draft proposal circulated to national lawmakers.
EU puts hope in Kazakhstan in helping unlock the WTO knot
At the Astana Economic Forum, a representative of the EU hinted that the host country, Kazakhstan, could play a role in helping to bridge differences over the reform of the World Trade Organisation
Europe struggles to convince Japan on multilateral agenda
EU leaders will meet with Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, in Brussels on Thursday (25 April) to progress on the bilateral relations, although Tokyo has been reluctant to follow the European ambition on trade and climate action.