| 22.12.00 |
Report
issued on Korea-US steel dispute
A WTO panel, on 22 December 2000, issued its report
(DS179/R) on the case “United States —
Anti-dumping measures on stainless steel plate in
coils and stainless steel sheet and strip from
Korea” and also an Appellate
Body report
(DS/166/AB/R) on “United States —
Definitive safeguard measures on imports of wheat
gluten from the European Communities”. |
| 21.12.00 |
Panel
report out on US' lamb measures
A WTO panel that examined complaints by New
Zealand and Australia on United States' safeguard
measures on imports of fresh, chilled or frozen
lamb from those two countries issued its report
(DS177/R) (DS178/R) on 21 December 2000. |
| 19.12.00 |
General
Council adopts decision on implementation issues
The General Council, in Special Session on 15
December 2000, adopted a decision
on implementation-related issues and concerns
raised by developing countries. Director-General
Mike Moore gave his report
on actions to increase the participation of
developing countries in setting international
standards; another report was made on the extension
of the TRIMs transition periods. |
| 19.12.00 |
Panel
rules on Argentina's leather measures
A WTO panel, on 19 December 2000, issued its report
(DS155/R) on a complaint by the European
Communities about Argentina's measures affecting
the export of bovine hides and the import of
finished leather. |
| 15.12.00 |
Canada's
trade liberal but barriers persist in few sectors
WTO members, in concluding the review of Canada
on 15 December 2000, commended the country for
its “liberal and transparent” trade
regime but pointed to barriers in a few sectors
such as food products, textiles and clothing,
footwear and shipbuilding.
> Go
to the Chairman's concluding remarks
> Go
to the press release |
| 13.12.00 |
Germany
boosts WTO fund for poorest members
Director-General Mike Moore, on 13 December 2000,
welcomed Germany's DM 5 million contribution for
a five-year programme to strengthen the
participation of least-developed countries in the
WTO.
>
Go to the press release |
| 12.12.00 |
Canada’s
retaliation against Brazil approved in aircraft
case
The WTO Dispute Settlement Body on 12 December
2000 approved Canadian trade sanctions in
retaliation for Brazil’s failure to
implement a ruling on aircraft export subsidies.
The DSB also set up a new panel to hear the
EU’s complaint about Chilean restrictions on
unloading swordfish in its ports.
> Go
to summary of the meeting. |
| 12.12.00 |
WTO
Secretariat hits false attacks against GATS
WTO Secretariat's Director of Trade in Services,
Mr. David Hartridge, in a speech at the European
Services Forum on 27 November 2000 in Brussels,
said recent attacks on the GATS arise from
misunderstanding and misinterpretation of the
Agreement.
> Go
to his speech. |
| 11.12.00 |
“Breakthroughs”
in China talks
Breakthroughs have been made in the latest round
of China membership talks, including in the areas
of intellectual property, non-tariff measures,
and services licensing and transparency, reported
Deputy Director-General Paul-Henri Ravier, the
acting Chairman of the Working Party on China, on
8 December 2000. He said that “political
decisions are still needed in key capitals in
important outstanding areas” in time for the
January 2001 meeting.
> Go
to the Chairman's note
> Go
to China's statement |
| 11.12.00 |
Appellate
Body issues 2 reports
The WTO Appellate Body, on 11 December 2000,
issued its findings on the following cases: US
import measures on certain products from the EC,
and Korean
measures affecting imports of fresh, chilled and
frozen beef. |
| 08.12.00 |
Moore
hands out WTO diplomas
Officials from 28 governments — from Algeria
to Vanuatu — received diplomas on 8 December
2000 from Director-General Mike Moore at the end
of the 15th WTO Trade Policy Course for
developing countries.
> Go
to the press release. |
| 08.12.00 |
Round
will boost agriculture negotiations — Moore
Director-General Mike Moore, in a speech
at a meeting on “WTO Negotiations:
Agriculture and the Developing Countries” on
6 December 2000 in Paris, said that developing
countries are focusing on opening more markets,
particularly for processed goods, and
disciplining export subsidies in the ongoing
agriculture negotiations. He underlined the
“importance of a broader WTO Round” in
ensuring the success of these negotiations. |
| 08.12.00 |
Lithuania's
WTO membership approved
The General Council, on 8 December 2000, approved
the accession of Lithuania to WTO at a session
attended by the country's President Valdas
Adamkus. Director-General Mike Moore said
“Lithuania's forthcoming accession is good
news for the country and good news for the
WTO”.
> Go
to the press release >
Statement
by President Adamkus |
| 07.12.00 |
Moore:
2000 a year of challenge and consolidation for
the WTO
Director-General Mike Moore, in introducing his annual
report
(42 pages; 518 KB) to members on 7 December 2000,
called 2000 a year of “challenge and
consolidation” for the WTO. He cited the
challenge of continuing to “work hard for a
consensus on a broader negotiating agenda”,
adding that “the goodwill that has been
created over the past year gives us an
opportunity to take our system forward and
deliver benefits to all our peoples”.
> Go
to Mr. Moore's statement. |
| 06.12.00 |
WTO
cites export-led growth in Switzerland and
Liechtenstein
Members, in concluding the trade policy review of
Switzerland and Liechtenstein on 6 December 2000,
noted that growth is export-led and pointed to
the important role of the WTO in keeping markets
open to these countries' exports. They urged the
two members to continue reforms, mainly in the
highly protected sectors (agriculture, and
electrical and gas utilities in particular).
> Go
to the Chairman's concluding remarks
and the press
release. |
| 06.12.00 |
France
to fund SPS seminars
Director-General Mike Moore, on 6 December 2000,
welcomed the French Ministry of Agriculture and
Fisheries' FFR 1 million contribution to WTO
seminars and workshops for developing countries
on the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS)
Agreement.
> Go
to the press release |
| 30.11.00 |
Croatia
becomes the WTO's 140th member
Croatia
officially became the WTO’s 140th member on
30 November 2000. Its membership was formally
approved by the WTO General Council on 17 July
2000. As required under WTO rules, Croatia then
ratified its membership agreement and formally
joined the organization 30 days after it
confirmed ratification with the WTO on 31
October.
> Earlier
press release |
| 30.11.00 |
World
trade growth to double this year
World merchandise trade will grow by about 10% in
2000, twice the rate recorded for 1999 and one of
the highest in the last decade, according to
International Trade Statistics 2000 by the WTO
Secretariat published on 30 November 2000.
> Go
to the press release |
| 30.11.00 |
Regional
initiatives cannot be a substitute to the WTO
— Moore
Director-General Mike Moore, in a speech
in Buenos Aires on 28 November 2000, said that
“while regionalism can be a positive force
and provide an important complement to the
multilateral system, it cannot be a substitute --
this means above all that we need to push hard
for a new round which is the surest way to ensure
that regional and multilateral interests
converge.” |
| 28.11.00 |
Agriculture
committee issues latest annual report, with trade
data
The WTO Agriculture Committee’s contribution
to the General Council’s overview of WTO
activities in 2000 (document G/L/417) is now
available. It contains agricultural trade
statistics such as countries’ market shares
for various products, and information on the
situation facing net food-importers, including
data on food aid and commodity prices. Read
the main two-page text and download the full
88-page report. |
| 22.11.00 |
External
Transparency: Overview —
November 2000
The Third Ministerial Conference of the World
Trade Organization in late 1999 in Seattle placed
a number of issues regarding the external
transparency of the multilateral trading system
under renewed scrutiny. This overview provides an
account of initiatives on external transparency
which are currently being pursued within the
framework and guidelines agreed by Members. |
| 22.11.00 |
Moore
campaigns for a new round in Latin America
Director-General Mike Moore will be paying an
official visit to five Latin-American countries
from 25 November to 6 December 2000. “It is
my intention to thank them for their contribution
to the organization and seek firm support for the
launching of a new round of trade liberalization
negotiations,” he said.
> Go
to the press release >
Audio
news release |
| 17.11.00 |
Work
programme on IT non-tariff barriers approved
Participants to the WTO Agreement that eliminated
tariffs on information technology products are
now turning their attention to non-tariff
barriers in this dynamic trade sector.
>
Go to the press release |
| 17.11.00 |
Moore
applauds APEC call for a new Round next year
Director-General Mike Moore, on 16 November 2000,
said the APEC Leaders' call for the launching of
a new Round of trade negotiations in 2001
“will surely energize work in Geneva for a
broad-based negotiating agenda that will benefit
all members”.
> Go
to story |
| 17.11.00 |
African
Ministers reject marginalization, reaffirm
confidence in WTO
Director-General
Mike Moore, on 17 November 2000, hailed the
recently-concluded African Trade Ministers
conference in Libreville as a “historic
first” where trade ministers and officials
from more than 50 countries “have rejected
marginalization and reaffirmed their confidence
in the WTO system”. The conference's
communique emphasized “the need to make
trade a priority in the national development
policies” of African countries.
> Go
to the press release >
Go
to Mr. Moore's closing statement
> Final
Communiqué |
| 17.11.00 |
Committee
discusses unfilled quotas, export credit
Whether unfilled
tariff
quotas
are the result of trade obstacles and how to deal
with export credits, were among the subjects
discussed in the WTO Agriculture Committee in its
regular session (i.e. not the negotiations) on 14
November 2000. Details. |
| 16.11.00 |
WTO
welcomes signs of Japan's economic recovery
WTO members, in reviewing Japan's
trade policies
on 14 and 16 November 2000, welcomed signs of
economic recovery as important for world trade.
They urged the government to maintain the
momentum of structural reform so as to ensure the
recovery is sustained. Concerns were raised on
tariff structure, quarantine procedures and the
level of domestic support for agriculture.
> Go
to the Chairperson's concluding remarks
> Go
to the summary of the Secretariat's report |
| 13.11.00 |
SPS
body mulls pests in wood crates, studies
‘equivalence’
A draft EU emergency measure against pests in
pinewood packaging, affecting a large share of
goods trade, generated some concern in the 8-9
November 2000 meeting of the WTO Committee on
Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures. Also
discussed was “equivalence”, a subject
which also comes under “implementation”
in the General Council. Unofficial
summary. |
| 13.11.00 |
Africa's
concerns should be on the new round's agenda
— Moore
Director-General Mike Moore, in a speech
at the opening of the Libreville 2000 Meeting of
African trade ministers on 13 November 2000,
underlined that “we need a new round of
trade negotiations with Africa at the table and
with Africa's great concerns on the agenda”. |
| 13.11.00 |
Join
the on-line forum on Africa and the WTO
Users of the WTO website are invited to join an on-line
discussion on Africa and the WTO,
running in parallel to a summit of African trade
ministers in Libreville, Gabon from November 13
to 15, 2000. This is the inaugural on-line
discussion for the new WTO Forum section of the
official WTO website. Visit the new WTO Forum and
register to participate in the WTO and Africa
on-line discussions, or start your own discussion
on a WTO topic. |
| 10.11.00 |
US
boosts WTO fund for Africa
The U.S. Government has pledged 650,000 USD to
the WTO trust fund for technical assistance, to
be used specifically for sub-Saharan African
countries. “The U.S. contribution will help
a particularly disadvantaged part of the world
increase its participation in the multilateral
trading system”, said WTO Director-General
Mike Moore.
> Go
to the press release |
| 09.11.00 |
“Solid
momentum” in China talks
The Working Party on China has established
“solid momentum” this week and China is
accelerating efforts to conclude all its
outstanding negotiations, said the acting
Chairperson, WTO Deputy Director-General
Paul-Henri Ravier, on 9 November 2000.
> Go
to the Chairperson's remarks >
Go
to China's statement |
| 08.11.00 |
Asbestos
Appeal — new procedure
The
members of the Appellate Body hearing the appeal
in European Communities - Asbestos adopted on 7
November 2000 an additional procedure (WT/DS135/9)
(37KB downloadable in Word format) dealing with
written briefs from persons other than parties or
third parties in that case (including
non-governmental organizations).
> Guide to downloading
files. |
| 08.11.00 |
WTO
publishes technical assistance guide
The WTO has published a comprehensive Guide
to Sources of Trade-Related Technical Assistance.
In his foreword, Director-General Mike Moore said
the idea for this Guide came about when recently
a Minister from a country that had just emerged
from a terrible civil war asked him whether a
single reference source on technical assistance
was available. |
| 06.11.00 |
Moore
cites improved climate for trade talks
WTO Director-General Mike Moore, in a speech
on 6 November 2000 before the Link Foundation in
London, said that achievements this year have
rebuilt confidence in the WTO after Seattle and
have improved the climate for further trade
talks. |
| 06.11.00 |
Transition
economies and the WTO
The WTO has an important role to play in helping
ex-communist countries overcome daunting economic
challenges and create successful market
economies, WTO Director-General Mike Moore said
on 6 November 2000. He was addressing
a conference on “Completing Transition”
at the Joint Vienna Institute. |
| 06.11.00 |
Over
1100 participants have joined WTO-World Bank
on-line forum
The WTO-World Bank on-line forum on Trade and
Sustainable Development attracted the
participation of over 1,100 individuals from
around the world during the first two weeks of
discussions. The second part of the on-line forum
is focusing on how Trade and Environment can be
mutually supportive. Existing participants do not
need to register again. If you have not
participated in the first two weeks of
discussions there is still time to join the forum
by registering.
The first two weeks of discussions have been put
together in a summary. |
| 01.11.00 |
"WTO
says reform helped Brazil recover from
crisis"
WTO members, in their review
of Brazil's trade policies
on 31 October and 1 November, were impressed by
the resilience of the Brazilian economy and its
rapid recovery from the financial crisis of 1997
and 1998. Some of them asked for a simplification
of laws and regulations governing trade.
> Chairperson's
concluding remarks
> Press
release |
| 31.10.00 |
WTO
head hails African free-trade area
Director-General Mike Moore, on 31 October 2000,
hailed the establishment of a free trade area by
nine members of the Common Market for Eastern and
Southern Africa (COMESA) as a “vote of
confidence in trade as an engine for growth and
development”.
> Go
to the story. |
| 31.10.00 |
Moore
cites e-commerce potential for development
WTO
Director-General Mike Moore, in his opening
remarks
to the to the ITC
Briefing Session
on E-Commerce Conference on 31 October 2000,
cited the development potential of e-commerce for
“linking distant markets and creating new
ones”. He stressed that “we at the WTO
aim to do our best to promote rather than hinder
the development of the Internet and to help the
poor as well as the rich benefit from it”.
The ITC is inviting the public to participate in
an e-trade
virtual forum
on 20-23 November 2000. |
| 30.10.00 |
New
dispute panel finds against EU measures on Indian
bed linen
A WTO dispute panel has concluded that some
aspects of the European Union’s anti-dumping
measures against imports of cotton-type bed linen
from India violated the WTO Anti-Dumping
Agreement. Download
panel report WT/DS141/R |
| 26.10.00 |
“The
Backlash Against Globalization?”
Speech
by Mike Moore, Director-General of the World
Trade Organisation , Liberal International,
Ottawa. |
| 24.10.00 |
Moore
calls for cooperation on trade-environment issues
WTO
Director-General Mike Moore, on 24 October 2000,
called for greater cooperation and understanding
between the WTO and environment agreements to
help “maximize synergies and reduce
potential tensions”. He also urged
sensitivity to the needs of developing countries
and vigilance against hidden protectionism. UNEP
Executive-Director Klaus Töpfer said a coherent
relationship between the WTO and these agreements
will be “a vital element in creating a
sustainable global economy”.
> Go
to Mr. Moore's speech >
Go
to Mr. Töpfer's speech |
| 24.10.00 |
Panel
rules on Mexico-Guatemala cement dispute
A WTO dispute-settlement panel, on 24 October
2000, issued its report
on Mexico's complaint against Guatemala's
definitive anti-dumping measures on grey Portland
cement from Mexico. |
| 24.10.00 |
Panels
set up in steel safeguard,
‘shrimp-turtle’ and corn syrup cases
The WTO Dispute Settlement Body agreed on 23
October 2000 to set up a new panel to hear
Korea’s complaint about US safeguard
measures on welded carbon quality pipes. It also
recalled two panels to rule on whether the
countries concerned are still failing to comply
with rulings in the “shrimp-turtle” and
high-fructose corn syrup anti-dumping cases. Details |
| 23.10.00 |
Delegations
welcome progress report on implementation issues
Delegations, at the General Council's Second
Special Session on Implementation on 18 October
2000, welcomed a progress report on consultations
by the Chairman, Ambassador Kare Bryn (Norway),
and Director-General Mike Moore on implementation
issues as an important first step from which to
build on.
> Go
to summary of the meeting. |
| 17.10.00 |
WTO
and World Bank open online forum on trade issues
The WTO and the World Bank are inviting the
public to participate in a month-long online
forum on “Trade and Sustainable
Development” on their joint website starting
on 23 October 2000. Director-General Mike Moore
said this is the first initative of the WTO
Network, aimed at building and disseminating
knowledge on trade issues.
> Go
to the story |
| 16.10.00 |
WTO
holds “Geneva Week” for non-resident
members
The Secretariat is organizing a second
information week on 21-27 October 2000 for the 37
WTO members and observers without permanent
representation at headquarters. Director-General
Mike Moore said “it is a way of increasing
participation and transparency for the smaller
members.”
> Press
release |
| 13.10.00 |
WTO
lauds Bahrain's liberal policies
WTO members, in their review
of Bahrain's trade policies
on 11 and 13 October 2000, cited the role of
liberal policies in helping the country maintain
stable growth. There were questions on non-tariff
measures and suggestions for more WTO commitments
in services.
> Chairperson's
concluding remarks
> Press
release |
| 12.10.00 |
Dispute
body adopts Canada patent reports, notes US-EU
subsidy procedure understanding
The Dispute Settlement Body on 12 October 2000
adopted the panel and Appellate Body reports in
the Canada —Term of Patent Protection case.
It also approved a one-month postponement in the
deadline for the US to implement the rulings in
the “Foreign Sales Corporations” case,
and took note of the US-EU understanding on how
to proceed. News
page |
| 11.10.00 |
WTO
deputy chief says TRIPS balances health costs and
benefits
A health challenge facing the international
community is how to share the high costs of
medical research and ensure the results are
affordable for everyone, WTO Deputy
Director-General Miguel Rodríguez Mendoza said
in a speech
on 28 September 2000. |
| 11.10.00 |
WTO
holds trade policy course for LDC officials
Trade
officials from 42 least-developed countries will
participate in the WTO's third short trade policy
course for LDCs on 16 October-3 November 2000.
Director-General Mike Moore welcomed the record
number of participants and the involvement, for
the first time, of three regional Secretariats.
> Go
to the story |
| 10.10.00 |
Oman
set to become 139th WTO member
The General Council, on 10 October 2000, approved
the accession of Oman to the WTO.
Director-General Mike Moore welcomed the
forthcoming membership as “a new vote of
confidence in the WTO”.
> Go
to the press release >
Summary
of the meeting |
| 05.10.00 |
WTO
reinforces Spanish information service
The WTO Secretariat, on 5 October 2000, announced
the appointment of a Spanish-speaking press
officer, Mr. Josep Bosch, formerly of Agencia
Efe. Spokesman Keith Rockwell said the goal is to
"improve the dialogue" with the 400
million Spanish-speaking people of the WTO
membership.
> Go
to the press release. |
| 04.10.00 |
African
trade ministers to meet on WTO in Libreville
More than 50 African trade ministers, on 13-15
November 2000 in Libreville, will discuss how the
continent can participate more fully and maximize
benefits in the WTO in a meeting organized by the
Government of Gabon in collaboration with the WTO
Secretariat.
> Go
to the press release |
| 04.10.00 |
WTO
arbitrator sets deadline on auto pact dispute
A WTO arbitrator, in a report
issued on 4 October 2000, gave Canada eight
months — or until 19 February 2001— to
implement recommendations and rulings regarding
its “Auto Pact” dispute with the EC and
Japan. |
| 02.10.00 |
Lithuania
completes membership negotiations
WTO
Director-General Mike Moore, on 2 October 2000,
said the forthcoming membership of Lithuania
should help “buttress the country's
impressive reform programme and bring tangible
economic benefits to her citizens”. A
Working Party has approved the country's
accession documents, which now go to the General
Council for final approval in December 2000.
> Go
to the story |
| 02.10.00 |
Moore
welcomes French boost to WTO's technical
assistance fund
WTO
Director-General Mike Moore, on 2 October 2000,
thanked State Secretary for External Trade
François Huwart for France's contribution of one
million euros to WTO's technical assistance fund.
> Go
to the press release |
| 28.09.00 |
China
accession: re-examination of negotiating
positions urged
The Chairperson of the WTO Working Party on
China, Swiss Ambassador Pierre-Louis Girard, in
summing up two weeks of talks on 28 September
2000, urged a “fundamental re-examination of
negotiating positions in capitals” to meet
the target of concluding this year. China's
Vice-Minister Long Yongtu underlined the
importance of cooperation in the final stage of
negotiations. Earlier, on 26 September 2000, WTO
Director-General Mike Moore discussed with
China's Trade Minister Shi Guangsheng possible
ways of moving the process forward.
> Go to the Chairperson's
summing up
> Go to Vice-Minister
Long's statement |
| 28.09.00 |
WTO
lauds Korea's strong recovery
Members,
after reviewing Korea's trade policies on 26 and
28 September 2000, highlighted the role of
structural reforms and that of the WTO in Korea's
swift recovery from the 1997 crisis.
> Go to the concluding
remarks
and press
release. |
| 28.09.00 |
DSB
establishes panel on US trademark dispute
The WTO Dispute Settlement Body, on 26 September
2000, agreed to set up a panel to adjudicate on
case DS176 “United States - Section 211
Omnibus Appropriations Act of 1998”. This
was one of the 12
disputes discussed. |
| 28.09.00 |
Report
out on Poland-Thailand steel dispute
A
WTO dispute-settlement panel issued today, 28
September 2000, its report
on Poland's complaint against Thai anti-dumping
duties on certain iron and steel products
(DS122). |
| 25.09.00 |
Panel
issues additional texts for dispute 162: US -
Anti-dumping Act of 1916
The WTO dispute panel circulated on 25 September
2000 two
additional sections
of its report on case DS162, “United States
- Anti-dumping Act of 1916”. These deal with
claims and main arguments, and third party
submissions. The original
report
was circulated on 31 May 2000, and the Appellate
Body report
on 28 August 2000. |
| 20.09.00 |
Moore
welcomes US Senate vote on China
WTO Director-General Mike Moore, in a statement
issued on 20 September 2000, welcomed actions by
members that would facilitate the rapid accession
of China into the WTO. |
| 19.09.00 |
WTO
launches 15h trade policy course
Deputy Director-General Paul-Henri Ravier, on 19
September 2000, told 28 developing country trade
officials that “to deal with global issues,
you have to be global yourself”.
> Go
to the press release. |
| 18.09.00 |
Dispute
reports circulated: on asbestos and patent terms
A
WTO dispute panel has upheld a French ban on
asbestos, rejecting a Canadian complaint. Download
report.
Separately, the Appellate Body has endorsed an
earlier panel ruling against Canada and in favour
of the US on the term of patent protection in
Canada. Download
report. |
| 14.09.00 |
WTO
launches live broadcast to Latin America
The WTO Secretariat has started a cycle of
videoconferences broadcast live via satellite to
Latin America.
> Go
to the press release. |
| 11.09.00 |
Panel
to examine Canadian complaint
The
Dispute Settlement Body, on 11 September 2000,
established a panel to examine Canada's complaint
against US measures treating export restraints as
subsidies.
> Go
to summary of the meeting. |
| 11.09.00 |
Moore
cites need for dialogue and cooperation in
financial services
WTO Director-General Mike Moore, on 11 September
2000 in Basel, Switzerland, said international
dialogue and cooperation are critical for
confidence and stability in the financial systems
of the world. > Go
to his speech. |
| 08.09.00 |
Albania
becomes 138th WTO member
Director-General
Mike Moore, on 8 September 2000, welcomed Albania
into the organization, adding that by encouraging
trade links “the WTO can help foster greater
peace, stability and development in south-eastern
Europe”.
>
Go to the press release. |
| 28.08.00 |
Brazil-Canada
Aircraft Dispute
Arbitrator's
report
(28 August 2000) on Canada's level of retaliation
against Brazil (DS 46). |
| 28.08.00 |
US
Anti-Dumping Act of 1916
Appellate Body's report (28 August 2000) in the
dispute filed by the EC (DS
136)
and Japan (DS
162)
against the US Antidumping Act of 1916. |
| 25.08.00 |
“Reflections
on the global trading system”
Speech
by Mike Moore, Director-General of the World
Trade Organization, at the Symposium on Global
Economic Integration, Jackson Hole, United
States, 25 August 2000. |
| 21.08.00 |
WTO
Highlights Jan — Aug 2000: Informal
background note
Secretariat's
note on some of the developments in the first
eight months of this year.
>
Go
to the informal background note |
| 18.08.00 |
New
report by arbitrator
WTO
publishes today ( 18 August 2000) the
arbitrator's report determining the period of
time for Canada to implement the findings in the
“Pharmaceutical Patents” dispute.
>
You
can download the report here.
(DS114/13) |
| 14.08.00 |
“Trade
lifts people out of poverty”
Director
General Mike Moore in a
speech
to the Chamber of Commerce in Christchurch, New,
Zealand, on August 14, 2000, cited
“overwhelming evidence” that openness
to trade boosts economic growth and raises living
standards for everyone.
> see “Trade
and Poverty”
study |
| 04.08.00 |
Developing
countries call for more help in TBT area
The WTO, on 19-20 July 2000, organized a workshop
to pinpoint — and discuss possible solutions
— to problems encountered by developing
countries in implementing the Technical Barriers
to Trade (TBT) Agreement and dealing with
international product standards.
> Go
to the story. |
| 31.07.00 |
WTO
issues “Korean beef” and “Wheat
gluten” panel reports
A
WTO dispute-settlement panel issued today, 31
July 2000, its report on the US complaint against
Korean import measures on beef (DS161).
You can download the report here.
Another WTO dispute-settlement panel issued today
its report on the European Communities complaint
against US definitive safeguard measures on
imports of wheat gluten (DS166).
You can download the report here. |
| 28.07.00 |
"Concrete
progress" in China WTO talks
The
Chairman of the WTO Working Party, Ambassador
Pierre-Louis Girard of Switzerland, in his summing
up
on 27 July 2000 said “concrete
progress” was made during a full week of
meetings on China's membership bid. |
| 28.07.00 |
Moore
welcomes Swedish contribution
Director-General
Mike Moore in Stockholm this week welcomed
Sweden's contribution of 7 million crowns to
WTO's technical assistance fund. Go
to the press release |
| 26.07.00 |
Moore
underscores benefits of openness
Director-General
Mike Moore, in his speech In
Praise of the Future
on 26 July 2000 in Malmo, Sweden, called on young
socialists to embrace openness and stressed that
there is “no contradiction between being on
the Left and supporting free trade and the
WTO”. |
| 23.07.00 |
DG
Moore welcomes G-8 statement on new trade round
Director-General
Mike Moore, on 23 July 2000, welcomed the G-8's
call for a round of trade negotiations to start
this year. He said “it is through a round
that our organization can achieve a balanced
agreement that enables us to tackle the many
problems and concerns affecting the world’s
citizens”. Go
to the story. |
| 21.07.00 |
Reports
out on Brazil's aircraft appeals
The
Appellate Body, on 21 July 2000, issued reports
on Brazil's appeals regarding its aircraft
dispute with Canada. |
| 20.07.00 |
Tourism
proposed as GATS annex
Services negotiators, on 13-14 July 2000,
discussed guidelines for negotiations and
proposals from delegations including one for a
new GATS annex on tourism services.
> Go
to summary of services meetings, 5-14 July 2000 |
| 17.07.00 |
WTO
membership of Albania, Croatia approved
The
General Council, on 17 July 2000, approved the
entry of Albania and Croatia into the WTO.
Director-General Mike Moore expressed the hope
that through closer trade, “the WTO can, in
a small way, help foster greater peace and
stability in south-eastern Europe”. Go
to the story. |
| 17.07.00 |
Panel
issues report on EC complaint against US import
measures
A
WTO dispute-settlement panel issued today, 17
July 2000, its report on the EC complaint against
US import measures on certain EC products. The US
action was related to the banana dispute. Go
to the panel report. |
| 17.07.00 |
Dutch
boost to WTO's technical assistance fund
Dutch
Minister Dirk Bruinsma, on 17 July 2000, signed a
Memorandum
of Understanding
with Director-General Mike Moore pledging a
contribution of 2.6 million guilders to the WTO
technical assistance fund. In thanking the Dutch
government, Mr. Moore said that with
“insufficient” regular budget for this
purpose “only through these types of
generous contributions can the WTO respond now to
an increasing demand for technical
assistance”. |
| 14.07.00 |
Members
hold wide-ranging discussions on EU trade
policies
In
reviewing the European Union's trade policy
regime on 12 and 14 July 2000, members lauded the
region's economic recovery and the generally open
EU markets, which are of singular importance to
export interests of many countries. Concerns were
raised on EU's outstanding implementation of the
banana and hormones cases and the import regime
for agricultural products. Go to the press
release
and the chairperson's
concluding remarks. |
| 14.07.00 |
Trade
officials get WTO diplomas
Deputy
Director-General Miguel Rodriguez Mendoza, on 14
July 2000, handed out diplomas to 25
developing-country officials upon their
completion of the 14th
WTO Trade Policy Course,
which was conducted in Spanish. He noted that
some 1700 trade officials from developing
countries and economies in transition have
participated in this programme since its
inception in 1955. |
| 06.07.00 |
CTE
holds information session with secretariats of
environment accords
The
WTO Committee on Trade and Environment, on 5-6
July 2000, held an information
session
with secretariats of environmental agreements to
facilitate members' understanding of the linkages
between the multilateral environment and trade
agendas. It also discussed a number of new
papers, including a proposal from Switzerland on
the relationship between the WTO and MEAs, a
submission from Bangladesh on trade in
domestically prohibited goods, from India on the
protection of biodiversity and traditional
knowledge, from the EC on the precautionary
principle, and from the US on subsidies in
fisheries. Go to the Trade
and Environment Bulletin. |
| 06.07.00 |
New
approach to helping LDC trade agreed
The
heads of six international agencies have agreed
on a new approach to improve the delivery of
trade-related technical assistance to the
least-developed countries, including the
launching of an Integrated
Framework
Trust Fund. Director-General Mike Moore, who
chaired the meeting of the ITC, IMF, UNCTAD,
UNDP, the World Bank and the WTO on 6 July 2000
in New York, stressed that “it is time these
countries saw more of the positive side of
globalization”. Go to the joint
statement
and the press
release |
| 03.07.00 |
WTO
praises successful transformation of the Polish
economy
Members
congratulated Poland on its successful
transformation into a market economy during a
review of the country's trade policies held on 3
and 5 July 2000. They said that Poland's target
of acceding to the EU creates opportunities for
further reforms. Some members questioned the
country's high level of agricultural support and
the gap between preferential and MFN tariffs. Go
to the Chairperson's
concluding remarks
and the press
release. |
| 23.06.00 |
Members
laud Norway's liberal trade but some question
high agri support
At
the conclusion of WTO's review (21 and 23 June
2000) of Norway's trade policies, members lauded
the country's recent economic performance and its
overall commitment to liberal trade and
investment policies. However, several questioned
the high level of support granted to the
agricultural sector.
> Go
to the Chairperson's concluding remarks. |
| 22.06.00 |
WTO
to deal with poor countries' problems in
implementing agreements
Director-General
Mike Moore, on 22 June 2000, welcomed the
approval by the General Council of an action-oriented
work programme
for addressing problems of developing countries
in implementing WTO agreements as “another
important step in building confidence in the WTO
and the global trading system”. |
| 20.06.00 |
Officials
examine how to analyse risk for food safety
measures
How
Central American countries have dealt with the
risk of mad cow disease, Madagascar with African
swine fever, Australia with Chinese pears, the US
with salmonella in eggs — these and other
topics were discussed
in a two-day WTO workshop
which ended 20 June. |
| 19.06.00 |
New
study says free trade helps reduce poverty
A
new
WTO Secretariat study published 19 June
finds that trade liberalization helps poor
countries to catch up with rich ones and that
this faster economic growth helps to alleviate
poverty.
The 74-page report is only available in English.
You can download it here in pdf format:
> Ch
1: An overview
(265 KB)
> Ch
2: Trade, growth and disparity among nations
(492 KB)
> Ch
3: Trade and poverty: Is there a connection?
(264 KB) |
| 16.06.00 |
Trade,
Poverty and The Human Face of Globalization
Speech by Mike Moore, Director-General of the
World Trade Organisation Reuters/Carnegie Public
Policy Series - London School of Economics |
| 15.06.00 |
WTO
publishes panel report on EC complaint against US
Copyright Act
This
report "United States - Section 110(5) of
the US Copyright Act" deals with the rights
of music and TV broadcasts and the payment of
royalties. For the time being, the 258-page
report is only available in English. You can
download it here in Word (part
1: 450KB,
part
2: 803KB)
or pdf format (part
1: 238 KB,
part
2: 496KB).
The conclusions and recommendations of the panel
can be found on page: 69. |
| 14.06.00 |
Georgia
becomes 137th WTO member
Georgia became
the 137th member of the World Trade Organization
on 14 June 2000. “This accession is
particularly noteworthy given Georgia’s
remarkable transition to a market economy.
Georgia is the fourth former Soviet republic to
join the WTO and has done so in less than 4 years
after applying for membership,” said WTO
Director-General Mike Moore. |
| 05.06.00 |
WTO's
unique system of settling disputes nears 200
cases in 2000
Alcohol, brooms, buses, cars, cement, coconut,
coffee, computers, footwear, gasoline, leather,
macaroni, rice, scallops, steel, tomatoes,
underwear – are among the many products in
international trade which have been the subject
of nearly
200 disputes brought to the World Trade
Organization (WTO)
since its creation in January 1995 |
| 31.05.00 |
WTO
issues Panel
Report
on Japan's complaint against US Anti-dumping Act
of 1916 |
| 31.05.00 |
Appellate
Body issues report on Canada's import measure on
cars
The Appellate Body, on 31 May 2000, issued its report
regarding the case "Canada - Certain
measures affecting the automotive industry".
|
| 25.05.00 |
Moore
welcomes US House vote on China
Director-General Mike Moore, on 25 May 2000, welcomed
the approval by the US House of Representatives
of permanent normal trade relations with China as
a "vital step in bringing China into the
family of governments that make up the WTO"
and a "vote of confidence to a rules-based
trading system". |
| 25.05.00 |
WTO
Completes appointment of appellate body members
The WTO's Dispute Settlement Body, on 25 May, completed
the appointments
to the Appellate Body by selecting Mr. Yasuhei
Taniguchi of Japan. He joins Mr G M Abi-Saab of
Egypt and Mr A V Ganesa of India who were
appointed last month. |
| 24.05.00 |
WTO
Arbitrator issues report
on reasonable period of time for Chile to
implement in the alcoholic beverages case |
| 22.05.00 |
Moore
bats for US-China deal
"History demands we welcome China into the
world trading order," said Director-General
Mike Moore in a keynote
speech
at the National Foreign Trade Council's World
Trade Dinner in New York on 22 May 2000. He urged
the US Congress to approve the China trade deal,
stressing that "a more open China brings
benefits for everybody". Mr. Moore also
pushed for further trade liberalization,
particularly in the information technology
sector. |
| 19.05.00 |
Mike
Moore hails EU-China agreement
Director-General Mike Moore hailed
the EU-China agreement
on 19 May 2000 as "another major step
towards extending the benefits and
responsibilities of the WTO system to a quarter
of the world's population". |
| 10.05.00 |
Panel
Reports rule on implementation by Brazil and
Canada concerning aircraft subsidies
The WTO issued 2
panel reports
today, on Brazil's and Canada's implementation
measures under DSU Article 21.5 |
| 09.05.00 |
WTO
issues Appellate
Body Report
on US — Countervailing duties on certain
lead and Steel Products from the United Kingdom |
| 08.05.00 |
Moore
hails General Council outcome
The WTO General Council on 3 and 8 May 2000 agreed
on a series of measures
designed to raise confidence in the multilateral
trading system by addressing the needs of
developing countries, including the world's
poorest.
The Council also appointed chairpersons
for the TRIPS Council and subsidiary bodies of
Goods Council
. This completes the list of chairpersons for all
WTO bodies. The previous
decision
was on 8 February |
| 08.05.00 |
Ukraine
accessions talks get new
chairperson |
| 06.05.00 |
The
post-Seattle trade agenda
Speech
by the D.G. Mike Moore to the International
Chamber of Commerce 33rd World Congress Budapest.
|
| 05.05.00 |
Panel
issues report on US-Canada patent dispute
The panel that examined a US complaint against
Canada's term of patent protection, today, 5 May
2000, issued its report. |
| 03.05.00 |
WTO
now in much better shape with new agreements
Director-General
Mike Moore, at a press
conference
on 3 May 2000, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung,
Frankfurt.
|
| 02.05.00 |
Bangaldesh
trade policy review
WTO members encouraged Bangladesh to persist in
its economic reforms at the conclusion of the
second review of the country's trade policies
held 2 and 4 May 2000.
|
| 01.05.00 |
Panel
report out on US-Korea airport dispute
The WTO panel that examined a US complaint
against Korea's procurement measures related to
the Inchon International Airport project today, 1
May 2000, issued its report. |
| 26.04.00 |
14th
WTO Trade Policy Course gets
underway |
| 17.04.00 |
Services
Council adopts
negotiating timetable
for this year |
| 13.04.00 |
Moore
urges trade package for poorest countries
He was addressing
the US National Press Club in Washington, DC |
| 13.04.00 |
Developing
country export growth double the world average -
WTO |
| 11.04.00 |
Jordan
becomes 136th
WTO member |
| 11.04.00 |
"Useful
progress"
in post-Seattle consultations — Moore |
| 07.04.00 |
Trainees
complete
first course
of 45th anniversary year |
| 04.04.00 |
WTO
holds workshop
on rules of origin |
| 31.03.00 |
Panel
issues report on US Anti-Dumping Act
EC's complaint against the US Anti-Dumping Act of
1916 today. |
| 28.03.00 |
Intellectual
Property: Council
debates
call to expand geographical indications
protection |
| 28.03.00 |
WTO
General Council Informal
Meeting |
| 27.03.00 |
Agriculture
Negotiations: Talks
reach swift agreement on 'Phase 1' |
| 23.03.00 |
Major
progress in China's membership bid
Go
to the Chairperson's summing up |
| 22.03.00 |
WTO
organizes seminar on services for delegations
The
WTO Secretariat will hold on 10-11 May a seminar
to brief Members on the various issues relating
to GATS and the services negotiations. |
| 22.03.00 |
DSB
establishes two new panels, adopts salmon and FSC
reports |
| 20.03.00 |
DG
Moore notes
with sadness
the passing of Appellate Judge Beeby |
| 17.03.00 |
SPS
Committee completes
draft
on risk "consistency" |
| 02.03.00 |
WTO
to hold seminar
on special provisions for developing countries |
| 29.02.00 |
Trade-environment
body focuses
on market access |
| 25.02.00 |
Services
negotiations formally launched
A special session of the Council for Trade in
Services formally
launched negotiations
on services. |
| 24.02.00 |
DSB
adopts HFCS
report |
| 21.02.00 |
Moore
calls for closer Parliamentary involvement in WTO
matters
|
| 11.02.00 |
Details
and summary
of DSB meeting |
| 09.02.00 |
"Open
societies do better"
Director-General Mike Moore's speech
at the 11th International Military Chiefs of
Chaplains Conference |
| 08.02.00 |
Denmark
boosts WTO technical cooperation fund |
| 08.02.00 |
WTO
Chairpersons
for 2000 |
| 08.02.00 |
Farewell
statement
by H.E. Mr Ali Mchumo, Chairperson of the WTO
General Council, 8th February, 2000 |
| 08.02.00 |
General
Council sets
dates for negotiations
— Services Council and Agriculture Committee
to meet in special sessions |
| 07.02.00 |
WTO
services and agriculture negotiations: meetings
set for February and March |
| 07.02.00 |
WTO
Director-General’s report to General Council
on
consultations after Seattle |
| 28.01.00 |
Norway
makes another contribution
to WTO's global trust fund |
| 26.01.00 |
DG
Moore embarks on consultations
on future WTO work
|
| 25.01.00 |
Germany
contributes
to WTO's Global Trust Fund |
| 17.01.00 |
Thirteenth
WTO Trade Policy Course opens
in Geneva |
| 10.01.00 |
"Revisiting
the multilateral trading system"
Director-General
Mike Moore's keynote
address
to the Confederation of Indian Industry at the
"Partnership Summit 2000", New Delhi. |
