About: WTO
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.
Okonjo-Iweala elected as the first female WTO chief
The World Trade Organisation appointed Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as its new director-general on Monday (15 February). The WTO's first female chief and the first one to come from the African continent takes the reins at a time when the organisation needs to reform to respond to growing global challenges and trade tensions.
Macron floats brokered Airbus-Boeing accord to Biden
French President Emmanuel Macron told US President Joe Biden that the leaders could broker a settlement to the long-running trade dispute between Boeing and Airbus, according to a media report on Wednesday (10 February).
The best basis for re-setting EU-US relations
What’s the quickest win for the Biden Administration and Europeans looking to turn a page after years of turmoil? Daniel S. Hamilton has the answer: settle the Boeing-Airbus dispute.
New US tariffs on French, German aircraft parts become effective
The US government on Monday (11 January) said it would begin collecting new duties on aircraft parts and other products from France and Germany from Tuesday after failing to resolve a 16-year dispute over aircraft subsidies with the European Union.
OECD candidate: The US is back as ‘guarantor’ of international liberal order
With the new US administration, Washington has again taken up its role as a guarantor of multilateral system, former EU Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou who runs for the OECD top job, told EURACTIV.com in an interview. “I think it has become...
Shortages, jams and shutdowns: Brexit ‘no-deal’ expectation creates chaos
Food shortages, tailbacks and congested ports: as talks with Brussels remain unresolved three weeks before leaving the EU single market, the UK is preparing for a chaotic "no-deal".
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.
The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism: ensuring fairness
‘I want Europe to be a global advocate for fairness’, said President von der Leyen in her State of the Union address in September. But how do we design fairness into the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)? The CBAM is...
EU backs Nigerian candidate for WTO leadership
Nigerian finance ministrer Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala picked up crucial backing from the EU on Monday (26 October), sources said, giving her bid to become the first African head of the WTO a major boost.
WTO authorises EU tariffs on $4 billion of US goods over Boeing dispute
The World Trade Organisation authorised on Tuesday (13 October) the EU to impose tariffs on US exports worth $4 billion in compensation for the subsidies given to Boeing by Washington.
EU set to get WTO green light for US tariffs
One year after sanctioning the EU for its support of Airbus, the World Trade Organization is expected Tuesday (13 October) to let the bloc impose sanctions on the United States for aid to Boeing.
Dombrovskis announces new defense instrument against trade ‘bullies’
The European Commission's executive vice-president, Valdis Dombrovskis, told the European Parliament on Friday (2 October) that he will put forward a new mechanism to protect the EU from the coercive manoeuvres of trade partners like US and China.
Kenya’s WTO candidate says she will focus on climate change if selected
Kenya's candidate to become the next head of the World Trade Organisation pledged on Thursday to integrate climate change issues into the WTO agenda if selected.
Chinese business group reacts to EU plan against state-backed foreign buyers
The European Commission's plan to fence off the EU's industrial crown jewels from state-backed foreign buyers may breach WTO rules, lobbying group the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU said in its feedback on the proposal.
WTO faults US over Trump’s China tariffs
The World Trade Organization has upheld a complaint by China over additional US duties on some $250 billion of Chinese goods, a decision that sparked outrage in Washington.
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.
Irish PM, Deputy PM call on EU trade chief Hogan to quit
Ireland's prime minister and the deputy prime minister asked European Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan, Ireland's EU commissioner, to consider resigning over his attendance at an event being investigated for breaching COVID-19 regulations.
WTO set to skip naming acting chief after US push caused deadlock
World Trade Organization members are likely to refrain from appointing an interim director-general to succeed Roberto Azevedo when he steps down at the end of August, two sources following the process said on Wednesday (29 July), after Washington's insistence on a US candidate caused a deadlock.
UK WTO nominee plays down Brexit row
The UK’s nominee to lead the World Trade Organisation insisted on Friday (17 July) that Brexit would not derail his prospects, as the eight candidates to head the Geneva-based body made their first pitches for the job.
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.
EU trade chief Hogan says he will not seek to head WTO
European Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan said on Monday (29 June) he would not seek to become the next director-general of the World Trade Organisation, despite having previously stated he was looking into the possibility.
Europe leaning toward proposing a single candidate for WTO
A majority of EU member states support agreeing on a single European candidate to succeed Roberto Azevedo as the World Trade Organisation chief, a bid that EU Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan said he is considering.