About: WTO
Nearly 25 million tonnes of grain stuck in Ukraine, says UN food agency
Nearly 25 million tonnes of grains are stuck in Ukraine and unable to leave the country due to infrastructure challenges and blocked Black Sea ports including Mariupol, a UN food agency official said on Friday (6 May).
Widely criticised IP waiver text to be presented to all WTO members
A widely criticised document produced in international negotiations is set to be presented to all 164 World Trade Organisation (WTO) members in the next step of talks on a waiver on intellectual property (IP) rights for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.
EU defends IP waiver compromise amid pressure on India, South Africa to reject it
A broad international platform of activists, unions and experts has urged India and South Africa to reject the leaked compromise on intellectual property rights on COVID-19 vaccines, which the European Commission considers the ‘most promising path’ to sort out the issue.
International organisations warn soaring food prices could fuel social unrest, extreme poverty
The world's major international finance and food organisations have joined forces to call for urgent coordinated action on food security in light of the war in Ukraine, warning soaring food prices could fuel social tensions and push millions into poverty.
With China in mind, EU agrees on rules to force open tenders
Negotiators from the European Parliament and member state governments agreed on Monday (14 March) on new rules to limit access to the two trillion euros worth of European public tenders in a move designed to pressure countries such as China to open up their markets.
Explainer: Ousting Russia from WTO, IMF would mark end of an era
Amid the devastation of World War Two, the United States and its allies created the institutions that have governed the post-war global economic order, focused on rebuilding Europe, fighting poverty and bringing rivals together to work out trade disputes peacefully.
WTO might regress to ‘maintenance mode’, says Bruegel analyst
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) is likely to regress to a maintenance mode with weak and largely unenforceable rules, while regional hegemons move to secure their trade interests unilaterally, according to a new policy paper by the influential economic think tank Bruegel.
Britain joins EU-China WTO challenge over Lithuania
Britain will join the United States and Australia in backing a European Union trade case against China at the World Trade Organization over Beijing's alleged trade curbs on Lithuania, a move the UK trade minister said would oppose "coercive trading practices".
Lithuanian growth prospects unfazed by China row – for now
While the row with China has not yet influenced the short-term economic development of Lithuania, jittery investors might be a risk for medium and long-term growth prospects, Tadas Povilauskas, chief economist of Lithuania’s largest bank, told EURACTIV.
EU launches WTO case against China over Lithuania row
The European Union angered China on Thursday (27 January) by launching a case against Beijing at the World Trade Organization for targeting Lithuania over its stance on Taiwan.
Lithuanian businesses grind on under Chinese pressure
As China is putting pressure on Lithuanian businesses and on other firms that deal with Lithuanian businesses, due to a row over diplomatic ties between Lithuania and Taiwan. The businesses themselves, however, remain silent.
UNited for a fairer and more sustainable recovery
Imagine playing a football match with half of the team seated on the bench. Or rowing a boat with only one oar. Or playing a game of chess without the full complement of rooks and knights. The results of all...
Extraterritorial legal outreach: Why should the US call the shots?
A US law aimed at ending corrupt practices by US corporations has morphed into an economic and political weapon and a virtual goldmine in terms of the resources US agencies have extracted from non-US companies, writes Dick Roche.
Postponement of WTO ministerial a ‘significant blow’ to COVID vaccine, fishing deals
The postponement of the World Trade Organization's ministerial conference this week all but guarantees months of deadlock on fishing subsidies and a bid to spread COVID-19 vaccines more widely.
Trade Minister of Kazakhstan: As WTO chair, we will push for consensus on reform
In an exclusive interview, the Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan Bakhyt Sultanov discussed the upcoming WTO ministerial under the chairmanship of his country, EU-Kazakhstan economic relation, and carbon border tax.
Foreign Minister: Uzbekistan is promoting ‘pragmatic relations’ with Afghanistan
In a wide-ranging interview, Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov discussed his country’s relations with the EU, the situation with "fraternal neighbour" Afghanistan, regional cooperation, and strategies for a 'Third Renaissance' of Uzbekistan.
China vows to open up market, but US sees no change
China on Wednesday (20 October) promised the World Trade Organization it would further open its vast market, but the United States swiftly countered that Beijing showed "no inclination to change".
EU warns of deep divisions at WTO, urges reform
The EU pressed the US Administration to agree on the reform of the World Trade Organisation’s dispute settlement system amid deep divisions running through the institution.
Chizhov: Russia is well-placed to play a constructive role in Afghanistan
In a wide-ranging interview, the Russian ambassador to the EU Vladimir Chizhov discussed Afghanistan, the ‘Crimea Platform’, carbon border tax, COVID and vaccines, and the new political season.
EU launches WTO dispute against Russia over procurement
The European Union has launched a legal challenge at the World Trade Organisation against Russian measures it says restrict or prevent EU companies from selling goods to Russian state-owned enterprises.
Report: Europe may lose €2 trillion in 10 years if uncertainty over data transfers continues
Restricting data flows in Europe might lead to economic damage worth €2 trillion by 2030, roughly the size of Italy’s economy, and result in two million fewer new jobs, a new industry study has warned.
Waiving vaccine patents saves lives, health campaigners tell the EU
A series of protests have been staged in front of the European Commission and at a vaccine manufacturing plant in Belgium, calling for temporarily lifting of the intellectual property (IP) rights of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.
Even after US shift, opponents resist COVID-19 vaccine patent waiver
A deal on an intellectual property waiver for COVID-19 vaccines at the World Trade Organization (WTO) was no closer to acceptance on Monday (31 May) despite Washington's backing.