Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #WTOreform
Most recents (7)
I sat on this for a day before publishing.
The letter from 86 NGOs misrepresents what’s happening in the WTO so badly that perhaps it’s better to just ignore it.
But it is sponsored by some big names (@amnesty, @Oxfam) and is attracting attention.
1/5 tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2021/11/23/ngo…
The letter from 86 NGOs misrepresents what’s happening in the WTO so badly that perhaps it’s better to just ignore it.
But it is sponsored by some big names (@amnesty, @Oxfam) and is attracting attention.
1/5 tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2021/11/23/ngo…
What did the letter get wrong?
Apart from the absurd hyperbole:
1. The two strands of WTO work on trade and the pandemic are not mutually exclusive. The letter says ditch one in favour of the other. That’s not what most developing countries want
2/5 tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2021/11/23/ngo…
Apart from the absurd hyperbole:
1. The two strands of WTO work on trade and the pandemic are not mutually exclusive. The letter says ditch one in favour of the other. That’s not what most developing countries want
2/5 tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2021/11/23/ngo…
2. Those 2 strands (compiling views on trade issues; waiving intellectual property rules) are not equivalent
One is about compiling views (easier). The other is rule-making, affecting legal rights and obligations (much more difficult)
3/5 tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2021/11/23/ngo…
One is about compiling views (easier). The other is rule-making, affecting legal rights and obligations (much more difficult)
3/5 tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2021/11/23/ngo…
18 days until the WTO Ministerial Conference starts, a slew of new/revised drafts have arrived.
1. TRANSPARENCY IN ROUTINE WTO WORK—notifications and discussion in the committees.
A proposed General Council decision but it comes under “WTO reform”
1/7 docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/S…
1. TRANSPARENCY IN ROUTINE WTO WORK—notifications and discussion in the committees.
A proposed General Council decision but it comes under “WTO reform”
1/7 docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/S…
The proposal: improve transparency to help the system work better
New—Iceland, Paraguay now in; minor changes
Consensus seems unlikely for now. China, India, most developing countries are not on board, many complaining they are already over-burdened
2/7 docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/S…
New—Iceland, Paraguay now in; minor changes
Consensus seems unlikely for now. China, India, most developing countries are not on board, many complaining they are already over-burdened
2/7 docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/S…
If ministers agree to set up a working group to look at #WTOreform, then this would be part of the discussion.
The EU has proposed setting one up.
USTR @AmbassadorTai has called for discussions at the ministerial conference and after
3/7 insidetrade.com/share/172631
The EU has proposed setting one up.
USTR @AmbassadorTai has called for discussions at the ministerial conference and after
3/7 insidetrade.com/share/172631
A lot going on this weekend: summits in Rome (G20) and Glasgow (climate change).
Also:
Exactly one month before the @wto Ministerial Conference #MC12 starts in Geneva. The prospects are improving marginally, but still not great.
ICYMI with updates
1/7 tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2021/10/30/wto…
Also:
Exactly one month before the @wto Ministerial Conference #MC12 starts in Geneva. The prospects are improving marginally, but still not great.
ICYMI with updates
1/7 tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2021/10/30/wto…
@BobWolfeSPS and I remain sceptical that the Ministerial Conference will deliver much of significance out of the broad range of critical problems confronting the @wto
2/7 tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2021/10/30/wto…
2/7 tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2021/10/30/wto…
More positive: a possible deal on curbing harmful fisheries subsidies—fingers firmly crossed
20 years talking past each other, 2020 deadline missed—until the UN Climate Change summit #COP26 and WTO Ministerial Conference #MC12 loomed
But no details
3/7 wto.org/english/news_e…
20 years talking past each other, 2020 deadline missed—until the UN Climate Change summit #COP26 and WTO Ministerial Conference #MC12 loomed
But no details
3/7 wto.org/english/news_e…
Russia’s trade policy review—Day 1, Oct 27. Day 2: today.
These are periodic peer-review sessions (every 5 years for Russia), based on reports from the @wto Secretariat (factual) and the government being reviewed.
See wto.org/english/tratop…
1/15
These are periodic peer-review sessions (every 5 years for Russia), based on reports from the @wto Secretariat (factual) and the government being reviewed.
See wto.org/english/tratop…
1/15
From a Geneva trade official:
Comments Day 1: > 40 members + 1 observer (Serbia)
Briefly:
POSITIVE—Russia is constructive in @wto and for the coming Ministerial Conference
NEGATIVE—Import substitution policies, the role of the state in Russian economy
2/15
Comments Day 1: > 40 members + 1 observer (Serbia)
Briefly:
POSITIVE—Russia is constructive in @wto and for the coming Ministerial Conference
NEGATIVE—Import substitution policies, the role of the state in Russian economy
2/15
US: recognises steps taken in @wto, but concerns about turning inward, contrary to the principles—non-discrimination, predictability, transparency, fair competition, under import substitution and forced localization.
Includes investment, IT, SPS, government procurement
3/15
Includes investment, IT, SPS, government procurement
3/15
1/5
The @wto #PublicForum began today.
In 2 months—the WTO #MinisterialConference.
A hot topic for both—#WTOreform.
Perversely, @BobWolfeSPS and I say forget “WTO reform”.
It puts the focus on Geneva, when the real problem is in and between capitals.
claireberlinski.substack.com/p/the-world-tr…
The @wto #PublicForum began today.
In 2 months—the WTO #MinisterialConference.
A hot topic for both—#WTOreform.
Perversely, @BobWolfeSPS and I say forget “WTO reform”.
It puts the focus on Geneva, when the real problem is in and between capitals.
claireberlinski.substack.com/p/the-world-tr…
2/5 The most serious problems are well-known:
•Crisis in dispute settlement
•Inability to meet halfway in crucial negotiations
Where is the leadership?
claireberlinski.substack.com/p/the-world-tr… (@cosmo_globalist)
•Crisis in dispute settlement
•Inability to meet halfway in crucial negotiations
Where is the leadership?
claireberlinski.substack.com/p/the-world-tr… (@cosmo_globalist)
3/5 Where is the leadership?
The US pays lip-service to solutions with nothing concrete.
China hides behind developing country alliances.
The EU is trying, but has its own pre-occupations.
claireberlinski.substack.com/p/the-world-tr… (@cosmo_globalist)
The US pays lip-service to solutions with nothing concrete.
China hides behind developing country alliances.
The EU is trying, but has its own pre-occupations.
claireberlinski.substack.com/p/the-world-tr… (@cosmo_globalist)
RECAP, IN A THREAD—TRADE TRANSPARENCY
1/17 THE MEANING isn’t so clear
With the clamour for reform, #WTOtransparency needs re-examining. @wto and its members should do better
A 4-part analysis with @BobWolfeSPS (+ great photos by @JayLouvion) #WTOreform
tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2021/04/26/wto…
1/17 THE MEANING isn’t so clear
With the clamour for reform, #WTOtransparency needs re-examining. @wto and its members should do better
A 4-part analysis with @BobWolfeSPS (+ great photos by @JayLouvion) #WTOreform
tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2021/04/26/wto…
2/17 Should @wto members pay more attention to external transparency?
Our recommendations are in tweet 16. Our reasons are in the rest of this thread, and the linked pieces.
#WTOtransparency #WTOreform
SHORT VERSION: tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2021/04/26/wto…
Our recommendations are in tweet 16. Our reasons are in the rest of this thread, and the linked pieces.
#WTOtransparency #WTOreform
SHORT VERSION: tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2021/04/26/wto…
3/17 TRANSPARENCY
A WTO aim—reliable info about governments’ rules and practices reduces uncertainty about trade.
Also makes taxpayers’ money accountable.
But *occasionally* too much public info can impede work in the WTO
#WTOtransparency #WTOreform
tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2021/04/26/wto…
A WTO aim—reliable info about governments’ rules and practices reduces uncertainty about trade.
Also makes taxpayers’ money accountable.
But *occasionally* too much public info can impede work in the WTO
#WTOtransparency #WTOreform
tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2021/04/26/wto…
NEW with @BobWolfeSPS
Short and long reads on WTO and transparency as part of #WTOreform
It all be began light-heartedly here on trade Twitter. But digging deeper into the topic reveals the complexity. Transparency is more than it seems.
SHORT READ: tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2021/04/26/wto…
Short and long reads on WTO and transparency as part of #WTOreform
It all be began light-heartedly here on trade Twitter. But digging deeper into the topic reveals the complexity. Transparency is more than it seems.
SHORT READ: tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2021/04/26/wto…
NEW: WTO, trade and transparency, with @BobWolfeSPS
“We have a particular interest in the prospects for successful reform of the WTO and its negotiations. Would more transparency help? Would less?”
LONG READ PART 1 tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2021/04/26/wto…
“We have a particular interest in the prospects for successful reform of the WTO and its negotiations. Would more transparency help? Would less?”
LONG READ PART 1 tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2021/04/26/wto…
…One minister insisted the draft mustn’t be released until approved. Next moment, delegates from that country were in the press room giving copies to favoured journalists…
What does this say about #WTOtransparency? And leaks?
Part 2 tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2021/04/26/wto…
With @BobWolfeSPS
What does this say about #WTOtransparency? And leaks?
Part 2 tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2021/04/26/wto…
With @BobWolfeSPS
