Thread by @bbaschuk

Good morning from the sunny shore of Lac Leman where @wto officials are holding their last General Council meeting before Ambassadors leave Geneva for their August break.

Here is the agenda for today’s @wto General Council meeting.

@wto The GC Chair said members will not discuss the following item at today's meeting:
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION – REPORT ON
MEETINGS OF APRIL AND JUNE 2018 (WT/BFA/172, WT/BFA/173)

@wto India raised its objections to the item earlier this week b/c it said the @WTO didn't follow protocol.
In a press conference with reporters Wednesday @WTODGAZEVEDO the issue is nothing more than a "technicality" about the interpretation of WTO rules re: approval of certain funds.

@wto @WTODGAZEVEDO It seems the @wto smartly removed that tempest in a teapot from the burner.

@wto @WTODGAZEVEDO There are still a few more controversial items left on today's agenda.
For example, India and South Africa's call for a "re-think" on the @wto's 1998 moratorium on e-commerce duties.
My story here: bit.ly/2LRZ6m6 ($)

@wto @WTODGAZEVEDO US & China are set to rattle sabers again at today's @wto General Council meeting. US Amb. Dennis Shea and Chinese Amb. Zhang Xiangchen will spar over the ways that they say their respective governments are harming the WTO.
Here's a curtain-raiser:
bit.ly/2JWEmI6

Here’s a photo of the room where @wto members are meeting now. Journalists aren’t permitted to attend.

The @WTO General Council meeting just resumed after a break for lunch. US and China are expected to rattle sabers shortly.

@wto Deputy @USTradeRep Dennis Shea: "Despite China’s repeated portrayal of itself as a staunch defender of free trade and the global trading system, China is in fact the most protectionist, mercantilist economy in the world."

@wto @USTradeRep Deputy @USTradeRep Dennis Shea: "China’s size magnifies the harm caused by its state-led, mercantilist approach to trade and investment, and this harm is growing every day and can no longer be tolerated."

@wto @USTradeRep Deputy @USTradeRep Dennis Shea: "China’s approach seems to be based more on the view that trade is a 'zero-sum game' rather than the view that free, fair and reciprocal trade is mutually beneficial."

@wto @USTradeRep Deputy @USTradeRep Dennis Shea: "The best solution from a @WTO perspective is for China finally to take the initiative to fully and effectively embrace open, market-oriented policies like other WTO Members."

@wto @USTradeRep Deputy @USTradeRep Dennis Shea: "The @WTO itself does not currently provide the tools needed to bring about that change. Rather, if the necessary change is to take place, it’s up to China."

@wto @USTradeRep Chinese @wto Ambassador Zhang Xiangchen: "Holding our feet to the fire never worked. In the past, external pressure only made a nation
of generations of hard working people striving for a purpose. And for now, criticisms help us to keep a cool head while moving
forward."

@wto @USTradeRep Zhang: "The fundamental principles and core values of the
multilateral trading system are being challenged, trade bully,
protectionism and unilateralism are rampant, the selection
process of the Appellate Body members stalled & unilateralist
measures" like Sec 232/Sec 301 tariffs

@wto @USTradeRep Zhang: "Confucius said that we should not vent our anger on others,
or blame others for our own failure. ... For instance, if the US does not increase its savings rate, it’s unlikely that it can
solve its problem of trade deficit."

@wto @USTradeRep Zhang: "Laozi, the founder of Taoism, said if you know when to stop,
you’ll not face danger. ... We should not get ourselves into debating issues
that are beyond the realm of the @wto and beyond our capacities."

@wto @USTradeRep Zhang: "We need to think about the future of the @WTO, and explore how to make the multilateral system
compatible with the changes in the globalization. China is willing
to play a constructive role and make its contribution."

@wto @USTradeRep Zhang: "The paramount task for the WTO is to curb the spread of unilateralism and protectionism, to bring the dispute settlement to its full function and to stop the trade war. We should not waste our time finding scapegoats or look away
from these fundamental challenges."

@wto @USTradeRep .@wto Spokesman Keith Rockwell described the U.S.-China conversation as diplomatic and constructive, during a press briefing following the meeting.
"The room was absolutely spellbound. It was dramatic."

END