Recent World Trade Organization Notices
The World Trade Organization recently posted the following notices:
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- WTO chairpersons for 2017. The WTO General Council, on April 7, 2017, noted the consensus on a slate of names of chairpersons for WTO bodies (here).
- Panels established to review EU dumping methodologies, Indian steel safeguard. At its special meeting on April 3, the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) agreed to the establishment of two new dispute panels: one to review a complaint filed by China against the EU’s measures related to price comparison methodologies in anti-dumping investigations; and the second to review a complaint from Japan regarding India’s safeguard measure on imports of iron and steel products (here).
- WTO issues panel report regarding EU tariff rate quotas on poultry imports. On March 28, 2017, the WTO issued the panel report in the case brought by China in “European Union – Measures Affecting Tariff Concessions on Certain Poultry Meat Products” (here).
- Trade Policy Review: Mexico. The sixth review of the trade policies and practices of Mexico takes place on April 5 and 7, 2017. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and a report by the Government of Mexico (here).
- WTO members discuss trade facilitation provisions in RTAs. WTO members discussed the relationship between trade facilitation provisions in regional trade agreements (RTAs) and the WTO’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) at the April 3-4 meeting of the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements (here).
- WTO and WIPO deliver advanced training on intellectual property for policymakers. An Advanced Course on Intellectual Property for Government Officials, jointly organized by the WTO and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), was held at the WTO from March 20 to 31, 2017. The aim of the course was to enhance the capacity of governments in developing countries to develop national expertise in intellectual property (IP) matters (here).
- Regional Trade Policy Course takes place for first time in Kazakhstan. The first Regional Trade Policy Course of 2017 started on 3 April in Almaty, Kazakhstan, for Central Eastern European, Central Asian and Caucasus (CEECAC) members and observers of the WTO. The course is being organized in partnership with the University of International Business in Almaty and Kazakhstan’s Centre for Trade Policy Development (here).
- Trade Dialogues: Business focus groups issue final recommendations. After several months of intense discussion, a group of business representatives from around the world issued two sets of recommendations on business priorities for the WTO. Their recommendations cover areas such as services, investment, market access, e-commerce and small and medium-sized enterprises (here).
- WTO launches call for proposals for 2017 Public Forum. The WTO has issued a call for proposals for this year’s Public Forum, whose theme is “Trade: Behind the Headlines”. Participants interested in organizing sessions at the Forum on Sept. 26-28 are invited to submit their proposals by June 4, 2017 (here).
- WTO-IMF-World Bank report calls domestic policies critical in aiding displaced workers. Trade leads to productivity gains and significant benefits for consumers, especially the poor, but can also be responsible for job displacement that must be addressed through sound domestic policies that can help the unemployed get back on their feet, say economists from the World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank (here).
- DG Azevêdo: Portugal is a nation driven by openness. At a meeting of the Portuguese Council of State in Lisbon on March 31, 2017, Director-General Roberto Azevêdo praised the country for its openness and internationalism and discussed how trade and the WTO could help drive Portugal’s economic growth. The Director-General participated in the meeting at the invitation of the Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (here).
- Consumer products dominate discussions at standards and regulations committee. A total of 57 regulations were raised by WTO members, many dealing with consumer products such as food, alcoholic beverages, toys and cars, when they met as the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee on March 29-30, 2017 (here).
- STDF event highlights best practices for meeting food safety standards in West Africa. An event organized by the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) and the permanent missions of Canada and France showcased on March 27 projects to help farmers meet food safety standards and increase agricultural exports in Africa. Entitled “SPS related technical assistance for development: the case of French-speaking Africa,” the event was held at the WTO to mark International Francophonie Day (here).
- Visit of President Bachelet of Chile to WTO: 'We must defend multilateralism in all areas.' Her Excellency Michelle Bachelet, President of Chile, visited the WTO on March 29. In an address to WTO members, President Bachelet underlined the importance of the multilateral trading system to both Chile and the world. President Bachelet was welcomed to the WTO by Director-General Roberto Azevêdo and Ambassador Xavier Carim, Chair of the WTO’s General Council (here).