February 2007 : Newsletter of CUTS - WTO Issues

WTO Deal: EU Wants India to Open up Market for Industrial Goods

The European Union (EU) has asked India to be prepared for further opening up its market for industrial goods in return for a deal on agriculture in the World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations on Doha Round. “We accept that it is a development round but developing countries too will have to make a contribution for the successful completion of the round. They will have to take cuts in import duties on industrial products,” the Director General of Trade for European Commission, the executive arm of EU, Mr David O’Sullivan told media.
(Navhind Times, February 19, 2007)

EU Demand Against Doha Spirit: India

The EU statement urging India to be ready to open its markets further for industrial goods in return for a deal in agriculture at the WTO has not been received well by India. Top officials say that the EU’s demand would result in the reversal of the `less-than full reciprocity’ condition for developing countries enshrined in the mandate of the on-going Doha round of negotiations.
(Economic Times, February 20, 2007)

 Kamal Nath to reaffirm Brazil’s support for WTO talks

Surprised over the reported statement of US Trade Representative Susan Schwab that the US was making progress in talks with the EU and Brazil on the WTO's Doha Round, Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath will meet his Brazilian counterpart in Geneva next week to confirm the unity of the G-20 block of developing countries. "The Minister will meet Brazilian Trade Minister Celso Amorim for bilateral talks and reaffirm the unity of G-20," top government officials said.
(Financial Express, February 28, 2007 )

EU Standards to be Adopted for Fruits Export in Pakistan

Faced with the threat of losing more international markets, Pakistan has decided to introduce the system of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) by adopting EurepGAP certification that will enable the country to upgrade its fruit farming system in line with international standards.
(Dawn, February 18, 2007)

Sri Lanka Exports to India Drops for the First Time on Trade Wars

For the first time in a decade, Sri Lanka’s exports to India dropped last year, following trade disputes over the island’s duty free access into India for vegetable oil, spices and copper. Sri Lanka and India have duty free or preferential access into each other’s markets for over 4000 goods, under the Indo-Lanka Free Trade deal, in effect since 2000.
(Lanka Business Online, February 19, 2007)

WTO Chief Sees 'Good Signs' for Doha

The head of the WTO said that he sees "good signs" for calling a meeting to conclude the Doha trade round, "but we're not there yet". WTO Director General Pascal Lamy made the comments on the sidelines of a conference on trade in Indonesia.
(The Financial Express, February 21, 2007)  

WTO breakthrough before June vital, says Mandelson

A breakthrough in stalled world trade talks before President George W Bush's trade negotiating authority expires in June is 'vital', EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said. Some Democrat senators have said they will oppose renewing Bush's authority for a free hand in trade talks. The power encourages other nations to negotiate with the US, knowing that Congress can't alter any agreement.
(Bridges Trade BioRes , Volume 7, Number 2, February 2, 2007)

Need to Reduce Agri Support for WTO Talks to go Forward

The prospects of forward movement in WTO talks seem bleak if developed countries do not give a clear commitment to drastically reduce their support to the farm sector. The situation became complicated when the United States (US) presented its Farm Bill 2007, designed to increase and legitimise its support under different pretexts and avoiding clarity in many areas of the proposed support.
(Financial Express, February 28, 2007)

TRIPS Meeting: Boost to IP Issues as Part of Resumed Trade Talks, US Submits Enforcement Proposal

Members on 13 February WTO meeting on intellectual property rights signaled that consultations on IP issues will be stepped up in the coming weeks as part of the overall revival in global trade talks, according to participants. Also at the meeting, the US presented a paper on IP enforcement.
(Intellectual Property Watch, February 14, 2007)

Ecuador seeks WTO ruling over banana row with EU

Ecuador has stepped up its fight with the EU over bananas by asking the WTO to rule that EU import barriers remain too high. According to an official notice sent to WTO member states, the world’s largest banana exporter requested that a WTO panel investigate its complaint against EU duties."
(Financial Express, February 27, 2007)

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