Here an update on recent WTO-related developments. By Rob Francis and Iana Dreyer.
WTO crisis and reform
WTO ‘plurilateral’ agreements brace for moment of truth
India and South Africa never liked ‘plurilateral’ agreement negotiations initiated in the World Trade Organization after the Doha ministerial conference twenty years ago. But a series of agreements among a broad subset of members of the global trade institution are coming to fruition. Now the long-simmering disagreement between these two …
Perspectives: Three Scenarios for the future of the WTO
The difficulties faced by the World Trade Organization are becoming ever more apparent in the run-up to the 12th ministerial meeting. It is time to act – or face difficult truths about its future prospects.
Perspectives: WTO plurilateral agreements should be welcomed
News of agreement on the Joint Statement Initiative on Services Domestic Regulation were a highlight of last week’s World Trade Organization’s Public Forum. Given that full-blown multilateral deals look unlikely in the immediate future in the global trade institution, deepening the trade rulebook among selected countries is better than the …
James Bacchus: The WTO simply must prove that it can do something, not just talk
James Bacchus spoke with Rob Francis about the European Union’s carbon border adjustment mechanism, trade in medicines and medical products, how the Biden Administration is progressing on trade policy – and the World Trade Organization in all this.
WTO DG oozes confidence at high-powered Brussels visit
By Robert Francis and Iana Dreyer. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala held high-powered meetings over a one-day-and-a-half of meetings in Brussels
Comment: Can the European Union’s plans for the WTO withstand reality?
The European Union’s trade ministers are expected to broadly endorse the new direction of trade policy as proposed by the European Commission in its Trade Policy Review last February. But can the EU’s plans hold given current geopolitical realities and the pandemic context?
WTO Corner: Trade and Health, China, MPIA, WTO Secretariat
China joins Trade and Health Initiative It’s gone almost unnoticed, but the Ottawa-Group sponsored ‘trade and healthcare’ initiative is officially expanding, with China joining the group, alongside Hong Kong, Iceland, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia and the United Kingdom. The announcement was made official in a communication circulated on 22 April …
Event invitation: Do we need a WTO climate waiver?
Borderlex is pleased to partner with the Geneva-based Trade Policy Exchange for a fascinating conversation: how to make trade rules and the fight against climate change better compatible at the World Trade Organization. The event will feature Jim Bacchus from the Centre for Global Economic and Environmental Opportunity at the …
United Kingdom finds its role as ‘critical friend’ of World Trade Organization
The United Kingdom has stepped into the complex world of WTO politics with the announcement that it is set to join the Ottawa Group – a loose coalition of nations seeking reform of the Organization – after months of working behind the scenes making its post-Brexit mark in Geneva. London’s …
