WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION

European Commission Presents Draft Reform of EU Trade Enforcement Regulation

15 January 2020

The European Commission has presented a proposal that seeks to allow the EU to enforce international trade rules in circumstances where the World Trade Organization (“WTO”) is no longer able to render binding dispute settlement decisions. The proposal has been presented as a reaction to the blockage of the operation of the WTO Appellate Body by the United States. Moreover, the Commission has also created the Office of the Chief Trade Enforcement Officer. More

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European Commission Warms to Ideas about Future of Carbon Border Measure

12 December 2019

As recently reported, upcoming officials of the European Commission (“Commission”) have manifested their interest in taking measures to address imports with high carbon content and the so-called “carbon leakage” phenomenon. Officials are still considering the form of the measure. More

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No U.S. Consensus Yet on Approach to WTO Crisis

10 December 2019

The Trump administration’s on-going refusal to confirm World Trade Organisation Appellate Body judges will result in a lack of a quorum for that body on 10 December. In response, various parties are trying to mediate the crisis. More

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UK to Grant 88% of Imports Tariff-free in Case of No-deal Exit

17 October 2019

On 8 October 2019, the UK Treasury and Department for International Trade – as part of the UK’s no-deal preparations – published an update to the UK’s temporary tariff regime that is intended to be put in place should the UK leave the EU without a deal at the end of October. More

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Senate Trade Committee Leadership Issues Stern Editorial on WTO Reform

15 October 2019

In a recent CNN-Business editorial, Sens. Grassley (Republican-Iowa) and Wyden (Democrat-Oregon) criticised that mainland China has self-designated as a developing country “to shirk WTO commitments in critical areas such as agriculture and illegal subsidies”, failed to meet its obligation to report domestic subsidies, and instituted too many cybersecurity requirements on information and communication technology. More

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Phil Hogan Obtains Parliamentary Committee Approval as EU Trade Commissioner After Presenting Robust Views

10 October 2019

On 30 September 2019, following a parliamentary vetting process held in the Trade Committee of the European Parliament, Phil Hogan obtained preliminary approval to become the EU’s new Trade Commissioner. During his speech, Hogan manifested his intent to advance a proposed international procurement agreement to gain leverage vis-à-vis Beijing. More

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Ex-Im Bank’s Charter Scheduled to Expire on 30 September

17 September 2019

For several years prior to May 2019, the board of directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States lacked a quorum that limited its loan issuance to US$10 million, while certain U.S. senators repeatedly opposed board member confirmations. While the board of directors was returned to its full quorum on 8 May, the Ex-Im Bank’s charter is still scheduled to expire on 30 September. More

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South Korea Vows to Renounce WTO Developing Country Status at Behest of United States

16 September 2019

South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on 4 September that South Korea is “poised to abandon” its World Trade Organisation status as a developing country. According to an informal translation, the ministry indicated that “the status is no longer beneficial and will result in some confrontation with the United States, which is undesirable, and inter-ministerial talks are currently underway regarding the waiver.” More

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U.S. and Mainland China Continue to Spar at WTO over Section 301 Tariffs

06 September 2019

The United States filed a written submission on 27 August in Geneva in response to repeated mainland Chinese requests for World Trade Organisation dispute settlement panel rulings against the additional U.S. tariffs on mainland Chinese products. More

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Mainland China’s Compliance with WTO Commitments Is Focus of Annual Review

14 August 2019

The inter-agency Trade Policy Staff Committee is accepting input and holding a public hearing to assist USTR in preparing its annual report to Congress on mainland China’s compliance with the commitments it made in connection with its accession to the World Trade Organisation. Input may be submitted on a range of topics, including the following. More

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