Canada is lending its support to the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) choice for its new director general. Ngorzi Okonjo-Iweala was chosen Feb. 15 by WTO members as the international trade body’s new head, making her the first woman and the first African to serve in the role. Mary Ng, Canada’s minister of small business, export […] Read more
Tag Archives world trade organization
Canada hails new WTO chief
Trade body names first African, and first female, DG
Ban on food aid restrictions blocked at WTO
WTO says outcome 'disappointing' in difficult year
Geneva | Reuters — World Trade Organization members were at odds on Friday over a proposal that would ban countries from restricting food aid deliveries, potentially complicating the response to a feared COVID-fuelled humanitarian catastrophe next year. The proposal was one of two related to the pandemic that failed to make headway at a three-day […] Read more
Anti-trade sentiment grips the United States
U.S. is undermining the World Trade Organization amid domestic pressure to lower trade
Glacier FarmMedia – Blake Hurst senses shifting trade winds in the United States, and he doesn’t like the direction they are blowing. “Agriculture faces some real dangers from a change in our opinion and our approach to trade,” said the president of the Missouri Farm Bureau. Why it matters: Changing global trade patterns render markets […] Read more
WTO committee looks at COVID-19 farm measures
Some regions bumped their agricultural subsidies during the pandemic
Glacier FarmMedia – Canada and other countries are calling for more transparency of farm measures taken by members during COVID-19. During a July 28 meeting of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Committee on Agriculture, some countries questioned how the international community can better monitor each country’s response to the pandemic through agricultural policies. Australia introduced […] Read more
Opinion: Canada’s work to reform WTO is good sign
The world trade order is wonky and floundering and needs leadership
Canada’s efforts to reform the World Trade Organization are commendable. It is apparent more countries are deciding to turn inward rather than focusing on multilateral trade relationships. The United States, India, Italy and others have all taken actions domestically that have negatively impacted the ability of Canadian farmers to enter those markets. Canadian Agri-Food Trade […] Read more
WTO trade pledge applauded
Glacier FarmMedia – The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance is applauding the World Trade Organization for its commitment to stable international trade during the COVID-19 crisis. Canadian officials joined other WTO countries in committing to maintain essential global links during the pandemic. Why it matters: Maintaining strong trading relationships and open international markets is vital to […] Read more
Opinion: Managed trade changes global trade order
China-U.S. deal heralds new era of two-country trade focus
Glacier FarmMedia – I suspect farmers of a certain vintage think more about China than they ever expected. Given the significance that Chinese decisions have on Canadian producers, it is easy to forget the trade relationship between the two countries is less than 30 years old. Yet here we are, once again curious to know […] Read more
American trade policy remaking world economy
Many parts of it will be detrimental to American trade over the long term, says former negotiator
There are several ways the United States is losing by focusing on a nationalist trade agenda and balancing trade in every way, says a former U.S. chief agriculture trade negotiator. Darci Vetter, who is now vice chair, Agriculture, Food and Trade with Edelman, told the recent Arrell Food Summit that that’s borne out in the […] Read more
U.S. seals demise of WTO appeals bench, trade officials say
Geneva | Reuters — The fate of the World Trade Organization’s top court was effectively sealed on Monday after the United States said it would not back a proposal to allow it to continue, trade officials said, although the WTO chief vowed to find a solution. The Trump administration has been blocking appointments to the […] Read more
WTO tussles over hard stop or phase-out of appeals system
Geneva | Reuters — The World Trade Organization (WTO) battled on Tuesday over whether to bring its Appellate Body to an abrupt halt or allow its adjudicators to settle a handful of pending cases, according to trade officials present at a meeting on the subject. The Trump administration has for more than two years been […] Read more