WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION

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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U.S. Seeks to End WTO Flexibilities for Some Countries Claiming Developing Status

01 August 2019

A new Trump administration policy seeks to prevent countries that meet certain economic and other indicators from utilising flexibilities for developing countries in World Trade Organisation rules and negotiations. More

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WTO Rules on CV Duties Imposed by U.S. on Various Mainland Chinese Products

23 July 2019

The World Trade Organisation Appellate Body ruled in a 104-page decision issued on 16 July that the United States has violated certain multi-lateral subsidy rules and, as a result, it could face retaliatory trade sanctions from mainland China if it does not change or remove the violative countervailing duties. More

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U.S. and Mainland China Agree of End-of-December Deadline to Implement WTO Ruling on Agricultural TRQs

11 July 2019

Mainland China and the United States have agreed that the recommendations of a WTO dispute settlement panel regarding mainland China’s tariff-rate quotas on grain imports will be implemented by the end of this year. More

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Global Trade Barriers Rise As EU Works to Open Markets; Reciprocal Trade Measures Cannot Be Excluded

02 July 2019

On 17 June 2019, the European Commission presented a Report describing what it called a steady opening of markets for EU traders amidst rising global protectionism. Between 2014 and 2017, the EU is said to have intensified efforts to lower global barriers to trade, resulting in the removal of 123 trade barriers and the generation of additional exports totalling at least EUR 6.1 billion. More

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Chile Streamlines Documentary Requirements for Proof of Origin Claims under FTAs

28 June 2019

Chile’s National Customs Service is accepting effective from 7 June simple, legible copies of proofs of origin used to support a claim for preferential duty treatment under a free trade agreement or the special preference programme for least-developed countries, with the exception of the FTAs with Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam and the economic complementation agreement with Mercosur (ACE 35), as those arrangements explicitly require an original proof of origin. More

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EU Proposes Global Electronic Commerce Deal

17 May 2019

On 3 May 2019, the EU made public its proposed text on future rules and obligations on e-commerce as part of WTO negotiations on e-commerce endorsed by Ministers in the margins of the Davos World Economic Forum which was held earlier this year. More

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