WTO: Tenth China Round Table looks at impact of 10 years of China Programme on LDC accessions

Tenth China Round Table looks at impact of 10 years of China Programme on LDC accessions The Tenth China Round Table on WTO Accessions, held virtually on 18-20 January, celebrated 10 years of the China Programme, with participants reflecting on its impact on the accession of least-developed countries (LDCs) and discussing the future direction of this initiative. The event also provided... Lees verder DDG González: Now is the time to think big on customs reform "Customs has a key role in making trade seamless, safe and secure," stated WTO Deputy Director-General Anabel González at a 20 January hearing of the European Union's Wise Persons Group on Challenges Facing the Customs Union. Lees verder Deadline extended to submit Aid-for-Trade questionnaires for 2022 Global Review As part of the Aid-for-Trade Monitoring and Evaluation exercise, WTO members, observers and their development partners are invited to submit their self-assessment questionnaires by 31 January 2022. Their responses will be analysed by the WTO Secretariat and presented at the upcoming Aid for Trade... Lees verder DG Okonjo-Iweala calls on ministers to step up negotiating efforts, harvest outcomes Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on 21 January called on ministers from a cross-section of WTO members to push ahead in all ongoing negotiations, and work with "pragmatism, creativity, and flexibility" to harvest agreements as and when they are within reach. Ministers broadly accepted her... Lees verder EU initiates WTO dispute complaint regarding Russian measures restricting wood exports The European Union has requested WTO dispute consultations with Russia regarding measures restricting the exportation of certain wood products from Russia. The request was circulated to WTO members on 24 January. Lees verder New study explores role of trade in strengthening developing countries' economic resilience A new joint study by the World Bank and the WTO highlights the major role played by trade in reducing poverty but notes that further measures are needed to support developing countries' use of trade as a tool for growth. The study was presented at an online event on 24 January, with the... Lees verder Trade Policy Review: Panama The third review of the trade policies and practices of Panama takes place on 24 and 26 January 2022. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and a report by the Government of Panama. Lees verder General Council discusses convening of Ministerial Conference, advancing work agenda General Council Chair Ambassador Dacio Castillo (Honduras) convened a meeting of members on 25 January to report on his recent consultations regarding the convening of the 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12), how to proceed on substantive issues, and the WTO response to the COVID-19 pandemic.... Lees verder Members review Chinese request for panel on Australian duties, rulings on Indian sugar duties WTO members considered a request from China for the establishment of a dispute panel to review Australia's anti-dumping and countervailing duties on certain Chinese imports at a meeting of the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) on 25 January. Discussions also took place on a recent panel ruling... Lees verder DDG Ellard outlines state of play in the WTO negotiations Speaking at BusinessEurope's Morning Talks on 25 January, Deputy Director-General Angela Ellard outlined the state of negotiations in the WTO after the postponement of the 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) at the end of November 2021 due to the COVID-19 situation. She addressed the response to the... Lees verder