WTO: Chair cites “chronic” low compliance with subsidy notification requirements

Chair cites "chronic" low compliance with subsidy notification requirements WTO members continue to fall well behind in meeting their obligations to notify the organization of their subsidy programmes. That was the assessment delivered by the chair of the WTO's Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM) at a meeting on 27 October. Lees verder Anti-Dumping Committee holds first 2020 meeting The WTO's Committee on Anti-Dumping Practices met on 28 October to review members' notifications of new or amended anti-dumping laws and regulations and reports on anti-dumping actions. The meeting was the first for the committee in 2020, following the cancellation of its April meeting due to the... Lees verder DDG Wolff urges start of "serious discussion" on WTO reforms WTO members should begin a serious discussion on reform of the WTO, Deputy Director-General Alan Wolff said on 30 October. Declaring that "continued drift is unacceptable," DDG Wolff told a virtual Chatham House discussion on global trade reform that confidence in the WTO would be restored by early... Lees verder Workshop on Information Technology Agreement to be held in spring 2021 At a meeting of participants in the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) on 30 October, WTO members agreed to hold a workshop in spring 2021 to engage with the private sector on the latest developments in information and communications technology (ICT) and to review implementation of the ITA. Lees verder WTO members highlight key role of investment to increase small economies' trading capacity At a meeting of the Committee on Trade and Development dedicated to small economies on 2 November, WTO members and international organizations highlighted the challenges faced by small economies in attracting foreign investment — particularly amid the COVID-19 crisis — and discussed ways to... Lees verder Fisheries subsidies negotiations chair introduces revised draft consolidated text At a 2 November meeting convened at the level of heads of delegations to the WTO, the chair of the Negotiating Group, Ambassador Santiago Wills (Colombia), presented a revised draft consolidated text for an agreement on fisheries subsidies. The chair said the updated document aims to clarify the... Lees verder DDG Wolff underlines central role of SPS Agreement in facilitating trade in safe food In his opening remarks at an event marking the 25th anniversary of the WTO Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures, Deputy Director-General Alan Wolff said that the Agreement is more relevant than ever at a time when food safety continues to be a major concern for all WTO members.... Lees verder Hong Kong, China initiates dispute complaint against US origin marking requirements Hong Kong, China has requested WTO dispute consultations with the United States concerning marks of origin requirements imposed by the US on goods produced in Hong Kong, China. The request was circulated to WTO members on 3 November. Lees verder DDG Wolff: Pandemic crisis highlights need for enhanced cooperation In remarks delivered to the International Grains Trade Coalition on 3 November, Deputy Director-General Alan Wolff said the COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the critical need for governments to work not only with each other but with business and wider civil society to ensure recovery. His remarks... Lees verder DDG Wolff welcomes two new OIE publications on trade and animal health Deputy Director-General Alan Wolff spoke at a virtual event on 4 November for the launch of two new publications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) focusing on safe trade in animals and animal products and required competences of veterinary services for international trade. The... Lees verder