News and analysis on trade policy in Europe
Sunday, August 14, 2022
WTO trade ministers have brought the institution’s 12th ministerial to a successful conclusion with a compromise deal on a package of measures on a TRIPS waiver, agriculture, fisheries and WTO reform. The deal, which has been christened the ‘Geneva Package’ by diplomats, also includes a 2-year extension of the existing …
China has enhanced the prospects of an agreement at next month’s WTO ministerial meeting on a TRIPS waiver for COVID-19 vaccines, by stating that it will not be making use of any flexibilities offered to developing countries on access to patented medicines.
WTO members had the opportunity to give their first detailed response to the ‘outcome document’ on waiving intellectual property rights for COVID vaccines at a meeting of the TRIPS Council in Geneva on Friday (6 May). Their response? An agreement to keep on talking.
WTO negotiators seeking to advance the various dossiers under discussions at the Organization’s 12th ministerial conference – MC12 – now at least have the benefit of a firm deadline for reaching agreement. The most concrete decision taken at this week’s meeting of the WTO’s General Council was an agreement to …
The number of small developments related to the upcoming WTO 12th ministerial conference is growing exponentially, and it’s a genuine challenge to keep track of everything as there are so many moving parts. Here a selection – for today. Put together for you by the Borderlex Trio Rob Francis, Chris …
With just one week to go until the start of the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference, a new text for a draft ministerial declaration entitled Covid-19 and beyond: Trade and Health has been circulated to members. Beyond the contentious and well-publicised issue of the TRIPS waiver for COVID-19 related medical products, …
It’s taken former General Council chair David Walker about one month to figure out what members of the world trade institution in Geneva would likely want to negotiate on in the area of trade and health post-pandemic. Among others, Walker hopes that WTO members could agree quickly on a framework …
G20 countries reiterated their support for the multilateral trading system as a means to ensure global access to vaccines for Covid-19, as well as related medicines and medical equipment.
Overview of key news items this week in EU trade by Iana Dreyer and Nikos Lavranos.
The global news cycle is dominated today by the decision by the United States to support the idea of a waiver on intellectual property rules enshrined in the World Trade Organization.
