About: WTO
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.
Wojciechowski: CAP reform ‘a new chance’ for small, medium sized farms
As negotiators from the European Parliament, Council and Commission kick off this week's jumbo trilogue in an attempt to seal a deal on the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform, EURACTIV spoke to Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski about his expectations for the week ahead.
Commission set to propose alternatives to COVID vaccine IP waiver
As the debate on waiving intellectual property (IP) rights on COVID vaccines heats up, the European Commission is working on an alternative proposal that it wants to submit to the World Trade Organisation, while EU lawmakers remain split on the subject.
Ambassador: EU and South Korea born to be best like-minded partners
Climate change is likely to be a key area to strengthen cooperation between the Republic of Korea and the EU in the coming years, the country's ambassador to Brussels, Yoon Soon-gu, told EURACTIV in an interview about multilateralism, climate cooperation and the EU's Indo-Pacific strategy.
In first, WTO names women to half of deputy chief posts
World Trade Organization head Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on Tuesday (4 May) named two women to the WTO's four deputy leader jobs for the first time in its history.
MEPs vote down call for COVID vaccine IP waiver
An amendment calling on the EU to back India and South Africa's proposal to temporary lift intellectual property rights for the COVID-19 vaccine was rejected by the European Parliament on Thursday (29 April).
Commission, industry dubious about IP rights waiver for COVID-19 vaccines
Both the European Commission and vaccine manufacturers are not convinced by the potential benefits of waiving the intellectual property (IP) rights of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.
WTO chief targets EU’s farm policy as part of global discussion on subsidies
The managing director of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said she wants to discuss China’s industrial subsidies but also state aid given to farmers, such as Europe’s Common Agricultural Policy, as part of efforts to improve the multilateral trading system.
UK calls for end to ‘pernicious’ trade practices, in apparent swipe at China
Britain said it will push G7 allies to do more to ban "pernicious practices" in trade, such as forced labour and intellectual property theft, in an apparent call for a tougher line towards China at the World Trade Organization.
EU official: Imposing animal welfare standards on imports would be WTO compliant
It would be wise to impose the equivalent standards of animal welfare on meat imports coming into the EU, according to a top EU official, who said this would be compliant with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules, provided it...
Farming chiefs meeting signals thaw after EU-US trade row
A meeting between EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski and US agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack showed the first signs of thawing relations after the trade dispute that has soured transatlantic relations in recent years.
Poor countries in line to receive funds from EU carbon border levy
The future carbon border adjustment mechanism is part of the "new own resources" for the EU budget and must be used to "combat global warming" across the world, Green MEP Yannick Jadot said on Wednesday (3 March). EURACTIV France reports.
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.